Tuesday, March 12, 2013

April Activities and More!

Big changes are occurring at the national level of The Modern Quilt Guild level. For those of you who already keep tabs of the national organization, we're sure you've noticed the new website, and the new logo.

Since our Central Florida chapter is relatively new too, and we've been functioning without a formal organization, it will be a simple transition for us to join in on the benefits, to both our chapter and individual members, from belonging to MQG. Specific details of these benefits will be shared at our April 1 meeting. Until then, please note the following:
  • Beginning at the April meeting through June, dues of $15 per person will be initiated. This will give you membership at both the chapter and national levels through December, 2013. Beginning January, 2014, annual membership dues will be $30.
  • In July/August, 2013, we will adopt bylaws and elect officers.


Reviewing "Modern"
As we're learning more about modern quilting - what it looks like and how to achieve it - the perspectives of quilters who are in the business go a long way in helping us understand it. Several articles have recently become available that shed interesting light onto the evolving modern movement.

From Luana Rubin, owner of Equilter.com: Creative Nudge - The Yin and Yang of Quilting

From Weeks Ringle, owner of Modern Quilt Studio: QuiltCon Homework

Look up this article, if you can get your hands on a print copy of:
McCall's Quilting - September/October 2012 issue: "The Birth of Modern Quilting" by Heather Grant.

And one last educational item to mention... If you didn't get to attend QuiltCon, Craftsy has graciously videotaped and made available some of the programs presented by leaders in the modern quilting movement. Here's where to go to see these free and informative lectures!

April 1 Meeting Activities
At the next meeting, we'll introduce a new monthly meeting segment called Make it Modern.
In April, Make it Modern will focus on fabric. We'll review fabric designs, styles, and colors that make it modern. Bring to the meeting one fabric you consider modern and another fabric you consider not modern so we can discuss what makes it so.

For the next meeting, we're challenging each member to create her/his own modern name tag. The winner will receive a prize!

Here's a link to just one of many online name tag tutorials. Flickr has a whole bunch more name tag pictures too, so you should find plenty of ideas.

Swap good quality modern fabric strips (3 strips cut 2-1/2" X fabric width). Visit online quilt shops (see right menu bar) to view acceptable fabrics.

Chinese Auction - bring some cash and take your chance on various products donated by The Warm Company.

Get a 12-Minute Tip offered by Debbie

Show and Tell - of new BAM-BOM blocks (see links at right) and modern quilts.

Now if this isn't enough to look forward to, we don't know how to have fun!
But we do!

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

March 4 Meeting That Was

Twenty-five quilters turned out for the March meeting, six of whom were first-time visitors! We hope to see you again!

Among Show and Tell, the mug rug swap, and the Bay Area Modern BOM (no photos), we saw some very nice projects.

Lynda, visiting from Canada, shared this selvages quilt. She's actually used it here in Florida, on a couple of our cold nights.

Doris shares a baby quilt (left) and an art wall hanging quilt.



 This is the first quilt Debbie has ever made!

After learning at the February meeting how to sew Scrappy Trip-Along blocks, Andy went home to make a couple blocks and is working on 72 more for his quilt!

Working with her mother on this project, Mel showed how she made a smaller version of the Scrappy Trip-Along block as a background for this wall hanging.

Sharon is making a king-sized quilt for newly-weds, using Jansdotter fabrics.

Sheddy, and another of her bright quilts using a cheddar solid and scraps.

First-timer, Carly showed a quilt on which she did her first free motion quilting.

Sue showed us her spray-basted quilt, asking for input on quilting ideas. We all agreed she should quilt bubbles.

 Sixteen mug rugs were submitted for the mug rug swap, and swapped!

At the next meeting, Monday, April 1 at Sharky's Vac 'n Sew, we'll continue the monthly:
April's challenge is to make a name tag. Program information will be posted as soon as it's available.