2015 is a Wrap!

With our monthly meeting falling on the same night as North Lake Presbyterian Church's annual Christmas concert - and parking being a huge issue - we scrambled to find a different meeting location. Happily, Sew Superior was able to accommodate us. The store sells sewing machines, and stocks a small quantity of fabrics, and lots of thread. We're very grateful to Sew Superior for allowing us to use their store when they would otherwise be closed for the evening.

Given that this holiday season finds many people away from home, we were delighted with our turnout of 22 quilters, three of whom were visitors.

Evening topics and activities were varied! Everyone was asked to bring, show and explain a non-quilting item that they use for quilting. Karen amazed us with how she creatively uses her Kona color card chips. First, she cut them all apart. Then she backed each color chip with a piece of 1"-wide magnet (purchased by the roll). Next she purchased an inexpensive set of three metal cookie sheets, and arranged all the color chips on those. Finally, she has another white magnetic board onto which she can place a piece of fabric, and then audition the color chips that might look nice with the fabrics. Such an ingenious idea! Thanks for sharing, Karen!

Donna was unable to complete her solids challenge quilt in time to enter it into last month's competition, so she brought it for us to see. This is her own design, and "sampler-quilted" on her Handi-Quilter.

Beginning with a nine patch block, Betty showed a progression of changes in those blocks to create improv-type blocks.

Beth showed two of her entries into Modern Quilt Guild challenges. This is her Michael Miller Challenge entry called "Vortex." Beth designed it in EQ7. It's pieced wonky stars, and appliquéd "streaks" sewn with metallic thread. The quilt is grid-quilted using a walking foot.

Using a bundle of gelato ombre fabrics purchased on MassDrop, Beth created this gorgeous quilt for the QuiltCon 2016 Triangle Quilt Challenge. Participants were required to use EZ Quilting Triangle Template by Darlene Zimmerman, as well as the mini 45 or 60 degree Simplicity ruler in some part of their quilt. Beth quilted this with a combination of walking foot and free motion quilting. She named it "Cut Diamonds."

P.S. Beth learned on December 16 that BOTH of the above quilts have been juried into QuiltCon 2016, in Pasadena, California. We're so proud of you, Beth! Congratulations!

And in her "Santa's Workshop," Beth busily sewed personalized Christmas stockings for her family, and the dog! She was inspired by stockings she saw that were made by Sew Kind of Wonderful.

Selina adapted this free "Holiday Forest" pattern from Lee Heinrich (Freshly Pieced) to make table runners for Christmas giving.

Jamie sewed this "Stand Up and Tote Notice" bag.

.... and a "Bionic Gear" bag with four inside zipper compartments with her own customization features.

After Show 'n Tell, members got down to business to hand sew binding to the back of our group quilt - Delectable Mountains. The colors requested from members were the same as those in the fabric line "Yoyogi Park." In 2016, the quilt will be given to North Lake Presbyterian Church as a thank-you for allowing us to hold our meetings there.

For some, this was the first time they'd hand sewn binding to a quilt!

• If you haven't yet done so, hurry to sign up with Karen for the Mighty Lucky Quilt Club. Central Florida MQG members get a discounted subscription!

• Also, sign up with Karen to participate in the latest Riley Blake challenge.

The above black and white fabric will be sent to ONE person in our chapter who will distribute to those who've signed up. Note that the Riley Blake challenge fabric must be used, and may include Riley Blake solids.

• Don't forget to sign up for our first 2016 Sew-In on Saturday, January 23.

• We still have openings for Lee Heinrich's (FreshlyPieced) "Traditional Blocks with a Fresh Start" presentation/trunk show and "Advanced Piecing" workshop on Saturday, February 13, 2016.

To register for any of these activities, email out-going president Karen, or incoming president Debbie, or CentralFloridaMQG@gmail.com

We're welcoming 2016 Executive Committee members, assistants, and committee members. Get to know our leaders! Visit the "Chapter Leaders" tab above.

Next Meeting
Monday, January 11, 2016, 6:30 pm
North Lake Presbyterian Church
Program: "A Positive Look at Negative Space" by Sharon A.
Sharon will give a media presentation about negative space, and effective quilting designs. Hand-outs will be provided. Members are invited to bring quilts that are examples of effective use of negative space.