Friday, April 26, 2013

First Responder

It was just a week ago that the Boston Police Department shared the news that ended one of the worst weeks in Boston history.   
"CAPTURED!!! The hunt is over. The search is done. The terror is over. And justice has won. Suspect in custody."  
It's been even less since we reached out to the modern quilting community to help us make quilts for those affected by these terrible events.  The response we have received since then has been absolutely incredible!  I can't begin to thank everyone who has re-posted, Facebooked, tweeted, commented and helped spread the word about our efforts. 

Our flickr group is filling up and today we received our very first block.  We are busy scheduling sew-ins to assemble tops, lining up quilters, and making miles of binding.  I can't wait to share our first finished quilt!!!

There's still time to participate.  Blocks must be postmarked by May 24th so we can turn them in to quilts and start distributing them as soon as possible.  You can get all the details on our quilts for Boston page or in this post.  We have also added a Frequently Asked Questions page.  If you're wondering about something chances are someone else has also.

Thank you so much for your support!!!

Monday, April 22, 2013

Quilts for Boston

Quilts for Boston

One week ago today, the usual flurry of activity in our city came to a halt and we watched with sadness and disbelief as people who came to celebrate the 117th running of the Boston marathon were injured and killed by bombs set off near the race finish line. In response to the events of the past week, the Boston Modern Quilt Guild wants to find a way to help those in our community that have been directly affected by the bombing and subsequent events.
Quilts for Boston Color Scheme


As a guild we plan to make and distribute quilts to those who would benefit from a show of support, and we need your help.  We are asking the modern quilt community to support our efforts by sending us blocks for these quilts. Additionally, we will accept donations of fabric to be used for binding, sashing, and quilt backs. We would like to have the quilts ready to deliver to those in need as soon as possible, so we ask that you send your blocks to us within a month, by May 24th, 2013.

Blocks sent to the Boston Modern Quilt Guild should be blue, yellow, gray, and white. All blocks should be 12½” tall x the width of your choice. That could mean 12½” x 7”, 12½” x 12½”, or anything wider, more narrow, or in between. Please machine piece your blocks in any style you would like. Please use only “quilt shop quality” 100% cotton or cotton/linen fabrics. Both print and solid fabrics are welcome. Our preference is white or light gray 100% cotton thread, but any coordinating thread of good quality will do.

Quilts for Boston Color Scheme

Please consider adding photos of the blocks to our flickr group. This is not required, but it will be wonderful to share the blocks as we are making them and to see what people are working on.

Our goal is to make bright and modern quilts that will bring cheer to those who need it most! We chose this color scheme as these are the colors of the Boston Marathon, and have become the colors representing the One Fund, an organization formed to accept monetary donations for the victims, as well as the tribute tees sold to benefit the One Fund. Be creative with your blocks, and make any pattern or design that inspires you!

Please mail all blocks and fabric to:
Quilts for Boston
P. O. Box 79225
Belmont, MA 02479

Grab our button and help spread the word!
Quilts for Boston
A big thanks to the very talented Dorie, who created our logo and button!

If you have any questions, please contact: bostonmqg@gmail.com

Thank you all so much for your support!
The Boston Modern Quilt Guild

Relief in Boston

The buzz word in Boston this weekend is relief.  Relief that the insanity of the last week is over and relief that with the all clear we were able to go ahead with our April meeting.

We talked a lot about ways to give back to our community and bring relief to those who have been affected by this terrible tragedy.  The Vancouver Modern Quilt Guild has organized to Boston with Love.  We a thrilled to be participating in this effort and will be working with the Seacoast Modern Quilt Guild to find locations and hang these buntings in June.  We will be collecting flags from any members or guests who wish to participate at our May meeting.

One of the sentiments many people echoed at our meeting is that we make quilts and we'd like to find a way to give quilts to those affected.  The incredibly energetic Natalie has run with this idea.  We will be rolling out our own Quilts for Boston relief effort later this week.  Stay tuned for details and ways to get involved!!!


2013-2014 Officers:
Much of our meeting focused on those pesky business details...  March marked the end of our fiscal year and the end of our fabulous leader Laurie's Presidential term.  Laurie has been on the BMQG board since it's inception and we wouldn't be where we are today without her.  Luckily, she's not going anywhere and now will get to enjoy life as a "normal"  BMQG member:-)  As a thank you we presented her with this bag of handmade gifts and quilting notions which we know she will put to good use.  Officers for the 2013-2014 year will be Alice Webb Greer - President, Rebecca Loren - Vice-President, and Stephanie Harrison - Treasurer.

2013-2014 Membership:
It's time to renew your membership!!!  We are shifting our fiscal calendar to run from September to August.  To accommodate this change we have created a gap membership that will run from April 2013 to August 2013 for $15.  Beginning in September our 2013-2014 annual dues will be $48.  Until June 1st you can join for the full 15 month term at a discounted rate of $60.  Check out our membership page for more details and to join online via Paypal.

Joining the MQG:
We also discussed joining the Modern Quilt Guild in July.  We will be voting on this issue in June.  All paid BMQG members will be eligible to vote.  Benefits of joining the national organization include 501(c)(3) status and insurance for the guild.  As members individuals will also enjoy discounts on MQG events and merchandise as well as special offers from MQG sponsors.  If we elect to join there will be no additional membership costs in 2013-2014.  Please feel free to contact us with questions about this before the June meeting.

Lowell Quilt Festival:
We have been invited to participate in the Lowell Quilt Festival again this summer, August 8th-10th.  We will be again be displaying our quilts at Appleton Mills.  This is a fabulous space and we hope everyone will participate in this amazing event.

Zuzka's precious Flea Market Fancy quilt.
My Precious/WIP Challenge:
We ended the meeting with an incredible show and tell to wrap up our My Precious/WIP challenge.  This was a fun event and was a real motivator for people to get things done!  We had an amazing 15 "Precious" fabric quilts and 23 WIPs completed.  Congratulations to Natalie, Jane, Leah and Alice who each received a $25 gift certificate to Sew Fresh fabrics.  Show and Tell pictures will be coming later this week

It was fabulous to see so many new faces, we hope to see you all again!!!




Saturday, April 20, 2013

Meeting is On

To everyone's great relief the marathon bombing manhunt has ended and the suspect is in custody.  MBTA service has been resumed and all orders to stay in homes have been lifted.  I confirmed with the library this morning that they are open and ready for our meeting.

We hope you will join us today, April 20,  from 1 - 3 pm at the Robbins Library in Arlington.



Friday, April 19, 2013

4/20 meeting - possible re-schedule

Based on safety precautions currently in effect in metro Boston, we are considering rescheduling our April meeting.

The meeting is currently scheduled to take place tomorrow, Saturday, April 20,  from 1 - 3 pm at the Robbins Library in Arlingon.

BMQG board members will conference Saturday morning, to decide whether we will move forward as planned, or reschedule.    A final decision will be posted here by 9:30 am on Saturday.

In the meantime, please be safe!   If you haven't had a chance yet to donate toward relief efforts, we urge you to do so, at the link below.


Tuesday, April 16, 2013

April Meeting Reminder

Solar System UFO by Alexis
We'll be holding our April meeting this Saturday the 20th from 1-3 at the Robbins Library in Arlington.  Expect to see a super-duper show and tell as we wrap up our Precious/UFO Challenge.

Rebecca's Precious Fanciful Flowers
Visitors are always welcome so come join us!!!

Friday, April 12, 2013

British Invasion with Alice

Have you been eying Alice's British Invasion quilt top and thought about making one of your own? Well you're in luck! Alice will be teaching the quick and easy way to make a Union Jack block at Quilter's Way on May 19th from 12-5pm.  Sign up for this awesome class here.


Disclaimer: Alice can not be held responsible if you leave the class singing The Beatles and speaking in a British accent. 

Monday, April 8, 2013

Modern Quilters at Work

There has been a lot of discussion lately about the definition of modern quilting.  We in the BMQG define ourselves as "people who are passionate about modern quilting, patchwork, and sewing".  That passion expresses itself in many diverse forms!  Here are some more photos of projects from our recent retreat.  

Elise made this beautiful Mixtape quilt using an adorable collection of prints by Ann Kelle.

Betsy worked on the fabulous cover quilt from City Quilts by Cherri House

Lia took an organic approach to designing this quilt herself.  She pieced strip sets of these beautiful cross-weaves, cut them out free-form and then reversed appliqued them on linen.

Jen also likes to design her own patterns.  She designed this paper-pieced hexagon for a class she teaches at Quilter's Way which Karen also attended.

Another hallmark of modern quilting is the use of designer fabric collections like these:

Laurie's lovely Little Apples Hexy String quilt.

Jane's gorgeous Salt Water stars.

Zuzka's fabulous Flea Market Fancy Lone Star variation.

Linda does an amazing job making quilts from "found" fabrics.  These squares were made from a shirt Linda bought at Goodwill.  I can't wait to see the quilt she makes from the boxers she was cutting up:-)

Rebecca also used old shirts from her Dad  as part of this beautiful quilt she is making for her sister.

I totally bucked the "modern" convention and finished up this pretty little pinwheel quilt with prairie points from the Moda Bakeshop made with 30s reproduction fabrics.  

While our projects may have been diverse, we all shared our LOVE of quilting!!!






Friday, April 5, 2013

Looking for Something to Do this Weekend?


This Saturday and Sunday (April 6th & 7th) the fabulous folks at gather here are holding their 2013 Fool for Fiber Sidewalk Sale. This sale happens twice a year and we think it's totally fun! You'll find fabric and yarn for bargain prices like Debbie Bliss Rialto for 50% off and Tula Pink for $5 a yard! Plus lots of remnants, scrap bags, lonely skeins, discontinued dyelots, buy 10 get 10 FQs and more. And because we like you all fabric and yarn in the store is also 20% this weekend!

They are also bringing back the insanely creative Mimi Kirchner to teach a two-day workshop this month. If you like small things, if you are tired of putting your pins in a "tomato", if you are eager to hone your hand-stitching skills then you'll want to sign up for Mimi's Tiny Worlds workshop. Saturday and Sunday, April 13th and 14th from 2 to 5 PM with time for snacks. Several of our members attended her last work shop and had a wonderful time... Check out this post by the awesome Julie Responsibly on making her fabulous fox!

Mendocino Clamshell progess
And don't forget there's still time to finish up your entries for the Precious/WIP Challenge ... show off your project at the April meeting and be entered to win some amazing prizes!!!




Tuesday, April 2, 2013

That's Sew Fresh!!!

Have you heard the news???  Sew Fresh Fabrics has gone dot com!  Same fabulous selection of modern fabrics now easier to shop for.  Check it out... it's not too early to start something new for LQF!!!