Make it Modern and wow your audience!

Traditional Log Cabin pattern in "Barn Raising" layout.

When I first got back into quilting, I began with making traditional blocks.  I loved the look of some of the vintage quilts that I saw - Dresden Plate, Sawtooth and of course, Log Cabin.  I started making quilts using old fashioned blocks and tried to make them more modern by using newer fabrics in more modern colours.

I liked the look - but was not in love with any of the quilts that I made.  I showed many of them to my mother - who has a great eye when it comes to style.  She remarked that they were beautiful but wondered if maybe I should try making quilts that were more modern and that would fit better into peoples contemporary decor.  I had to really think about this because the one thing I did not want to do was to create quilts that were available in similar looks as some quilts sold at retail stores.  And I really did not want an avant-garde look either.  I like corners that match and do not like bizarre looking blocks!



​It took some time to realize what the differences were between a more traditional quilt and a modern looking quilt.  Interestingly enough, modern quilts were actually easier to make than the more traditional style quilts and after a little experimentation, I finally determined how to make a more modern quilts that look great in any current decor.  And you don't have to buy special patterns to create them.  So here are some things you can do to take a traditional pattern and make it more modern.

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• Enlarge your blocks:  Instead of many blocks pieces together with sashing and borders - why not take a traditional block and enlarge it?  It's easier than you think - and with large blocks it goes together quickly.  If you use bold colours it can make for a striking statement!

 

• Offset a large block - off center: One look I have come to like is taking a design - whatever it is - and off-setting it instead of placing it in the center.  Part of the block may disappear - and there may be more white space on one side - but this makes for a very modern look and allows for some fun quilting in the open space!

 

• Monochrome:  Instead of choosing 3 or four complimentary colours - try sticking to one colour.  With black and white - this is easy.  Why not try blue hues - several layers of blues with the same tint to make a more current statement.  You could also try using different grays with white for a very neutral look.  And neutral is always in!

 

• Bold geometric patterns:  How about placing blocks in an order that makes no sense?  A circle next to a parallelogram... or a triangle overlapping another triangle?  Using bold coloured blocks like red and yellow using a black background can make bold proclamation!

 

• Emphasize negative space: To do this use several highlight blocks (or just one) and heavily quilt the negative (or white) space.

 

• Use bold fabrics:  I am not drawn to quilts that look overly busy - but using fabrics like "Tula Pink" or "Kaffe Fassett" fabrics in an offset nine patch can look amazing and keeps us looking for the pattern within the fabric pattern.

These are only a few ideas to make your quilting look more modern and appeal to a newer generation.  But what I like most about modern quilting is that we can use traditional blocks in a bigger way. 

​Often traditional quilts can be repetitive - one block the same as the next and kind of "matchy matchy".  Using a traditional block in a bigger way can not only show off the block but can highlight some of the more beautiful fabrics that are out now - you know the ones!  They are so lovely that we just hate to cut them up into little pieces!  Why not highlight the fabric in a bigger way!

Because fewer and bigger blocks take less time to put together - it allows us to make a quilt - likety-spilt for a last minute gift.  This year I had a customer send me 6 modern looking quilts to quilt all on the same pick up date.  She plans to give them and 4 others away as Christmas gifts this year.  I can only imagine the looks on their faces as each of 10 people open up their gifts to find a quilt for each of them.  Their wide eyed look will only show half of their amazement and wonder...."how does she do it all?" 

Bigger blocks, fewer seams and a faster finish - that's how!  Now that's a modern look I can live with!
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Offset star block

Enlarged Hunter star block

Offset snowflake highlighting the whitespace

Susan sent this and 4 other quilts in the same pattern to be quilted - all in dfferent fabrics and colours. They made quick and beautiful gifts - leaving everyone wondering "How does she do it?"

Same quilt, different fabrics and colours! 70 x 70 they make a bold statement!

A sixth quilt from Susan - this time with a similar theme - but with the added twist of smaller blocks.