Monday, December 2, 2013

Member Monday—Gerry Haywood


I was so excited that Gerry chose to share her creative journey with us—I couldn't wait to get it posted! Here is what she shared…
"I have been exposed to fiber, in various forms, all of my life. My Mother was an excellent seamstress, knitter, crocheter and tatter. She did it all!!
I started knitting (k2p2) at a very early age of 8 or 9 and would knit practice squares which usually ended up as shoe shinning cloths or bedding for my dog. Oh well, it was a start.
My formal introduction to garment making was in high school home economics class. I passed apron but flunked pajamas. Sewed the crotch seam in the wrong direction and quickly learned how to pick out a seam. I did pursue this new discipline and received my first sewing machine when I was in college. From that time on garment making was my passion and still is. 
Always one to try something new and off the wall, I found myself exploring another medium-weaving but with a contemporary flair. Purchased a floor loom and that was the beginning of a new experience. Into these pieces I incorporated clay beads, feathers, ultra suede  and plastic tubing. Didn’t know how this new concept would be received, so I started exhibiting my work at numerous art shows in Louisville and soon had myself well established in this new art form. Several of my pieces are in Louisville offices but most were commissioned for private homes. In the meantime, I was approached by ChiChi’s (Mexican restaurant) to do some pieces for them. I worked with their interior designer for two years and have pieces in several cities in the United States as well as in Canada.
In the meantime, I was taking advanced sewing and design classes at Baer Fabrics in Louisville as well as attending tailoring class. Always trying to improve my sewing techniques and design principles. Baer Fabrics was a 5 floor store that stocked everything your heart desired from silks to upholstery fabrics. They brought in nationally known instructors for their classes, so I was exposed to the very best in the garment making industry. A style show was held occasionally to showcase some of the outstanding garments made in classes. One of my jackets and silk slacks were selected for the style show. Quite a compliment. After moving to Chattanooga five years ago, I was very disappointed to learn that there was not a really good fabric store. Bummer!!!!  That more or less has ended my garment making.
The saga continues. I made my first quilt in 1990 which was a baby quilt for my first grandchild. Hand quilted this one. My next quilt was “Trip Around the World” and is presently hanging at  Spool. After moving here and discovering “ Sew Bee It” I knew then I could make wall quilts for my new house. Through the years my quilting style has changed dramatically-more modern. I love the simplicity, the bright colors and the negative space. The Modern Quilt Guild has so encouraged me to think outside the box. At this juncture in my life, I hope I am not too bold in saying, last but not least, I am also a Modern Quilter."


Gerry's talent, tireless energy, charitable and creative spirit, have been an inspiration to me. I always look forward to see what she brings to our meetings. Thanks for sharing your story Gerry!

Gerry participated in the Logo Block challenge and submitted two, yes two blocks. One is featured in the ChattMQG header and the other is shown here to the right.

—Pam







Monday, October 21, 2013

October Meeting Recap

Our Saturday started with an enthusiastic social time, followed with a warm welcome from Sandi. Announcements were made regarding our November Holiday Party. This will be our last meeting of the year and will take place on Thursday evening, November 14th from 6:00–7:30 p.m. at SPOOL. Light refreshments will be served. We have three activities planned for the evening; a Gift Swap, a Door Prize Drawing and of course, Show and Tell. If you would like to participate in any or all of these activities, here's what you need to bring:
  1. For the Gift Swap: a small handmade gift. Everyone who brings a gift, goes home with a gift.
  2. For the Door Prize Drawing:  Favorite sewing item(s) {ex.: (2) fat quarters, or (1) charm pack or, (2) mini charm packs, notions; pin cushion, or seam ripper, or snips, etc.} These items will go into the Door Prize basket. Everyone who brings an item(s) will have a chance to win!
  3. Show and Tell.
Our October meeting marks the end of this year's Lottery Block challenge. Eighteen blocks were collected and two winners were drawn, giving each winner nine blocks—Vista and Nancy were the lucky winners of those "Urban Chicken" blocks.
We need to thank Gayle for bringing this challenge to our monthly meetings. She has done a fantastic job.

Janet updated us on the progress made to join the National MQG. It looks like we are on track to become an official affiliate member in January 2014. More information with regard to membership and dues will be sent through the remainder of the year via email and the blog. 

We had a two-part program this month. Debra started the first part of the program with Chapter 11, Embrace Your Curves, from Quilting Modern. She shared her experience with these gentle curves, showed several samples and offered some really great tips:

  • Starch your fabric before cutting. She likes to starch lightly on the right side of her fabric with a little heavier starch on the wrong side.
  • Sew slowly and adjust your fabric as necessary to move around the curves.
  • Don't skip through any of the steps—you will regret it!
Melissa continued the program by sharing her experience from Bernina University 2013 in San Francisco. She showed several new products and software from Bernina, along with their newest machine. More impressive than that, were all the projects she made while there!

I thought I would end this post with a pictorial of the October Show and Tell. I think it speaks for itself.

~Pam

Monday, October 7, 2013

October Meeting

The Chattanooga Modern Quilt Guild will hold it's regularly scheduled meeting this Saturday, October 12th at Bernina Sew-N-Quilt at 10:00 a.m.

Debra N. will present this month's program from the book, Quilting Modern, Chapter 11, Embrace your Curves, Improvisational Curves Techniques and Projects. Melissa K. will be sharing her experiences from Bernina University 2013.

Please don't forget to bring your "Urban Chicken" lottery blocks. Here is the link to the online tutorial designcamppdx.blogspot.com/2013/08/urban-chicken-block.html.

Also, please bring your fabric scraps so we will be ready for our January 2014 program, Improvisational Piecing. Your scraps should be at least 1.5 x 2 inches or larger and can be prints or solids.

And of course, bring your Show and Tell.

It looks to be another fun and exciting meeting!

Hope to see you there--Pam

Friday, September 20, 2013

September Meeting Recap--Part II

Part II of the September Meeting recap is all about why we come to the ChattMQG. . .

Lottery Blocks

The Lottery Blocks have become an exciting portion of our monthly meetings since Gayle introduced them early this year. We look forward to seeing the blocks created from this challenge. This month's blocks were no exception, the Japanese x-and-+. The blocks were collected, the winner was drawn and Kathleen went home with a whole bunch of these beauties. Who wouldn't love a quilt made from these?

Gayle presented the Lottery Block for October; The Urban Chicken Block, designed by Michelle Freedman for the Portland Modern Quilt Guild's August BOM. The block should measure 12 1/2" square and can use any colorway you prefer. Here is the link to the online tutorial.  Sorry, there wasn't a pdf download for this one.

Gayle also shared a few of her urban chicken blocks in various stages of completion.

Show and Tell

We all agree that Show and Tell is one of our favorite parts of the meeting. It is a chance to flaunt our work and share a bit of ourselves. This months showing did not disappoint!

Josie showed this beautiful quilt. It is hard to believe she's only been quilting about a year.

Jean shared two Kaufmann challenge quilts she made a few years ago. Jean obviously likes challenging herself and entering her work in shows. BTW, the quilt she shared last month was accepted to the AQS QuiltWeek—Des Moines show. Congratulations Jean!

 I showed my Color Wheel Quilt. I have wanted to make this before I even started quilting. It makes me smile.

Gerry shared her pillows that she made almost 20 years ago. She has always been a modern quilter.

BJ shared more of her Tula Pink blocks. I think she has made more than fifty now.

Tricia had a big showing this month. She shared her bag, "girly utility belt" and chicken.
The "girly utility belt" tool belt is a class available at Ready-Set-Sew.

 Jackie, too, shared several projects. Her pillow and quilt, both made from her own hand-dyed fabrics and this scrappy star quilt.

Ava shared this beauty. Her mother purchased the kit several years ago. Ava is determined to get it finished. The colors on this top are amazing. I feel sure this will become a family treasure.

Mary shared her art quilt, an original design and this beautiful silk tie quilt. 

Kathleen shared her needle-turn appliqué piece. She used bold, solid colors to make it feel modern.

Sandi showed her grandson's T-shirt quilt. She made this quilt when her grandson was in the 5th grade. He is now a senior in high school. The quilt has come back to Sandi for a minor repair before it heads off to college.
I would say this is one loved quilt!

Melissa showed off her beautiful hand-dyed fabrics.

I owe Denise and Janet an apology for not getting pictures of their finished quilts. They were both beautiful and I hope they will share them again. I promise to get pictures.


The Program

Learning new techniques is another part of the meetings we all enjoy. BJ presented a great program on Crazy Piecing from the book, Modern Quilting, by Jacquie Gering and Katie Pedersen. While BJ admitted she didn't completely follow the instructions in the book, she walked us through the basics and shared her approach to this scrap-busting technique. She made this technique easy to understand and completed quite a few blocks in the process.

I think we can all agree that this is why we keep coming back. It is always a great show of talent.

Pam

Monday, September 16, 2013

September Meeting Recap-Part I

I am dividing our September meeting recap into two parts--Business and Fun, as Sandi put it.

Sandi opened the meeting welcoming our visitors and thanking Bernina Sew-N-Quilt for hosting us this month. She then got down to business. The first order of business was the selection/election of Officers. Joan announced the slate of Officers as selected by the nominating committee. Sandi opened nominations, for each office, to the floor. There were no nominations from the floor and the Officers as selected were approved and seconded. The 2014 ChattMQG Officers are:

Janet Suber, President
Pam McCallie, Vice President
Melissa Klingensmith, Secretary
Susan Lawson, Treasurer

This is where the meeting got really exciting! A ballot vote was taken for the issue of joining the national Modern Quilt Guild. In a unanimous decision, we voted to become an official Modern Quilt Guild! It is great to see us come together as a guild to make this decision.

Announcements were made regarding our remaining meetings for the year. The October meeting will again be held at Bernina Sew-N-Quilt on the 12th @10:00 a.m. The November meeting will be held on Thursday, November 14th @Spool, from 6:00-7:30 p.m. This will be our Holiday Swap Party. We are asking everyone who would like to participate in the swap to bring a small, handmade gift. If you bring a gift, you will go home with a gift! We will also have a door prize drawing. We are asking for small items; fat quarters, mini charms, charm packs, notions, etc., to be donated for the door prize. Everyone who brings an item will have a chance to win. Food and drinks will be provided.

As we gear up for our 2014 program schedule, we are asking for your fabric scraps. We will be using them throughout the new year in various programs, for technique and skill-building activities. Please bring your scraps to our remaining two meetings so we will be ready to sew in January.

We are still in search for a regular meeting location for next year. If you know of any location that will accommodate our guild (25+ attendees), please send us an email--chattmqg@gmail.com.

I think that covers the business portion of our September meeting. A big thanks goes out to Sandi for making this process less painful!

Part II of the September Meeting will be posted later this week, so be sure to check back.

Our Member Monday feature will return next week.

Make it Modern,
Pam

Monday, September 9, 2013

Member Monday—Joan Thornbury


Today's Member Monday and Logo Block feature is Joan Thornbury. Here is what Joan shared…

"I have been quilting about 13 years.  I had always wanted to try piecing a quilt, so when my daughter graduated from GPS, I could not wait to cut up her uniforms and make a quilt.  That was the beginning of being hooked on quilting.

My compass has always directed me into some form of needlework.  I knew a lady in the neighborhood where I grew up - my parent's generation and originally from the Phillippines.  Trudy ended up on Signal Mountain with a WWII American husband.  Our relationship began when I was about 8 years old.  Trudy taught me to knit and crochet.  Susan, a neighbor friend, and I visited Trudy a lot over the years.  A couple of years ago, Susan's father died, we reconnected and went to see Trudy.  At age 96, she was being taken care of by her 2 daughters she left behind in the Phillippines 60 plus years prior.  (I did not know they existed until that last visit with Trudy.)  Susan and I shared a purpose for her and she was quite the mentor and inspiration for me.  Trudy died a few months later.

For about 25 years, while raising my children, I designed counted cross stitch patterns.  People would send me a photo of their homes and I would convert that to a pattern for cross stitch, through a mail order business.  (Ironically, I got a note from a lady named Susan from Indiana that said "I saw your ad and knew Joan from Signal Mountain had to be you!")  I had not spoken to her since we drifted apart after high school.  My business also included about 16 designs of Chattanooga buildings and landmarks.
 
Modern quilting was intriguing to me because it was fresh and new.  We moved to a condo downtown 4 years ago which has a modern flare.  So naturally the quilts were underway.  I love the negative space, simple structure and the new quilting designs as well.

Rarely a day goes by without quilting in it.  It is calming, it is creative, it is my passion and it is my therapy!"


I have only known Joan for a short time, but am in awe of her talent—even more so having read her story! Thanks for sharing with us Joan.

Joan's logo block is featured in the ChattMQG Header.

Pam

Saturday, September 7, 2013

September Meeting

The Chattanooga Modern Quilt Guild will hold its regularly scheduled meeting on the second Saturday in September.

The Guild will meet at the Bernina Sew N Quilt Studio at 5950 Shallowford Road in Chattanooga, TN at 10 am on September 14.

Please bring your Lottery Blocks for the monthly drawing.  In case you need the link:    http://chattmqg.blogspot.com/2013/08/august-meeting-recap_13.html  Check this blog post for the details.

Bring Show and Tell items.

We are still asking for suggestions of meeting places.  If you have a meeting place in mind please bring it for sharing.

Come and have a fun, exciting and informative time at our meeting.


 

Monday, September 2, 2013

Member Monday — Sandi Suggs


Today's Member Monday and Logo Block feature is Sandi Suggs. Here is Sandi's story…

"I started sewing seriously when I was twelve years old and received my first sewing machine for a Christmas present.  I started making my own clothes and continued doing that for many years.  After I was married I took classes in couture sewing and learned to make tailored clothing for my spouse and myself.  I made many of my husband's suits, slacks, and sport coats.  I made a lot of my daughter's clothing until she went away to college.

I became a self-taught quilter in the 80s.  I did not grow up with an awareness of quilters.  My gran and my mom did beautiful embroidery, tatting, knitting and crocheting.  It was not until about 10 years ago that I realized my other grandma made quilts.  I never saw her making quilts.

I began taking quilting classes at local shops and attending national quilting shows where there were lots of experts offering class.  I took many classes and from that I developed my style.  Later, I decided to teach quilting classes and developed a small "cottage industry" roster of classes and workshops.

Early in my quilt-making experience I began to do things a "little off the main path" with doing some quilts using asymmetry and some strong color combos.  About two years ago, the Modern Quilt Movement caught my attention on line.  I am now totally enmeshed in the whole of the "modern aesthetic".

So, now for almost thirty years, I have been quilting.  I don't choose to quilt; I MUST quilt.  It is from my soul and my heart and is as important for me as having air to breathe!"


I had the privilege of taking a class from Sandi several years ago. She is an outstanding teacher and has become a good friend!

Thanks for sharing your story Sandi.

Sandi designed two logo blocks for the challenge. One is featured in the ChattMQG Header. Her second block is shown here, to the right.


Pam

Thursday, August 29, 2013

Fiber Artist and Quilt Designer

On Saturday, September 7 th, Maddie Kertay will be opening her new quilt shop called SPOOL.  Not only will she have all of the wonderful fabrics, notions, and patterns she has been stocking, but she will have some special guests there.
One of her special guests is Rose Hughes, fiber artist and quilt designer, who will be sharing her work with a trunk show in the afternoon.

Check out Rose's website at   www.rosehughes.com

This should be a very fun day.

Monday, August 26, 2013

Member Monday — Sharon Griffith

Today's Member Monday and Logo Block feature is Sharon Griffith and here is her story.

"I did not come from a quilting background. Actually, my Mom and Grandmother were crocheter's. I do have about five of those very heavy crochet blankets that I really do still put out in the winter and enjoy.

The very first time I started sewing was with my daughter when she joined 4-H in 1989. I went and brought her a Brother sewing machine that she shared with me. We learned how to sew through the 4-H program. At the end of the year, she had a wonderful idea to sew me a satin party dress for the Christmas party that we were having at work. Well, after that experience she continued to sew clothes and I started watching the Eleanor Burns show….lol. She had a beginners class and every week she posted a new lesson on TV and that is how I made my first quilt. I will never forget it. It was her Tulip pattern and it is gigantic. When I look at it now, I think, “oh my Sharon what were you thinking”. The fabric was broadcloth on the back and well my husband loves it. I look and it and just cringe. Since then I have taken classes in all different things that have to do with all kinds of fabrics, fibers, paints for fabric etc. You get the picture.

When I moved here from Florida, I met up with what soon was to be my appliqué teacher, Vicky. For the next 7 years all I did was appliqué. I still do appliqué, it settles my soul for some reason.

Then “modern” came along and I just loved the freedom that I felt with it. I thought wow I can cut crooked and slice the corner if I want. I can even use all solids if I want to and that is where I am at right now. Modern keeps drawing me in because there is always something new to it. With piecing and appliqué, you piece a quilt and/or you appliqué, but with modern you can be so versatile and that is what I truly enjoy about it. You can piece, you can appliqué, you can use solids and you can even make your own pattern. When it is quilted it looks like no one else’s. The fabrics are different most times, the cuts are different and most definitely the quilting is different so it is truly your own quilt. I feel even if it is a pattern, since there is so much quilting done on a modern quilt in most cases it still looks like one of a kind and I like that."

What a nice way to learn to sew…with your daughter. Thanks for sharing Sharon!

Sharon's Logo Block is featured in the ChattMQG Header.

Pam

Saturday, August 24, 2013

Survey says. . .

Remember the survey you took at our last meeting? Well, the results are in and very interesting. Of the 29 attendees, 24 surveys were returned. Pretty good response!

Here is what you had to say:
  • Most of you came to the ChattMQG through the referral of a friend or out of curiosity. You like meeting at 10:00 a.m. on the second Saturday of the month, and you think our meetings are "super duper" enjoyable!
  • You want to participate in workshops, block exchanges, sewing days and challenges. You are interested in sharing our guild's work through Quilt Shows and Community Outreach. You want to learn more about the modern aesthetic, improvisational piecing, designing your own quilts, and free-motion quilting.
  • You think we share enough information and prefer to receive that information via our blog and email. You want us to share more information about online resources, block challenges, and quilt shows.
  • You think we should join the national Modern Quilt Guild and you are willing to pay local dues.
My favorite responses came from the question; "What about our guild keeps you coming back?"
"Fellowship • Community • Inspiration • Interesting
• Informative • Energy • Friendly
• Like-minded friends • Challenging
• No pressure • Sharing"
I think that says it all!

Thanks for participating.

Pam

Monday, August 19, 2013

Member Monday — Janet Suber

Today's Logo Block and Member Monday feature is Janet Suber. I asked Janet to share her quilting story and this is what she had to say:


"I was raised in a tradition of sewing and quilting. My grandmothers and great aunts made quilts out of necessity - using remnants from the local mills where they lived. I have several of their quilts that I treasure.

My mother sewed all of our clothes, and she also sewed for customers. She gave it up when she had one customer who wanted her to make the same double knit pantsuit over and over again in different colors - it was the 70's! (And BTW - I have several double knit quilts from this era that I adore - they are indestructible!)

She also quilted from time to time - mostly for special occasions. When I was 16, I made my first quilt - a Grandmothers Flower Garden, hand pieced from Mom's scraps. Mostly I chose scraps from clothes she had made me over the years. I hand quilted it using a lap frame. It went with me to college.

Over the years I also quilted from time to time - lots of baby quilts for friends. I kept sewing as well - mostly home dec. Over the last several years I began doing more quilts again - at first mostly using scraps.

I came to modern quilts a couple of years ago when I started re-modeling my den in a mid-century modern style. I loved what I was seeing - these were not the same old patchwork I had done in the past. And the fabrics! No longer limited to calicos, pastels and earthtones!

I started visiting quilt stores and picking up fat quarters of fun new fabrics and have built up a pretty good stash. Ok - I probably have more fabric than I will ever use, but it all fits neatly into a corner of my sewing room. But I do admit, sometimes I think that Mom, Grandmothers and Aunts are all rolling their eyes at me."


Janet once told me that quilting was in her soul—now I understand why. Thanks for sharing Janet!

Janet's Logo Block is featured in the ChattMQG Header.


Pam

Tuesday, August 13, 2013

August Meeting Recap

What a great turnout we had for our August meeting—29 quilters!

Sandi started the meeting, welcoming all the new and familiar faces.

Everyone turned in their Tall Ship blocks, and Debra won the lottery! This is Debra's second win. She collected 27 blocks. That is the most blocks that have ever been contributed!

Gayle introduced the block for September, Japanese x and + block.
She has asked that we use light to medium gray fabric for the eight 2-inch squares that make up the background. It is not necessary to use diagonal cut prints in the corner squares, but you may, if you want to. Click here for the tutorial.

Show and Tell was AWESOME!
Debra brought her Celtic Knot top, her first win from the March lottery.

Ana, one of our new faces this month, shared two beautiful small quilts.

Jackie shared her scrappy quilt. Check out those circles! I believe she told us they were made using reverse appliqué.

Denise shared her Madrona Road Challenge block quilt. She quilted this using the Quilt-As-You-Go (QAYG) method.

Veronica shared this beauty. And, of course, she did a great job on the quilting.

Sandi brought Jean's quilt, an original design.
Jean has submitted photos of this quilt for consideration to an upcoming show.

Sandi shared her Lawn Chair quilt. This is going to one lucky friend as a birthday gift!

Ava shared her Jelly Roll top. What a beautiful way to use those jelly rolls.

Janet brought three tops—her Jelly Roll Race top from the Knoxville MQG retreat, her QuiltCon souvenir top, and her "Brown Bag" challenge top from her Choo Choo Quilters guild.

Robbie shared this fun, little quilt. She received these blocks from her dear friend, Judy Casteen.

Sharon brought her Garden Fence top. She won these blocks from our May lottery.

Gerry shared two of her quilts—an adorable child's quilt and the second quilt she ever made.
I believe she said she made it in the early '90's.

And last, but certainly not least, Gayle shared her Teacup quilt. She used a layer cake to make this quilt and was determined to use every inch of fabric—I think she was successful!

What an impressive show of quilts!

Janet went over the information handed out at our last meeting regarding membership to the national Modern Quilt Guild. During an open discussion, she shared the advantages and disadvantages of joining, becoming a 501(c)3 organization, and the necessary steps for application. Those steps include; electing officers, developing and adopting by-laws, acquiring an EIN (Employer Identification Number), and opening a bank account. While most of those in attendance are in favor of moving forward, everyone is encouraged to share any questions or concerns they may have.

A survey was passed out during the meeting. This survey was developed to determine the guild's future development and goals and a chance for our members to share their opinion. We haven't had time to throughly read through all of them. As soon as we have, we will let you know the results.

Christy Clark, from the Choo Choo Quilters Guild, was another new face at this month's meeting. She is traveling around to all the area quilt guilds asking for volunteers to help with the AQS QuiltWeek in Chattanooga, September 10–13, 2014. We will keep you posted as more details become available.

Sandi announced that the September 14th and October 12th meetings would be at:
Bernina Sew-N-Quilt
5950 Shallowford Road, Suite A
Chattanooga, TN 37421
at 10:00 a.m.

It was a fun and inspiring meeting. I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did!

Pam

Tuesday, August 6, 2013

AUGUST MEETING

The Chattanooga Modern Quilt Guild meets on the second Saturday of each month and this month's meeting is August 10 at 10 am.

Our meeting place has changed!

We are meeting at

WALLY'S RESTAURANT
6521 Ringgold Road
East Ridge, Tennessee
This restaurant is located immediately off I-75 near the Cracker Barrel.                                    

***Please note this is Wally's in East Ridge!!!***

Please bring your Lottery Blocks of the Tall Ship pattern.

Don't forget your Show and Tell!!

Maddie Kertay has asked for quilts to hang in her new shop, SPOOL, during the months of August and September.  If you are interested in sharing your quilts, please bring them with you to the meeting on Saturday or connect with Maddie  maddie6@bellsouth.net directly for dropping off your quilts.

Janet Suber and Pam McCallie will have the program on the next step to our membership with the National Modern Quilt Guild.  Please read the MQG materials that were given to you at last month's meeting and have any questions/comments ready that you might want to share.

Grab a friend and come for a morning of inspiration, fellowship, and education about Modern Quilting!!
 

Monday, July 22, 2013

The July Meeting Recap...before August arrives...



Wonky Star from the June Block Lottery
Hello all and thanks for your patience!  As you can tell, it is time for me to step down and let someone get updates in a more timely manner.

The Chatt MQG Banner--sewn and quilted by Pam McCallie

July was such an exciting meeting--we had an incredible turnout, new members and a dropin who was just in the shop looking around.

The Wild Side of the Chatt MQG!

As a reminder, our August meeting on August 10th will be at Wally's restaurant in East Ridge.  The address is 6521 Ringgold Road, right off of I-75.  We are meeting in the meeting room (how appropriate), starting at the usual time, 10am.  

In case you were not at the meeting, I did step down as Co-Cheerleader of the guild.  It has been such fun and so inspirating to see the guild come back after the tornado closed Sew Bee It and I am so glad to be a part of that.  However, work commitments and life are getting in the way of my being able to continue to  commit the time needed to help lead the group.  However, I am looking foward to seeing everyone as I just come and join in the fun.

Pam brought the group up to date on the matter of our membership in the National Modern Quilt Guild and what that would mean.  Additionally, she handed out some information for all to look over before the August meeting.  If you did not receive the email with the information, let me know and I will foward it to you. If you have questions--bring them to the August meeting!!

Ok, now for some quilting stuff!  We had two requests for quilts.  First event coming up is a booth at the SHE Expo by the Bernina Sew N Quilt Shop (aka Melissa).  She would like some modern quilts for their booth July 25 through 28.  Contact Melissa or Bill for more info if you have a quilt for her.

The second event is the opening of SPOOL--Maddie has asked for quilts to hang in her new shop on McCallie Ave.  She would need quilts from mid-August to mid-September and you would need to be okay with the quilts potentially being used in advertising shoots of the shop.  Contact Maddie if you want more details.



Gayle showed our July Lottery Block--a "tall ship" block, you can find directions at http://www.blocklotto.com/2013/06/tall-ships-sail-into-the-block-lotto-for-june/--I will have to make some time to get a couple of blocks made!

And here is the trick to making the half square triangles...


Sew 1/4" down both sides of the diagonal lines, then cut the block apart on each of the drawn lines.  There are more details on the website.

Kate and Gerry presented the programming and here are some highlights--

First you start with some strips...sew, cut, sew, 

Kate's Quilt

And Gerry's Quilt--happy stripping ladies!
And then there was show and tell--









Please forgive me if I missed anything and see you in August!!  Melissa will be sharing tales from her experience at the Bernina University, you won't want to miss it!!




Friday, July 19, 2013

NYC MQG Wedding Ring Challenge

Embrace your curves and stretch your creativity!  NYC MQG is having a Wedding Ring challenge - with fabulous prizes. See Victoria Findlay Wolfe's blogpost  here.

Victoria went Best In Show at Quiltcon with her double wedding ring quilt.


She will also be in Atlanta at the Georgia Quilt Show in September.  (I have signed up for her "15 minutes of play" class.)

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Thank You, Ava

Today was our monthly Chattanooga Modern Quilt Guild meeting.  Our co-leader, Ava Moore, announced that she needs to step down from this leadership role to take care of other things she has going in her life right now.

Ava, we appreciate all that you have given and done for our Guild.  We are so glad that you will continue to be an active member of our group.  Of course, we all understand the pressures of full time work and the other things that you shared in the group.

I want to give a personal note here.  As your co-leader, it has been fun working with you and brainstorming our agenda each month.  I will miss that part.

We all hope that in the future you will feel that you can again take on a leadership role because you certainly have a lot to offer.

So, at this time, we are not saying good bye;  we are saying "Thanks for a job well done!"



Sandi

Sunday, July 7, 2013

It's Almost Time for the July Meeting!

Have you had enough of the rain yet?  What a different 4th of July holiday this year...hopefully you have taken advantage of all the bad weather to stay in and get some of those fun projects done!  If so, can't wait to see them on Saturday.

We have some catching up on business items, including the location for our August meeting, then the next chapter in "Quilting Modern".

The guild has also been asked by Maddie Kertay for quilts to hang in her new store, SPOOL, that is slated to open in September!  Maddie asked that you be willing to share your quilt from mid-August to the end of September, if you have a quilt you want to share.  Let's bring quilts to the August meeting.

And lastly, the banner above is Debra's block!  Love the curved look!

Brenda and Debra sharing a moment!

See you on Saturday, rain or shine!!

Ava and Sandi
Chatt MQG Cheerleaders

Monday, June 17, 2013

The Chatt MQG Block Challenge

Remember back in January, when we had our Chattanooga MQB Challenge?  We mentioned something about using the blocks for the Chatt MQG Logos?  Well, the time has come!  Denise's block is our first MQG Logo header.  

Denised is an interesting Modern Quilter, who is not afraid to play with color and textures, from rusting to fabric dying to improvational piecing.


Thanks for the great logo design and can't wait to see what you have been working on recently!

Ava