THE BLENDING OF TRADITION AND MODERN TECHNIQUES IN QUILTING

Where Old Meets New in Textile Art 

Quilting has a long and rich history. For generations, it’s been a way to preserve memories, tell stories and bring people together. Traditional quilts were often made from necessity. Scraps of fabric were turned into something useful and beautiful by caring hands. Over time, this practical craft became an art form, one that still carries deep cultural and personal meaning. 

Quilting hasn’t stood still. Today, many of us are combining traditional foundations with modern techniques—bringing new life, new voices and fresh energy into our work. 

HOLDING ON TO THE ROOTS  

Traditional quilting methods—piecing, appliqué and hand-quilting—still provide a strong base. They teach patience, accuracy and respect for the process. Whether you’re working with classic blocks like Log Cabin or Ohio Star or creating a hand-stitched wholecloth quilt, there’s something grounding about those tried-and-true methods. They connect us to the generations before us and remind us that good design and solid craftsmanship never go out of style. 

TRADITIONAL APPLIQUE PATTERNS, MODERNISED 

ADDING MODERN LAYERS  

At the same time, the quilting world has opened up to techniques that push the boundaries of what a quilt can be. Here are a few ways artists are blending the traditional with the contemporary: 

FABRIC COLLAGE 

Fabric collage allows for more freedom and play. Instead of sticking to rigid blocks or grids, fabric pieces are layered and stitched down to build up an image or abstract design. It’s a bit like painting but with textiles. This technique adds depth and movement and it’s a great way to use up all those small, beautiful scraps we can’t bear to throw away! 

FABRIC COLLAGE, PLANETS 

Everyone knows the stunning fabric collage quilts of Susan Carlson. She is known for large-scale fabric collage work, often featuring marine life and nature themes. Here is a link to her website https://susancarlson.com/

THREAD PAINTING  

With thread painting, a sewing machine becomes a drawing tool. Using different thread colours and stitch directions, we can add texture, shading and detail right on the fabric. It’s especially useful for bringing realistic or expressive elements into a quilt—leaves, feathers, faces or anything that needs a bit more dimension.  

FABRIC COLLAGE AND THREAD PAINTED TORACO 

Thread painting works well over pieced or appliquéd quilts and it’s a great way to add personal flair to traditional shapes. It is easy to highlight the mix of bold flower imagery with intense detailing—ideal to show how traditional floral applique ideas can evolve into modern thread painting. 

THREAD PAINTED STRELITZIA 

FREE MOTION EMBROIDERY 

Free-motion embroidery opens up even more possibilities. Once the feed dogs are lowered, the fabric moves freely under the needle, giving the artist full control. It can be used to “doodle” on fabric, write text, sketch outlines or add texture over large areas. It’s especially powerful when combined with more structured quilt forms—like adding a loose sketch over a precise block. 

THREAD PAINTED FACE 

WHY COMBINE TECHNIQUES? 

Blending old and new techniques isn’t just about trying something different—it’s about adding depth and meaning. When traditional blocks sit next to raw-edge collage or detailed thread work, they speak to each other. They tell a story that spans generations and reflects both heritage and personal voice. 

Many contemporary quilters are doing this beautifully. They aren’t abandoning the past—they’re building on it. Personally, I feel it is important to have a good grounding in the principles of quilt making before venturing into the world of combining techniques to create art quilts. An example where I combined techniques, is in my Wassilli Kandinsky tree where I worked on top of a fully quilted, pieced background. 

MY KANDINSKY TREE  

Another example is where I combined the use of Inktense paint blocks with traditional quilting in the Strelitzia quilt. 

INKTENSE AND TRADITIONAL QUILTING 

Another artist who explores the combination of techniques further is Luke Haynes who combines traditional blocks with portraiture and social commentary. Have a look at his inspiring work here: https://www.luke.art/

A LIVING ART FORM 

Quilting is no longer just about making something to keep us warm (though it still does that beautifully). It’s a form of creative expression, a way to make a statement or simply to explore colour, texture and line. Whether your work hangs in a gallery or lives on a bed, combining traditional methods with modern techniques keeps the practice alive and evolving. There’s space in quilting for all of it—for the precise and the painterly, the structured and the spontaneous. And that’s what makes this fusion so exciting. 

Exhibitions for art lovers who want to explore further, the quilts at the International Quilt Festival (Houston) is a good option. It is a respected exhibition that shows the full range of traditional-to-innovative quilting. Have a look here: https://www.quilts.com/quilt-festival/ 

Create with your heart and soul, use different techniques, combine the old with the new as long as you love what you are doing! 

Till next time, 

Tilly