These three small quilts demonstrate design concepts from my Indi-Go-Modern workshop: working in a limited palette (blue and white), combining simple pieced blocks with “negative space” for drama, using scale to dramatic effect, and exploring the possibilities with walking foot quilting that goes beyond stitch in the ditch.
I love working with vintage fabrics from Japan, especially with yukata cottons which are made for summer-weight kimono. The fabric, patterns, and traditions behind them fascinate me.
I also love the patterns and textures found in shibori fabrics, dyed in natural indigo. I’ve studied shibori dyeing a bit, both in Japan and here at home, but I still feel like a novice when it comes to the wide range of possible techniques for creating patterns with a resist of stitching, binding and clamping the fabric before dyeing.
In my Indi-Go-Modern workshop, I teach three simple design concepts that apply beautifully to these indigo and white fabrics — transforming them from vintage to modern!
Details
It’s amazing what you can create, working with a limited palette. The strong light and dark contrasting values create energy. My approach to walking foot quilting adds an extra layer of texture and complexity.
Special thanks to photographer Azuree Holloway and stylist Trevor Holloway, who took the two photos above for Quiltfolk Magazine. I was honored to be included in their Washington issue, which came out in the fall of 2024.
My quilt labels are inkjet printed, and I have a lecture called Quilt Labels to Love! which quilt guilds can book as a virtual or in-person event. Also please check out my popular workshop, Indi-Go-Modern, which is also available for guilds to book.
“Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that’s creativity.”
CHARLES MINGUS
The Indi-Go-Modern Series is not available for purchase, but I do take commissions to create quilts like these. To discuss a commission, contact me and please mention the Indi-Go-Modern quilts in your message. I deliver to the Seattle area, and ship artwork unframed within the U.S.