March 9

We welcomed 30 quilters to our March meeting, two of whom were guests! It's wonderful to see how our chapter is growing, and how interest in modern quilting is expanding!

As promised, our March meeting focused on a recap of QuiltCon 2015. Four members from our chapter attended QuiltCon in Austin, Texas, from February 19-22, and contributed to sharing about classes, purchases, and quilts in the show. Thanks to extensive prep work by Second Vice President Beth, we enjoyed a very enlightening slide presentation of QuiltCon quilts.

Some of the QuiltCon quilters and their quilts volunteered to make a three-minute (or less) video, telling about their quilt to Quilt Alliance, a non-profit organization working to preserve quilt stories. To view "Go Tell it at the Quilt Show" videos, go to Youtube here.

Bloggers have been reviewing QuiltCon too. Here are links to several interesting posts:

SewMamaSew - the quilts of QuiltCon
Craftsy - five modern lessons from QuiltCon
ChristaQuilts - a traditional quilter turned modern
SheCanQuilt - Minimalist category first place winner
Janine Vangool - a QuiltCon judge shares her thoughts
KathleenQuilts - a Canadian longarm quilter shares her thoughts
CapitolaQuilter - a Californian quilter shares her thoughts
(Our chapter member, Linda, also wrote three posts about QuiltCon starting here.)

If reading through these blog posts piques your interest in QuiltCon, mark your calendars now for future QuiltCons:

QuiltConWest in Pasadena, California - February 18-21, 2016

QuiltConEast in Savannah, Georgia - February 23-26, 2017

After last month's improv block demonstration by Linda, these members made their own - and even a quilt top, and a completed quilt!

Joey and her quilt with design inspiration by Debbie, and pieced using the web technique

Jodie and her plus pattern quilt, as seen on Pinterest

Karen with pillow tops inspired by her QuiltCon workshop with Victoria Findlay Wolfe

Joan's quilt made with the quilt-as-you-go technique

Denise and her "Hearts Squared" quilt top

Eileen

Linda, and her Panasonic Bias Tape Appliqué Challenge quilt that was displayed at QuiltCon

Reminders
Members participating in the fabric post card swap with other Florida MQG chapters, being coordinated by the Orlando MQG, should bring their home sewn 4" X 6" postcard to the April meeting, along with .50-cents postage. Here's the link to details about the swap.

Members planning to attend the May 7-10 "Mod Retreat," with members of the Gainesville MQG, need to pay the balance of their retreat fees by the April meeting.

Next Meeting
The Monday, April 13 meeting is "All About Hexies," as we'll review various options and techniques - English paper piecing, machine-sewn, pieced in strips, et cetera - for making hexagons. Join us at 6:30, and don't forget to wear your homemade modern name tag!

February 28 Sew-In

Our first Sew-In of 2015 was at a new location, and a nice one it is! We had our own large room, in a new section of the Belleview Public Library. Everyone had their own small table, for a machine or handwork, and several quilters took advantage of the convenience of restaurants (Subway) for a lunch break. We're all looking forward to future Sew-Ins here!

Brenda

Sheddy

Jodie

Joey

Susan

Toni, our Sew-In Coordinator

Debbie

Karen

Frances

Linda

Special guest, Lora, treasurer of the Gainesville MQG

Mark your calendars for the next Sew-In: Saturday, April 25 from 10 am to 5 pm.

Next Meeting
The Central Florida MQG meeting is Monday, March 9, 6:30 pm at North Lake Presbyterian Church.

Members will receive their national membership cards and pins.

The program will be a review of QuiltCon 2015 (in Austin, Texas, February 19-22) by four members who attended - Karen, Debbie, Beth, and Linda - and will include photos of many quilts. We'll talk about the quilts, and based on modern elements, how those quilts fall in the "continuum." Expect lots of eye candy!

See you there... wearing your home made name tag!