March ECMQG Minutes

Meeting minutes: March 15, 2015

Kira called the meeting to order at 10:06 am.  Kira welcomed members and visitors. There were 32 members present and 3 visitors.

Treasurer's Report

Nona reported that the guild has an adequate balance after MQG dues of $850. No definitive answer was available. National dues are based on the number of paid memberships on record as of December.

Birthdays

Two members celebrated birthdays this month. After a rousing Happy Birthday, each received a fabric lollipop.

QuiltCon 2015

 

Beverly showing the results of a class she took at Quiltcon

A presentation was given to the Guild by those members who attended QuiltCon 2015 held from February 19-22, in Austin, Texas. Becky, Yvonne, Marcy, Diane, Melissa J., Donna, Melissa L., Kelly and Beverly all gave glowing reports about how awesome the convention was. Each member had a variety of different experiences to share with the membership.

Photo Credit:  Cindy Marvel

The Guild submitted a quilt of our own design made with a color palette selected by the MQG to QuiltCon for exhibit at the show. The quilt was returned to us and will now be used as a charity quilt. The name “From Here To There And Back Again” was suggested for the quilt.

Modern Minutes

Defining Modern Quilting will now be called Modern Minutes. Kira introduced us to Modern Mirage by Lee Heinrich. Alternate grid work, bold solids, and negative space help define this as a modern quilt. Visit Lee Heinrich's blog at www.freshlypieced.com

Block Lottery

There were 34 blocks submitted for the lottery this month. Our lucky winners are: Mandy and Sherry who divided the blocks equally.

Mandy also showed us her completed top from last month's block lottery winnings.

Next month the block will be a Log Cabin using white and Kona Ash on one half and modern prints on the other. Please check out the blog for pictures and directions.

Charity Quilts

 

Blocks by Melissa J, Mary, Bobbi, Cindy, Natalie, and Wendi.   Pieced by Cindy.  Pattern is an adaptation of Reverse Rainbow Starburst Quilt by Flutter Kat.

Cindy has challenged the Guild to make some Reverse Rainbow Starburst blocks for a charity quilt to be donated to Children's Family First. Directions can be found on flutterkat.com

Door Prizes

Fourteen members won door prizes ranging from charm packs to books. Congratulations!

Program

Melissa J presented a wonderful program on the Quilt Design Process. Melissa was well prepared and enthusiastic about the process of quilt designing and finding inspiration. The program was well received by all present.

Our program next month will be a trip to A&E. A count was taken by show of hands. A special discount will be offered by A&E to ECMQG members. Please show your membership card and wear your name tag.

Show and Tell

ECMQG members don't just make quilts.  Natalie's daughter made this cute skirt from C&S fabric

Eleven members had show and tell for the Guild today. Included along with the quilts were several tote bags, mug rugs, baby quilts and a variety of stuffed animals presented by Natalie's daughter, who was visiting.

Swaps

The Cotton and Steel fat eighth swap took place at this meeting. Many members participated and everyone seemed pleased with their new fabrics. The membership was reminded to please follow the rules of the swap, as posted on the blog, so that all participants receive the same value in the swap and to make it as easy as possible for the swap mamas.

We finished up with our Sew Day!  Lots of creativity here!

Respectfully submitted,

Wendi, Secretary

Donna, Asst. Secretary

A Little Shopping Trip

What does an ECMQG'r do when the once-a-month, only-time-I-see-my-quilting-friends meeting space is booked for another event?

a - Sleep 

b - Clean or find other pesky chores to do

c - Shop for fabric

If you chose c - shop for fabric - you're with the right group of people!

Our regular space is not available for the April meeting and Sew Day.  Instead, we're heading to Pensacola for our annual field trip/shopping extravaganza at A&E Pharmacy.

For those of you who have yet to visit, it might be a little overwhelming as there are more than 30,000 bolts of fabric inside.  Liz, the Fabrics and Crafts Manager, has a fun morning of shopping and demos planned for us. 

We'll meet at 9:00am when the store opens.  Remember to wear your name tag and bring your ECMQG membership card, because there **MAY** be a special discount!    

If you haven't done so, let Becky know you're joining us either by leaving a comment or contacting her directly - beckybiddle at gmail dot com.

Becky and Wendi are working on lunch options.  Local favorites Shrimp Basket, Cactus Flower Cafe, and the national chain Chili's, are close by, as well as, a Whataburger within walking distance.  Becky has reserved the classroom space for a brown bag lunch as an option too.

We may not be sewing, but at least we'll be indulging in our love of fabric!  See you in two weeks.

April 2015 Block Lottery - Log Cabin with a Modern Spin!

In early January, I received this book and posted the following to our facebook group:  "Look what the mail brought!  Possibilities for another block in the future.  And of course quilts I want to add to my ever growing list of things to make…. I have actually started a list.  Hahaha!"

I knew when I saw the cover quilt it would be the inspiration for this months block.  Only the instructions were for blocks bigger than what we need.  It is an easy block, but very modern when made like the quilt pictured.  

With Kelly Biscopink's and Andie Johnson's modern spin on the traditional log cabin stuck in my head, I turned to Quilters Cache for a block size that would work.

Here is my adaptation which ends up being a 12.5" unfinished block.  

April is our annual shopping trip to A&E, which means you have time to play with this fun block and shop for new fabrics.  Just in case you need them.  

Remember to read the rules!

With the exception of the final "log", this is a good block for helping de-stash your current fabric scraps.  If your scraps run to the smaller size, like mine do, you may need to cut a longer piece!

I began by pulling colors I thought would be fun, and cut them into 1.5" strips.  The “dark” side of the block will be modern colors and patterns, while the “light” side of the block will be Kona White strips alternating with Kona Ash strips.  

The center block is a 2.5" colored square (or dark as it's referred to in most patterns).  

You will be adding strips to the outside of the center block, beginning at the top, in a series of rounds that build layers.  Four additions equal one round.  Sew, starch, press, and trim as needed after each.  I press towards the center. 

Begin by sewing a 1.5" strip of color to the top of the 2.5" center.  Sew, starch, press, and trim if necessary.  

Next add a strip of color to the right side of the block, and sew, starch, press, and trim.  

The next two strips added will be the "light" strips, either Kona White or Kona Ash (your choice), also cut into 1.5" strips.  In my example, they are the bottom and left sides.  Again, sew, starch, press, and trim when necessary.

You will continue in this manner until you have five rounds or layers on each of the four sides.  

The main thing you will need to remember when sewing your block is to keep darks on one side and lights on the opposite side.  I started with Kona White, then Kona Ash, alternating between the two and ultimately, finishing with white. You can switch the order if you choose; you want to be consistent with each side.

A few tips for making this block?  Cut your strips as correctly as you can.  Be aware of where you place them before sewing.  I always checked my example (before sewing) to make sure of my color placement.
  
Please hold your blocks until we meet again (formally) in May.  We will draw the block winner(s) then.  

I can’t wait to see your designs!  Happy sewing!

Elaine

Sew Day ✂️

Greetings members!

If you plan to stay for Sew Day remember to bring a long extension cord and a power strip. This is also helpful for crockpots full of yummy soup!

Thanks

Charity and Community Outreach

More than a year ago when we were discussing and drafting the first version of our bylaws, we decided it was important to include the following as one of our principal purposes for what we wanted to be:

"...and provide opportunity for “charity” or other works that provide back to the communities where we live and work, through the use of modern quilting skills".

After a some fits and starts, 2015 brings renewed interest and enthusiasm for giving back; for community outreach.

  
I am overwhelmed with gratitude and love when I see the quilts, or quilt blocks, or fabric that you've donated for someone else's benefit. 

Someone whom, more often than not, is a stranger.  

Someone whom, more often than not, will never be able to thank us personally.

Someone whom, whether they know it or not, at the time it is gifted, needs a token of love, thoughtfulness, compassion, and care. 

 All of the things a quilt represents.

We've selected several organizations to receive quilts, and by no means is this list intended to be the final word.  

No.  Our intent is simply to give you guidelines for sizes and types of quilts that might fit what you have in your stash or what your heart guides you to create.  

Whenever you hear of a need, let us know during one of our meetings or through a message or phone call.

Please remember when making an outreach quilt, sew with care, but don't worry about whether you're doing it right.

Sew with love.  Sew with intention.  Your perceived imperfections, will not be noticed.  I promise.  

This is not about quilt-show-quality quilts, but your quilt does need to be well-made, be from a smoke-free environment, and be free from pet hair and odors.

  
It is also a good idea to launder your finished quilt(s) with fragrance-free and dye-free detergents. 

Our 2015 outreach goal is 25 quilts.  All sizes.  All charities.  Individually created quilts.  Group quilts.  Sewing-with-a-friend quilts.  Orphan block quilts.  It all works.    

Families First Network - Primarily quilts for children.  They should be bright and happy.  Any size from baby to twin. 

Project Linus - Quilts for children.  They should be bright and happy.  Any size from baby to twin. 

Navy and Marine Corps Relief Society - Quilts for a newborn.  A good size would be approximately 36" x 36".

Favor House of Northwest Florida - Various sizes, but no bigger than twin-sized. 

Quilts of Valor - Minimum size is 55" x 65"; maximum size is 72" x 90".

Thank you so much for your time, talent, skills, fabric, generosity, and dedication.   

Cindy Marvel
ECMQG 2015 Vice-President and ECMQG 2015 Charity Captain

March 2015 Block Lottery - 12" Reflections Block

Hi, my name is Yvonne.  I have been quilting for 12 years.  I love to sew and learn new techniques.  One thing that I haven't  done is work with solids.  This year, I hope to inspire a brand new love of solids.

March is my month for block lottery.  I went with Reflections and my inspiration for this block came from The Charming Needle.  I think this block will be very versatile and easy to put together.  We will be playing with color value; learning the contrast of light and dark within a color family.

The tutorial for reflections can be found here on my blog That's Sew Creative

The only colors that are specific to this block are the outer strips, and they are Kona Ash and Charcoal.  I hope this tutorial is easy and fun for you to put together.  I can't wait to see your blocks in March. 

The rules are simple:

• The Lottery is open to all ECMQG members in good standing.
• Please use only quilt shop quality fabric (no big box fabric stores with the exception of designer lines). 
• Please no batiks, civil war prints, or traditional fabrics.  If you are unsure about your fabric selection as it relates to 'Modern', just ask.    
• The aesthetic is ALWAYS MODERN
• Take your time to construct your block well; use 1/4" seam allowances. 
• Blocks should be the correct size, within about a quarter of an inch.
• Each block + $1 is one entry in the drawing.  You may submit as many entries as you would like.
• Please label your block with your name, somewhere within the seam allowance.  An address label stuck to the back also works.  
• Past winners can still contribute, but please understand until we see a finished quilt top (or project) from your bonanza, someone else will know the thrill of winning.
• If you have questions please leave comment.