Thursday, January 31, 2013

BAM-BOM Block #1 - Film Strip

This post is part of the Block of the Month series, sponsored by Bay Area Modern Quilt Guild.  See all the blocks right here.

It's Block of the Month time, guys!  We're going to start off with a bang with the film strip block.

Film Strip block by ircabbit via Flickr

This block is fun and funky with "film strips" of fussy cut squares arranged at a jaunty angle.  If you are making a medallion quilt, you can use the strip part of the block as a border instead of putting it onto a background square.  So let's get going!


First, cut your materials to make a 12" (finished) block:
  • Background square: (1) 13" x 13"
  • Sashing strips: (6) 1" wide by 18"
  • Fussy-cut squares: (10) 2 3/4" x 2 3/4"

Note: Because there are a lot of seams in this block, I suggest pressing all of your seams open so that the block will lie flat. All seams are 1/4".  The measurements given are generous.  You will trim your block to the final size at the end.

Make the first film strip:
1. Attach sashing to the side of each fussy-cut
Lay 5 fussy-cut squares, face up, end to end.  (Put the top of each square flush up against the bottom of the next one.)  Lay one strip of sashing face down on the squares, lining up the sashing with the right side of each fussy-cut. Pin in place.

Sew the fussy-cuts to the sashing strip.  Press the seams open.

Cut the fussy-cuts apart.  Now you have five fussy-cuts, each with a sashing strip sewn along its right side. 

2. Sew the fussy-cuts together into a strip
Lay out the fussy-cuts, face up, from left to right, in the order you want them in your film strip.  Since the block will be trimmed later, I suggest using your least favorite fussy-cuts on the ends.  Sew the fussy-cuts together so that there is sashing between each pair of squares.  Press seams open.  Now you have one fussy-cut strip.

3. Sew sashing to the top and bottom of your fussy-cut strip
Lay out your fussy-cut strip face up.  Place a strip of sashing face down on the strip and line up the edge of the sashing with the top edge of the strip.  Pin, sew, and press seam open.  Do the same with a second piece of sashing on the bottom edge of the fussy cut strip.  Now you have one film strip, ready to go.  One end of your film strip does not get sashing, but this is fine because both ends will eventually get trimmed off. 

Make the second film strip:
4.  Repeat steps 1 - 3 with the remaining (3) sashing strips and (5) fussy-cut squares.


Insert the first film strip into your block:
5.  Lay your background square face up on the table.  Lay your film strip face up on top of it.  Arrange the film strip across it at any wonky angle that pleases you.  (Make sure to leave room for both strips.)


Put one pin in each side of the the block to mark the location of the top edge of the film strip.  (Be sure that the pins follow the same wonky angle as the film strip.) Flip the film strip up and over so that is is face down on the block and still alligned with the two pins.  If you wish, scooch the film strip down the block about a half an inch from the pins.  This is where you will attach the film strip to the block.  This may sound a little bit complicated, but really, you can just eyeball it.

6.  Pin the film strip into place on the block. Sew along the edge of the film strip using a 1/4" seam.

Using a ruler and rotary cutter, cut next to the seam allowance of the seam you just sewed.  Press the seam open.

7.  Now you have two pieces: 1) the top part of your block joined to one film strip, and 2) the bottom part of your block. Lay them together  on your table so that the right and left edges of your block line up.

Using your ruler and a pencil, mark a line across your film strip and sashing to show where the edges of the block are.

8.  Flip the bottom half of your block up over the film strip.  Line up the marks on the film strip with the sides of the block and pin.


Sew the seam and press open. There you have it!  One film strip is inserted into your block. 

9. Repeat steps 5-8 with the second film strip.

10. Trim the block to 12 1/2" x 12 1/2 "  Yay, you're done!


BAMQG'S SECOND RETREAT


BAMQG'S SECOND RETREAT:
UFO ATTACK!!!



This is an all-inclusive retreat- one fee pays for your accommodations, meals, and all retreat amenities!
There will be demos, challenges, special projects, treats, and prizes! Don't miss out- sign up now! We are limited to 30 participants.



Who: YOU! (any member of BAMQG)
What: BAMQG 2nd Quilting Retreat
When: May 17-19, 2013
WherePresentation Center in Los Gatos

Fee schedule:
Single rooms: $300/person
Double rooms: $260/person (please indicate who your roommate will be)
Commuter: $140/person (lunch included)

To receive a sign-up sheet, please contact me by leaving a message here (blog or forum). Sign-ups will also be available at the February meeting.


Posts from the 2012 retreat can be found herehere, and here.

Monday, January 28, 2013

Sew Day 2/2!

The next Sew Day is Saturday!!! 

Quick View:
Where: Los Altos Library 13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos, California, 94022
http://g.co/maps/kvpkt
When: Sat. Feb 2 10am-11pm
RSVP on the forum post 

Sewing will go from 10am-11pm - any project is welcome!
Location:
Los Altos Library
13 S. San Antonio Road, Los Altos, California, 94022
http://g.co/maps/kvpkt
Note: This is not the same location as our regular meetings.

Shout out if you can bring these items to share:
  • Light/non-messy snacks
  • Irons (need 3 total)
  • Ironing Boards (need 3 total)
  • Large Cutting Mats (need 2)
  • Design Walls (need 2)

Plan to bring your own:
  • Extension cord and/or power strip
  • Sewing machine
  • Cutting tools/mats (you might want a personal one)
  • Night-owls may want to bring an iron and cutting mat if an early-bird needs to take theirs home.

We will be in the Community Room of the Los Altos Library. It's the large room on the side of the library nearest San Antonio Rd. There are two sets of double doors on the outside of the library - both lead into a foyer area, and the Community Room door is on the left part of this foyer, the checkout desk is on the right.

If you arrive first, go talk to the librarian at the children's reference desk to check in.

If you arrive late (after 6pm when the library closes), knock on the doors closest to the Community Room, and someone should be able to let you inside.

We will need to set up and take down tables and chairs, which are available at the library. Please plan to help with this. Also please try to keep your floor area clean.
Coffee and other light snacks are available in the foyer of the library.
People often pick up meals from a local restaurant. There are many places nearby, or you can take San Antonio to El Camino and find many restaurants and markets there.

The next dates are:
Sun. Mar 3 10am-11pm
Sat. Apr 20 10am-11pm

All are at the Los Altos Library. 


Thanks to Diana for organizing!

Friday, January 25, 2013

Nametags & Lanyards

Sadie Fox Studio Name Tag
Feeling left out because others have cool and modern nametags or lanyards and you don't?

Do you want to show off your personality before you even speak to anyone?

Sewing Summit Name TagA lanyard can be a simple ribbon around your neck or you can  sew scraps together to make something that holds your name tag and is uniquely your own. Name tags can be made with any variety of techniques including:
Your name tag and lanyard can include a spot for your name tag only or you could include a pocket to hold a notepad and/or a pen. You can have several name tags if you want them to coordinate with your outfits. ;-) Just kidding. Who wants to take that much time away from piecing quilts????

Here a few tutorials and inspirational photos to get your creative juices flowing.

  • Quilted Lanyard Name tag:  this post has some great modern examples
  • Quilt Name Tag Ideas: this blog has some great examples of nametags. You will need to substitute your modern fabric.
  • Shipping tag name tag:  Whether or not you make art quilts, Linda and Laura Kemshall are really inspirational. I love the shape and letters on this name tag.
  • Favorite block: use your favorite block or a signature block to make a name tag.
  • Embellish: add a flower, heart or leaf to spice up your name tag.
  • You are a Winner!: use the shape of winning quilt ribbon as the base of your name tag. Perhaps you will be inspired to enter a show and win a ribbon!
DSC_0101We would love to see what you make to identify yourself. Please put a link in the comments below to your blog or Flickr stream to share.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Special Exhibit - BAM at SCVQA Show!!

The Bay Area Modern Quilt Guild (BAM) is excited to be part of the Santa Clara Valley Quilt Guild's 2013 Shower of Stars Quilt Show! During the April 20-21, 2013, Show, BAM members will display some of their Modern aesthetic quilts, and will be on hand at the Show to share their quilts and discuss the Modern Quilt Movement.

The SCVQA 2013 Quilt show will be held at the Santa Clara Convention Center, 5001 Great America Parkway, Santa Clara, California.




The Modern Quilt Movement is an online community of quilters with a modern view of patterns, colors, fabrics, and styles. Many traditional patterns have been transformed by wonky piecing, asymetrical settings, lots of negative space, and saturated, vibrant colors. The Movement flourished on-line, and there are websites, flickr pages, and of course blogs, where you can connect with quilters around the world. There's more information about how the Modern Quilt Movement started on the Modern Quilt Guild's website.

BAM was started just three years ago, and has quickly grown to nearly 70 members. Some members of BAM are also members of SCVQA! Our members are a diverse group, with experienced quilters and novice quilters attending meetings. You may even decide to check out our guild for yourself -- you're always welcome to attend!

Recent Guild highlights include:

*BAM members created and donated over 100 charity quilts in 2012!
*First Annual BAM Retreat was in 2012
*Sew Days -- members get together and work on individual projects or charity projects several times a year
*Members attended workshops ranging from dyeing techniques to curves classes
*Demonstrations and guest presentations at meetings have included bindings, techniques and gadgets, and author Terry Thayer.

2013 promises all this and more!

Friday, January 18, 2013

January Meeting Tomorrow!

Our first meeting of 2013 is tomorrow. Hope you can make it.

When: January 19.2013 at 1:30 - NOTE: new start time
Where: We will be in our alternate location for the 1/19/2013 Meeting:
Redwood Shores Library (Jan, Mar, June) Meetings are in the community room, not the smaller meeting rooms.
399 Marine Parkway
Redwood City, CA 94065
tel: 650.780.5740
Check out the map

Dues are Due! $30 for the year. Email bamodernquilt@gmail.com, if you need further instructions or want to join for the first time.

AGENDA (subject to change)



Meeting 1:30-3:30pm
- Announcements  If you have any announcements to share, please submit them in advance by sending Ruth an email or Ning message.

- Meet the 2013 officers and coordinators

- Introduce the new charity block

- Madrona Road challenge starts at the meeting!

-Santa Clara Valley Quilt Show - April 2013 

- Show & Tell  Our guild is growing & growing but our time slot just got shorter.  :(  This year we ask that you bring finished projects only for show & tell, unless it is something you need help with, or a top or other nearly finished project that you will not be able to show at a later meeting. 


Sewcial time  3:30-5pm
- During the sewcial we will introduce the 2013 BOM and Rhonda will be doing a demo of the first block!

WHAT TO BRING

-Name Tags (Don't have one? Here's a modern tutorial)

-Aurifil Whole Cloth Challenge Project, if you just finished or weren't at the last couple of meetings
- Finished Quilts for Show & Tell
-Charity blocks, tops and finished quilts
-Cat beds

-Projects, tools and fabric to work on

NEW MEMBERS
If you’ve never been to a meeting before this will be a great meeting to see a lot of new projects and meet our members. Your first meeting is free and you can read about becoming a member here. We want to see your projects too, so bring them along! If you have any questions, ask any officer. We’re happy to talk with you.



On the fence about attending? Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BayAreaModern or the notes and pictures from the last fun meeting.

See you Saturday!



Locations for Upcoming Meetings:
In order to help you plan for future meetings, see the locations below: 


The dates: 
Saturday, 2/9/13
Saturday, 3/16/13 Redwood Shores
Saturday, 4/13/13
Saturday, 5/11/13
Saturday, 6/15/13 Redwood Shores
Saturday, 7/13/13
Saturday, 8/10/13
Saturday, 9/14/13
Saturday, 10/12/13
Saturday, 11/9/13
Saturday, 12/14/13

Redwood City Library (most meetings)  Meetings are in the upstairs community room
1044 Middlefield Road
Redwood City, CA 94063
tel: 650.780.7018

Redwood Shores Library (Jan, Mar, June) Meetings are in the community room, not the smaller meeting rooms.
399 Marine Parkway
Redwood City, CA 94065
tel: 650.780.5740

Check the meeting announcements posted the week before each meeting for changes to the schedule, more information and other details.

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Annoucing the Bay Area Modern Block of the Month

Back in December, we asked our members to fill out a quick survey on group quilting activities that they would like to do in 2013.  There was a very clear winner... Block of the Month!  Not just any Block of the Month, but an easy, fun, and modern one.  Mission accepted, guys! 

Schedule:
January:  Film strip
February:  AMH Feather
March:  Snails Trail
April:  Mod Pods (hosted by Heather of the Portland MQG)
May:  Geese Gone Wild
June:  Cropped Pinwheel
July:  More Birds in the Air
August:  Chevron Echoes
September:  Woven
October:  Pixel strips
November:  String star
December:  Pine Tree


These blocks were selected for a modern aesthetic and gradually increasing skills.  Plus, they are all compatible with traditional or wonky piecing, whatever your preference. If you aren't too keen on sampler quilts, you could use a selection of the blocks to make a quilt in another style, like this:


Or use more of the blocks for something epic:


So how is this going to work?  We will be presenting one block at each of out monthly meetings, plus posting here on the blog in case you couldn't attend (or aren't a member of our guild - folks outside our area are welcome to join in!).  During the following month, you make that block and then bring it to the meeting and/or post pictures in our Flickr group.  We will be picking blocks from the meeting and the Flickr group to share on the blog each month as well.

So who's in??

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

2013 Retreat


BAMQG'S SECOND RETREAT!!!

SAVE THE DATE



Were you one of the lucky ones to participate in the first BAMQG in 2012?

Or Did you miss out on the first retreat and wondered what all the excitement was about?

Either way- the 2013 retreat SAVE THE DATE is here and you won’t want to miss out!


Who: YOU! (any member of BAMQG)
What: BAMQG 2nd Quilting Retreat
When: May 17-19, 2013
Where: Presentation Center in Los Gatos

Our theme this year: UFO ATTACK!

We are still working out the details, including costs. Presentation Center is an all-inclusive retreat center, so rooms and meals will all be included in one BAMQG retreat price. This will also include snacks, goody bags, prizes for games, and other secret amenities. We will have a maximum of 30 participants. Stay tuned!

Posts from the 2012 retreat can be found here, here, and here.


Monday, January 14, 2013

January 2013 BAMQG Meeting

Happy New Year! Welcome back from the flurry of Holiday cheer. Now we can get back to sewing!

When: January 19.2013 at 1:30 - NOTE: new start time
Where: We will be in our alternate location for the 1/19/2013 Meeting:
Redwood Shores Library (Jan, Mar, June) Meetings are in the community room, not the smaller meeting rooms.
399 Marine Parkway
Redwood City, CA 94065
tel: 650.780.5740
Check out the map

Dues are Due! $30 for the year. Email bamodernquilt@gmail.com, if you need further instructions or want to join for the first time. 


AGENDA (subject to change)


-
Meeting 1:30-3:30pm
- Announcements  If you have any announcements to share, please submit them in advance by sending Ruth an email or Ning message.

- Meet the 2013 officers and coordinators

- Introduce the new charity block

- Madrona Road challenge starts at the meeting!

- Show & Tell  Our guild is growing & growing but our time slot just got shorter.  :(  This year we ask that you bring finished projects only for show & tell, unless it is something you need help with, or a top or other nearly finished project that you will not be able to show at a later meeting. 


Sewcial time  3:30-5pm
- During the sewcial we will introduce the 2013 BOM and Rhonda will be doing a demo of the first block!

WHAT TO BRING

-Name Tags
(Don't have one? Here's a modern tutorial)
-Aurifil Whole Cloth Challenge Project, if you just finished or weren't at the last couple of meetings
- Finished Quilts for Show & Tell
-Charity blocks, tops and finished quilts
-Cat beds

-Projects, tools and fabric to work on

NEW MEMBERS
If you’ve never been to a meeting before this will be a great meeting to see a lot of new projects and meet our members. Your first meeting is free and you can read about becoming a member here. We want to see your projects too, so bring them along! If you have any questions, ask any officer. We’re happy to talk with you.


On the fence about attending? Check out our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/BayAreaModern or the notes and pictures from the last fun meeting.
 
See you Saturday,



Locations for Upcoming Meetings:
Redwood City Library (most meetings)  Meetings are in the upstairs community room
1044 Middlefield Road
Redwood City, CA 94063
tel: 650.780.7018

Redwood Shores Library (Jan, Mar, June) Meetings are in the community room, not the smaller meeting rooms.
399 Marine Parkway
Redwood City, CA 94065
tel: 650.780.5740

The dates: 
Saturday, 1/19/13 Redwood Shores
Saturday, 2/9/13
Saturday, 3/16/13 Redwood Shores
Saturday, 4/13/13
Saturday, 5/11/13
Saturday, 6/15/13 Redwood Shores
Saturday, 7/13/13
Saturday, 8/10/13
Saturday, 9/14/13
Saturday, 10/12/13
Saturday, 11/9/13
Saturday, 12/14/13

Check the meeting announcements posted the week before each meeting for changes to the schedule, more information and other details.

Friday, January 4, 2013

Sew Day Tomorrow!!!

Our next Sew Day is TOMORROW!!!! (Saturday, January 5)
Sewing will go from 10am-11pm - any project is welcome!
NEW LOCATION! (see below)

Please RSVP to the post in the forum if you are coming, so we can get a head count. There is a limit of 20 sewers at the sew day this time, so this is important.

Location:
The Intrepid Thread
1709 S. Main
Milpitas, 95035
http://goo.gl/maps/Lw7qU

Shout out if you can bring these items to share (Julie has limited number in the shop, and more is better anyhow):
  • Light/non-messy snacks
  • Ironing Board
  • Iron
  • Extra cutting mat

Plan to bring your own:
  • Extension cord and/or power strip
  • Sewing machine
  • Cutting tools/mats (you might want a personal one)
  • Night-owls might want to bring an iron/ironing pad with them.
We hope to see you there!

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

2013 Meeting Locations & Times

Mark your calendars, folks!  The meeting times for 2013 are IN.

Due to room conflicts, we have had to move our meeting time to a 1:30pm start.  We will have meeting time from approximately 1:30-3:30 and sewing/snacking/socializing time from 3:30 to 5pm.  Also, we were unable to get the regular meeting place for some months, so January, March, and June are at the Redwood SHORES library instead of the downtown library branch.  Compared to the regular spot, Redwood shores is a few minutes north on 101 and on the other side of the highway.  Redwood shores has a cafe inside of the library, so unfortunately we are not allowed to bring snacks to share when we meet there.

Redwood City Library (most meetings)  Meetings are in the upstairs community room
1044 Middlefield Road
Redwood City, CA 94063
tel: 650.780.7018

Redwood Shores Library (Jan, Mar, June) Meetings are in the community room, not the smaller meeting rooms.
399 Marine Parkway
Redwood City, CA 94065
tel: 650.780.5740

The dates: 
Saturday, 1/19/13 Redwood Shores
Saturday, 2/9/13
Saturday, 3/16/13 Redwood Shores
Saturday, 4/13/13
Saturday, 5/11/13
Saturday, 6/15/13 Redwood Shores
Saturday, 7/13/13
Saturday, 8/10/13
Saturday, 9/14/13
Saturday, 10/12/13
Saturday, 11/9/13
Saturday, 12/14/13

Check the meeting announcements posted the week before each meeting for changes to the schedule, more information and other details.