Modern Batik Challenge with Island Batik

What does m Modern Quilting mean to you?  This is a question that can either start a long conversation among quilters.  My personal definition of Modern quilting is simple:  Contemporary.  Any quilt made today is modern, to me.  Even a hand pieced, hand quilted, traditional style quilt is modern.  I know that not everyone agrees with me, particularly my fellow Modern Quilt Guild members.

The Modern Quilt Guild states “Modern quilts are primarily functional and inspired by modern design. Modern quilters work in different styles and define modern quilting in different ways, but several characteristics often appear which may help identify a modern quilt. These include, but are not limited to: the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternate grid work. “Modern traditionalism” or the updating of classic quilt designs is also often seen in modern quilting.”  

You can read more about the Modern Quilt Guild here.

For this challenge, I abided by the guidelines from the MQG.  I pulled an assortment of bright fabrics from my stash builder bundles, some neutral yardage in Whipped Cream (which I need to order a bolt of, it is that great), and whatever else caught my eye in my Island Batik stash.

I made a completely improvisational quilt.  I did my new favorite improv curve technique, experimenting with long strips, creating more than one curve on each strip.  They came together beautifully, and I stuck them up on my design wall in a frenzy.  It was too busy.

Then I laid the long strips out in a border arrangement, and I really liked it.  Then the dilemma – what do I put in the middle?  I tried curved pieces, but I didn’t care for it.  I tried smaller improv curves, still no luck.  Finally, I just put in a solid piece of background, and let it marinate.

Over a couple of weeks I had a few ideas, but nothing really spoke to me.  Finally, with my deadline approaching, I had an inspiration.  I decided on a random grouping of circles to be appliquéd on to the top.

First, I pressed some diagonal lines, then horizontal and vertical, all crossing at the same point.  This gave me a framework to distribute my circles.

I did a crazy pieced center circle, with solid circles orbiting around it.  I have a very hard working ironing board.  I had some inspiration from Cassandra Beaver’s “Resonance” quilt.  I loved how her stitching around the circle enhanced the appliquéd shapes.

I noticed it had a planetary look, and my son agreed.  He named the quilt Hyperspace Bypass.  I’m glad we have a similar taste in sci-fi.  It still needs a bit of big stitch quilting – each planet will have an orbit described around the crazy center “star”.  My son has agreed to draw the orbits for me, and I will stitch them while we are on vacation.  I love taking hand work with me, and this will be perfect.

While quilting I added some random circles without fabric behind, and a few little stars.  There are more little “treats” scattered in the quilting that matches the background.  They are hard to photograph and are best experienced in person.  I love it when people notice little things hidden in my stitches.

Finally, I applied my binding while it was still on the longarm. This is one of my favorite time saving techniques.  I still have to turn the binding and stitch it to the back on my Bernina, but one wrestling session is avoided.

My backing is not a batik.  I’m still in the hoarding phase with my Island batik fabric, so I used this wide-back piece I have in my stash.  It has color words written on white.  Wide backs make life easier.

Hyperspace Bypass

The quilt finished at 46″ x 47″.

I used all Island Batik fabrics in the top and binding.

I used an assortment of threads to quilt, including Aurifil, Gutermann, and Superior.

What makes this quilt Modern?

I consider this to be a Modern quilt for several reasons.  I used high contrast prints in bright colors. I did improv piecing, and used alternate gridwork. Finally, there is expansive negative space which I have quilted densely.

Do you enjoy modern quilting?  I will admit, it is something that I struggle with.  I prefer to plan the heck out of a quilt, and then have it look very much like my original sketch.  The idea of enjoying the journey is a bit foreign to me, but I’m trying!

You can check out my fellow Island Batik Ambassadors who are also participating in this project.  We have such a talented group of makers!

Busy Hands Quilts
Freemotion by the River
Quilting Affection Designs
Bejeweled Quilts by Barb
Clever Chameleon
Mania for Quilts
Steph Jacobson
Inchworm Fabrics
Moosestash Quilting
BeaQuilter
Carole Lyles Shaw
HeARTs Creations
Sew Karen-ly Created
If These Threads Could Talk
The Quilt Rambler
Slice of Pi Quilts
Creative Blonde
Vicki’s Crafts and Quilting
Patterns by Jen
Powered by Quilting
Quilt in a not-Shell
Curlicue Creations
Little Bunny Quilts
MMM Quilts
Sweetgrass Designs
Living Water Quilter