We're Starting a Bee

Remember the list of goals we brainstormed about at the January meeting?  If you don't, or weren't in attendance, you can see them here.  

In two short months, we've crossed several off the list.

The memorial quilt designed and sewn for Emerald Coast Hospice was presented this weekend.  It's beautiful.  Natalie will tell us all about it Saturday.  

Laraine organized our first swap of the year, the text-y and typography F8 swap last month.  I think we can call it successful, because, look at all of the great fabric!

While we didn't host a QAL as Kira suggested, we had decent representation for Kelly's Pixelated Heart QAL.  To varying degrees.  Going forward, we'll need to work on details and drumming up enthusiasm for the finish.  However, the quilt tops, incomplete as they are, really.are.gorgeous.  

  

All of this brings us to the next goal, one that will last six months (April through September) and ideally, involve 18 to 24 ECMQG'rs.  We are, because Wendi put it on the January list, starting a guild-only quilting bee!  In addition to becoming better acquainted and sewing quilt blocks for your friends, participating in this bee also touches on one of the goals Cindy mentioned - making more collaborative quilts.  

The best explanation of bees and how they might be organized was published almost four years ago by Rachel Hauser of Stitched in Color.  Rachel is also the founder of the most well known online charity quilting bee, do. Good Stitches which operates over on Flickr.  

Her post from April 2012 can be found here.  Please take the time to read it. She talks about what exactly a quilting bee is, the structure of a bee, how to start a bee, etc., and she shows some of the quilts made by various do. Good Stitches circles.

If you are as excited about the next communal activity as we are, come prepared to sign-up.  Remember, there is nothing to lose.  However, by joining, you'll find a whole lot of creativity waiting to be unleashed. 

We will see you Saturday.

Natalie, Cindy, Wendi, and Kira

ECMQG Executive Board 2016

It's Good to Have Goals

We asked, you answered.  

This is the list of individual and group goals for 2016.  Now to plan and implement these ideas.  We'll need your help.  

Some could be short presentations.  Some will be months long projects.   Others will could be done as sew-a-thons or sew-ins.  We are open to ideas and suggestions about how and when to make these goals reality.  

Some will be easier than others, just as some will interest you and some won't.  As a group, we'll learn together.  

ECMQG 2016 Goals 

 - label ALL donated quilts (Mary and Natalie)

 - make more collaborative quilts (Cindy)

 - donate quilts to chemo centers (Dee)

 - make a quilt for Sacred Heart Children's Hospital (Whitney)

 - make the Emerald Coast Hospice Memorial quilt (Natalie)

 - participate in the Million Pillowcase Challenge (Elaine)

 - start a guild-only quilting bee (Wendi)

 - host a QAL (Kira)

 - swap mug rugs or mini quilts (Whitney)

 - continue swapping fabrics and small items (Donna)

 - keep ECMQG Anniversary Swap (Kira)

Individual 2016 Goals

 - Improv play.  Complete 10 scores from Sherri Lynn Wood's book (Natalie)

 - learn bindings, paper piecing, and how to cut (Eliana)

 - make a Double Wedding Ring quilt (Nona) 

 - make ayliN-Nilya's bubble blocks (Donna)

 - learn/improve FMQ (Anne Marie)

 - learn/improve hand quilting (Betty)

 - learn/improve AMH Quilting/Improv Hand Quiliting (Kira)

 - learn EPP (Susan)

 - make drawstring backpacks (Pam)

 - complete Elizabeth Hartman's Patchwork City quilt (Kira)

 - make a Patchwork Death Star (Cindy)

It's going to be a great year!

Natalie, Cindy, Wendi, & Nona

ECMQG Board 2016

Tell Us!

So you've been a member of ECMQG for awhile now.  You've had the chance to dip your toes into the modern quilting pool.  

Some of you catapulted off the high dive into the deep end without fear, while some waded in from the shallow end, but all of us are in.  

One way or another, your time with us has made you a modern quilter.  That is exciting!

How did you grow as a modern quilter in 2015?  Did you have a personal goal or accomplishment that ECMQG helped you achieve?  

It doesn't matter what size this accomplishment was - losing your fear of zippers; participating in a class that was totally out of your comfort zone; facilitating a presentation or workshop; sewing with the majority of  your stash; relishing in the quiet satisfaction of slow sewing and handwork such as binding a quilt by hand or EPP; or did you enter a swap for the first time ever?

We are here to encourage and support your sewing goals.

That 's one of the.best.things that comes from gathering regularly with a group of like-minded sewists - camaraderie and encouragement.  

So tell us the next time we see you (Saturday, hopefully), what you are most proud of from this past year.

Yep, stand up and tell us.  

Then, think about what you want to accomplish in 2016 and tell us that too. 

We're listening.

We'll be there to pull you further into the deep end, or throw you a life ring.  

Here's to a creative 2016!

Natalie, Cindy, Wendi, & Nona
ECMQG Board 2016