When we think of Mid Century Modern a lot of things can come to mind. Architecture, of course, had a very lasting impression on our current landscape. Mid century furniture, built between the 30’s to the 60’s, also is something that we readily recognize. How about the use of color and shape? High contrast use of black and white was big, as well as the tweaking of traditional shapes and designs with more organic curves and lines. It was a time of minimalism and simplicity of function over form. We can’t always define it, but we can recognize it when we see it. I think you’ll agree that Holly’s black and white mid century modern quilt fulfills all of these definitions.

A Gray Collection of Prints

I didn’t think to ask Holly if this was a kit or if she had collected all those gray, black, and white prints herself. Either way, I love the eclectic mix of prints that make up this quilt. She made the frames for each block alternating black and white. It is where the star takes shape. Because of the wonkiness of the print blocks, you can’t really tell that the black and white complete them and make them square again.

Bubbles Everywhere

To quilt this we used the Champagne edge to edge design. This design covered this quilt top with lots of large bubbles which in its own way contributes to that mid century modern feel. It also added some roundness to this quilt which is made of entirely straight lines. The gray Omni thread also blended well with the colors of the top. Of course, you can rarely go wrong with gray thread. Being that it is the color of shadow, gray has a way of melting into the back.

Mid Century Vibe

The mid century modern designs were created by people coming out of world wars and severe economic depressions. They wanted to feel the hope of a brighter future with a break from the elaborate flourishes of yesteryear. Holly’s Black and White Quilt is a fun example of that style. Is there a decade that fits your style? Be sure to connect with us on Facebook and Instagram and share with us what you've been working on. We’d love to see it!