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Arizona quilters blend traditional craft with modern design

At the recent Phoenix QuiltCon, crafters of all ages showed why the traditional art form is as vital as ever.
Image: Attendees of QuiltCon practice sewing fabric at a booth hosted by Cotton+Steel Fabrics.
Attendees of QuiltCon practice sewing fabric at a booth hosted by Cotton+Steel Fabrics. Sydney Lovan/Cronkite News
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Quilting, traditionally, is about mastery and precision. Following well-known geometric patterns is crucial to the craft.

For modern quilters, especially those from younger generations, it’s about innovation, bold designs and artistic expression. Some create complex landscapes or portraits, while others use the medium to make a statement, stitching together letters instead of patterns to make their voices heard.

QuiltCon, one of the largest quilting shows in the U.S., highlighted this shift at its recent national show in Phoenix. Hosted by the Modern Quilt Guild, the event received more than 2,000 quilt entries and displayed 483 quilts. More than 23,000 people attended the four-day event.

The 2025 show took place in February at the Phoenix Convention Center, where quilters of all ages had the chance to showcase their work, attend presentations from industry leaders and explore a wide range of vendor offerings.

As quilting evolves, the influence of contemporary art becomes more evident in the designs.

ā€œModern quilters tend to be inspired frequently by modern art,ā€ says Elizabeth Dackson, director of events at Modern Quilt Guild. ā€œThey tend to prioritize modern design over the replication of a block over and over again as you see in traditional quilting.ā€
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Avery Trinidad sews fabric at the Cotton+Steel Fabrics booth at QuiltCon at the Phoenix Convention Center.
Sydney Lovan/Cronkite News

Fifteen-year-old quilter Lorelai Kuecker, who won first place in the Youth Quilts category, says that even since she started quilting in fifth grade, she has seen the change happening in the industry.

ā€œEveryone’s just taking it in a whole new direction than it was … the landscape is changing so quickly and all the artists are such amazing people,ā€ she says

Brandy Maslowski, editor of QuiltCon Magazine and Quilting Arts Magazine, says that for younger generations, quilting offers something that digital entertainment often lacks.

ā€œSometimes the youth are watching TV or on their devices more and more, and when you’re doing something like an arts and craft, you’re getting that delayed gratification that you’re missing when you’re scrolling,ā€ Maslowski says. ā€œThe younger generations are feeling those feelings and jumping all over it because they love it.ā€

Modern quilting is where tradition meets transformation; as younger generations breathe new life into the craft, it creates a new space for generations to connect.

Dackson sees these connections firsthand, as quilting has become a new way of connecting with her daughter through a shared creative outlet.

ā€œWith my 9-year-old, it’s something that she sees as special that she gets to do with me,ā€ she says. ā€œWe made a quilt together for her teacher last year. She sees it both creatively as an outlet but also as a special way to spend time together. I think that’s really common among families that have quilters and children in them.ā€

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QuiltCon attendees look at award-winning modern quilts on display at the Phoenix Convention Center.
Sydney Lovan/Cronkite News

La Paloma Academy – South Campus in Tucson hosts a sewing and quilting club for elementary and middle school students called SEWcial Club. This year, students attended QuiltCon, where they were able to explore the possibilities as they continue to develop their skills.

For the past three years, they have been creating quilts both individually and as a group, and submitting their work to the Tucson Quilters Guild’s Quilt Fiesta.

Club members say they find quilting enjoyable because of the variety of patterns and fabrics that can be used, as well as the endless possibilities for what they can create.

Members also say that quilting gives them a relaxing escape after a long day, offering a meaningful way to unwind and support their mental health.

ā€œIt makes me calm to have something to do in the day,ā€ says club member Sophia Barraza. ā€œIt relaxes me from those burdens from going to school.ā€

Their advisor, Mena Mendoza, emphasized that quilting gives students a chance to relax while fostering mental growth, teaching them that making mistakes is a part of life and can be fixed.

ā€œIt allows them to still make mistakes and be okay with those mistakes,ā€ Mendoza says.

Mendoza also said sewing and quilting help build children’s skills in traditional subjects, like math.

ā€œBeing a fiber artist, you have to use math,ā€ Mendoza says. ā€œI tell them all the time, even if you don’t know what you want to make, let’s break it down by the math.ā€

The students in the club said quilting not only helps them relax and destress, but also fosters a stronger sense of community within the group and deepens their connection with the teachers that advise them.

ā€œWe’re like a big family,ā€ says club member Rosalee Cornidez.

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Leigh Zipf demonstrates how to use a longarm quilting machine at the Handi Quilter booth at QuiltCon.
Sydney Lovan/Cronkite News

Avery Trinidad, a modern quilter from Phoenix, says that the craft has become a meaningful tradition for the women in her family.

ā€œI think it gives us a reason to come together,ā€ Trinidad says. ā€œIt’s put together five different generations for our family.ā€

Trinidad said she has come to love modern quilting because of the artistry, enamored with the emotion you are able to convey with each new piece.

ā€œYou see a design and, just like you see a piece of artwork hanging in the museum, it hits you in the heart,ā€ she said.

Trinidad and her mother started a small business, called Sassy Snippers, two years ago to sell custom commissions they’ve quilted together. Trinidad said that when quilting anything for their business, whether it’s a baby blanket or a purse, it creates a unique connection with their customer.

ā€œWe’re sewing love into these things,ā€ Trinidad said. ā€œWith every piece that’s sewn, it’s not only calming to sew, but it actually feels like that person becomes your family.ā€

For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org