How to Modernize Traditional Quilts

Today is the day! The “Show Your Stripes” Blog Hop kicks off! Carla Henton of Creatin’ in the Sticks has gathered a multitude of creative folks to share inspiration with you. Grab your notebook. The week is going to be filled with quilting ideas featuring STRIPES.

While we had great plans to share multiple finished quilting projects, due to a serious rotary cutting accident three weeks ago, it has hindered accomplishing much of anything. On the bright side, it has given me a month to slowly organize my sewing space – and more assistance from my husband and daughters with the task. Truthfully, I had forgotten some of the supplies available. While the stitches are out and my hand is healing so much better than anticipated, I am still quite limited. So, we are taking a bit of a different approach.

So, let’s get started brainstorming ideas to create with stripes. No, I am not talking about using striped fabric. We all know that can be a bit challenging to cut, right?

Let’s talk about ways to highlight stripes of color in your project.

My initial thought for a striped project was the basic crib quilt created using a jelly roll (2-1/2″ wide x WOF pre-cut stipes). With this project, one simply arranges the fabric stripes and sews together. It is a fantastic beginner quilt to learn a consistent 1/4″ seam allowance. Using a jelly roll eliminates choosing multiple coordinating fabrics since the product is of a pre-set fabric line. Basically, we find a desired jelly roll, arrange, sew together, and … TaDa! Your quilt top is completed.

But let’s take the stripes idea a bit further …

Imagine a quilt consisting of the same block repeated. Let’s take the following block for example. It is a simple design.

We often think of these as traditional quilts being made with only two fabrics. Generally they are made with a combination of red, blue, or green with a white background. The bold contrast of a pop of color with the simplistic background creates a dramatic effect.

But let’s change it up a bit. What if we designate a color for each row. To make it more interesting, let’s use different shades to add character. Here’s the same quilt pattern with new fabrics …

Notice how the block remains the same, but by choosing slightly different tones for each element, the color gradient creates the illusion of movement throughout the quilt. Color has a huge impact on the appearance. What was once a traditional quilt has been modernized.

Are you looking to update your quilting style yet enamored with traditional blocks? Color is the solution! Whether using shades of Robert Kauffman’s classic solids or tone-on-tone prints, you can update a quilt to fit your style.

Have you sewn any projects featuring stripes? We would love to hear about it in the comments below! We have a surprise goodie package to send to a lucky winner! On Friday, February 25, we will announce the winner! Must be 18 years of age or older to enter.

Happy Sewing!

Crystal Drummond

Each day checkout the blog and social media posts. Click on the links to visit their websites.

Monday, February 22nd

• Just Let Me Quilt
• DayBrook Designs 
• Vroomans Quilts
• Ms P Designs USA
• Storied Quilts
• Den Syende Himmel
• That Fabric Feeling
• Sew Many Yarns

Tuesday, February 23rd

• Life in the Scrapatch
• Stitchin At Home
• Webster Quilt
• Homespun Hannah’s Blog
• Karrin’s Crazy World
• Quilt Schmilt
• That’s Sew Kerry
• Samelias Mum
• Annie’s Musings

Wednesday, February 24th

• Moose Stash Quilting
• Selina Quilts
• Quilting Gail
• Karen’s Korner
• Kathleen McMusing
• Food For Thought
• The Joyful Quilter
• Beaquilter

Thursday, February 25th

• Becky’s Adventures in Quilting and Travel 
• Patchwork Breeze
• Kathy Kwilts and More
• Elizabeth Coughlin Designs
• Cynthia’s Creating Ark
• Inflorescence: Starting to Bloom by Choosing Joy
• Quilt Fabrication
• Stitch and Quilt
• Creatin’ in the Sticks