Two philosophical schools of thought dominate the modern quilting scene: those who craft traditional quilts and those who side with the ‘modern’ camp.

Traditional quilters generally rely on intricate prints and light, medium and dark shades. Modern quilters, in contrast, are enamored by “bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space and alternate grid work,” according to the Modern Quilt Guide.

Kenmore resident Kristen Suzuki, owner of the Circa 15 quilting store in downtown Kirkland, falls squarely in this camp.

“I think a lot of people would be surprised at how modern and how colorful our materials are,” she said.

In her store on a recent afternoon, she picked up a quilt from a table, embroidered with brightly colored arrows.

“I love starting with pieces of fabric and ending up with something like this,” she said.

The 44-year-old said her love of quilting began with her mother and who was a long-time seamstress, who passed away about five years ago.

Around that time, Suzuki said she asked her mother how to quilt, and developed a love for the craft.

“I kind of got obsessed with fabric,” she said.

For the professional pastry baker, quilting was a natural fit for her creative drive, relying on precision and measured approaches.

So she started an online Etsy fabric store, but her home was quickly overwhelmed with fabric for orders, so she started looking at places to set up a brick-and-mortar store. She ended up picking Kirkland.

“I love Kirkland,” she said. “I love the community here.”

And that community is a large one, she said, with long, rainy winters contributing to a large number of quilters practicing their craft in the Pacific Northwest.

Some of her customers come from as far away as Tacoma, which she said is pretty typical.

“Quilters are notorious for their willingness to travel to see a wide variety of shops,” said Suzuki.

Circa 15 sources material mostly from American and Japanese companies, all of which are made with natural materials like cotton and linen which are easy to quilt with and machine washable.

“I think our selection of fabric is very unique,” Suzuki said. “I think people just have a really good feeling when they come in here.”

The store also offers classes for intermediate quilters, but beginner’s classes are in high demand, so Circa 15 may soon start offering them.

Prices for making a quilt depend on a wide range of factors, but Suzuki said a moderate estimate would be around $150 per quilt.

While picking up the craft may seem daunting, Suzuki said anyone can do it.

With an eye to the future, Suzuki said she may look to expand, as well as increase web sales with a newly designed website.

Circa 15 is located at 264 Central Way, Kirkland, WA 98033.