Welcome back to week 2 of the 12 week celebration for Machine Quilting with Style! This week I’m excited to again share “Rain,” which I think is one of the most modern quilts I’ve ever made. My husband Jason was actually the one who inspired the design. He was doodling on his iPad one day and I thought his design would make an awesome quilt! So I translated his scribbles into this minimalist modern quilt:
Rain 60″ x 80″ by Christa Watson. Photography by Brent Kane.
Jason and I went back and forth with ideas for naming this quilt (meteor shower, streaks of color colored rain, etc.), and the colorful strips for some reason brought to mind streaks of rain. Wouldn’t it be nice if rain really was colorful like this? Then I had the idea to quilt with heavier weight colorful threads matching each of the strips and extending the quilting lines off the ends, creating a streaked effect.
When you look closely, you can see that the parallel straight-line quilting isn’t exactly perfect and that’s okay. I truly believe that “perfectly imperfect” quilting adds to the beauty and hand-crafted look of the piece!
Purple Rain
I’ve been wanting to explore different colorways with this design and of course the first variation I thought of was Purple Rain. When Prince died earlier this year, the design became even that much more meaningful to me.
I think the light gray sets off the purple strips nicely, don’t you agree?
How about this black and gray version? It’s the same design but tweaked by using just two colors and letting the stripes go all the way across the quilt. The graphic movement it creates is very striking, and I love exploring design possibilities like this!
Although I used solids for these versions, I’ve seen several of you remake this quilt using prints, which looks just as fabulous! In fact, when you click the link below to view all of the quilts from my book, you’ll see another variation of each finished quilt made by my friends. This should get the ideas flowing!
Click here to see all of the quilts from Machine Quilting with Style.
Weekly Giveaway
For this week’s celebration, I’m giving away a signed copy of my second book, The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting, co-authored with Angela Walters. One US reader will receive a hard-copy, signed by both of us, and one international friend will get an e-copy from my friends at Martingale/That Patchwork Place.
To enter, leave a comment below letting me know if you’ve ever made a modern quilt before. For an extra bonus entry, you can share a picture of your favorite modern quilt in my Facebook group: Quilt with Christa. And just to clarify – what’s modern to you is modern to me. 🙂
Last Week’s WinnerS:
Congratulations to Lori M. and Jill B. who each won a copy of Machine Quilting with Style! I’ve sent message to both. I’ll pick this week’s winner next Thursday and post it with the next re-imagined quilt next Friday!
Christa Quilts 
I haven’t made a modern quilt yet, but it is on my bucket list.
Nope, I have not made any quilts that I would consider ‘modern’, however, I don’t think any of the quilts I have made have been particularly ‘traditional’ either. I guess I would call my style more eclectic. Thanks for the chance!
dragonfly9716 (at) yahoo (dot) com
I made one for a challenge. More of my tend toward the modern due to my fabric choices these days.
I have not made a modern quilt.
I have made a couple of modern quilts. Both my own designs. It’s not easy coming out of the box but I’m trying,
I’ve made one modern quilt. I bought a fabric to make a quilt with many small pieces, but couldn’t bring myself to cut it so small, as I would lose the beautiful pattern. So I made a modern quilt with large pieces of fabric. I had bought the pattern a few years ago, and was glad to finally have the perfect fabric for it. Not quilted yet though.
Yes, I’ve made a few truly modern quilts and tons of concepts waiting to be made. Most of my quilts don’t fit any set definition and that’s ok with me. I make what I’m inspired to make. I want to add your book to our modern quilt guild library. I’m the librarian and we need some new modern books.
These look awesome!
I have made a couple of small modern-ish quilts. I find I’m mostly traditional but trying to break out of my comfort zone occassionally.
Yes!
Oh yes, I’ve made a few modern quilts. Some more modern than others.
Also, I think your rain quilt would look awesome with clouds quilted into the background. Denser at the top and fading away towards the bottom.
I have gradually become a fan of modern quilts and am very drawn to them. Next quilt will be a modern, my son is designing one he would like. Your book has been a guide to my inspiration.
I tend to gravitate toward modern quilts and prints. I’ve made a few but not any of my own design.
I have learned towards modern looking quilts but I like tone on tones or even some modern fabrics in my modern quilts.
I’ve made a modern baby quilt and loved it!
I am working on my first modern quilt. It is the Sister Sampler with Tula Pink fabrics. I would love to win this book to help me when I quilt it. I’ve only done stitch in the ditch and the meandering quilting . I’ve never attempted actual designs.
Nope, I’ve never made a modern quilt, but I’ve seen a few I liked.
I have not made a modern quilt. Yet. Wanting to, just not adventurous enough yet. But I am excited about your book. Sure hope I can win one!
Yes, I have made a modern quilt! The pattern and fabric were chosen by my daughter, and after lots of face-timing and phone calls, it now is draped on her sofa in her renovated apartment in Paris! We all love it!
No I have not made a modern quilt. Huge amounts of what is called negative space do not appeal to me.
No, I’ve only made more traditional quilts. But I enjoy looking at all your quilts!
My quilts are becoming increasingly modern in their vibe, but it is a journey to develop that eye!
I have made 3 quilts that could be called modern, and am in the process of quilting a 4th. 🙂
I have not made a modern quilt yet, but plan to make one in black, white and red for my quilting studio.
I have not made a modern quilt yet, but am so inspired by all the ones I see. My head is swimming with ideas. Just need some time to implement them. (Can’t wait till I retire.)
No, I don’t think I’ve made what I would consider modern yet, but I think I’ve made a couple that have me moving in that direction. I love all your quilts and all that you do for us!
I haven’t made a modern quilt yet, but I have several patterns picked out to make that I would consider modern!
I’ve made some modern baby quilts. Want to get quilting larger quilts.
I have enjoyed making modern quilts.
I’m working up to making a modern quilt (I’m fairly new to quilting). Your work is particularly inspiring.
I love Purple Rain – I haven’t made a modern quilt yet but I intend to!!
I haven’t made a full quilt yet, but I made a pillow version of your paper pieced quilt-a-long modern Dresden block. I love it. Thank you so much.
That’s all I make! Modern or bust for me.
I haven’t made a modern quilt yet.
I am and love making modern quilts, thanks to the encouragement of the quilting industry.
After seeing the black and white ‘Rain’ version, I think a Bar Code quilt is in your future. 😀
I haven’t made a modern quilt yet, but I do love Rain Re-Imagined. Hopefully, I’ll try a modern quilt soon.
I have not yet made a modern quilt. I have several patterns on my bucket list, but haven’t jumped in with both feet…yet!
I love Rain, I already have the book and it is one of my favourites. I don’t get hung up about what is modern anymore. I make ‘modern’ quilts, ‘traditional quilts’, and some more a mix of both. What is modern today won’t be in a few years, what is popular now will be old hat, it is ever changing. Just make what you like and enjoy it. The only thing I try to avoid are fabrics which will be dated in a few years, like text fabrics.
I find myself drawn more and more to modern quilts. So, yes I have made a modern quilt.
I made my first modern quilt in 2015 for my daughter who live in Polynesia, bed size (picture in FB ).
I’ve never made anything that is strictly modern, though I did one a couple of years ago that I consider “semi-modern.” I am working on a group project now that I hope will have at least a modern feel.
I have never made a modern quilt. But, I can see one in my future.
I have made several modern quilts and am at present working on the 100blocks100days challenge using Tula Pinks book.
i made my first modern quiltafter i read your first book, a variation on the ohio star, made huge and centered with border and cornerstones in the border, quilted in circle within circles all the way to the edge. i’m a beginner quilter and it was a challange to quilt it like that but boy did i learn alot!!! thanks for such wonderful books, a reall inspiration!
I’ve made more than one modern quilt. I belong to my local modern quilt guild and my local “regular” quilt guild. Love attending both. Each has a different “zen”.
I am new to quilting and modern quilting. I have made a couple of modern quilts.
Yes. But none as originally creative as yours!
I’ve made a few modern quilts, but I’m not sure I can always tell exactly whether a quilt is modern or not. Some of them would maybe be considered “borderline” if there is such a thing. I know some people are pretty strict in their definitions, I’m not personally that worried, I just make what I like.
I have not made what I would consider a modern quilt.