June 14 Meeting

We want to invite and encourage all quilters who read this blog to respond to the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild's request for blocks and quilts to give to victims, families, and first responders of the horrible June 12 attack at the Pulse nightclub.

The Orlando MQG is asking for blocks made using the CluckCluckSew 10" heart pattern. Choose a rainbow of brightly-colored fabrics for hearts, and neutral for backgrounds. Thirty blocks are needed for the smallest quilt; more for larger quilts.

Read more about the request here. Information about where to send blocks and quilts will be provided as soon as it becomes available. Thanks for contributing!

June 14 Meeting
Our Monday meeting saw 30 in attendance with two visitors.

Make it Modern Challenge
Betty led us as members showed a photo of a traditional block, and their modern interpretation of the same block. This is Sue's modernization of a churn dash block.

Frances made this improv block, but said it turned out with only not-so-sharp points.

Here are some of the traditional blocks and pictures of them.

And these photos show the modern interpretations of them. 

Program
Jamie led a demonstration and explanation of the 10-inch slicer (ruler), and the smaller 5" version. Both rulers are designed by Crafty Gemini.

Using the 10" Slicer, Jamie made a sampler quilt that shows a variety of layouts and unit sizes that can be made. 

She quilted this on her home sewing machine.

Jamie with her Slicer quilt, and "Fiery Windmill," her entry into the last MQG Michael Miller fabric challenge.

Monique and two quilts that will be donated to Project Linus.

Kathy with two quilt tops (denim quilt, and tumbler quilt), a tote, and finished Hugs and Kisses quilt.

Patriotic wreath made by Judi using bandanas.

Frances with two finishes. Both quilted on her home machine. 

Linda T. wins for overachieving, with four completed quilts and a wall hanging. Designs are: "Morley the Moose;" "Igloo" from Modern Patchwork magazine; a design adapted from a Craftsy pattern; "Bricks and Mortar" (pink quilt);  and "Chopsticks" by Jaybird Quilts. All were quilted by Linda on her home machine.

Mary and her original designs: a Dresden plate, and "My Red Hat." Both were quilted by Mary on her home machine.

Lora and her 40" X 50" "Take 5" quilt. She quilted it with a walking foot.

Lynne's quilt on the left is based on a quilt in "Sunday Morning Quilts" book. Both were longarm quilted by Kelly.

Linda H.'s 71" X 71" all solids "Rebel" quilt is a design by Libs Elliott. Linda quilted it on her home machine.

Coming Up!
July 9 - Sew-In at Belleview Public Library
If you haven't signed up already, do so here.
Members are reminded to bring to the Sew-In or the July 11 meeting, any stashed print fabrics that match those required for the QuiltCon East Charity Quilt Challenge.

July 11 - Regular meeting at North Lake Presbyterian Church
Program: "Bias Basics and Beyond: Cool Things you can do with Bias" by Lora Douglas
Lora will share interesting information about bias cut fabric, including how to identify the bias, ways to cut fabric on the bias, how to make perfect bias binding, and project ideas.

Coming in June

June 11 Sew-In

If you're planning to attend our monthly Saturday Sew-In, at the Belleview Public Library, from 10 am to 6 pm - come for as long or short a time as you wish! - and you haven't yet signed-up, let us know here. 

June 13 Meeting 

We'll return to our regular meeting day (second Monday evening) and location (North Lake Presbyterian Church). Our program is being given by Jamie who will demonstrate how to cut fabric using the 10-inch Slicer, a versatile ruler made by Crafty Gemini. The ruler will be for sale from Lora.

The ruler is designed to work with layer cakes, or cut your own 10-inch strips for a different effect.

Make it Modern

Our 2016 Make It Modern Challenge quilt blocks are due! Here's a link to the document that explains what's needed. 

Also, don't forget to bring to the meeting your:

• Show and Tell
• Mighty Lucky Quilt Club projects (if you're participating)
• Library books to return
• Home sewn name tag

Catching Up with May Activities

May has been a busy month for Central Florida MQG members!

Twenty-one of us attended the second annual quilt retreat, from May 5-8 at Luther Springs, and it was a rousing success. Hopefully, those who weren't able to attend followed us on Instagram @CentralFloridaMQG and #CentralFloridaMQGRetreat where we posted more than 50 photos of grinning quilters and beautiful WIPs!

Our mother and daughter team - Momasita and Mel - kept busy sewing and chatting, like the rest of us.

At the entrance to our sewing room, the jasmine was in glorious bloom, giving a lovely scent to the air... appreciated mostly by those of us without allergies!

Our happy retreaters were, from top left: Laura, Debbie, Diane, Jamie, Judi, Cindy, Kathy, Kelly, and Lynne; and from bottom left: Monique, Mel, Janice (Momasita), Karen E., Linda T., Dee, Karen T., Jill, Carol, Sue, Lora, and Linda H.

Our thanks to retreat co-chairs, Karen and Karen, for planning this, and for our retreat goodies that included a Pixie basket, tile coaster, Tootsie Pop (we learned how useful it is for quilting!), a modern pattern, and three modern fat quarters!

Six days later, on Saturday, May 14, we gathered for our monthly Central Florida MQG meeting (on a different day) so we could have a hands-on workshop. Beth led members through a tutorial of several hand-appliqué techniques, and shared various tools used to do the job.

Following our meeting, we enjoyed our monthly Sew-In. Again, you'll find our meeting and Sew-In pictures on our Instagram feed which you can also see here.

April Sew-In and Meeting Update

Please read to the end of this post for important information about our May meeting!

It's always a busy few days when the monthly Saturday Sew-In falls two days before the monthly meeting. Such was the case on April 9 and 11. 

Sew-In

Eleven quilters attended the Saturday, April 9 Sew-In at Belleview Public Library. 

Upper left: Susan, Diane, and Cindy; right: Monique and Dee

Lower left: Karen E., Karen T., and Jamie; right: Ruth and Betty

And check out this great group photo of everyone holding a bright, modern project!

Front L: Karen E. Dee, and Linda
Susan, Cindy, Betty, and Diane
Back: Karen T. Ruth, Jamie, and Monique

Happily, 10 of these 11 quilters are on Instagram! Keep posting quilt-y pictures so we can follow one another's projects between Sew-Ins!

It was almost heart-warming to see quilters huddled around an iPad, looking at Amanda Jean Nyberg's - CrazyMomQuilts - "Good Neighbors" fabric collection on Connecting Threads.

The next Sew-In, at the Belleview Public Library, is Saturday, May 14. 

Take note: The Central Florida MQG monthly meeting is also Saturday, May 14, beginning at 10 am. This is so we can have a hands-on workshop. More information at the end of this post. 

April 11 Meeting

Thirty-four quilters attended the April 11 meeting, with guests being six of the 34. 

Our program, about "Made in America" products was given by Timm of Sew Mini Things in Mount Dora. Everyone learned something about a myriad of quilting- and sewing-related products made in America and many other countries. We learned that we live in a global shopping center.

Jamie and the 18" X 17" knitting tote she made to give as a thank-you gift.
Blocks on the front and back are from the "Sister's Sampler" book, and are domestic machine quilt. 

Lora designed and made this 10" X 40" table runner.
It's sewn with designer fabrics using the freezer paper foundation paper piecing method, and is walking foot quilted.
She's also holding a clasp bag made with Ex Libris fabric.

Lynette made this improv bag following a Jenny Doan pattern in "Mod Quilting."
She also made the porcelain button for it. 

Becky and her Greek Key quilt top.

Becky and her Lee Heinrich design quilt. Becky quilted it with a ripple stitch.  

Ruth made this quilt through a Craftsy class.
Quilt block designs are modern, pieced with batiks, and quilted by Ruth on her domestic sewing machine.

Mary calls this "Bird in the Bush is Worth...?" She domestic machine quilted it herself.

Flo completed her "Curve It Up" quilt, a Quick Curve Ruler design by Sew Kind of Wonderful.
It was longarm quilted by Central Florida MQG president, Debbie. 

Our lone quilter sharing her March Mighty Lucky Quilting Club project from designer Rossie Hutchinson is Karen. She showed her improv mini.

May 14 Meeting AND Sew-In

On Saturday, May 14, our meeting and Sew-In will be held at the Belleview Public Library. If you're using GPS directions to the library, be sure you're using the NEW library location, not the old.

13145 SE County Hwy 484, Belleview, FL 34420

Our chapter business meeting, show and tell, and program begins at 10 a.m.

Program: Hand work (Appliqué)

Our free workshop will explore hand stitching methods for appliqué. Beth will demonstrate, and members will try, three techniques to prepare and stitch an appliqué design, focusing on how to create invisible stitches. A supply list will be provided to registrants before the May 14 workshop.

Following the meeting and workshop which will conclude at approximately 12:30, quilters may lunch as desired - bring lunch, or go out. The remainder of the afternoon, until 6 pm is for continuing appliqué hand work, or sewing on whatever you desire. Bring your sewing machine if you wish, but set-up will not be permitted until 12:30.

Sign-ups for the morning workshop, and the afternoon Sew-In are being taken. If you didn't register at our regular April 11 meeting, please send an email here. Include your full name, and indicate whether you're interest in the workshop or Sew-In, or both! Thank you!

QuiltCon 2017 Charity Quilt Challenge 
On April 5, the MQG announced the QuiltCon 2017 Charity Quilt Challenge. If you're interested in being part of the Central Florida MQG committee that will plan and organize our participation in this project, please email President Debbie. A meeting will likely be at the end of April. For more information about the project, go to the MQG website here.