Free Motion Quilting Program--Thanks, Linda!

Since we started our guild chapter last May, the number one requested program topic has been free-motion quilting (FMQ).  Well, last night was the night!

Linda Hungerford, our Programs/Education Co-Chair, started FMQing in 1990; and since then, has tried many methods, tricks, tools and techniques, finding out just what works and what doesn't work so well.  She brought along two quilts that were pin basted in advance, and shared how she chooses designs for FMQ, how to duplicate your designs simply with Golden Threads paper, tips for straight line quilting, and so. much. more.

Even the experienced quilters in the crowd walked away with a better knowledge of how to tackle FMQ!

Sadly, this was also Linda's last meeting.  She and her husband sold thier house this month and are moving to The Villages, Florida.  She may have to start up another chapter of the MQG there--our loss is The Villages gain! Linda's blog name is Flourishing Palms, and palm trees are definitely her symbol.  We had a cake to honor her last meeting... complete with a sunny Florida theme and palm trees!

Thanks for everything you have done for our group, Linda--you will be missed!  Please come back to visit, soon!

Last night was also the reveal of our Pillow Swap, here are the 11 participants showing off their new pillows:

There are some more pictures on our flickr group site.

Our next meeting is Thursday, May 17, 2012 at the Urbandale Public Library--see you there!

Doris Brunnette, President

Accepting the Quiltcon Challenge

We're so excited that we've decided not to wait until our April 19 meeting to announce that... the Des Moines Modern Quilt Guild, as a group, is taking on the Quiltcon Block Challenge! 

This challenge is in conjunction with the much-anticipated, first Quiltcon gathering in Austin, Texas next February, 2013. The block challenge is both a competition, with blocks being selected for inclusion in a raffle quilt, and an opportunity to design blocks to be included in quilts for Austin's Children's Center.

Guidelines for making blocks can be found here, but basically you may enter up to three blocks that are 12-1/2 inches tall by any width, and include any of the Quiltcon colors, in solids or prints. (See photo in this site's "Photo Gallery.)

DSMMQG members should expect to submit block(s), accompanied by a completed entry form, by our July 19 meeting. Entries will be mailed together to meeting the Quiltcon deadline of August 15.

The Quiltcon Block Challenge will be discussed at our April 19 meeting, 6:30 p.m., at the Waukee Arts Council. 

Linda Hungerford, Co-Chair Programs/Education