Friday, August 22, 2014

Quilted Hugs Charity Quilt

The BMQG has been busting out the quilt blocks this spring/summer 2014!  What wonderful modern blocks.  We had a quilt in mind for a young man, so a  BWG (black, white, gray) with lots of variety.  The group created over 20 blocks and separated by progressively wider sashings - it should be wonderfully modern.  Can't wait to get it quilted.

Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Free Motion Quilting Skills Shared, BW Blocks, and New Swap

     The March meeting members shared their FMQ (free motion quilting) skills.  Laura did a nice job sharing the square stipple and the traditional stipple.  I showed off some quilts with traditional stipple with a loop, the flame pattern, and organic wave/hand stitch on a table runner from Nicci.  I shared a Craftsy tutorial by the amazing Angela Walters.  Everyone should try some of these Craftsy tutorials, and learn some new  techniques.  Craftsy
     Show and tell included some amazing BW blocks! There were some good pictures  posted on our BMQG Flickr site here .   We had a few new quilters stop by to check us out.  Be sure to welcome them and invite them back.  Our next BMQG friendship meeting is April 19th, at Strawberry Patches (thank you so much for your continuing support to modern quilting) from 1pm-4:30.  Show and tell is at 3pm.  No formal demo, but we will be looking at the layout for our BW quilt! So if you have blocks to turn in, bring them to the April meeting.


 A reminder, if anyone has a backing fabric they would like to donate for the Quilted Hugs charity quilt, just bring it to the April meeting!
     Participants drew names for our May market bag swap.  Giving everyone plenty of time to think, plan, and make their market bag.  We've had such a good time in previous swaps - I am sure we'll have some wonderful market bags to swap!! There are plenty of free market bag patterns on line.  Here's a cute one from Moda Bake Shop.  Haul It All Tote
     Information was discussed about the  2015 Quiltcon in Austin, TX. Although the conference is some time away, it's recommended you make reservations for a place to stay. The 2013 Quiltcon was an amazing experience.  I hope to see many of you there!!  Registration for Quiltcon will be sometime this summer.  Go to The Modern Quilt Guild for Quiltcon 2015 for more information, join MQG as an individual and keep current on many activities.
     If you're an individual member of the national TMQG, fabric for the next Michael Miller challenge should ship soon. 


Keep sewing ladies!


Pam

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

New Block Challenge: Quilted Hugs project

Hi to all!
 Just want to keep everyone up to date on our group's activities.  We're a modern friendship group and we really want all of you to explore new modern blocks, activities, and stretch your sewing skills.




In January many of us traveled to Road to California.  We shopped, viewed some amazing quilted, joined in the fun at our favorite quilt shop, Strawberry Patches - that won best booth BTW! We spent our last dimes and enjoyed so many wonderful people.  Pop over to our FB page to see a few pictures.Bakersfield Modern Quilt Guild.







We had a lot of new faces come to the January meeting, welcome!! And we discussed a few activities such as upcoming swaps, continuing as a friendship group, encouraging each other to join The Modern Quilt Guild (national group).









We are starting the next Quilted Hugs quilt - man/boy quilt. Thanks to all who have all ready made one block.  If you are willing, make one more. Plan to bring and untrimmed 12.5 x 12.5 block in black/gray/white  - and let's use Kona white please to the block. This block should be fun for you to make, and there are lots of patterns out there.  Let's keep the fabrics modern, if possible (no civil war, batiks, stripes, or floral) just so there is some uniformity. Search a couple blogs to find one you want to try. GenXquilters.com has a lot of fun blocks to try. If you have a large amount of fabric for a backing you would like to donate, please let me know.



NEXT SEW-IN March 15th  1pm at Strawberry Patches. Demo on free motion quilting, and show and tell at 3pm.  We will also be signing up for the market bag swap.  See you all there.  Bring your finished projects, a snack, a friend, handwork, and we'll all have fun!


Pam









Saturday, January 4, 2014

JOIN US!

The Bakersfield Modern Quilt friendship group will begin the 2014 year with monthly sew-ins starting January 18th, 2014 at 1:00-4:30pm at Strawberry Patches.  Bring a favorite sewing project, a friend interested in modern quilting, and join a warm and friendly group of sewists!  If you've hesitated in coming in the past, or would like to rejoin this group, please come! Please wear a homemade name tag!! I will be putting together a group roster with contact information.

As many of you know, we love sewing together and enjoying the activities of modern sewing, but the challenges of work, family, and other commitments have prevented us in forming a board this year. We will continue to sew modern, swap, and learn new techniques in a less formal format. Shop owner, Suzanne Zingg, has continued to offer us space at Strawberry Patches the third Saturday of each month.  Thanks so much for this generous accommodation. The group will no longer receive a shop discount for membership (this is only fair). More focus on sewing together and charity quilt construction (Quilted Hugs projects). No games, or  formal announcements, but please bring any completed project for show and tell at 3pm. We can plan swaps, share ideas, plan retreats, travel to quilt shows, and encourage one another.  I'd love to hear your ideas!  Visit our flickr page  Bakersfield Modern Quilt guild to see what kind of things members have been making!

We accomplished so much this past year!! Many participated in swaps,  bags, blocks, techniques, retreats, group sewing, and 2 Quilted Hugs quilts completed.  The two quilts will be donated in January! Can't wait to hear how the quilts launch to the local foster care graduates.

We all had so much fun at the December Christmas Party and table runner swap.  So many wonderful table runners and so many of you jumped out of your comfort zone to try something new.  I enjoyed the heck out of my runner during the holidays. Thanks to so many who participated!

I strongly encourage all interested persons, to consider joining  The Modern Quilt Guild . Visit the site to see if this type of sewing interests you.  There are lots of inspiration, quilt ideas, patterns, and if you're a member, you can receive member benefits. I've joined, and would like to see more of our friendship group belong.

See you all soon!

Pam Gavin