Elaine's Susannah Block

Please refer to this post for our block lottery rules and expectations.  We want everyone to be happy with the quality of the blocks received, should they be the lucky winner.  

June Block Lottery - Elaine's Susannah  

This block will be 12.5” unfinished, 12” finished.  The colors are orange or yellow prints for the center triangles, Kona White, & solids in the warm palette for the outer blocks, and blue or green for the outer triangles.

Out of the white material cut 4:  3.5” x 6.5” rectangles

Out of the orange or yellow print cut 4:  3.5” x 3.5” squares

Out of the warm palette solids cut 4:  3.5” x 6.5” rectangles

Out of the blue or green prints cut 4:  3.5” x 3.5” blocks.

For the 1^st set of blocks, take one yellow/orange block and 1 long white rectangle and pair them together.  Draw a line from corner to corner of the 3.5” block them stitch the 2 blocks together diagonally.  You get better results if you stitch just to the side of the line closest to the corner.  Trim at .25” and iron open.  Iron the corner seams to the yellow (dark) side.

Once all 4 blocks are sewn together, set aside & repeat the same procedure for the solid rectangle blocks and the smaller blue/green blocks.

Arrange all 8 blocks as pictured & sew 2 rectangle sets together.

Once you have 2 rectangle sets sewn together, sew 2 square blocks to make the top row & the final 2 blocks together to make the bottom row.

Iron all seams open then sew the top rectangle to the bottom rectangle and iron that seam open.

You have now completed your 1st Elaine's Susannah block!

When making my blocks I used light starch at each seam.

One last tip is to sew a second line on the inside of your corner block (see white blocks) then iron open and you will have additional ½ square triangle blocks.

Elaine
1/2 of your ECMQG 2016 Block Lottery Committee

PS.  Please address all questions or comments to me, here, on the blog.  I was unable to pattern test this after I wrote the instructions.

Next Meeting - {Jelly Roll} RACE to the Finish!

Exciting things are happening at ECMQG, and June will be no exception.  We're going to have a Jelly Roll Race!

What is a Jelly Roll Race, you ask?  It's a super fun little competition where we see who can sew a jelly roll into a quilt the fastest.

How long will it take?  Some people say it can be done in 30 minutes.  Some say an hour.  Some maintain it is 90 minutes.  What's the record?  I have no idea, but these quilts are FAST!


What will you need to play?

A Jelly Roll - must contain 40 2-1/2" strips
Your sewing machine
Normal sewing tools, but especially don't forget scissors

How do you play?

First, you sew your jelly roll strips together into one long, long, long strip - 1600 inches long!  You may miter the corners (sew them at a 45* angle) or just sew them straight.  You can put spacers in between the strips.  This is totally up to you.

There are various theories about how to arrange the strips.  Some people never put two strips in the same color together.  Some people don't put two strips in the same pattern together.  It's totally your decision.  One thing to know is that you really can't predict what strips will be next to each other when you sew your jelly roll together in the jelly roll race.  But, because it's a jelly roll, you know that your colors and designs will all coordinate and look fabulous together.

Now, cut off 18" from one end.  This is what gives the jelly roll race quilt its random placement.  Put this 18" strip in your scrap basket.

When we say "GO!", begin to sew.  Take the two ends of your long strip and sew them together.  This is the hardest part because it seems to take for-ev-er!!  Hang in there.  It gets better.

When you reach the end, cut the strips apart at the loop, grab the two ends, and sew them together.  Repeat.  And repeat.  And repeat.  Until you have all the strips in your jelly roll sewn together.  If you are the fastest, you win!

So grab a jelly roll, gather up your sewing stuff, and Let's Race!  There will be a special prize for the winner!  And door prizes every half hour!*  

Photo courtesy of United Notions

Want to see a Jelly Roll Race in action?  Jenny at MSQ has a fun video.  

Want to find out more about Jelly Roll Race sizing and details?  Wee Folk Art has three blog posts on her experience making a JRR.

Want some inspiration about what to do with your JRR quilt when it's finished?  Try this Pinterest board with a ton of ideas.

But whatever you do, be sure not to miss the June meeting!  It's sure to be exciting!

*Must be present to win.  When you leave, your tickets are void.

April Minutes

The April meeting of the Emerald Coast Modern Quilt Guild was held on April 9, 2016 in the small chapel at First Baptist Church of Crestview.  Natalie opened the meeting with a moment of silence.

Natalie reminded members of the Modern Quilt Continuum and asked each member to write their name on a post-it note and place it on the banner at the place where they believe they see their current modern quilting style.  She promised we would come back to that thought before the meeting ended.

During QuiltCon in February, ECMQG hosted "QuiltNon" on Instagram and Facebook.  The guild awarded 3 prizes to QuiltNon participants.

We had a lengthy discussion about charity quilts.  Jennifer presented our latest Honor Quilt.

Wendi read an email from the chairman of the Celebration event at Emerald Coast Hospice.  The quilt we made hangs in their reception office.  They were delighted with the bright and cheery nature of the quilt and the fact that it was completed so quickly.


 Susan discussed our relationship with Fisher House, particularly the care for the young airman recently hurt in a traffic accident on base.  The guild presented the young man's mother a quilt made by Mary while she was here this winter.  Susan noted all the help that Fisher House gives those who use their services.  Benefits are available to any military member or family if they have served for one day.

Wonky House block from the December block lottery

We discussed our next charity project - the 2016 Fisher House quilt.  She suggested that members make any kind of house block and bring it to the June meeting for Fisher House. Blocks should include the colors of sky, grass, and sand.  There will be instructions on the blog by the May meeting.

Show and Tell came early in this meeting.  Several members shared quilts and other projects they had made.

We have received the fabric for the latest Modern Quilt Guild Challenge.

The fabric is Sashing Stash by Riley Blake.  The challenge deadline has been extended to May 31.  Fabric was distributed to those who signed up for the challenge.

 Only 22 members have signed up for the May Shop Hop.  We must have at least 30 members participate to make the trip feasible.  If we do not have at least 30 members by April 11 we must cancel the event.  If we cancel, we will have a Sew Day in its place.

The June meeting will be devoted to a Sew Day, and will have a "competitive quilting" theme and consist of a Jelly Roll Race, and an Improv Challenge!  All members should bring their sewing machines!  There will be prizes!  After the race, members are encouraged to "hang out and sew." 

Laraine introduced our June Swap, which will be a blind (unpartnered) Mini Quilt Swap featuring high contrast and graphic areas of solid colors.  Details are here.  It is a requirement that participants post at least one progress photo on Instagram or Facebook.  Mini quilts may range from 16" to 24" and do not have to be square.

Natalie reminded everyone of the MQG Webinar "Modern Machine Quilting."  Check the MQG website for details.

Senorah, a Junior Member, won this month's Block Lottery featuring 21 blocks. 

Next month's block will be the Tidal Pool block by Molli Sparkles using Kona Navy and any tone-on-tone print.

Laraine Acosta has volunteered to be our new treasurer beginning in July.

 Natalie had planned a "working lunch," so the meeting adjourned briefly for members to fill their plates.

When the meeting resumed, Natalie asked everyone interested in participating in a quilting bee to take a different colored post-it note and place it on the Modern Quilt Continuum banner where they feel they would be comfortable.  Wendi explained how bees operate and the commitment required of members who participate.  19 members joined ECMQG Bees.  They are divided into 3 hives, which are explained in more detail here.  The first two queens met with their hives to distribute fabrics and discuss matters relating to each hive.

The meeting adjourned at 1:20 and was followed by a Sew Day.