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.

Mini Shop Hop and Free All Day Sew-In!

At our last meeting, when we asked our members what they might like to do in May if the Shop Hop had to be canceled, the chorus was unanimous - a Sew Day!

Because you asked...  our May meeting will be a Crestview Shop Hop and All-Day Sew-In!

Dawn at A Quilter's Place will offer ECMQG members a special Shop Hop discount on Saturday, May 14.  In addition, the shop will have treats and snacks just for us!  She has specially ordered a selection of MODERN JELLY ROLLS  for the Jelly Roll Race Event at our June meeting.

Our regular meeting place at First Baptist Church of Crestview will be open from 10 am to 6 pm for our Sew-In!  After a short meeting (block lottery, birthdays, bee buzz) we will shop, have lunch, then Sew, Sew, Sew!

Bring your sewing machine, projects, supplies, lunch and a snack to share. 

There will be door prizes* every half hour, friendship, fun, and celebrations of every finish!

Oh, this is going to be SEW much fun!

*Must be present to win.

June Swap - Mini-Quilt!

The June MQS will take us on a journey into the Modern Quilt Continuum (not to be confused with the Time/Space Continuum of science fiction fame!).  

Let us boldly go where few quilters have gone before and beam right into the middle(ish) of the Continuum to explore strange new worlds of high contrast and graphic areas of solid color.  Your mission, should you choose to accept, is to seek out new ideas, move away from your quilting comfort zone, try something that you haven’t done before, be challenged… be creative... and... explore!

The mini-size of the quilt, should allow you to experiment, investigate, and examine this stop on the Modern Quilt Continuum without a huge commitment of time or expense.

The following are some links to a few examples of “high contrast and graphic areas of solid color”: 

https://www.themodernquiltguild.com/sites/default/files/QC1435.jpg

https://www.themodernquiltguild.com/sites/default/files/QC1483.jpg

https://www.themodernquiltguild.com/sites/default/files/QC1339.jpg

(photos used with permission of The Modern Quilt Guild)

 Mission Guidelines:

   * Try your best to represent high contrast and graphic areas of solid color

   * Social media photos (a minimum of one) and interaction are required.  You did not travel to a black hole.  You have other mission specialists who want to see your work.  Hashtag your photos with #ecmqgjunemqs on Facebook, Instagram, or Flickr.  The more progress photos the better, because these are great forums for instant feedback.  Sharing progress is motivating.

   *Lots of wiggle room here, but it can be no smaller than 16” x 16” and no larger than 24” x 24”.  It does not have to be square.

 *Use only quilt shop quality SOLID fabrics.  No prints.  No tonals.  No batiks. 

   *Label your quilt.  You must include your name, quilt name, and any other information you feel will be of interest to the new owner.

This is an unpartnered swap.  There is no sign-up requirement, and you will not be creating for someone else’s likes or style.  You are sewing as defined in the Mission Guidelines.  That’s it.  Once you’ve accepted the challenge and have sewn to the best of your ability, bring your mini to the June meeting where we will swap with other daring specialists who made the journey to the center(ish) of the Modern Quilting Continuum. 

I hope that you are as excited about this swap as I am!

Live long and prosper!

Laraine 

Of Bees and Blocks

This month, ECMQG started its own quilting bee.  Well, "bees" actually - we had enough willing participants to make up threebees!

First, a brief explanation

A virtual quilting bee is a group of quilters who come together through some form of social media to make each other blocks for a quilt.  Each group is called a "hive."   Hives are usually made up of 6 or 12 quilters, and the bee usually runs for the same number of months as there are participants.  Members of the hive agree that they will make blocks for each other for the entire duration of the bee.

In a 12 month bee with 12 members, each member makes one block per month (one block for each queen,) so each queen has 12 blocks when her month is finished; in a 6-month bee, members usually make 2 blocks each month so that the queen still ends up with 12 completed blocks. Twelve blocks is - as Cindy often reminds us - an "insta-quilt."

Each month, one quilter is the "queen."  During the queen's month, the members of the hive make blocks for her, to her taste and following her instructions.  The queen will decide what block she would like and let the members know the block, fabrics, and preferred colors by the first of the month.  Members then have a month to make the block(s) for that month's queen.

 

Queens should use easily accessible patterns or tutorials or provide the directions to the hive members.  (Please be aware of copyrights and intellectual property - remember that someone has put creative energy into designing the block.)  In general, members should be courteous and not make copies of directions from books or magazines without permission.  

If the queen wants a scrappy block, members sew from their stash or scrap basket in the queen's preferred colors.  If the queen wants a particular fabric or collection of fabrics, she provides those specific fabrics to her hive-mates. 

While it is true that "life happens," it is considered very rude to drop out of a bee before the agreed-upon term is up, particularly if you have already had your turn as queen and received your blocks - that means someone has made blocks for you, but won't receive any in return.

With that brief explanation,  let me introduce you to the members of our hives.

Hive #1 #sewbeeit
Carol
Amy
Bobbi
Pat
Dorothy
Suzie

Hive #2 #sewnewbee
Loree
Ann Marie
Senorah
Ava
Marcia
Sherri

Hive #3 (aka #beeimprov)
Cindy
Natalie
Jill
Jo
Laraine
Roxie
Wendi

(When Hives 1 and 2 have names, let me know and I will add them here.)

The members' names in BOLD are our first queens.  Each of them has decided on a block and distributed directions and (possibly) fabrics.  Their members are busily stitching beautiful blocks for their queen to enjoy!

And our bees will run a bit differently than traditional bees - instead of running for a calendar month, our bees will run from guild meeting to guild meeting.

Next Steps

Each hive should take the following steps:

1.  Give your hive a name and a hashtag (#).  Members should mark all posts on social media with the hashtag your hive chooses.

2.  Decide the order of the queen's months.  Take into account your individual schedules.  Will you have time to plan?  To answer questions from your hive-mates?  Are you planning to be out of town or have work commitments in some months that would make being the queen (or planning to be the queen) difficult?  Take these factors into consideration when you assign the months to members.

3.  Decide how you will communicate.  Group text messages work well for iPhones, but not as well for a mix of iPhones and Android phones.  

Instagram (IG) is a great choice for instant communication and inspiration, but is not as good for storing and saving directions.  Facebook (FB) is terrific for storing information, but not as good for instant communication and inspiration.

Facebook is especially good for private communication if you start a special group for your hive.  You may want to send the initial instructions via email, then store them for reference on FB, while communicating instantly on IG.

However you choose to communicate, communication is ESSENTIAL and must be accessible to all members of the hive.

Note:  It may be that members will need to join a new social media forum in order to participate in the hive.  Part of the fun of a bee is the communication and the ability to get to know each other better than you can do just at monthly guild meetings.

4.  Insist that members post at least one photo each month to whatever social media forum you've chosen.  (If you choose IG, also tag with your hive name and #ecmqg so that other guild members can see how much fun you are having!)  

Social media is both the impetus and the strength of MODERN quilting.  Modern quilting was born online and lives through the social interaction of the online community.  It is the interaction on social media that keeps us growing, learning, and excited about quilting!

5.  Members should always use quilt shop quality fabrics (QSQ) and make blocks to the best of their ability.  

It's okay to make a practice block.  Especially when a technique is new to you or when the queen has provided only a limited amount of fabric.  

6.  Members should make it a priority to respond quickly to communication from other members of their hive, even if it's just to say "OK" to let people know they've receieved the information.

7.  Keep all communication positive.  It's okay to say, "I don't care for that color," but is in bad form to say, "Why did you choose such an ugly color?"  There is a difference.  Tactfulness counts.

8. Most of all, have fun!

Shop Hop Cancelled

Sorry everyone.  The Shop Hop has been cancelled.  We were unable to make it affordable for the 22 people who signed-up.  Even when we tried to find other transportation companies or smaller vehicles.  

Thanks for your interest and support!  

We'll be returning checks and funds received.