LOVE-ly Little Pouch Swap

I know it isn't even Christmas yet, but Valentine's Day is coming, and it's time to get ready to share the L<3VE. Our guild swap for January will be a L<3VE-ly Little Pouch Swap.

Here's a pouch I made for a swap last winter

Haven't made a pouch before?  Afraid of the zipper?  No worries.  One of the reasons for doing these swaps (besides the fact that they're fun!) is to learn new skills.  There are some great tutorials on the net.  Here are a few:

Photo courtesy of KelbySews

My favorite is from our own Kelly Bowser:  http://kelbysews.blogspot.com/2011/03/zippered-pouch-tutorial.html and if you check her blog, she even has a video tutorial on putting in zippers.

Photo courtesy of La Bella Colori

And here is another tutorial from our own Kira Bell:  http://kirabell.blogspot.com/2009/12/well-its-alright-to-be-little-bitty.html

Here's a free scrappy pouch tutorial by the ever-helpful Noodlehead:  http://www.noodle-head.com/2010/10/scrappy-make-up-pouch-tutorial_20.html 

Photo courtesy of Noodlehead

And another Noodlehead tutorial for a pouch that opens completely:  http://www.noodle-head.com/2012/06/open-wide-zippered-pouch-diy-tutorial.html

Photo courtesy of A Quilter's Table

And if you're a zipper over-achiever, here's a tutorial for a triple-zip pouch:   http://aquilterstable.blogspot.com/2012/08/triple-zip-pouch-tutorial.html

Photo courtesy of American Sewing Guild SLC

And if the idea of zippers still leaves you thinking "I can't do this", here's a tutorial for a snap tape pouch using a metal tape measure as a closure:  http://americansewingguild.blogspot.com/2012/05/lined-snap-tape-purse-tutorial.html

And just a word of caution... if you choose this method, do not take husband's tape measure and cut it up (you know how you feel about your scissors, right?)

There are dozens more tutorials on the web.  As you can see, little pouches are limited only by your imagination. 

To play along in the Emerald Coast Modern Quilt Guild L<3VE-ly Little Pouch Swap, sign up in the comments below.  Be sure to tell us:

1.  Your name
2.  A color scheme you would like your partner to use - red and pink for Valentine's Day maybe?
3.  Your idea of the perfect L<3VE-ly Little Pouch
4.  The best way to contact you (you might leave your email address as  your name {at} server.com so that spam-bots can't pick it up... Or say Facebook or Google Plus...  I had a lot of trouble with this during the last swap, so it would be helpful to know how best to contact you).

Sign ups will be open until December 25.  Partners will be assigned on December 26, so you should have 3 weeks to make your pouch.  Pouches will be presented to partners at the guild meeting on January 11, 2014.  

And now for the quilty fine print:

1.  Please use modern quilt shop quality fabrics.  (No Jo-Ann's, Hobby Lobby or other Big Box store fabric, with the possible exception of fabric by modern designers.  Jo-Ann's for example, has fabric by Denyse Schmidt, Patty Young, Juliana Horner, ModKids and Cloud 9.)  Careful fabric selection is key - we are a MODERN quilt guild, after all.

2.  Make your item the best you know how.  Be sure to make something you would like to receive.

3.  Stretch yourself a little.  Maybe try a new process or technique.  We would love to have this little swap expand your quilting horizons a bit.

4.  Be sure and say "thank you" when you receive your gift.  It's only good manners, after all.

5.  Have fun!

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March Meeting

I can hardly believe it's March.  But it is.  And we have a meeting and SEW-day right around the corner.  As in 4 days.  So how about a short (ha!) post with the details.

We expect a larger than normal turnout this month, which is extremely exciting! 

Thanks in part to last weekend's show where our quilts were so well received, as well as the Valentine's Day modern quilt presentations given by Marcy and Cindy to the Santa Rosa Quilters' Guild, and by Marcy to the Silver Threads Quilt Guild.  What a way to spend Valentine's Marcy!  Even though you weren't with your honey, you were talking about something you LOVE.

Name tags.

  
Please wear one.  If you don't, you'll be missing out.  It makes you eligible for door prizes and we all know, door prizes are good.  How about a fat quarter bundle of Kona solids courtesy of that GIGANTIC box we received from Robert Kaufman for our anniversary?  Just ask Wendi.  Nothing like attending your first meeting and winning!  Awesome.  
   

Madrona Road Challenge reveal.

Ok, reveal may not be the correct word, as many of us have already shared photos of our projects on Facebook and Flickr.  However, we'll do the BIG show & tell as a group.   I am looking forward to seeing everyone's projects!!

We might will have a short presentation on Project Linus as their "call to blankets" for Camp Corral caught the attention of member Kim Godwin.  Camp Corral actually has two locations in Florida, one of which is the 4-H Camp Timpoochee, in Niceville.  Our backyard.  

At present, Kim hasn't made blankets for Project Linus, although she has a couple that are "almost" ready to go.  She regularly receives their EMails and says "I don't think there is anything better than to give a child a wonderful handmade keepsake. Plus, my son received a small fleece blanket from the hospital when he was born.  I don't know for sure if it is a Project Linus blanket, but I think it might be.  He just turned four and he still loves it!"  

I think, like Kim, several of us might have a quilt top or two in the "almost" stage that would be perfect for donating.

We'll be finalizing the details of our April road trip to Pensacola.  A&E here we come!  This trip will be the perfect time to pick up a fat quarter or two for the May Blind FQ swap.  

Borrowing a page from the LAMQG, Kelly gave us the details last month.  Choose up to three FQs and individually wrap them in brown paper - no peeking.  For every FQ you contribute, you withdraw one, taking turns, until each wrapped bundle is gone.  Unwrapping is the exciting part, because as we all know, good things come in small packages.  Just remember to keep your fabric selection modern.  No solids allowed. 

Of course we'll recap our quilt show experiences.

Don't forget about show & tell.  Finished projects, WIPs, fabric - we enjoy seeing and hearing all about them.

  

  
We have a couple of demonstration and skill building lessons for you.  Wendi's on tap for wonky blocks and hexagons.  Both of which she prepared as a brief demo for last weekend's quilt show.  Marcy's going to show us the ins and outs of making a little lined zippered pouch.  

If you'd like to learn, or practice, please bring a couple of fat quarters, 1/4 yard of fusible fleece or interfacing, a 7" zipper, and your sewing machine's zipper foot.  Double, or, triple these amounts if you're staying for the SEW-day.  I have a feeling these are addicting.  I know wonky blocks are.  I think the same can be said about hexagons and zippered pouches too. 

And speaking of skill building.   What about those Craftsy BOM blocks?  If anyone is participating, bring in your block(s).  They just might earn another ticket for a door prize.

Food, as in snacks to share, is always a good thing and greatly appreciated.  We are informal and do not have a food sign-up list or committee like some of the larger guilds.

SEW-day supplies should include your project(s) and anything you might need, including an iron, a pressing surface, and possibly, an extension cord.    There are several LQS in Crestview - A Quilter's Place and Margie's, just in case.

See you Saturday!