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QUILTING, PATCHWORK & APPLIQUÉ
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The Electric Quilt Company
Trends in quilting, patchwork and appliqué
Whether you’re a traditional quilter or someone looking to explore new techniques, here are the latest trends that we have noticed:
- Modern Quilting
- Minimalist Designs: Clean lines, geometric shapes and simple patterns continue to dominate modern quilting. Quilters are embracing less cluttered designs, focusing on negative space and subtle colour palettes.
- Bold Colour Palettes: Bright, contrasting colours are making a statement, often paired with neutral tones like white, grey and black for a modern touch.
- Abstract Quilts: Inspired by art movements like abstract expressionism, these quilts embrace asymmetry and unusual, non-traditional forms.
- Eco-Friendly Materials
- Recycled Fabrics: With sustainability being a key focus, more quilters are incorporating upcycled fabrics, such as old clothing, denim and repurposed textiles, into their quilts.
- Organic Fabrics: Cotton, linen and other organic materials are gaining popularity, as well as fabrics dyed with natural, non-toxic methods.
- Zero-Waste Quilting: Quilters are experimenting with scraps and leftover fabric to create quilts that minimize waste. Scrap quilts, in particular, are having a renaissance.
- Appliqué with a Twist
- Raw-Edge Appliqué: This technique allows for more texture and dimension in quilts, offering a less-polished, more organic look compared to traditional appliqué.
- Machine Appliqué: While hand-stitched appliqué still has a place, more quilters are turning to machine appliqué for efficiency and the ability to create intricate designs with speed.
- Reverse Appliqué: This involves layering fabric and then cutting away the top layers to reveal the colours and patterns beneath. It creates stunning visual effects.
- Hand Quilting Renaissance
- Slow Stitching Movement: In an era of fast fashion and quick turnarounds, hand quilting has found a resurgence through the slow stitching movement, focusing on mindfulness, sustainability and the joy of handcraft.
- Visible Mending: This is a part of the slow fashion trend, where quilters intentionally leave visible stitches or mending as part of the design, adding texture and personal character to quilts.
- 3D Quilting & Textural Techniques
- Dimensional Quilts: Quilters are adding depth and texture to their work by using techniques such as pleats, tucks and trapunto (raised quilting). This makes quilts not only visual but tactile.
- Quilting with Mixed Media: Embellishments such as beads, embroidery and even metallic threads are being incorporated into quilts for added flair.
- Digital Printing & Customization
- Custom Fabric Printing: Many quilters are using digital fabric printing to create custom patterns or incorporate personal photos, designs or artwork into their quilts.
- Photo Quilts: Digital prints of photographs have become a popular way to preserve memories through quilts, either as large panels or small, photo-themed patches.
- Patchwork Revival with a Twist
- Mosaic Quilts: Patchwork isn’t just squares and triangles anymore. Mosaic-inspired quilts that play with the placement of shapes to form larger, intricate patterns are becoming trendy.
- Vintage-Inspired with a Modern Edge: Classic patchwork designs, such as the log cabin or flying geese patterns, are being reinterpreted with a modern aesthetic – cleaner lines, fresher colour palettes, and often paired with minimalist designs.
- Quilting as Art
- Art Quilts: More quilters are creating pieces intended for wall display, pushing the boundaries of quilting into the realm of fine art. These quilts are often abstract or depict landscapes, portraits and other artistic subjects.
- Mixed Media Art Quilts: The boundaries between quilting and fine art are blurring with the use of paint, fabric manipulation and other unconventional materials like leather or paper.
- Technology in Quilting
- Machine Quilting with Software: High-tech sewing machines with advanced quilting functions, including programmable stitch patterns, are becoming popular. These machines allow for more complex designs and increased efficiency.
- Quilt Design Software: Tools like Adobe Illustrator, EQ8 (Electric Quilt 8) and other specialized quilting design software are helping quilters visualize their projects before they begin stitching. Some software even allows quilters to import photos and create patterns from them.
- Interactive & Personalized Quilts
- Personalized Gifts: Quilts that feature personal themes (names, significant dates, family portraits) are growing in popularity, especially as gifts for weddings, babies and memorials.
- Interactive Quilts: Some quilters are exploring quilts with interactive elements, such as hidden pockets, reversible designs, or even sound elements, blending traditional craft with modern tech.
- Quilt Blocks with Meaning
- Narrative Quilts: Storytelling through quilts, often using a series of blocks to represent elements of a story, has become an important trend. These narrative quilts can touch on personal history, social issues or historical events.
- Symbolic Patterns: Certain quilt patterns, like the "Star of Bethlehem" or "Tree of Life," are being used to convey deeper meanings, often reflecting personal beliefs, spirituality, or social justice themes.
Our Bestsellers in Quilting, Patchwork &
Appliqué for 2024
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