Quilters sometimes become completely involved in quilting techniques. Don’t overlook the artistic merit of the work by focusing only on how it’s made. The most exquisite technique can’t overcome poor composition or color choice. Neither can artistic beauty overcome sloppy technique. Where’s the compromise? It’s truly a personal choice.
Quilt Purpose
A wall hanging will not be subjected to pulling and tugging or need to be cleaned. This allows more choices in construction. Bed quilts and throws need sturdy construction and the ability to withstand washing.
Quilting Time
Modern times have brought multiple choices for leisure time. Long gone are slower days that allow more time to concentrate on a single project. Hand piecing and quilting reigned as the gold standard in quilting for almost 150 years after the sewing machine came into use. It rocked the quilt establishment in the eighties when a machine quilted piece won best of show at the Houston Quilt Festival. Do you dream of multiple quilts, or will you be satisfied with one or two beautifully constructed and finished quilts with perfectly even, tiny stitches that would make even the pickiest critic happy?
Quilt Construction Trends
There are many time saving shortcuts in traditional piecing. These are fairly technical in nature and still require careful attention to detail and organization. Bargello quilts have been very popular as a technique, as have watercolor quilts. Applique innovations include the use of freezer paper and fusible web. Freezer paper must be removed and fusing results in stiff tops that can be difficult to quilt. Most of the popular construction trends result in many variations of the same look. That includes trends in art quilts, such as putting anything and everything on a quilt and throwing a net over it.
Quilting Curves and Raw Edges
The ability to construct curves greatly broadens the variety of quilts you can make. There are techniques for piecing curves that offer an alternative to applique. Traditional applique requires the turning and securing of curved edges, a time consuming method. Fusible web is used to apply pieces without turning the edges. The raw edges are stabilized by the fusible, but require standing over a hot iron and peeling off the paper backing. Raw edges make curves easy, but elicit strong reactions from traditional quilters.
Is the Work Intended for a Quilt Show, Personal Use, or a Favorite Friend?
Non-quilting observers react to the overall artistic value of a quilt before looking at the technique. Even a layman can recognize sloppy construction, but isn’t caught up in the obsession with stitch length and perfectly matching points. Quilt shows and groups are very receptive audiences, though sometimes very critical of technique.
Quilt What Makes You Happy
Are you satisfied with the limitations of existing techniques, or do you yearn to quilt beyond tradition? Some compromise may need to be made regarding construction methods if you pick art quilts.Whichever way you decide, it’s a hobby intended to bring pleasure and comfort to the maker as well as the recipient. Be a happy quilter. Don't forget to click on the pictures for a larger view.
 |
 |
 |
 |
