What you missed if you weren't with us, June 19th.

At our June meeting we enjoyed a great show and tell.  Entries for the Finish It Up Challenge have already started to roll in.  If you were at the meeting, last minutes changes were allowed to your entry list, but the list is now closed.  Get finishing, everyone!

We had a very informative presentation from Sherry Von Fumetti on binding.  We learned about quite a few new techniques and Sherry had samples of them all.  Being able to examine samples in person is so inspiring and it helps to be able to ask questions.  Flanges here we come!

We were also able to present this music themed quilt to our founder, Doris Brunnette, in memory of her husband, Frank.  Many members of the guild contributed blocks, pieced and quilted it.

 I hope you will be able to join us next month for Christmas in July.  Show off your favorite Christmas projects.  Anything goes as long as it is made of fabric.

Dates To Remember

Iowa State Fair - Our guild is sponsoring a Modern Quilt Category and we would love to see one of your quilts there.  The registration deadline is July 1st.  You do not have to say what you are entering at that time. You simply register and say how many tickets you would like.  You need one ticket per item you want to enter and the tickets are good for any category in the Fabric and Threads division.  The drop off date is July 26th.
For more information see:  Categories and rules.  Online registration.

Modern Quilt Guild Quilt Show Entries and Contest
June 27:  Submissions for MQG Special Exhibit at International Quilt Festival close.  More information here.
June 30:  QuiltCon Design Challenge submission close.  More information here.
July 1 - November 30 - Submissions for QuiltCon quilt show open.  (details here)

June 19^th meeting at the Fred Maytag Scout Center at 6:30 pm - Binding: Basics and Beyond - learn how to take your quilt bindings to the next level. Sherry Von Fumetti will provide tips to give your standard binding a more professional look. Your next quilt can have crisp, precise corners which don’t look rounded or scrunched. She will also demonstrate several binding methods that add an extra level of detail to your quilt.  You won't want to miss it!

July 17th at the Fred Maytag Scout Center at 6:30 pm - Christmas in July - Bring your Christmas and Holiday inspired projects to share (does not have to be a quilt, but does need to be made out of fabric).  

August 21st at Stitch in Des Moines at 6:30 pm -  What To Quilt On This Quilt? with Trina Kirkvold

Does this question sound familiar? Do you have a quilt top and don't know what to do? Please bring your quilt tops (quilt pattern also, if you have one) and we will discuss how to approach your quilting decisions. Bring your sketch pad or notebook to work on your quilting design. We will also cover quilting density, thread and batting choices. Tons of information and inspiration!!

Remember to comment on this post before June 18th to participate in the Finish-It-Up! Challenge.

Remember to bring some fat quarters to our meeting this week to be entered to win a 12 pack of Aurifil thread!  More information here. 

Have a great week and we will see you Thursday!

June Meeting - Binding: Basics & Beyond

Want to know how to make crisp, squared-off binding corners? Are you still hand sewing the final binding seam and fighting the battle of the binding bulge? Are you looking to add a little pizzazz to a ho-hum binding? Are you intimidated by just the thought of machine stitching your binding down?

Come to the DSMMQG June 19^th meeting at the Fred Maytag Center at 6:30 pm to learn how to take your quilt bindings to the next level. Sherry Von Fumetti will provide tips to give your standard binding a more professional look. Your next quilt can have crisp, precise corners which don’t look rounded or scrunched. She will also demonstrate several binding methods that add an extra level of detail to your quilt.  You won't want to miss it!

Presentation Topics:

-        Binding basics – precise corners, machine finishing the final binding seam

-        Self-Binding

-        Machine stitched bindings

-        Add a flange to your binding

-        Add piping to your binding (2 methods) 

Want to WIN 17,064 YARDS of Aurifil Thread?

Got your attention, right?  Yes, you can win 12 spools -- that's 17,064 yards!

Our June Meeting is getting closer!  It's on June 19th, at the Fred Maytag Scout Center. We will have a SUPER doorprize giveaway, courtesy of Veronica, you can win this set of Aurifil thread, the Simplify pack by Camille Roskelley:

There is only ONE WAY TO WIN:

Bring a FQ (or 4 or 5) to donate to the FQ basket (which is getting a little low). The only way to get an entry for the door prize is to bring FQs to donate.

• You can bring up to FIVE (5) FQs for one entry each. 1 FQ = 1 entry, 3 FQs =3 entries...
• They MUST be quilt shop quality, contemporary, designer fabrics that would appeal to your fellow MQG members (PLEASE DO NOT bring FQs you deem "ugly" and no longer want)
• Donate FQs that you love that are hard to part with!!! 

See you on the 19th!  Oh, and don't forget to sign up for the Finish It Up Challenge!