“You always seem to be talking about cool quilts,” writes a reader named DC. “What are some favorites that aren’t too granny-ish?” It’s true, I do love a quilt, and I like them best when they aren’t, as DC says, grannyish, like this gorgeous textured one. It comes in a few colors, including a very good yellow, but I like this dark grey best.
This sunrise pattern is rather cheery.
This one is a little granny-ish, pattern-wise, but the bright colors make it modern.
This one dates from the 19th century (and costs a fortune) but doesn’t it look so contemporary?
A patchwork throw in a surprisingly versatile colorway.
This map of New York quilt is by a brand called Haptic Lab, and it is just stupendous.
A solid yellow quilt would play nicely with blacks and greys.
A slightly hippie girl quilt from L.L. Bean that’s very nicely priced.
This is kind of a mashup of traditional and contemporary quilt styles, and I think it’s just great.
This moon quilt is nicely minimal.
I am disappointed that one of the places I count on to be free of ageism uses “granny-ish” in a derogatory way. Plenty of extremely chic grannies out there with quilts to match. Just stop.
Kate: The word “granny” is pretty cartoonish and evokes the old lady from The Beverly Hillbillies and the bun-headed emoji. Most real grandmothers do not like to be referred to as “granny”. I think Kim was not dissing on grandmothers everywhere, rather a silly outdated stereotype.
I am truly sorry if you felt hurt by the requester’s contrast of the word “cool” with “granny.” (As an aside, I agree that often we women go along too easily with society’s insistence on viewing us as similar to cartons of milk.) Still I am not sure that it is a goal to get rid of all categorizations and groupings. Or if it is a goal, I may not share it. It might make communication too difficult. I think Rae’s comment was excellent. “Granny” is a very handy name for a style. I suppose most rooms are somewhere on the “granny” scale. Idk. Anyhow, I only about half agree with you. Though, again, I am sorry if you felt hurt – I don’t think anyone meant that.
This is a fabulous post!!!!!!
I’m a hobby sewist & quilter and the Brooklinen throw colors/pattern have given me ideas for my next project.
I have several quilts from Haptic Lab, and they’re great, and not just as blankets. I’m originally from the midwest, so we have their Great Lakes throw hanging on the wall over our bed, and one of my sons has a constellation quilt hanging in his room. You can also buy DIY kits from them to make your own!
I have four quilts (that I do not touch) made by my great-grandmother from old dresses of my mother, grandmothers and great-grandmothers. When I my mother was still alive she could point to one of the fabric pieces and tell me about the dress is was made from and how old she was when she wore it. I slept under them when I was a little girl visiting my grandmother and thought they were magical. My grandmother told me they would give me good dreams. I love and treasure them and keep them in conservation boxes. I also love that Thompson Street Studio quilt, the moon quilt and even the LLBean hippie girl quilt.
But they are magical! They sound like a wonderful heirloom to have 🙂
(I also like the moon quilt)
Any Longmire fans here? Well … in the episode in which his daughter was in the hospital (I haven’t watched the entire series yet – it got a little too gnarly for me – so, I hope that only happened once), she was under an extremely beautiful quilt. Just now when I intergoggled it, I couldn’t easily find it but if I do I’ll share here. It was like a large rainbow-colored star. Personally I think the more “granny” the better …
I couldn’t find a pic but if you are a patient sort of person, you can go here and just wait until it shows up. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C4ayhZvxSE0 … It’s a good series, too. Very escapist. It’s about a rural sheriff’s department. They live somewhere with clean air, and lots of stuff happens. Sometimes there is fringe. It’s awesome.
If I’m not mistaken, there may be more than one amazing quilt. Whoa Nelly.
Years back I watched the series for a couple seasons, enjoying the sense of clean air. Though, if I’m completely honest, my motivation for watching had a great deal to do with Lou Diamond Phillips, the heaven of his eyes residing above his chiseled cheekbones. I must have stopped watching before the quilt was featured; I like all kinds of quilts.
Yes, he’s quite smolder-y. Another good rural-y series was McLeod’s Daughters. I still need to watch the end of that too. It’s fun to imagine living near open spaces. Not that I have any of the relevant skills.
Lou is a dreamboat. And lovely to his fans on Twitter.
For anybody who wants to browse some fantastic (not for sale) quilts, head over to the online virtual visit of the Rosie Lee Tompkins exhibit — it is incredible: https://bampfa.org/program/virtual/rosie-lee-tompkins-retrospective
I LOVE quilts and these are all excellent choices. The 19th century one is a work of art — if it’s real it should be in a museum, not on someone’s bed!
Can anyone recommend, for lack of a better description, the jacket version of these quilts? Or jackets made of out cool, modern quilts like these? I’ve decided I have to have one.
There’s a unisex brand called Boden that makes one of a kind quilt jackets. Very pricey, but cool. Last season the Sea line included a few quilt jackets and coats. (Sea-ny.com) They’re mostly sold out, but if you undertake a search online, you might find some, and they’d be on sale by now. Happy hunting!
I’ve only seen them on Rowing Blazers website, here’s the link to the Stan jackets: https://rowingblazers.com/search?q=One+of+a+kind+stan&type=product. Expensive jackets but each are one-of-a-kind and uses 100% upcycled vintage and antique textiles.
Love me some Rowing Blazers…everything!
Haptic Lab also makes quilted jackets. Not sure what is in stock at the moment. She also has a rockin’ instagram page where she told the “stay in your lane-ers” just what to do with themselves.
People fight over quilts, too??? Cheese and crackers. Where do people find the energy?
Did you look at the quilt coats section of the Haptic Lab (link to NYC map throw, above) website? Their wares look phenomenal – I’ve been debating a “globe pillow” (which I have less than zero need for) for quite awhile.
wow wow wow! Thank you Eloise. I never thought to explore the link, and I’m in love. Thank you.
And quilt kits too! Wow, neato. Thanks for mentioning the other sections, I might not have noticed.
Jenny, if you ever want to have fun dawdling on Etsy looking up quilted jackets, use as a search phrase, patchwork haori jacket.
thank you for letting me know about this just in time for an excruciating one hour staff meeting. That Etsy search will get me through, as long as I remember to nod and look serious at the right times.
Bless your heart.
I have an undying love for quilts. Years ago the MFA in Boston had an exhibition and the audio guide was really good about connecting the quilts with the lives of the quilters.
That 19th century one is fantastic, and the NY map is inspired.
There is a quilt museum in Lowell, MA (neqm.org). I haven’t been but keep meaning to stop by… maybe after covid.
Oh, thank you. I had no idea, will put this on the list of things to do when visiting my Mom (hopefully soon)
I was gifted a gorgeous red and white antique quilt by my mom a few Christmases ago. It was made by my great aunt’s mother, I believe. It’s so precious that I fear putting it out on a bed! Any suggestions as to preserving this beauty?
I have some 100+ year old family quilts that I hang/fold over curtain rods on the wall as decor. I’m sure that’s not recommended by archivists but I don’t want to tuck them away and this way I can still enjoy them
Also, it might be a good idea to take good photos. That would be an extra way to enjoy it. I think EG’s suggestion is great though. (Oh also, keep it out of the sun, but you probably knew that already.)
I bought the yellow Schoolhouse quilt based on a prior feature by you. I adore it! Well made and machine washable which is important when you have a dog that likes to snuggle but who also sheds…also made in Portugal which has fabulous linens.
WOW!, These are all gorgeous. Want them all. Does anyone have a source for someone who can finish or make a quilt? My mom was a quilter, who passed this summer. She left me a couple of projects that I would love to see completed.
This is a fantastic roundup Kim. I think any quilt, even the “granny” ones because let’s be honest, many quilts are granny, can look fantastic and modern. It is all in the styling of the room and the more ornate ones really benefit from clean, quiet surroundings, while the graphic, modern ones look wonderful warmed up with lots of wood and natural textures.
well said!