Merry Christmas, Happy December, and a few reminders:

First of all, Happy Holidays to everyone! A reminder that after January 1, the Des Moines Modern Quilt Guild will become a "focused group" within the Des Moines Area Quilt Guild. Therefore, 2015 membership dues ($30) will be paid to the DMAQG (dmaqg.org).  You can download a PDF membership form on the website.

This Saturday is the Des Moines Area Quilt Guild December Tea, at the Learning Resource Center at S 35th Street and Mills Civic Pkwy in West Des Moines (close to WDM Public Library). It's free, it's fun, it starts at 9 am... and you can sign up for 2015 WORKSHOPS -- first dibs for seats in workshops taught by fabulous instructors like Jacquie Gering (of Tallgrass Prairie Studio)! 

Our next meeting is on January 15, 2015 at 6:30 at the West Des Moines Community Center at 134 6th Street, WDM (in Valley Junction). It is in the first block of 6th street, just north of Railroad Blvd and there is a good sized parking lot right next to the building. Mark your calendar-- we hope to see you there!

If you missed our November meeting, you missed a lot of fun and a lively gift swap!  Here is a group shot of everyone who participated, and what they took home with them from the swap:

back row l to r: Carol, Leila, Connie, Emily, Marny, Eva Marie, Sherry, Janeen

middle row l to r: Melissa, Emma, Amy, Doris, Crystal, Jill

from row: Ella & Hannah

Our two Junior Members organized their own holiday swap, and were extremely eager to "get to the gift" part of the evening! These talented young ladies fit right into our group!

Join us in January!

REMINDER: October Meeting is next Thursday, the 16th

We will meet next Thursday at the West Des Moines Senior Center at 134 6th Street, West Des Moines (this is in Valley Junction, just off Railroad Ave) -- hope to see you there!  We start to gather around 6:30 to chat and catch up, meeting starts at 6:45 pm.

Kathi Russi will be presenting "Simple Shape Quilts" and talking about her newly released book; co-written with Rose Schutte.

GOOD NEWS: We have a new permanent meeting location for 2015! Details at the meeting...

At the September meeting of the DSMMQG, the board presented options for 2015 membership.  

• The first vote put to the membership was whether or not we would continue to be a GUILD MEMBER of the National Modern Quilt Guild. This came as a result of many members having expressed concerns that we were not getting the benefits we expected from National MQG Membership.
• The DSMMQG voted to DISCONTINUE our National Quilt Guild Membership, effective Dec 31, 2014.

The next topic of discussion was whether we should continue as an independent guild (as we did our first two+ years) collecting dues, voting a Board of leadership, organizing speakers/programs, etc. OR disband as a GUILD and become a MODERN GROUP or CLUB within the umbrella of the Des Moines Area Quilt Guild. 

As individuals, we would join the Des Moines Area Quilters Guild (www.dmaqg.org) and within that guild, belong to the MODERN GROUP and will continue to meet once a month, schedule sewing days, etc. As members of the DMAQG we would have access to their monthly meeting (4th Tuesday of month at 1:00 or 7:00 pm) their speakers and workshops, an extensive library, retreats twice a year, entrance into the quilt show that is held in conjunction with the AQS Show at Hy-Vee Hall, to name a few.  Over one third of our current membership are already members of the DMAQG.

• The result of the vote was that we disband as the Des Moines Modern Quilt Guild and become the Des Moines Modern Quilt Group (within the umbrella of the DMAQG). 
• We will continue to meet as we have 11 times during the year, plan sewing days and other group events, but will not collect dues, maintain financial records, keep minutes, etc.
• We will still need a STEERING COMMITTEE of approx. 3-4 people to maintain our meetings

If you are willing to serve on this STEERING COMMITTEE, please let us know. Our outgoing Board has worked hard for 2 years and are ready for time off from organizing the group.

Please reply to this email with questions or concerns, or leave a comment on the blog.

Please join us on Thursday the 16th--we always have a great time!

July Meeting Recap and August Meeting Reminder

We had a great time at our "Christmas in July" meeting this month.  It was fun to hang out with everyone and get some holiday inspiration.  We saw Christmas pillows, wall hangings, advent calendars, stockings, ornaments and cross stitch.  There is so much talent in our guild!  Thanks for sharing everyone!  (To see more pictures visit our flickr group).

Members also showed off their completed Micheal Miller Challenge projects.  (pictures here).  There were some real beauties.

Petal Pusher, Pieced by Doris Brunnette and quilted by Trina Kirkvold.

Our next meeting will be August 21st at Stitch in Des Moines at 6:30 pm -  What To Quilt On This Quilt? with Trina Kirkvold.  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 quilting decisions. Bring a sketch pad or notebook to work on quilting designs. Trina will also cover quilting density, thread and batting choices. Tons of information and inspiration!!  Be there or be square.  :)

PS: Don't forget about working on your Finish-It-Up Challenge projects!

Happy Holiday Season from the DSMMQG!

It is so disappointing to get bad weather on the night of our meeting--freezing rain? Really?! We had to cancel the September meeting because of the wind storms, so we were determined not to cancel our last meeting of 2013.  We missed those of you who decided to stay home and stay safe (I don't blame you one bit!).

Leila led the meeting; we had a few show and tell items. Then we swapped holiday gifts.  When your turn came you could steal anyone's gift, or choose a new gift from the table.  Last year everyone was so polite, no one "stole" anything.  This year it was no holds barred! I had at least three different gifts in my hands at some point.  I thought you might like to see what some of our talented members made (I didn't get a pic of every single gift, but hopefully Melissa captured what I missed, so we will have more photos in the Flickr group (see our "Photos" tab on the menu bar above).

Eva Marie made this sassy Christmas apron:

Melissa's divided basket was extremely popular:

Sherry made quite a few of these gift card holders, and these went along with some notions and a fun book by Malka Dubrawsky:

Jill McBroom made this cute Christmas organizer, inside pic included:

Hannah (our Junior member) made this scrappy pillow, she even made use of the fancy stitches on her mom's machine:

Leila has been busy making pillow covers, she gifted one with a pillow form to Jill; these are her other three:

an embroidered mini quilt, coasters and ornaments by Emma:

And the mini quilt I made by sizing down Kate Spain's In From The Cold Pattern:

Please join us for our next meeting, at the WEST DES MOINES Public Library, Community Room, on January 16, 2014. In the meantime, have a safe and happy holiday season!

Christmas in August

In July we had a great meeting at At the Heart of Quilting where we learned more about long-arm quilting.  A good time was had by all.  :)

Next month's meeting, Aug. 15th, will have a Christmas in August theme.  We would like everyone to bring a simple sewn/fabric gift idea.  If you have an example to bring that would be great.  Or you could print out a picture of the item or simply describe it.  Please bring the website link address if there is one and we will post all the gift links here after the meeting.

Are there any subjects you would like to have covered at upcoming meetings?  Do you have a tip or class you would like to teach?  Let us know!

Thanks!

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

Great Meeting Last Night!

The Des Moines Chapter of the MQG is gaining in numbers, gaining in strength, and we have found our momentum and stride!

Last night's meeting was FABULOUS--our speaker was member Karen Thompson (raised and reared in India, but an Iowan for 9 years now) who educated us on India's fabric production, the styles, the traditions, and brought YUMMY fabric to share from her recent trip home to visit her parents.  Every month brings more fun and inspiring Show & Share items!  Last night was no exception.

New visitor (and hopefully soon to-be-member) Peg brought her Craftsy BOM blocks to share with us--great stuff for a beginner!  Emily C. brought her Birdie Stitches BOM blocks (from Little Miss Shabby's blog) including a few she drew herself to change out from the one's provided in the BOM--way to go, Em!  Crystal, Jill, Marny, and Linda all brought quilts they worked on at the Sew-In in January to share their finished projects--BEAUTIFUL!!!

NEXT MONTH'S MEETING, APRIL 19th:

The programs is "Free-motion Quilting: Choosing Designs and

Tips & Techniques" with Linda Hungerford---those of you who have been asking for more info on Free Motion Quilting, now's your chance!!!

We meet in May, on the 17th (Program TBD)

and mark your calendars for June 21, Janet Pittman will be teaching "Machine Applique: The Basics & Beyond" 

Please consider joining us, the meetings get better every month!

November 2011 Meeting Recap

Last night's meeting was great fun, very little business, a little savoring the refreshments brought by our members, and much chatting and getting to know each other better.  We had the reveal of our "Ugly Fabric" Swap, her are a few highlights:

as well as swapped the Seasonal/Holiday items we made... my have made by Jill:

Lots of pics at our flickr site!

See you next year, DSMMQs!

Posted by Doris Brunnette, President

QAYG Resources

I hope everyone enjoyed my talk about quilt as you go methods as much as I enjoyed presenting them.  I mentioned there were a two blogs that had served as inspiration for me in learning about quilt as you go methods; The Quilting Edge and Fibermania

Here are a few sources that might be helpful:

http://www.thequiltingedge.com/p/tutorials.html

http://fibermania.blogspot.com/

http://www.stitchedincolor.com/2011/04/bottled-rainbows-joining-blocks.html

If you google "quilt as you go", you'll find other resources, including some youtube videos, that cover some of the same things I did tonight.

Eva Marie

August 18 Meeting Recap

Last night's meeting was a fun get together on a rainy and dreary evening.  Members Jill Guffy & Marny Buck, of Modern Quilt Relish, presented the program.  They were invited earlier this year to judge the Robert Kaufman Kona Cotton Challenge: No Prints Allowed! for the Ann Arbor Modern Quilt Guild.

There were thirteen entries submitted for judging, and based on the elements of design they reviewed and critiqued each quilt, giving every quilter very positive feedback on their entry.  Having been on "the other side of the judging fence" they have an interesting perspective on analyzing, critiquing and judging modern quilts.  We had a great conversation over each of the 13 entries, the final selection, and how they came to their final decision.  Thanks, ladies!

Here are a few posts from the Ann Arbor Guild, here, here and here.

Following the program, Etta and Jill M showed what they've been working on for show-n-tell (check out the photo album!) and then we did our potholder swap.  There were 10 potholders entered, from 5-6 members.  Here's a look at all 10, for individual pics, check out the photo album:

 Our next meeting will be September 15, 6:30 p.m., and we will be revealing our Habitat Challenge Quilts!

July 21 Meeting Recap

Thanks to Linda H. and Veronica for giving the Twelve Minute TipsProgram on needles and threads...even those of us who have sewn and quilted for years learned something new!

We voted on a logo design, created by Elizabeth S. After a few tweaks we will have an official logo!

Almost everyone that came remembered a nametag for the President's Challenge.  I only captured five on film, but check them out at our flickr page...

We had another fun Show and Tell session, pics are loaded on our flickr site: 

http://www.flickr.com/groups/dmmqg/

Show & Tell is proving a good time for members to get advice and help on laundry disasters, quilting quandries and "what do I do know?" problems!  Please try and make our next meeting...

NEXT MEETING:  AUGUST 18

Location:  West Des Moines Public Library

6:30 pm

posted by Doris Brunnette, President

June 16 Meeting Recap

We are finding our groove... and have some ideas for pumping up the next meeting already!  Which will be on July 21st, WDMPL, 6:30 pm... bring your favorite type of thread and/or needles for quilting...and your questions about blogging and using Flickr.

We met four new Guild members, and it's fun getting to know all of you better!  The meeting ended earlier than expected, but the social hour that followed was great fun!  The sixteen of us that came shared our favorite quilting books with the group, and let me tell you, my Amazon wishlist grew a bit last night!  Here are (hopefully) all of the items shared last night:

Tricia brought along a book about creating your perfect Quilting space, because let's face it, which one of us doesn't have that dream studio floating around inside our heads? 

Crystal and Jill M. both mentioned Malka's book as one of their newest faves, it's full of fun, bright colors and fresh project ideas.

Kris shared Linda Otto Lipsett's Remember Me, a book of quilt history talking about signature or friendship quilts. Kris also shared that she's enjoyed everything written by this author.

Karen is a relatively new quilter and she shared this book,The Ultimate Quilters Visual Guide, given to her by the person who first introduced her to quilting.  It's her fave because of the personal connection, but it is also a valued go-to answer book when shecomes across a term she doesn't recognize, or a method that's new to her.

Our resident linen and asian fabric devotee, Veronica, brought along FIVE faves, all by Japanese designers, and we all had fun gawking over those.  Many of the instructions are in Japanese, but the photos and illustrations are amazing, and one really doesn't need to read the instructions, anyway, right?!?

A book I had not heard of before, but was shared by Maria, Stash Happy Patchwork is full of super cute small projects...

Penny and Lisa S. both shared Elizabeth Hartman's book, which I've been told by more than one person is a great basic reference book...

More than a few of us mentioned that we love the Material Obsession and Material Obsession Two books...and WDMPL has both of these books available to check out!

Until I saw this book in person last night, I thought, why would I need a book on log cabins?  Modern Log Cabin Quilting is full of unique project ideas,combinations of fabrics such as corduroy and linen, small projects as well as full quilts--worth checking out quilters!  Penny, Jill Mc and Meghan all brought copies of this to share with the group and raved about it!

The book I shared was Applique Outside the Lines, by the Piece O' Cake Designs ladies.  They were one of the first established pattern companies to recognize the modern quilting movement by joining in...

Etta brought a block reference book (one of the biggies--as did Linda) and she also brought this book on fabric manipulation.  Anyone with any interest in art quilts would find this book to be a great addition to your library.

One thing we all agreed on, while we may not actually read all of these books, we love to collect them and great photography (read: eye candy) is essential to draw us in and satisfy our hunger for them.  I wrote a post over two years ago, about utilizing quilting books from the library.  I still stand behind each of those books as great reference for any quilter! 

 Do you have a favorite quilting book we didn't mention at last night's meeting?

--Posted by Doris Brunnette, President