Why Quilts Matter: History, Art & Politics
16 July 2012
In your opinion, do quilt patterns limit creativity?
This open query was posted on the FB page of a group I follow. As I commented in an earlier writing I will be ruminating on random such comments when they spark deep musings on my part.
This open query was posted on the FB page of a group I follow. As I commented in an earlier writing I will be ruminating on random such comments when they spark deep musings on my part.
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The definition of a "pattern" is: A plan or diagram used as a guide in making something. A representative sample; a specimen.
I believe patterns in and of themselves have little bearing on a person's innate creativity. They can provide a framework - like the basic structure of a house. Block patterns give you the basics of construction, what size the pieces should be and occasionally in what order the pieces are put together to facilitate a block's construction.
For beginning quilters a pattern provides a comforting starting place. Technical information that lets them become more comfortable with a process, shape or technique. It can also show them how the graphics of a block in relationship to each other changes depending upon how they are placed next to each other. For example - the Log Cabin block which depending upon it's placement next to other blocks create vastly different final patterns such as Streak of Lightening, Courthouse Steps or Barn Raising.
I believe patterns in and of themselves have little bearing on a person's innate creativity. They can provide a framework - like the basic structure of a house. Block patterns give you the basics of construction, what size the pieces should be and occasionally in what order the pieces are put together to facilitate a block's construction.
For beginning quilters a pattern provides a comforting starting place. Technical information that lets them become more comfortable with a process, shape or technique. It can also show them how the graphics of a block in relationship to each other changes depending upon how they are placed next to each other. For example - the Log Cabin block which depending upon it's placement next to other blocks create vastly different final patterns such as Streak of Lightening, Courthouse Steps or Barn Raising.
Where I find creativity runs into roadblocks are:
* Through the quilter themselves and their own lack of confidence. they don't trust their own vision, sense of color or interpretation of something "traditional".
* The "Quilt Police" = There are a LOT of people I have run into who insist that their way or opinion is the only one that is acceptable. These people - who very often lack imagination or creativity themselves - will do and say things in order to try and break the spirit or experimentation of another. They try to make everyone conform to their particular idea of what is "correct".
The item I see in many quilt and fabric shops which I do find to be detrimental to a quilter developing her own creative identity or "voice" - are Kits. Kits that don't even require the creator to cut out their own fabric pieces since that has already been done for them - as had the selection of colors and specific fabrics.
For me this is as non-creative an endeavor as building a model car or doing a jigsaw puzzle. Neither of which are bad hobbies - but let up not pretend that either is teaching you how to create the item from scratch for yourself.
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