The May Recap

Thanks for great meeting on Saturday!  The classroom at Sew Bee It was packed with all kinds of MQ inspiration.  I am trying to remember all the wonderful bits--which is a bit of a challenge when I am also running the meeting.

We welcomed several new gals, including Jackie Cory, who came down from Cleveland to see what Modern Quilting is all about--she is looking to start a guild in Cleveland.

Jackie and her quilt made from bleach discharged fabrics.

Gayle gathered our Granny Square blocks and Kate was the lucky winner of the block lottery.  We can't wait to see her quilt top!

For next month, we have a Garden Gate block.  The challege is to use a flower print with a white background.  Here is the website for the instructions for the block-http://www.conniekresin.com/2013/03/garden-fence-block-tutorial.html.  I will also send out a PDF with the instruction soon via email.  The unfinished block will be 10 1/2" square and finish 10" square in a quilt.  

Jean had the May program, Chapter 7 from Quilting Modern--Slice and Dice.  Being the math wizard that she is, she made the concept of slicing the blocks for wedges and multiple stripes easy peasy for a clean continuous line.  She has promised to forward some simple instructions to follow up on her program.  

Jean's blocks with many inserted strips!

And the best quote of the day, "who worries about keeping the inserted strips matched"...I won't give away who that came from...

As always, show and tell was inspirational--

Melissa shared her new Modern Quilt block necklace from the Pin Peddler.  If you would like one of your own, here's the link--http://www.pinpeddlers.com/store/Modern_Quilt_Pin.html.  We all thought it would be great to see our own logo as a pin, so will see what is possible.  Melissa's pin/pendant is 1 1/2" tall.

Gayle's beautiful string quilt with her cat design border.

Veronica's Jelly Roll quilt with a twist!

 Joan's Hexi quilt--

and with her hand quilting details

Mary's quilts inspired by a week with Nancy Crow--love the urban "grey houses"!

And Melody dissappointed us all by not bringing four new quilts--per her self imposed challenge to make a quilt a week...something about it being spring and there was gardening???

Melody's latest inspiration based on a Kaffe Stripe.



It turned out we did not have that many stay around for our Social Media part of the meeting--it does get to be a long morning, but I will send on the handout to everyone in an email follow up.

Thanks for Jean for the program this month and Gayle for our Block Lottery organizer!  Next month will be Gayle and Joanne presenting Chapter 8, To the Point, so see you then!

Ava


A couple of bonus pics:

Detail of Mary's quilt

Melissa's machine appliqued and embroidered boots!

Frixion Pens

Debra Nance shared a link to the use of Frixion pens that I thought was good information.  It will allow you to decide if you want to use the pens for everything, some things, or not at all.

http://mythreesonsknit.blogspot.com/2012/05/pilot-frixion-pen-sewers-warning.html

The April Meeting Recap

Gayle showing her "Modern Mosiac Block" top from the first lottery blocks

It was a packed house at Sew Bee It yesterday morning!  Jean started us off by sharing comments the judges had given her on the quilt she entered at this year's QuiltCon.  It was informational not only to see what the "modern" quilt judges were looking for, but what judges in general are looking for when they review quilts at a show.  A big thanks to Jean for sharing her experience.

Jean sharing comments made by the Judges from QuiltCon

It was announced at QuiltCon that there would be a formal guild process for the Modern Quilt Guild, including dues starting in 2014.  I shared some information about where that process is at and there would be more details to follow.  I will forward a FAQ from the national MQG--it is six pages long, but has large print--so not so scary if you are interested in finding out more.  Or forward any questions you may have to Sandi or I.

And bring your laptop in May if you want to stay later at Sew Bee It and find out more about all this social media stuff.  I will share information I have found discovered along the way about Facebook, Blogger, Flicker (still learning...).  What some of the pros and cons are and what you may or may not want to participate in.  And try to make it easy and fun along the way.  Even if you don't have a laptop, I will have handouts with links and info.

Everyone shared the completed Celtic Knot blocks from the March block lottery and Debra was the winner! 

For the April block lottery, Gayle showed everyone the Granny Square block.

It looks like a fun and easy way to play with your scraps!  Gayle outlined that blocks are to be made of prints on the inner 2 1/2" cut squares, then a coordinating solid or print in the next set of squares and white or a white on white toned fabric for the outer ring of squares.  There are more details at:  http://mamaspark.blogspot.com/2012/04/granny-square-and-tutorial.html.

Here is a finished block--

And the best way to press your seams is to press open the seams as you initially sew blocks together and then as the rows are sewn together, press the seams to the towards the outside edges of the block.

Denise and Brenda had the April program from Chapter 5 from Quilting Modern, "Free Yourself".  This chapter was about freeing piecing and improvisational piecing techniques.  Denise demonstrated the magic number, paneling and trimming methods of piecing on her portable design board.

Magic Numbers--3, 6, 9 and 12

Paneling

Trimming sewn pieces for a new block

And Brenda shared her approaches to the Urban Garden and Sea Glass Quilts.  I loved her motto--"if you don't like it, then hack it up, turn it around and add some background".  This style of quilting is a challenge for her and I loved how she took the ideas from the book and made them her own.

Urban Garden style in greens

The Clown Hat

Thanks to Denise and Brenda for a great program!  

This blog is getting long, so I will have Sandi share show and tell later this week after she returns from her quilting retreat--I am so jealous!!

Have a great week and happy stitching!