Tuesday, October 30, 2012

Reminder: Meet Alissa Haight Carlton This Weekend


The  Seacoast Modern Quilt Guild has generously invited us to join them for a talk by the amazing Alissa Haight Carlton  Alissa is the co-founder and Executive Director of The Modern Quilt Guild and author of two modern quilting books, Block Party and Modern Minimal.

Intersections
"Intersections" by Alissa Haight Carlton
This special meeting will be open to all paid members of the Boston Modern Quilt Guild and Seacoast Modern Quilt Guild (you may pay at the door the day of the event).  The event will be held this Saturday, November 3, 2012 at the Town Annex located at 381 Main Street, West Newbury, MA 01985 from 1:00-3:00 in the afternoon.  There is parking in the front lot as well as behind the building.

Broken Plaid
 "Broken Plaid" by Alissa Height Carlton
Hope to see you there!!!

Saturday, October 27, 2012

Quilt Market:

Rachel, Laurie Rebecca and Alice with Kelle Boyd of Ann Kelle
Last year a few of our members were lucky enough to make it to Fall Quilt Market.  This year we just have to follow along on the web but there have been tons of photos popping up on blogs and instagram.  It's so exciting to see what's coming in the world of quilting.  Market is a chance to see not only what new fabric is coming out but how designers have used it. 

Picnic Blanket Quilt Top
Photo courtesy of During Quiet Time
While she may not be there in person, Amy Friend is there in spirit with this fabulous quilt she made for BasicGrey by Moda using their new line PB&J.   The fabric and pattern will be released in March.  

I have been wild with anticipation since I first saw Tula Pink's new collection, Salt Water.  I may even be inspired to mix it in with my long hoarded Neptune stash for our My Precious Challenge.  What new line are you most eagerly awaiting?

Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Precious/WIP Challenge

For those of you who attended last Saturday's meeting, you heard me (Laurie) talk about the guild Precious/WIP Challenge.  This guild activity has two purposes: to encourage guild members to use their favorite fabrics they haven't dared to cut into and to get everyone to start finishing all of those works-in-progress or unfinished objects (UFO's) that we all have lying around (okay, there is one BMQG member who has no WIP's - but she's definitely the exception!). 

The rallying of sewers to use their favorite fabrics is an idea taken from Kelly at KelbySews, who inspired lots of people to cut into their Mendocino, Tula Pink, and Katie Jump Rope (to name a few).  The "precious" is in reference to the unforgettable Gollum and his obsession with the ring, from The Lord of the Rings series.  You can check out the flickr group Kelly setup and see what people made from their hoarded fabrics.  It's definitely inspiring.

I know there are guild members who are so scared to cut into their Full Moon Forest, Flea Market Fancy, Melody Miller, Heather Ross, and Neptune fabrics.  For me, I definitely have some of those kind of fabrics in mind, but it is high time I finally cut into one of my favorite collections of all time: City Weekend.
 You definitely don't just have to stick to collections and specific designers, here's a photo of a few fabrics that I just love and I am just waiting for the "perfect" project.  Obviously, we are all have different tastes and it doesn't really matter if your precious fabrics are long out of print or desirable to everyone - they just have to be "precious" to you!
 Finally, here's the other half of the activity: I want to encourage everyone to finish up those unfinished projects you have lying around.  I dug in drawers and piles to unearth no less than nine unfinished quilts.  Ugh.  It's almost embarrassing to reveal this picture but I wanted to encourage everyone - you are not alone!  Let's finish these projects!
We always have a "show and tell" at every meeting, so from now through April, let's dig into our precious fabrics, finish our WIPs, and bring them to BMQG show and tell.  For every item you bring, you will receive one entry into a drawing that will happen at the April meeting.  (I originially said we'd wrap this activity up in March, but I am extending it a little bit so that people can work on these projects at the March retreat).  Prizes will include fabric gift certificates but I would also like to encourage guild members to donate fabrics and/or items they have made to the cause.  I am going to throw in my "Girl on a Swing" mini

Thanks for getting through this long post!  I encourage everyone to blog about this challenge and share your plans with how you will participate - maybe add some pictures to the BMQG flickr group to show us what you are daring to cut into.  I can't wait to see what people will do in this activity!  Feel free to comment with any questions.

P.S.  I almost forgot: it's okay if you decide to make something other than a quilt for this activity.  Additionally, to get a drawing entry for the "precious" portion of this challenge, if you make a quilt - it just has to be a top to get an entry into the drawing.

Sunday, October 21, 2012

October Meeting Recap

This month's meeting featured a fabulous discussion about blogging.  A huge thanks to Jen & Liz for sharing their knowledge with such enthusiasm and humor!

Liz also showed us our finally finished charity quilt.  We are lucky to have so many members willing to pitch in and help us with projects like this!

As always, show and tell was amazing. It is always inspiring to see what this creative group is up to!  So many different styles...
Samantha's adorable Baby Quilt

Stephanie's beautiful Modern Mosaic Pillow

Red Sox quilt new member Zuzka is making for her son (with his input;-)

Aimee's wonky crosses and growth chart.  It is amazing the way she matched the binding to each cross!

I love how Emily can take a totally random assortment of fabrics and turn it in to something fabulous.

Hema is always trying new techniques.  We got to see her working on the Totally Groovy quilt at the last sew-in so it was exciting to see the finished top.

Jen has a very lucky swap partner who will receive this incredible pillow cover.

Laurie's gorgeous Dream Weaver quilt made with fabrics from all of Anna Marie Horner's collections.

Lia's making progress on her English paper piecing project.

 Liz shared this fantastic mini quilt she intended for Lowell Quilt Festival and the name tag she made for Sewing Summit.

Natalie's amazing hand quilted Hope Valley quilt.

Natalie also shared this fabulous Flea Market Fancy quilt made for her by the members Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild when she moved here.  Their loss is our gain:-)

Friday, October 19, 2012

Get Your Quilting Fix!

Just a little modern eye candy and a reminder that our October meeting is 1-5 tomorrow (Saturday 10/20) at the LDS Church,  70 Concord Rd., Billerica MA.

courtesy of Stephanie at SimpleSewendipity
We will have a great, long-awaited discussion about blogging, kindly led by a few guild members!  Be prepared with questions and your own knowledge to share on the subject. As always, please bring show and tell.  

courtesy of Jen at A Quilting Jewel
The last 2 hours of  will be an open-sew event. Bring your machines and quilts to baste in the big gym floor.  This is a perfect time to get started on your pincushion for the swap!

Saturday, October 13, 2012

Good Times Here!


There was a lot of sewing and a little fabric shopping happening last night at our October Sew-in at the fabulous Gather Here Stitch Studio...

or maybe it was a lot of shopping and a little sewing:-)  This place is overflowing with gorgous modern fabrics!

In either case, a good time was had by all!  A huge thanks to the awesome staff who cut our massive stacks of fabrics and delivered our every sewing wish!

For those of you who couldn't make it there are more good times ahead!  Our next meeting will be Saturday, Oct 20th. Details available on the Upcoming Events page.

Tuesday, October 9, 2012

Gather with Us!

Just a reminder that we'll be gathering at the modern quilter's dream shop, gather here, this Friday night.  Officially we'll start sewing at 7 but early birds are welcome.  Bringing hand-work is recommended - but you are allowed to bring your own machine if you choose. Machine rentals are also available for $10 per hour. Of course the register will be open to purchase fabric.  Hope to see you there!!!

 

Saturday, October 6, 2012

Finished QuiltCon Raffle Quilt

Did you see the finished quilt from the QuiltCon Block Challange?

Photo Courtesy of The Modern Quilt Guild

This quilt combines blocks by 20 different quilters from the hundreds of amazingly creative blocks submitted.  The only guidelines were that you make a block that measured 12 1/2" on one side and used the colors of the QuiltCon logo.  This quilt will be raffled off at QuiltCon and the remaining blocks will be made in to quilts to be donated to the Austin Children's Shelter.

Photo Courtesy of The Modern Quilt Guild

Even the back is fabulous!  Kudos to everyone who participated.

Wednesday, October 3, 2012

An Invitation from the Seacoast Modern Quilt Guild


Alissa Haight Carlton, the co-founder and Executive Director of The Modern Quilt Guild and author of two modern quilting books, Block Party and Modern Minimal, will be visiting family in New England and has agreed to spend a bit of her vacation speaking to the Seacoast Modern Quilt Guild!  

Intersections
"Intersections" by Alissa Haight Carlton

Alissa may not be able to bring many quilts with her as she will be travelling on airplanes with an infant and all the baggage that requires!  So come prepared with lots of questions to ask her about her inspiration, her experiences, etc.


Broken Plaid
 "Broken Plaid" by Alissa Height Carlton

This special meeting will be open to all paid members of the Seacoast Modern Quilt Guild (you may pay at the door the day of the event).  We are also extending the invitation to all paid members of the Boston Modern Quilt Guild.  The event will be held on Saturday, November 3, 2012 at the Town Annex located at 381 Main Street, West Newbury, MA 01985 from 1:00-3:00 in the afternoon.  There is parking in the front lot as well as behind the building.

We'd like volunteers to bring baked goods and drinks to the meeting.  Please email me if you are willing to help at amybfriend@gmail.com.

Are you excited?  I am!  

Tuesday, October 2, 2012

Reminder - Pincushion Swap

Just a reminder that the BMQG is participating in a cross-country (international!) pincushion swap coordinated by the Kansas City Modern Quilt Guild.   We'd love for you to take part!   MQG members from VancouverAustinWichitaBay AreaIndianapolis and Northern Virginia will be swapping.


FTLOS Swap - done!
Liz, via Goddess in Progress blog

Guidelines for the swap are:
  • All pincushions should have a modern aesthetic
  • Pincushions should contain nothing breakable
  • Pincushions should be tagged with the following info:
    • name
    • email
    • blog (if applicable)
    • guild
    • filling materials (in case of allergies)
    • whether or not you are attending QuiltCon (Y/N) **

via Texas Freckles

Bring your finished pincushion to the November 17 meeting in Arlington.   We will handle mailing the pincushions to Kansas City, where organizers will execute the swap, and distribute pincushions by late December.   
via feeddog

**Organizers will swap cushions between members planning to attend QuiltCon, to create an opportunity for swappers to meet their pincushion’s creator in person.

via bitty bits & pieces

For inspiration, you might try the following:


Amy, via During Quiet Time


If you would like to participate but will not be able to make the November meeting, please contact Laurie, Alice, or Rebecca, or email us to make alternate drop-off arrangements.