Why Quilting is an Artform
This is an article that was published in my art quilting column in "Make Modern" magazine Issue 65 in July 2025. Want to get your own Make Modern subscription? You can get one here (affiliate link)
So, what EXACTLY is Art Quilting?
You’ll get wildly different answers to this question depending on how you ask. That’s because “Art” defies categorization. By its nature, it reinvents itself constantly. If we look at art history of the last 200 years, we started with almost photographic landscapes in the 19th century and ended up with barely recognizable shapes and even bananas taped to walls (look it up, it’s crazy!). Even though art seems to defy categorization, I like to use the common Oxford Languages definition for guidance:
“Art - the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination, typically in a visual form such as painting or sculpture, producing works to be appreciated primarily for their beauty or emotional power.”
I like this definition, because it includes several approaches to art as facets of the same idea. The most important distinction here is “human”. We all check off that box, yay! (No place for AI here…) Next, we have “expression or application of creative skill and imagination”. This means that we use our “imagination” and a certain “skill”. As quilters, we have all learned a specific skill – quilting – and we’re using our imagination via our creative choices. Picking a pattern (or designing our own) is our first creative choice; picking fabrics, thread and their respective colours is another. Block placement, quilting motifs, texture… we’re making SO MANY creative choices with a quilt!
Keeping with our definition, we are using a “visual” form, which quilting falls under. Lastly, we either produce works to be appreciated primarily for their “beauty” or “emotional power”. I think this part is the most controversial, but I love that both aspects are included in this definition. Some artworks are just breathtakingly beautiful or tickle our brains in a good way – and some artworks have something to say, push the boundaries of the medium or ask/answer questions that engage us emotionally. Both are valid!
This means as quilters, we can all be artists. FULL STOP. No but’s. In order to become a quilting artist though, you must first call yourself one. Admit to yourself that your work is worthy, beautiful and an expression of your creativity. No one else will do that for you – and if you don’t consider your works art and just think of them as practical items – then by your own definition, it’s not! You’re in control. Calling yourself an artist is the first step of your artistic journey. You don’t have to wait to get into a show or have someone else call you one.
You may produce some quilts that deeply resonate, and some that do not. In my opinion, there is no “good” or “bad” art. There are different levels of art “successful” at resonating with others - which is why we have art theory and learn about colour, composition, rhythm, contrasts and all these other aspects of art. To make more “effective” art that resonates widely.
Now, you may think “but what if I make a pattern, is my quilt still art?” Yes, but you’re now COLLABORATING with a pattern designer. They are artists too! This is why it’s important to always credit collaborators on your quilts – from pattern designers to pantograph designers and longarm quilters, if applicable. You don’t have to do it all alone to call your work art, but you should definitely credit all your collaborators. Now grab some fabric, thread and create away – and don’t be shy to call yourself the artist that you truly are.
