I know everyone loves to celebrate their blogging anniversary or quilting anniversary or what have you. Today I’m celebrating my 1 year anniversary of officially considering myself a modern quilter. (Granted, I’ve been actually quilting more or less for the pass 18 years, but the 17 years prior to discovering modern quilting was just “practice!”)
It was just a year ago that I discovered the modern quilt movement, decided to attend QuiltCon and started blogging on a regular basis. I recently joined the Modern Quilt Guild and it’s so exciting to be part of such of a vibrant community.
I’ve been in love with quilting from the moment I picked up a needle and thread. But there’s just something about the clean lines, bold colors, and sleek aesthetic of modern quilting that really appeals to me.
Sure, I still love traditional quilts, art quilts, practical quilts, show quilts… heck ANY quilts! I love the stories behind the makers and the art of the cloth. Over the years I always had this inner voice telling me to “find my niche” with my quilting. Was it paper piecing? Decadent multi-pointed star quilts? How about retro and repro quilts? Easy quilts? Novelty quilts?
I liked them all, but none of the styles ever beckoned to me in such a way as modern quilting has done. Sure, my tastes may still lean a bit toward the “modern traditionalism” side of things, but even that is evolving.
I literally get a pounding in my heart when I think of all the possibilities of modern quilting. Part of the reason for me putting on the designer’s hat is because I just have to get all these ideas onto paper and made into cloth!
In fact, I’ve probably been more serious about my quilting in the last year than I have in the previous nearly 2 decades of sewing. Part of me wishes I had discovered modern quilting earlier. In the last year I’ve been able to tick off many of the quilting goals I set for myself and I can’t wait to accomplish more of them over the next year. 🙂
If I had known about modern quilting longer, just think what I could have accomplished the last few years! My solace is that modern quilting as a recognized movement is relatively new so I feel like I’m still on the cutting edge of something fantastic.
Where will it lead next? I’m not quite sure but I will definitely enjoy the ride!
Christa Quilts 
Such a great post and I agree completely. I am more excited about my quilting since I discovered modern quilts!
Wow, I think that most of us are in the same boat! I have discovered “modern’ quilting this summer, and have also fallen in love.
Congrats! It’s so much fun in the modern world of fabric!
I loved this post Christa! Like you, I hesitate to label myself and think that “modern” is a state of mind and is all about the community and technology that goes along with it. I’m so glad to count you as a blogging friend!
🙂 Kelly
I have enjoyed watching your embrace of modern quilting this year. Your quilt alongs have really pointed the way for me. I’m not quite there yet, but I find myself moving more in the direction of modern quilting. I would like to see you post more about what you think constitutes modern quilting.
Congrats and keep on the journey of modern quilt discovery. I am right behind you..following closely….see my shadow! LOL. Love your blog and the inspiration you offer.
Your blog is one of my favorites. I love your quilts, especially the ones pictured above! What I love is that I think I can actually make my own version of them and then quilt them simply on my own small, cheap home sewing machine! I love quilting too and next year I plan to work on some of these. This year I am making 3 quilts from a BOM club, one for each of my children so that has to be my focus in order to finish them Christmas. Thanks for sharing your work with the world!
Interesting! I’ve quilted for longer than I care to say. (Anytime that u say you’ve been doing something for 20 plus years you sound old!) but I have recently become very interested in modern quilting. I’ve started to wonder what criteria makes a quilt “modern”? If I do it with batiks, is it still modern? Perhaps you could help clarify what constitutes a modern quilt on one of your blogs? Thanks! Excited to watch your evolution !
I think “Modern” is really a state of mind. Batiks at first were not considered modern by now I’m starting to see them crop up more and more. In essence, it’s not just about what quilts you make – but how you make them, the sense of community, the use of technology, etc. I think it encompasses more than just wonky piecing and using negative space. You are right, I should write another blog post about this!
I once heard that Americans love to celebrate anything….lol…It is true…..it sure makes us happy to celebrate among friends. So congratulations…
Congratulations, Christa! I am new to quilting – since Jan 2013 and like the traditional blocks but am drawn to the modern fabrics. I still want to make one of just about everything – traditional or modern. I found your blog a couple of months ago and love your quilts and find you very gracious to share as you do. Been trying to follow string of pearls QAL but haven’t gotten into my groove with it yet. I better get on it because its for hubby’s 8/17 birthday! I enjoy quilting so much and am sure I’ll find my niche along the way. Glad you found yours and enjoy being with you on your journey. 🙂
congrats on your anniversary. Love to follow your progress
I am fairly new to quilting as a whole. I started out with traditional quilts and then one day I went to the Austin Modern Quilt Guild. It has changed how I look at quilting. I love the bold modern fabrics and now I have to figure out what to do with all my old repro fabric. More charity quilts are in the works.
Thanks for sharing with us Christa. I love to follow your adventure on your blog.
It is great that you take us with you on your modern quilt adventure. I enjoy your quilt alongs and have done two. I also have embraced the modern quilt movement. It is fresh, uses bright, cheerful colours and the results are rewarding. Well done.
I have been quilting for the past ten years and loving it. Six months ago I watched the Quiltcon lecture videos for free on Crafsy and have been obsessed with modern quilting ever since!!As my first quilt teacher and mentor would say–I Have Found My Voice–and luv-luv luv it!!
I just found your blog,Christa and I know I will luv it too!!
Congratulations on finding your niche! I am still looking and have a feeling there isn’t one particular type I like best – you’d think that after nearly 50 years of quilting and sewing I would have figured it out! It all is so fascinating and I just NEED to try everything!. Let’s look forward to the next 10, 20, or even 50 years of ever-evolving quilting! Your quilt-along blocks are wonderful by the way! Good job! 🙂
Happy modern quilting anniversary!
I agree with you 100%. We share the same story, almost. I have never been drawn to the “modern era”. I just never looked comfortable to me, but over the last year, I have been totally bitten by the “modern” bug. I feel energized with my quilting now. Thanks for your QALs. I am enjoying String of Pearls.
The start of every new chapter in your life is a new beginning and so calling it an anniversary is very appropriate! It is definitely the anniversary of your new journey. I’ve loved where your new journey has taken you so far and I can’t wait to see what else is doing the road you are traveling.
Happy Anniversary, modern quilter! You have definitely found your niche and are so good at it! Love your QALs …have done two of them and thinking of a third…and will continue to see what you are up to. I am essentially a traditional quilter but love to foray into the unknown every once in awhile! Thanks for the inspiration!
Congratulations on your anniversary! Don’t you love having a niche to call your own? A bit like coming home after a long time away….ahhh!
Happy one year moderniversary! (What a dreadful portmanteau that makes :D)
I an going to take that ride with you. I found your blog and found my niche! My last quilt for ny 15 yr grand daughter was my 1st modern quilt. I would kove to share with you. …keep the inspiration coming.