NYCxDESIGN 2015 Trends We Love: Contemporary Quilting
Makers throughout NYCxDESIGN toiled at the intersection between modern technology and traditional handicrafts. While the following finds are all artisan-made, the objects contain varying levels of discernible computer input. Some patchwork pieces suggest only a hint of digital intervention in their geometric motifs or chic textures, while others take tech further by employing programming to determine the very look of a final product. We feel inspired by these reconciliatory efforts, the designs that pay so much reverence to old ways while ingeniously incorporating tools available at the present moment. Feel free to share your favorite contemporary quilted pieces from the shows in the comments! —Annie
A handmade Meg Callahan patchwork quilt (beside a MAU • CALLAHAN bench collaboration with her boyfriend Andrew Mau of Sneak Peek fame) at Sight Unseen OFFSITE pairs muted colors with sharp geometry. Photo via Meg Callahan.
At Wanted Design Manhattan, textile designer Libs Elliott shows her handcrafted quilts featuring patterns fully generated by a computer algorithm.
Design software offers countless ways of configuring ICI Vintage Patchwork carpets, shown here at ICFF, by combining recycled pieces of worn antique rugs in customizable compositions.
The Thompson Street Studio booth at ICFF featured many standout pieces, including this quilt by Coulter Fussell from Water Valley, Mississippi as part of the Run Home Collection.
This delicate Thompson Street Studio tapestry combines warm tones with the occasional metallic sheen.
Thanks so much for this feature on modern quilting! Meg Callahan’s work is amazing–and that bench is pretty great, too.
I really enjoyed this feature and would love to see more of this! Thanks.
Yay for modern quilting! It’s so wonderful to start seeing this beautiful craft getting some (well deserved) attention. I’m also a big Meg Callahan fan. Her work is stunning, and she always documents it in such an interesting way.
Thank you so much for including me in this post! It was exciting to be in NYC for Design Week and thrilling to know that I wasn’t the only quilter showing work. Surrounded by so much talent!