Modern Black, White & Bold Batik Quilts

An Easy Black & White Fat-Quarter Quilt Pops with Pink Batik

Modern Black, White & Bold Batik Quilt

Modern black, white & bold batik quilts make for a dynamic quilting design.  My first easy black and white fat-quarter quilt inspired so many new ideas for future projects. The high contrast of the graphic black and white prints creates a sharp contrast with the vibrant batik colors.  The example above utilizes six black & white fat quarters which are offset with an intense pink batik.  This simply cut block provides a multitude of pattern opportunities by using a variety of high contrasting fabrics.  The fabrics you choose will define the look to your personal liking.

What is Modern Quilting Fabric

Modern black, white & bold batik quilts need the right fabrics.  Today, quilters have a plethora of beautiful fabrics to quilt with.  Any fabric may be used for modern quilts, it’s how you piece it together that makes the difference.  Quilt shops across the country are filled with fabulous fabrics from floor to ceiling.  Online shoppers can find an endless supply of designer fabrics to quilt with.  This availability has broadened not only what we quilt with, but how we quilt.

Modern quilting has been evolving over the last couple decades to where we are today.  While traditional patterns and quilting continue to be widely used, many more quilters are trying their hand at a bit of modern quilting.  Let’s define what modern quilting is.

What is Modern Quilting

As defined by the Modern Quilt Guild’s website, Modern quilts are primarily functional and inspired by modern design. Modern quilters work in different styles and define modern quilting in different ways, but several characteristics often appear which may help identify a modern quilt. These include but are not limited to: the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternate grid work. “Modern traditionalism” or the updating of classic quilt designs is also often seen in modern quilting. 

Easy & Beginner Friendly Modern Quilt Block

This modern quilt block is a variation of my beginner friendly ‘All Blocked In’ pattern.  It is a great beginner’s modern quilt pattern with lots of design possibilities.  The secret lies in how the blocks are cut.  When all six fabrics are stacked and cut at the same time, the pieces will each line up accurately.  It’s worked perfectly for me every time!  Check out the ‘All Blocked In’ pattern for general instructions that may be applied to this block.

What Are High Contrast Quilting Fabrics

High contrasting quilt fabrics refer to the difference in color value or intensity between fabric colors.  It’s not uncommon to group quilting fabrics into light, medium and dark piles.  While you may see some contrast between light and medium, or medium and dark fabrics, the greatest difference is between the lightest and darkest.  This is what we’re going for here with black & white printed fabrics.  These will give us the boldest contrast for our modern quilt block.

Choosing High Contrast Fabrics

There are six different black and white fabrics used in these blocks and no fabric is duplicated in any of the blocks. Therefore, to get the greatest contrast, you must select your high contrast fabrics with varying gradations of black & white.  While two are predominately black with some white pattern, there are two others that are predominately white with some black pattern.  The last two prints will fall in between with moderate dominance of either color.

While using high contrast fabrics, there also needs to be a progression of pattern intensity for each fabric to contrast with the next. Consider the high contrast fabrics you’re selecting.  Make sure they are not all to similar.  Choose some that have flowing, organic designs, while other are more graphic and angular.  If there are geometric patterns, choose some with heavy bold lines as well as thinner, less dominant lines.  These differences will heighten the contrast in your finished quilt.

Replace Solids with Black & White Fabrics

You can try this with one of your favorite patterns to give it a modern look.  Use a white fabric with a small black print for your light-colored blocks.  Then choose a black fabric with a small white print for your dark-colored blocks.  Your medium blocks can be replaced with a bright bold print of your choice and the results will be impressive.

Modern Quilting with Batiks

You can see from my past quilting that I love batiks having used them for over a hundred different quilts.  My attraction to batiks is their intense color and design.  What better choice to use in a modern black, white & bold quilt?  Though the batik elements are narrow compared to the larger black and white pieces, they add such bright excitement to this quilt.  You just want to get up close and look at what you’re seeing.  This is such a fun quilting opportunity for everyone to try.

Therefore, when I want bold color, my go to are batik fabrics.  Their vivid colors and graphic designs are perfect for a modern look.  Most batik fabrics have a shift of colors from side to side which adds so much more appeal.  Each block looks a bit different with varying shades of color.  This also creates a lively quilt top, with lots of movement.

Modern Quilt Inspiration

After making my first bold black & white quilt, I couldn’t wait to make more. These beauties scream to be looked at!!!  I’m not sure how it happened, but I am totally captivated by graphic B&W quilts with pops of intensely bright colors.

Allow your fabrics to guide your quilt layout.  Find a fabric you love and let it take your imagination towards a gorgeous design.  Try out some different black & white prints and see how they interact with each other.  Then add a pop of bright color and you’re on your way!  Have fun with it and enjoy learning a new technique.

Read More:

• Easy Fat-Quarter Quilt Using High Contrast Fabrics
• Easy Introduction to Improv Quilting
• Improv Low Volume Quilting with Batiks