December Meeting

The year ended with a great turn-out of 24 regular attendees and one guest, and decisions made that will make 2015 a year to remember.

We unanimously voted to accept the by-laws as proposed. As well 2015 dues were collected from 23 quilters. Next steps are to apply to the national MQG for membership, apply for Florida incorporation, and open a bank account and post office box. It's pretty exciting stuff, especially as we're catching snatches related to some great upcoming programs!

The meeting included holiday treats...

...and a fun pin cushion swap, with 18 pin cushions made and exchanged.

In modern show and tell, we have just one finish to share, made by Bette.

Our January 12 meeting will be led by our two vice presidents. More information to come.

Future Plans and Decisions

modern blocks by Christa of ChristaQuilts.com

On Tuesday, November 18, the Executive Committee of the Central Florida Modern Quilt Guild (CFMQG) met to discuss and set the direction for our chapter. In attendance were:

President: Karen E.

Vice Presidents: Debbie B. and Beth S.

Media Coordinator: Linda H.

Treasurers: Carla S. (absent: Susan S.)

1. Bylaws were reviewed and modified. Changes to the bylaws, as compared to bylaws adopted in June 2013 (and later unadopted), reflect the current needs of the CFMQG, and included sections/articles required by the national Modern Quilt Guild. Bylaws are attached below for review, and will be voted upon at the December 8, 2014 CFMQG meeting. 
2. Based on the number of responses to an interest sign-up list regarding joining our local chapter and national MQG, the Executive Committee recommends that steps be taken toward affiliating with the national MQG. We anticipate completing this process by the end of January, 2015. 
3. After discussion, and consideration for chapter start-up costs, it was decided that annual dues will be $40. The $40 amount encompasses the total amount for both national and local memberships. Dues for 2015 will be accepted at December 8 and January 12 CFMQG meetings.

Since the November 18 Executive Committee meeting, we have learned of another advantage to joining the national MQG. By obtaining non-profit, 501(C)(3) status, we will have free access to a Belleview Public Library meeting room for our Saturday Sew-Ins. Details to come.

On Tuesday, January 6, at 10 a.m., at North Lake Presbyterian Church, we will present our donation quilt to the church. Women’s ministry moderator Kay Kennedy will be present to accept the quilt. Please plan to attend and help us express our thanks to the church for use of a monthly meeting room.

November Meeting Pictures

Twenty-five quilters turned out for the November 10 meeting! The evening's highlight was formally announcing that our chapter is structuring - we have filled officer and committee positions for 2015 (see previous blog post)! Volunteers who were in attendance were introduced. So we can continue to get to know one another better, as photos of of officers and committee members volunteers are taken, they will be posted to the Chapter Leaders page (see tab above).

During our time together we enjoyed a beautiful Show and Tell, share pretty projects made using the Quick Curve Ruler, and we completed hand-binding our donation string quilt! Enjoy the photos below.

Baby quilts, for twins, made by Beth.

Bette

Betty

Debbie

Donna

Doris

Kelly

Kelly

Wall hangings made by Laura.

Below: Projects, both unfinished and finished, made using the Quick Curve Ruler by Sew Kind of Wonderful.

Beth

Pat

Debbie

 Three different blocks made by Karen.

Linda H.

Toni

These two wall hangings were made by Susan. Both patterns are free on the Sew Kind of Wonderful website. 

Linda T. and her bed scarf made from a jelly roll.

During our binding bee, we hand-sewed binding to complete the quilt we're donating to North Lake Presbyterian Church as a thank-you for allowing our group to meet there each month.

Next meeting: Monday, December 8 at 6:30 p.m. It's our holiday party, so bring a treat to share, your own drink, and a modern, homemade pin cushion for a swap. 

The Results Are In!

Based on survey results, with 21 respondents interested in structuring our chapter, the Advisory Team of Karen, Beth, Debbie, Mary, and Linda met to determine next steps toward formalizing our Central Florida MQG chapter.

We couldn't be happier!

We're delighted to share with you the names of executive board and standing committee members who will be leading us from now through December, 2015:

President - Karen E.

First and Second Vice Presidents - Debbie B. and Beth S.

Co-Treasurers - Carla S. and Susan S.

Media Coordinator - Linda H.

Committees

Programs (led by VPs) - Laura N. and Carol P.

Membership - Brenda H. and Frances W.

Sew-Ins and Retreats - Toni L. And Linda T.

Swaps and Challenges - Mel T. and Kelly W.

As you've likely noted, the Advisory Team has been intentional about ensuring that "many hands make light work." We're grateful that so many of you stepped up to keep us moving forward! 

What's Next?

The new Executive Committee will meet by November 21 to review, and if necessary, make changes to previously adopted/unadopted by-laws. By-laws will be presented to CFMQG attendees by the December 8 meeting. 

Steps will also be taken toward obtaining a federal EIN, opening a bank account, and determining dues... all meant to move us toward joining the national MQG by early 2015. 

Anticipating accepting official members, we're now accepting the names of those of you who are interested in joining our chapter, and becoming affiliated with The Modern Quilt Guild.

Karen E. is keeping this sign up list. Please send her an email, or let us know at this e-dress to be added to the list. Thank you!










The above information will be reviewed and discussed at our Monday, November 10 meeting. Bring your hand sewing supplies as together we sew down the binding on our donation quilt.

Join us at 6:30 p.m. at North Lake Presbyterian Church, Lady Lake, Florida.

Sew-In

Nine quilters attended our Saturday Sew-In at the Oxford Community Center. Everyone worked on her own project, though Beth was the only one who "happily" shared a little boo-boo as she sewed together a baby quilt.

Debbie, who longarm quilted our 88" X 94" quilt for North Lake Presbyterian Church, brought it to the Sew-In. Thank you for your skilled quilting, Debbie!

88" X 94"

Thank you, everyone, who pieced blocks! And a special thanks to Frances for making the extra blocks needed to complete the quilt top.

Thanks to Linda H. for making the backing using a few blocks and Ikea fabrics.

Bette will be sewing scrappy binding to the quilt. Then, at our November 10 meeting we'll have a "binding bee" to hand sew binding to the quilt back. Please bring a hand-sewing needle, needle threader (if needed) and snips, so you can sew a section.

A volunteer is needed to make a label for the quilt. Please let Karen know if you're willing. Thanks!

October 13 Meeting

Monday's meeting saw 27 quilters in attendance! Five of them were first-time visitors from the Lake County Quilter's Guild who became interested in the MQG after seeing modern quilts at Jacksonville's recent QuiltFest. We hope to see these quilters again!

CHAPTER BUSINESS

• The next Sew-In is Saturday, October 25 from 9 am to 4 pm at the Oxford Community Center. Cost is $4 to pay for rental of the space. Bring whatever you want to work on, your lunch (or eat out if you prefer), and plan to get acquainted with other modern quilters. Come for all or part of the day, if you're able.

Of critical importance is reviewing and deciding the future of our Central Florida Modern Quilt Guild chapter. By December 31, 2014, The Modern Quilt Guild (national organization) expects non-member chapters to make a commitment to join The MQG. That deadline has prompted us to form an Advisory Committee to reevaluate the status of our chapter.

The Advisory Committee has determined that our chapter cannot continue as we have - unstructured. Therefore, the Advisory Committee proposes that our chapter formalize. Formalizing locally is necessary before considering whether to join The MQG, nationally. 

Commitments needed from our regular CFMQG attendees are:

• Payment of $25 local annual dues beginning in January 2015.
• Volunteers for one year, beginning in January 2015, for one of these chapter positions:

Executive Board
President - Responsible for leading monthly meetings, participating in Executive Board meetings, and generally oversee chapter activities

Vice Presidents (two positions). The First Vice President will assist the President, and oversee Programs. The Second Vice President will oversee Subcommittee Chair positions (see below) and assist with Programs.

Secretary/Communications - Responsible for documenting meetings, taking photos, and keeping our chapter’s blog up-to-date.

Treasurer - Responsible for collecting dues and maintaining the chapter’s finances.

Subcommittee Chair Positions
Programs - Responsible for assisting the First and Second Vice Presidents to plan and schedule meeting programs.

Membership - Responsible for keeping current information about paid members; and attending meetings to accept sign-ins, and welcome visitors and new members.

Sew-Ins and Retreats - Responsible for planning and arranging Sew-Ins and Retreats.

Swaps and Challenges - Responsible for engaging chapter members in fun and educational modern quilting activities.

Every one of these positions must be filled for our chapter to continue.
The Advisory Committee proposes that if these Executive Board and Subcommittee Chair positions cannot be filled by the conclusion of the survey on Friday, October 31, we will finish the year with regular November 10 and December 8 meetings, and then disband the chapter effective December 31, 2014.

ACTION DATES
By Friday, October 17, regular attenders on our email list will receive a link to a survey that must be completed by Friday, October 31. Then, via email and this blog, the Advisory Committee will communicate results.

IF the consensus is "yes" to continuing our chapter:
Monday, November 10 - vote to accept Executive Board and Subcommittee Chair volunteers
Monday, January 12, 2015 -  Executive Board and Subcommittee Chairs assume positions

IF “NO” to continuing our chapter, and/or chapter Executive Board and Subcommittee Chair positions are not filled
Wednesday, December 31, 2014 - disband CFMQG

If you have questions or concerns, contact a member of the Advisory Committee:
Karen E. - Linda H. - Beth S. - Debbie B. - Mary S.

These modern, art, and traditional quilts were shared during Monday's meeting.

Toni

Doris

Brenda

The back of Brenda's quilt.

Frances shared recent fabric shop purchases.

Mary

Mary

Linda

The back of Linda's quilt.

Kathy

Kathy

The evening's program was presented by Linda H. who demonstrated cutting and sewing curves using the Quick Curve Ruler by Sew Kind of Wonderful.

Cut curves according to pattern instructions, measuring to place the curve in the correct position.

Linda uses an appliqué foot to sew a curve. 

After curves are joined, use the Quick Curve Ruler to square up the block.

Here are several completed blocks for the Urban Abacus pattern. 

This "Spring Fling" is a free pattern made with the Quick Curve Ruler. You can find it here.

At the next November 10 meeting, everyone who makes and brings at least one block using a Quick Curve Ruler will receive one chance to win a prize. Anyone who completes a Quick Curve Ruler project will receive two chances. 

As well, we'll be reviewing the very important results of our survey, and determining the future of our chapter.