Monday, December 31, 2018

2019 Programs

We have such an exciting year of workshops and programs ahead that we want to give you the information so you can save these dates on your calendars now!

2019 Central Florida MQG Programs

DATE* - PROGRAM TOPIC - INSTRUCTOR/PRESENTER

January 14 - It's All About Color Challenge Introduction - Beth Shutty

February 11 - The MQG Website - Judi Rutherford

March 4 - QuiltCon Review and Wrap-Up - members

April 8 - MidCentury Modern Curve Quilts - Carole Lyles Shaw

May 13 - It's All About Color Challenge Reveal - Beth Shutty and members

June 3 - Alternate Quilt Layouts - Karen Estep

July 8 - Fresh Quilting TV - members

August 12 - Big Stitch Quilting - Linda Hungerford

September 6  - Step-by-Step Texture Quilting - Christina Cameli

October 14 - Playful Color - Rebecca Bryan

November 11 - Pressing Matters - Carol Patten

December 6 - Holiday Party - members

*Dates in bold indicate a change from our regular second Monday meeting.

Print a copy of this schedule here.

For more information about some presenters, click their name to go to their blog/website.

Detailed information about each program is available on our Google Calendar (see at right). Just click on a date to get the time, location, and description.

Also, information about workshops by guest presenters - Carole Lyles Shaw; Christina Cameli; and Rebecca Bryan - is available by selecting the workshop date on the same Google Calendar.

Friday, December 28, 2018

Sign-up! Sign-up! Sign-up!

Monday, January 14 is our first meeting of 2019.

At the meeting, sign-ups will be accepted for three wonderful upcoming activities!

Which one(s) will you attend?

1) SEW-IN WORKSHOP

Saturday, February 9 - 10 am to 6 pm

Members are invited to attend our monthly Saturday Sew-In, to work on whatever you wish (at no charge).

OR

Sign-up and pay only $15 for our first ever Sew-In Workshop

Fee payable to Beth in advance of the six-hour, 10 am to 4 pm workshop.

During this six-hour workshop, our member-instructor, Beth, will teach students a quilt-as-you-go technique called "Interleave." It's a simplified version of Michael Miller's strip-pieced "Interweave" quilts, and can be completed in one day!

Beth's Interleave quilt is called "Potato Chip 3" - because "you can't make just one."

2) CENTRAL FLORIDA MQG QUILT RETREAT

The date for our annual quilt retreat to Luther Springs in Hawthorne, Florida, has been moved to March to accommodate participation by our seasonal members. 

Friday, March 22 to Monday, March 25 - Optional: Tuesday, March 26 

Double occupancy - $170
Single occupancy - $190
Optional extra day - $40

Make checks payable to Central Florida MQG.
2018 Central Florida MQG retreaters
Work on projects of your choosing! Come for socializing! Come for great food! Sew, sew, sew!

3) MID-CENTURY MODERN CURVE QUILT WORKSHOP

Guest workshop presenter and meeting speaker: Carol Lyles Shaw from Bradenton, Florida and the Sarasota MQG. Carole was formerly our MQG Regional Representative. 

Monday, April 8
9 am to 3:30 pm
Member fee: $75 payable to Central Florida MQG

Max: 18 students
Beginning March 1, workshop will open to non-members for $95.
Carole will teach how to create several quickly-pieced improvisational blocks. Learn to piece a quarter circle curve without templates or pinning. Practice improvisational cutting and piecing to make blocks that are unique and exciting. Alternative layouts will be offered: for a modern lap-size quilt, or table runner and placemats. A little at-home preparation will be needed. 
See this quilt displayed at QuiltCon 2019 in Nashville
Don't miss out on these great opportunities! 

Come to our January 14 meeting prepared to register!

Or, if you cannot attend the January 14 meeting, mail your personal information, indicating whether you're registering for retreat or the Carole Lyles Shaw workshop; and check (payable to Central Florida MQG) to our post office box: P.O. Box 1355, Lady Lake, FL 32158.

Tuesday, December 11, 2018

Party Follow-Up

As always, our annual holiday social was a fun time to get together, chat, enjoy yummy hors d'oeuvres, swap quilt-y gifts, and take photos of our happy group.

Packages were carefully chosen, opened, "oohed" and "aahed" over...

...stolen (with much grumbling and ill-will), stolen again (with threats of unfriending)...

...and everyone went home with something to smile about.

It's always nice to spend time with friends, and we couldn't be more grateful to Ardie for opening her home to us. Thank you!

Ha-ha-happy Holidays!

Click the "2019 Leaders" tab above to see our 2019 leadership team.

Next Meeting
Monday, January 14, 6:30 pm
North Lake Presbyterian Church
Program: "It's All About Color" by member Beth who will also present members with our next Central Florida MQG challenge. "It's All About Color Challenge" will be due May 13. 

See you next year! 

Friday, December 7, 2018

Party Time!

This coming Monday, December 10 is our annual holiday party. Again this year, Ardie has offered her home for our gathering. Thank you, Ardie! (Check your email for a message with Ardie's address.)

If you're coming, please bring a small appetizer to share - like for six to eight people.

And, if you want to participate in our gift swap, please bring wrapped $10-$12 sewing or quilting-related item.

Pictures will be taken!
2017 Holiday Social
Also, if you hold a position on the 2019 Executive Committee or are on a 2019 Standing Committee, plan to have your picture taken! It's time to update our blog. (See "2018 Chapter Leaders" tab, above.)

Party on!

Sunday, December 2, 2018

Member on a Podcast

One of our members will be on a podcast!

Our 2018 program chair, and media coordinator, Linda, can be heard talking with podcast host Pat Sloan, on Monday, December 3.

The program airs live at 4 pm Eastern time. Listen-in here.

Or it can be heard later through iTunes (American Patchwork and Quilting Podcast via All People Quilt) or through the computer on Pat Sloan's blog. Choose Episode 402.

For more information about Linda's interview, read Linda's blog post. 

Thursday, November 15, 2018

November 12 Meeting

It was a treat to have Jennifer Lee of Red Thread Studio visit our chapter. On Monday afternoon, November 12, she gave a three-hour English paper piecing workshop. 

This is the project offered to our members - Grandmother's Flower Garden Mini Quilt. Workshop participants had the option of purchasing Jen's fabric kit, or bringing their own fabrics. Everyone learned to use templates and papers to cut fabric and wrap it around paper, how to stitch together the shapes, and fussy-cut print fabrics.

That evening Jen set up a pop-up Red Thread Studio shop. 

Thirty-seven quilters - members and guests - were in attendance.

Jen Lee, owner of Red Thread Studio, Stuart, Florida
 Jen's program about "Hand Therapy" had everyone trying her suggestions. 

She shared exercises for our hands...  

...shoulders, and wrists. Here's the link to all the exercises Jen demonstrated.

Following hand therapy, Jen shared a trunk show of some of the quilt patterns, kits, and BOMs available at her shop. 


Many of the patterns and BOMs available come from Australian designers.

Red Thread Studio also sells big stitch hand quilting supplies.


"Florence Flamingo," a pattern by Elizabeth Hartman is definitely a "Florida design."



Jen showed that a single block can be pieced into a lovely, portable design board.

Members who wish to receive the Red Thread Studio newsletter, go here. Then scroll to the bottom of the page to enter your email address.

Below are quick links to Red Thread Studio's key categories:

Quilt Kits

Tutorials - Use Blog drop down menu on top of page and select Tutorials or Guest Blog

Our Monday, December 10 meeting date is the occasion of our annual Christmas social.

These were our 2017 party-ers!

We'll meet at 6:30 pm at the home of member Ardie. Detailed information will be emailed to members, but plan to bring hors d'oeuvres for six people. If you wish to participate in our gift swap, bring a wrapped $10 to $12 quilt-y or sew-y related item.

2019
All meetings, programs, and workshops have been planned for 2019! Information is posted on our Google calendar. Be sure to note several meeting date changes due to conflicts with our regular meeting site, and to accommodate guest presenters.


Saturday, October 13, 2018

Saturday Sew-In, Making Badge Holders

We had a great turnout for our Saturday, October 13 Sew-In - 17 quilters! While 12 of us were involved with making Badge Holders together, another five joined us for sewing and socializing. We had a lovely time!
L-R: Peggy and Marie
L-R: Dee and Jane
L-R: Cindy, Cindy's mom (We're so glad you could join us!), and Karen E.
Carla
Not everyone was able to complete their badge holders, but here are a few who did and/or made great progress. 
L-R: Betty and Ardie
L-R: Karen E., Marie, Jane, Cindy, Dee
We were happy to see badges made in many bright colors, with several of them made from Central Florida MQG fabric. Thank you President Karen and Linda H. for leading this project.

Belleview Public Library Display
During the month of October, Central Florida MQG members' work is being featured in the Belleview Public Library display case. 

Thanks to Barb for arranging the display case.

Thanks to members who contributed items for display.

Thanks to President Karen who collected display items from members.

Wednesday, October 10, 2018

Sew-In, and November 12 Meeting

As we do each month, this Saturday we'll meet at Belleview Public Library from 10-6 (or whenever we decide to finish!) for a day of sewing and socializing.

Saturday October 13 Sew-In
10 am to 6 pm
Belleview Public Library
13145 SE County Hwy 484, Belleview, Florida

Special to our October 13 Sew-In is the opportunity to make a Badge Holder. For $8, members will receive the discounted pattern to make a cute and practical badge holder that's perfect for wearing to QuiltCon. Go to this blog post for detailed information.

If you'd like to register, please email us as soon as possible.

Whatever you decide to work on, come and sew with us! You don't need to make a Badge Holder to join our fun!

November 12 Workshop - We have openings!
1-4 pm 

Our Monday, November 12 meeting day is special as we welcome
Red Thread Studio shop owner Jen Lee from Palm Coast, Florida

Both the workshop AND the meeting will be at
North Lake Presbyterian Church, 975 Rolling Acres Road, Lady Lake, Florida

Jen will lead a workshop, teaching English paper piecing
to make a Modern Grandmother's Flower Garden Mini Quilt (24" X 24"). 

Fee: $15 for members; $20 for non-members
Kit fee: $5; optional fabric kit fee $12.

For detailed information about the workshop, go to this blog post.

Link to Workshop Flyer

We have workshop openings, so if you or someone you know would like to attend, please email us!

November 12 Meeting
6:30 pm
Come hear Jen's program about "Hand Therapy." Following that, she'll provide "Retail Therapy," sharing new products from her shop which will also be available to purchase.
Fee: free for members; $5 at the door for non-members

Link to Program Flyer

Tuesday, October 9, 2018

October 8 Meeting Wrap-Up

Twenty-nine quilters attended our regular October 8 meeting, one of whom was a first-time visitor. We're always happy to see our members, and welcome visitors!

Jane (gonequiltinginflorida) showed her "Throwing" quilt, a pattern by ZenChic. She walking foot quilted on her home sewing machine using several different directions of diagonal lines, all about a quarter-inch apart.

Barb shared a new bag she made using KraftTex Paper Fabric which is machine washable and stitchable!

President Karen (sunrayatplay) completed her second quilt made with blocks from Tula Pink's book 100 Modern Quilt Blocks. Karen says she didn't buy fabric, but used only scraps for piecing. The quilt back is a sheet. Quilting is all free motion and ruler work on her Babylock Tiara.
 

She also completed these two quilts for a granddaughter. Karen learned this scrappy fusible appliqué technique in a recent workshop with Shannon Brinkley in The Villages. 

Betty made this "Dresden Neighborhood" from a pattern by Persimon Dreams. It's lovely, and also happened to perfectly fit the program theme: wedges!

Beth (blue_dragonfly5) shared her QuiltCon entry into the Two-Color Challenge sponsored by American Patchwork and Quilting. This is "Twin Peaks." Blocks were made according to Improv Paper Piecing by Amy Friend. Batting is wool. All quilting is walking foot quilting to reflect a landscape of clouds, mountains, and water.

We were happy to have Beth again share her "3-2-1-1" improv quilt - so named because in piecing the quilt she used 3 jackets; 2 ties; 1 dress; and 1 sheet as backing! Batting is wool. She walking foot quilted it on her home sewing machine.


Beth is a COVER GIRL! Her "3-2-1-1" quilt appears on the cover of the current issue of Curated Quilts with the theme "improv." We're very proud of Beth. Congratulations!

The program was presented by Linda H. (flourishingpalms) who shared information about making quilts using 9-degree or 10-degree wedge shapes.

Her presentation - "Wedges Go Modern" - was based on a July 21, 2015 MQG webinar by Christina Cameli, and Christina's book Modern Wedge Workshop.

Linda showed two quilts she made using Christina's book as inspiration. The first quilt is "Roulette." It's machine pieced, and includes bias tape appliqué. Home machine quilting is free motion quilting, ruler work, and walking foot quilting. Batting is Quilter's Dream Polyester.

The back of Roulette is a free pattern called "Bookmarks" by MaterialGirlQuilts. Find it here.

Linda also made "Spin Art," a quilt made with Painter's Palette Solids she selected as a bundle during 2018 Inspired by Fabric: Mad for Solids. Color inserts in the wedges, and color pieces appliquéd to the white background fabric, were cut with a Quick Curve Ruler. Linda home machine quilted using a walking foot, and also free motion quilting. Batting is Quilter's Dream Wool.

More information about working with wedges can be found on Christina's blog: AFew Scraps

A Few Fun Facts!
The Modern Quilt Guild has:
  • 41,646 members, worldwide
  • members represent 39 countries
  • 211 chapters, worldwide
The state of Florida has:
  • 732 Modern Quilt Guild members 
  • 10 Modern Quilt Guild Chapters
and we're one of those chapters with 57 members! Whoo-hoo!