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DID YOU KNOW YOUR QUILT IS NOT SQUARE?Many years ago I was delighted to be asked to submit a quilt to a juried show in America. I sent images of one of my big Tree Quilts, in Autumn shades of batiks and Oakshott fabrics as features and ground. And, like many of my big quilts, it tapers firmly, being at least 12 inches wider at the bottom than the top (as an aside, I would never taper inwards unless the quilt comes to a point, it looks wrong to me)It was juried in, went to the show, and was returned with Judges Notes. All these said were "Did you know your quilt is not square?" The envelope also contained an iron-on label which I was expected to attach to my lovely quilt. This was polyester, and was cut out using what I suspect was a pair of secateurs, being wonky, ragged, and uneven. Needless to say, I put it firmly in the bin This year and last, we went to Festival of Quilts looking for themes, and one that really struck us was the number of quilts which were joyfully, delightfully, and deliberately Not Square. We've made a Pinterest Page and an Inspirations Page for these, see below for links.. And our Two-Person quilt this time was Maiko, a kimono-shaped extravaganza made between us. We were shortlisted, so, not far off a prize. There's a piece about it on our Working Together page linked below, and a detail above. Great fun... Helen Howes and AitchBee Contact us direct on newsletter@modernartquilters.co.uk Why not forward this message to your quilty friends who might enjoy our ramblings. They can CLICK HERE to go straight to our newsletter sign up page. HEADER IMAGE: A detail from MAIKO our Festival entry in the Two-Person Category - more details later in this issue. |
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 You might have seen this beauty at Festival since BUBBLE-LICIOUS was HH's entry in the Modern Quilt category, earning her a Judge's Choice award. The pattern, DOUBLE BUBBLE is available from her website. |
 The very latest pattern from HB, this is CRYSTAL MAZE, having fun with some serious FPP. Recreate this definitely-not-square quilt, so shaped as to make an ideal lap quilt for a wheelchair user - no corners to catch in the wheels! Pattern and fabric pack available. |
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Click on any picture in this Newsletter to read more. These are mostly links to external websites and blogs - have fun and enjoy looking!  |
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An excellent new series by HH who, in case you didn't know, is an expert in old sewing machines. Helen has the world's largest website of accessories, spares and manuals for sewing machines from their early beginnings in the 19th Century right up to the middle of the last century and regularly repairs and refurbishes hand-crank and treadle powered machines. She frequently advises fellow sewing machine engineers on repair strategies and attends several local Repair Cafes to keep these old workhorses, and their early electric powered counterparts, on the road. She'll work on any mechanical based machine.
Although HH leaves the highly computerised modern machines well alone (not much you can do with a broken mother-board!) much of the information in this series, particularly regarding maintenance and accessories, will be of interest to sewists with machines of all types and vintage. |
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We love Jo Avery's work and were so pleased to see her gallery at this year's Festival of Quilts. Her use of clean bright bold colour combinations is always eye-catching. Amongst other things, Jo does an amazing variety of temperature quilts bringing a whole new take on what could be a rather banal concept. Jo also makes really charming quilted books (definitely not square!) Have a look around Jo's website while you're there.
Jo is also an excellent teacher so if you ever get a chance to attend one of her workshops, grab it with both hand... you won't regret it. |
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I was recently introduced to a company called LOUD ELEPHANT by a student (thanks Lynn!) who orders bright, stripy shirts for her son-in-law from them. She recommended them to me after a discussion about Batik fabrics so, of course, I just had to take a look. Their prices are extremely reasonable and the colours superb. I have no idea how colourfast these will be but I have ordered a pack of fat quarters in the interests of research so I will let you know. They can always go into projects that are unlikely to be washed. They list their fat quarters as 19 x 20 inches (approximately) which is slightly smaller that standard, but at £35 for twenty I reckon that's OK! I will probably be investing some of their fancy shirts and, perhaps, a hoodie... and...
As if that wasn't enough, the company supports three elephant charities across the globe. An extra excuse/reason for spending with them, as if one was needed. |
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MICRO-TIPS is an on-going INSPIRATIONS page on the MAQ website - one we will be adding to every time an idea strikes us, so check back regularly. As HH has said at the top of the webpage "Ideas too small for a whole page, but still useful" | ||||||
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Of course, if you are going to play with the shape of your quilt you might find that you want the top edge to be something other than straight and level. As far as we are concerned this is a totally valid choice, but it does present a whole new set of challenges getting your quilt to hang well! On her blog, Alison Schwabe discusses various methods of coping with the display of a quilt with an erratic top edge. Something to think about... | ||||||
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This month's SWITCH project took a couple of slightly tired quilted handling samples, each about 20 inches square, and turned them into this super-useful tote bag. Full instructions are included on the webpage that the image is linked to. | ||||||
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As you can imagine, we have been gathering images of not-square quilts for some time. NOT SQUARE is a new page on MAQ INSPIRATION where we share some of the best we have seen at Festival over the past couple of years. | ||||||
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Cassandra of the blog, THE (not so) DRAMATIC LIFE, has written an interesting article about the shape of quilts. It references five entries into the American QUILTCON '24 competition which are definitely not square and discusses the merits of making unsquared quilts. Cassandra has also included the artists' statement which accompanied the entries which also makes for interesting reading.
The quilt pictured is called LIKE A SQUARE, BUT WITH THREE SIDES by Jeffrey Warner. |
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This is the top section of MAIKO, HH and HB's latest quilt collaboration. The shape and complexity was inspired by the elaborate Kimono worn by apprentice Geisha, also known as MAIKO.
We entered this in the Two-person category at Festival and were very pleased to see the dark blue spot on our ticket which denotes that it was shortlisted for a prize - pipped at the post! The image links to a page full our our collaborative quilts with a little information on how they came about and the ideas behind them. |
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Threads and Patches Exhibition
Our quilty friends in North Norfolk are running their annual exhibition and in addition to the lovely quilts made by the local ladies you can meet a few of our quilts which are on loan for the weekend. HH will be presiding over a sales table chock-full with irresistible kits and patterns as well as her beautiful hand-made purses and bags. Of course, no quilt show would be complete without cake! 3-6 Sept 2025 10:30 - 4:30 daily Lessingham Methodist Church, Chapel Loke, Lessingham, Norfolk, NR12 0TD £3 entry Refreshments Sales tables |
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We are happy to publicise your exhibition or quilting event anywhere in the country, please let us know at least a month before it is due to start and provide details of venue, dates, times, a brief description, and image and a website link if you have a relevant one.
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I had a great time at Festival of Quilts this year (HB writes) inspirational quilts, retail therapy, reconnecting with quilty friends and a third in the Modern Quilt category with STREAMLINE - what's not to love! In fact, between us we did rather well: Shortlisted in Miniature (HH), Shortlisted in Two-person (both of us, obviously) and we both got a Judge's Choice in Modern!
Of all the quilts I saw, marvelling at the technical execution, design flair or humorous content, this is one I kept coming back to. PERFECTLY IMPERFECT, designed and made by Lisa Hofman-Maurer, had me spell bound. I wish I had made this... but I know in my heart-of-hearts that I could never create anything this random. Love it!
The image links to Lisa's website - super colourful and well worth a look |
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This month's Pinterest board, NOT SQUARE, includes lots of quilts which... you guessed it... aren't square! We've also added in all of our own quilts that fit the bill to. | ||||||
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