Wednesday, April 30, 2014

pinwheel? :: {modern traditional} dsst challenge

I couldn't help but smile to myself when I saw the title of this challenge.  Not because there's anything particularly amusing about minis, dear stella, or sew timeless.  But rather because the term "modern traditional" has drawn quite a bit of, er, commentary from the online quilting community of late.  There are those who subscribe to the notion that modernism and traditionalism can coexist, and many others who—after their own careful thought and consideration—have opted to reject the term altogether (there's likely a facebook contingency for both, too, I just use that platform so infrequently I'm not even sure how or where to direct your attention).


So against that backdrop, I submit this quilt—"pinwheel?"—as my interpretation of modern traditionalism.  What's with the name?  I designed the block so that, depending on how you look at it, the design takes on a variety of personas.  A pinwheel.  Square in square.  A pinwheel again? Or is it a medallion.  Yes, it's a medallion. ...Oh wait, is it just one big pinwheel?


To me, that's what modern traditionalism is all about.  It's taking something as time-tested and classic as the pinwheel—a block that's been around since the late 1700s—and presenting it in a way that feels like something we've never seen before.  Yet have.  All at once.


Traditional and modern.  All cozied up in a 20" square and getting friendly with one another.


...And possibly feeling a bit cramped.  ;o)


25 comments:

  1. This is just gorgeous. I love it so hard I have pulled a muscle.

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  2. Well, don't that beat all! Great job - and having seen photos of old Amish quilts, quilts that were make centuries ago in Kazakhstan, and everything online without necessarily being about to tell you which one came from when - I think I'm in the "modern traditionalism is a thing" camp. However, while we should label our quilts, quilt "labels" aren't really helping the art - only hindering. Let's just sew!

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  3. Hahaha you couldn't resist! :D This is totally gorgeous regardless of any labels that it may or may not fit under. :)

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  4. Beautiful and inspiring! Lovely colour palette too.

    I don't like the divide with the labels. I don't remember which blogger said it, but recently someone posted that they'r e just a "quilter". Why do we need to define ourselves when there's so much out there to take joy making :)

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  5. Super, awesome, fantastic, crazy, both this and you ;)

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  6. Don't care what you call it - it's lovely!

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  7. bloody hell, woman, that's an insane amount of work! It's amazing!!!!

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  8. Really stunning, and so much work. I'm in awe!

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  9. It's official - you're either the craziest or gutsiest (is that a word?) quilter I "know"! This is stunning on its own. Then when you start doing the math with a 20" overall size, holy batman cape!

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  10. Not surprised at all of your genius... how's the new machine?

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  11. You never cease to amaze me Sarah. This quilt is fabulous. I love the way you see the world.

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  12. oh wow, look at all those insane tiny pieces. you are a mad woman for sure :-) Good luck in the challenge!

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  13. This is AH-MAY-ZING! And it would be ever more amazinger if you had a paper piecing pattern for this, even if it would take me like 5 years to put together!

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  14. I do so love what you say and show.
    In a non-stalkerish way.
    Just to be clear.

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  15. I'm almost wetting myself at Alison's comment! It is absolutely sublime Sarah, you've nailed it. Again. I'm almost scared to see what you do with your umbrella prints.

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  16. i was like "where is the close-up, show me the détails " until the last 2 pictures. absulutly beautiful !

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  17. So beautiful! I love it. The "cramped space" is my favorite. So tiny!

    - Katelyn @ Sing While Crafting

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  18. I say call it what you want, I call it stunning!! What a wonderful mini!

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  19. Kind of has a modern Aztec feel.. love the colour ways and your sense of patterning

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  20. Sarah-

    It's Tennie. Love thiss!! I can see you/me wearing a bag of this pattern...

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  21. WOW...this is such a great pattern!

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  22. Wow it's so intricate it looks like to took forever to make - love it!

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  23. Nordic? Aztec? Whatever it reminds me of, I love it, and it will never be out of style. Just perfect.

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  24. This is great art. Miniature masterpiece! I admire wholeheartedly.

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