April Program - Piping Hot Binding

Our next meeting of the BMQG is Saturday, April 21st, at Strawberry Patches, from 2:00 - 4:00. Our tutorial will be about adding piping to your projects using Susan Cleveland's Piping Hot Binding Tool. I love the way you can add creative detail to your quilts using piping! Add it to your borders, binding, block construction, clothing, crafts, and bags. The possibilities are endless! 


The tools we will be using are included in a package available at 
Bolts to Binding. The kit includes a special ruler that will make the construction of the piping so easy! You will also need to bring your sewing machine and general quilting tools to the meeting. Our hands-on tutorials have been very successful, and I'm sure this one will be a hit, too!


How is everyone doing on their scrap bag challenge? At last month's meeting, we exchanged baggies of scraps. We will be making something out of the scraps for the scrap baggie owner. The only rule is that 75% of the finished product has to contain scraps from the baggie. Projects are due at next month's meeting.


If you have any questions about any of the activities of the BMQG, e-mail us at bakersfieldmodernquiltguild@gmail.com, find us on Facebook, or post here.


Happy stitching,


Lynn

March Sew-In Roundup

As always, last Saturday's sew-in was a blast! We met for the first time at the new location of Bolts to Binding, 930 Wible Road. The space is so much bigger than the previous location, and the classroom is huge! There's room to spread out, complete with cutting and pressing stations. The full wall of windows provided lots of natural light, and everyone enjoyed soaking up the sun while we sewed! 

Nicci, who has a smile like sunshine!

Bob, our resident fella

Jen and Christy, working on the quilts for Courage House

 

Lynsey worked on a making a small bag

Sarah was making Easter dresses for her girls

Sandy worked on hand applique'

Pam, testing the snackin'

Quilts that need to be completed for the Courage House

If you can work on any of them, let us know!

I cracked up when I saw this photo! It looks like Christy has passed out on her sewing table, which is usually how I feel at the end of our sew days! She's just plugging in her machine. 

If you'd like to get to know more about the Bakersfield Modern Quilt Guild, join us at our next meeting on Saturday, April 21st at Strawberry Patches, from 2:00 - 4:00. We are going to be learning about how to add piping to our projects! Our next sew-in will also be at Strawberry Patches on Saturday, April 28th from 10:00 - 4:00. 

Until next we meet,

Lynn

Question of the Week

This week's question is about notions and tools. What is your favorite notion or tool, and why?

What's Happening in the Local Quilting Community

Bolts to Binding has moved into their new space at 930 Wible Road, where JM's Just for Children used to be. The crew is still working on putting up walls and decorating, but the primary part of the shop is ready for business! Our guild had a sew-in at the shop yesterday, and the new classroom space is huge! There are lots of windows and natural light, two cutting areas, and two ironing areas. It was wonderful to spread out and enjoy our sewing time together! We were delighted to see that the shop is now carrying several colors of the Moda Bella Solids, as well as some Northcott solids in delicious, saturated colors. When I asked the shop owner, Jeri, about getting more of the Bella Solids, she said she has 20 new colors on order! The shop also carries the full line of Stonehenge by Nortcott Fabrics and wide backings to match, a variety of novelty prints, batiks, sewing bags, notions, and more! Bolts to Binding is the local dealer for Pfaff sewing machines and the AccuQuilt cutting system. Our guild sew-ins are held at the shop on the odd months of the year.


Strawberry Patches is the oldest quilting store in the area. Suzanne is always on the look out for new trends and ideas, and the shop is brimming with inspiration for a variety of projects! The shop carries most of the Moda lines, as well as a good selection of novelty prints, batiks, Japanese fabrics, Minky, and a very large selection of Kona solids. You'll also find a great variety of trims to spiff up any project! Strawberry Patches is the dealer for Bernina sewing machines, Koala Sewing Cabinets, and the Slice cutting system. All of our regular BMQG meetings are held at the shop on the third Saturday of the month, and we meet there for our sew-ins on the even months of the year. 


Announcement taken from the shop's blog: 
"On April 6^th & 7^th we will be celebrating Strawberry Patches' 27^th birthday by having a party and sale with 27% off all purchases*. This is our way of saying thank you for your friendship and support. We hope you'll join us in the store or on line for this sale. For on line orders, just say "Happy Birthday" in the comment box and we'll take 27% off your order at the register. Sale excludes: Sewing machines, sewing machine service, sewing furniture, blocks of the month, custom work and classes. Limited to stock on hand - no special orders or presales please."


The Best of the Valley Quilt Show is April 13th - 15th. You can find details on the show website.

Happy stitching,

Lynn

BMQG President