Strut - May 2018 Block Lottery Info

This months block comes to us directly from The MQG, one of the benefits (patterns, discounts, webinars, etc.) of membership.  (Not a member?  Join here or here.)

Strut, from February 2017, is an exercise on how to use asymmetry to make bold quilt blocks or quilts.

Loree and Laraine liked the suggestion given by the block's designer, Silvia Sutters, about using color to help define asymmetry within an individual block so much, we are running with that exact idea - black and white with a single pop of color!

(Black and White Strut blocks and bright Kona FQs)

Silvia is an accomplished designer, pattern writer (quilts and garments), and teacher whose work has appeared in print and digital magazines you might own - Modern Patchwork, QuiltCon, Make it! Patchwork, Simply Moderne, and Love of Patchwork and Quilting.  Her online patterns can be found here.

(Black and White Strut block with Kona Pomegranate )

ECMQG will not post the link to the PDF.  Please sign-in to your MQG account, navigate first to the Community section then the Resources section.  Once there, type 'Strut' in the search bar.

(Black and White Strut block with Kona Dahlia)

Please use Kona White for your background.  There is no manufacturer preference for the black pieces or for the pop of color, other than using quilt shop quality fabrics. 

(A stack of Kona solids - Dahlia, Pomegranate, Tomato, Sunny, Pickle, Parrot, Malibu)

Choose a color you love... a color you've been hoarding... a scrap... a piece of a new FQ or F8 you've been waiting to cut into. 

(Cool and warm stacks of Free-Spirit solids)

You could even use a why-do-I-have-this-in-my-stash color! 

(Black and White Strut block with Kona Pickle)

The instructions require you to print a muliti-page template.  Check your printer settings beforehand and print to size.  You will need to tape and cut your template pieces together.  

Other important things to remember:  a scant .25" seam allowance is absolutely necessary because of the number of seams (unless you choose to cut your pieces slightly bigger and trim down once each is sewn); a light spritz or two of starch eliminates stretch and distortion; seams within the striped portion should be pressed towards the darker fabric. 

Lastly, as seen in the photos, the pop-of-color chosen to replace ONE of the black pieces can be any of the five sizes listed in the instructions.

As always, thanks for participating!  We'll see you May 12th when we'll choose a winner of these bold and minimalist blocks!  You can't win if you don't sew.   

Where Does Your Rainbow Lead? - Meeting Minutes March 10, 2018

Our meeting began promptly at 10 am with the clanking of the bell by our junior member Ava.

Old Business

*  Our zippy pouch swap from February “Bring Two, Take One” added 8 new items to our upcoming online auction inventory.

*  The Tiger Lily challenge was discussed.  A bag or tote using a pattern (or not) that the maker is comfortable with.  Tiger Lily fabric was on hand for purchase.  (We bought ours at A Quilter's Place) 

*  Members were reminded to use the guilds Pinterest boards for ideas. Boards have been created with specific programs in mind.

*  Mary will be heading back home with beachy “Bits of Friendship” for her modern group at The Pine Tree Quilters of Muskoka.

*  Hospice quilt deadline is March 22.

New Business

*  We looked at and discussed the category winners from QuiltCon.

*  Members discussed the purchase of a roll of batting for charity quilts, members voted, all agreed to the purchase.

*  Laraine will be presenting the April program “Something Pillowy”.

*  The March program was presented by Natalie on Modern Blenders.

Design, color and motifs were discussed.  A card with a side by side fabric swatch was passed around to each member, then discussed why the fabric was either modern or traditional.

*  Members wanting to participate in the Modern Blender F8 Fabric Swap were asked to sign up for warm, cool or neutral fabrics. 

F8’s are due at the April meeting.  Instructions for cutting are in the blog March 2016.  Members were reminded to shop locally.

*  Natalie will be on hand at Sit and Sew to help members that started their Strip Piecing project work toward completion at the April meeting.

*  Mary won the Knee Socks Block Lottery. 

*  Pat presented the April Block Lottery, 3/4 Log Cabin by Ara Jane Olufson using bright saturated colors.

*  Door prizes were won by Linda, Lisa, Natalie, Loree, Laraine and Jill.

*  Natalie won the drawing for the Pot of Gold!