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. 

April Info from the MQG

Among many other topics in the April Updates from the MQG (all members should have received this email) is information about the 2017 QuiltCon Charity Challenge.

The theme is "scale," and the color palette is:

PMS stands for Pantone Matching System

This is an exciting way for Central Florida MQG members to participate in QuiltCon, and give back to our own community. More information is coming from our chapter's project manager.

In the meantime, take a look at some of the wonderful 2016 QuiltCon Charity Challenge quilts.

New Hampshire MQG

Denver MQG

Kansas City MQG

Brisbane (Australia) MQG

South Bay (California) MQG

You can read more, and see more pictures of 2016 QuiltCon Charity Challenge quilts that have been spotlighted on the MQG blog here. 

See you at this Saturday's Sew-In, and/or our meeting on Monday, April 11!

March Meeting

We enjoyed a super turn-out at our March 14 meeting. With 42 quilters in attendance - 11 of them visitors! - we nearly packed the small room. 

President Debbie led our meeting, welcoming guests who stood to introduce themselves.

Sharon A. presented the program, giving us good verbal explanations of designs that enhance a quilt's negative space; and showing numerous visual examples of marketing designs. Beth followed Sharon, showing pictures of modern quilts with negative space.

Sandy M. - quilted herself

Jill - made from Sandy's scraps (see above); and domestic machine quilted.

Diane's blocks from "Advanced Piecing" workshop with Lee Heinrich

Lora's blocks from "Advanced Piecing" workshop with Lee Heinrich

Frances - combination "Urban Abacus and Metro Medallion" quilt; 72" X 84"; quilted on her domestic machine.

Becky - zentangle quilt

Jamie -Butterfly doll quilt made with a Quick Curve Rule; domestic machine quilted

Jamie's "Swoon" block; domestic machine quilted. Pattern by Camille Roskelly.

Karen T. - "Candy Stripe" made using a Quick Curve Ruler; 60" X 80"; domestic machine quilted

Beth - (L) "Wings"; 9" X 12". "Opposites"; 9" X 12"; raw edge appliqué.

Don't forget to RSVP for our April 9 Sew-In at the Belleview Public Library. Send your email here. 

Our first 2016 chapter challenge is Make it Modern. Members are invited to choose a traditional 9" X 9" (finished) quilt block, and using modern fabrics , reinterpret it as modern.  Colors may be your choice, but if a light color is needed, use white.

Resources for Modern Traditionalism inspiration include:

Jacquie Gering's 57-minute video "Make it Modern!" on The Quilt Show, #1202

42 Quilts

Craftsy here and Craftsy here and Craftsy here

Please bring your Make it Modern Challenge block(s) to our June 13 meeting.

Next Meeting
April 11, 6:30 pm, North Lake Presbyterian Church
Program: "American Made Products"
Timm from Sew Mini-Things in Mount Dora talks about quilting and sewing related products made in America, and the meaning of the phrase "Made in America."

Coming Up Monday

Hello Quilters!

We have lots of activities coming up for members, and guests!

1. Monday, March 14 - Executive Committee meeting at 5 pm at North Lake Presbyterian Church. As always, this meeting is open to all our members.

2. Following the Executive Committee meeting is the 6:30 Central Florida MQG meeting. Visitors are always welcome! Our March program is being led by member Sharon Ashley:

"Positive Thinking About Negative Space"How does a quilter incorporate negative space into modern quilt design? Sharon will give a media presentation that shows effective quilting methods for negative space, along with tips and hand-outs. Everyone is invited to bring a quilt that shows quilting in negative space.

Beth Shutty

3. Members who registered for the Spring 2016 Riley Blake Fabric Challenge may pick up their fabric bundles at the meeting.

4. Members who are participating in monthly Mighty Lucky Quilt Club activities are invited to bring their projects to share.

5. Members who attended either of Lee Heinrich's workshops are invited to bring their projects to share.

6. Members who wish to attend the May 5-8 Central Florida MQG Retreat to Luther Springs in Hawthorne, Florida, should bring monies to make payment. As well, be ready to complete a registration form, with your roommate preference; and a health information form.

7. Reminder: We DO NOT have a Sew-In in March due to the need for polling in our usual meeting space. Our next Sew-In is Saturday, April 9 at the Belleview Public Library.

See you Monday evening! Don't forget to wear your self-made name tag! If you need to make one, here's the link to the tutorial to make the name tag shown above.