Modern Quilt Show

Going to be in or near Kansas City on October 1?  If so, check out our Neighbor Guild's Show on the Quad...  

More info here.

Next Meeting: SEPTEMBER 15, 2011

Our next meeting is Thursday, September 15, at 6:30 p.m. in the West Des Moines Public Library Community Room. 

The program will be presented by member Elizabeth Andrews, curator of the quilt exhibit, "Yikes! Stripes" which was exhibited in 2009.  She will explain how she came to curate the exhibition,and will describe the quilts in terms of construction--some of themakersused unique techniques, and these "vintage" quilts have a very modernfeel! 

A few reminders:

Habitat Challenge DUE!!!  At our September 15 meeting we'll have a Show and Tell of our finished Habitat Challenge quilts.  Remember, your challenge item can be constructed only with Habitat prints and solids, and every print in your bundle should be used. The finished item should 60-120 linearinches.

One-Fourth Ugly Swap, Bring to the September meeting a total of 1/4 yard (one piece or several piece--needing to total approximately 360 square inches) of your own "ugly fabric" in a brown bag--(no one should see your fabric!). We'll swap bags & from the ugly fabric you receive, make something for show and tell at the November 17 meeting. The maker keeps what she makes.

Upcoming plans:

Holiday Gift Exchange, at our November 17 Meeting It's not too early to start thinking about the holidays. Plan now to join inthe fun of a Holiday Exchange. Simply make a holiday item and wrap it up. We'll exchange gifts and take home something pretty for holiday decorating. Themes include Autumn; Thanksgiving; Christmas; Winter. Suggested items: wall hanging; table runner; candle mat; mug rug; potholder; tea towel; hand towel, etc.

Join us for a fun evening of quilt talk and sharing, treats, a chance to take home a doorprize, and meet new friends!

INVITE YOUR FRIENDS AND FELLOW SEWISTS--

Guests are warmly welcome to join us.

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