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

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

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

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.

designcamppdx.blogspot.com/2013/08/urban-chicken-block.html

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

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

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

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.