Wednesday, November 25, 2015

Reminder: Winter Extravaganza Swap

The details of the  Holiday/Winter Extravaganza Swap were detailed at the September meeting. You can read more about it in the meeting notes.

Gifts will be due at the December 12 meeting and party. Contact Joy-Lily via the Ning forum if you cannot attend the December meeting so that you can get your gift to someone who can give your gift out at the meeting. It is a disappointment to the person who brings a gift not to receive something at the same time.
Some ideas for projects were posted at the meeting, but there are numerous other sources with multiple projects, including the

Apron
Board/ruler bag
Boxy bag
Bunting
Casserole carrier- pattern
Coasters
cup holder
Cushion
Fabric basket (One Hour Basket)
Fabric boxes (tutorial)
Glasses case
Hanging toiletry Basket (pattern found in In Stitches book)
Happy Birthday banner
Heating pad/ rice pack
Holiday banner
iPad Cover
Iron Caddy
Jewelry roll
Journal cover (tutorial)
Keychain
Lanyard (tutorial)
Mask
Mini ironing table (pattern/tutorial)
Mini quilt / wall hanging
Mug rug
Name tag
Napkins
Needle safe
pattern weights (tutorial/pattern)
Pencil case (Pink Chalk has an excellent pattern)
Pencil roll
Pillowcase (guide to the burrito style pillowcase pattern)
Pincushion resources
Phone sleeve (tutorial)
Placemats - Check out the Make It, Take It book
Potholders - (pattern)
Project bag
Purse organizer (tutorial)
Sash with Beaded Fringe (pattern found in In Stitches book)
Scissor Sheath (tutorial)
Sewing machine cover (tutorial by Debbie Shore)
Sleeping mask  (pattern found in In Stitches book)
Softie
Stitching folder
Table runner
Tablet cover
Tea cozy
Thermal cup holder
Tissue holder
Tote bag
Triple zip pouch (tutorial)
Water bottle strap
Wrist pin cushion
Zipper bag

I am sure you can find many other patterns on the web. Not every pattern or tutorial listed above is free. Leave a comment with any great tutorials you find and I will add them to the list.

Tuesday, November 24, 2015

Presentation: Ruth's Scrap Management


Ruth gave us a presentation about her use and management of scraps. She called it Scrap Magic. She talked about her system of scrap organization.

Scraps can be better used if they are organized. Everyone's organization system will be different and personal to them

She uses scraps as soon as she is done with the quilt so that she doesn't have to file the scraps away.
She said that using scraps adds interest to your quilts and her view is that making scrap quilts is like getting a free quilt. Since you don't have to buy the fabric for the new quilt, the quilt is free.

When you use scraps in a quilt, you add interest.

Advantages:
  • faster to sew into quilts
  • saves space 
Disadvantages:
  • can lose possibilities because you cut to a certain size.

Identify your scrap limits before you start to organize:
  • Size - is there a size that is too small for you to use?
  • Personal taste - do you like the fabric enough to keep it around?
  • Quality - is it good enough quality to continue to use?
  • Shape - is the piece a weird shape or a shape you don't want to keep?
If your scraps are overwhelming you, your limits might be too low.

Organize what you keep so it will be useful

Ruth talked about cutting scraps to defined sizes. She mostly, doesn't do it, because she feels it limits her options. If she cuts a 4.5" scrap down to a 2.5" square, she has lost an inch or so of fabric that could have been used when a larger piece was required.

Nota bene: your editor cuts defined pieces if she has a project in mind for them.

Check the resources noted below for other ideas about cutting to defined sizes.

Ruth also curates her scraps. When she chooses fabrics, including scraps, she has an idea of the color scheme or motifs she wants to use. She tries to avoid the Scrap Vomit look. She selects parameters to create cohesion. Not everything works well together, despite what some experts say.

Scraps are good for paper piecing.

You can cut pieces to add to a pre-cut project
  • replace unsuitable charms or strips
  • add darks or lights as needed to a group of fabrics
Start by selecting yardage and then bringing in scraps to add interest.

Other resources on scraps were posted previously.

Thanks to Ruth for taking the time to prepare a presentation.


Monday, November 23, 2015

November 2015 Meeting Notes

Important Dates to remember:
November 30: QuiltCon entries due
December 12: Winter Extravaganza swap and party. 


The BAMQG Meeting was Saturday and it felt like an eternity since we had a meeting. We really only missed the October meeting (because of PIQF). Still it was too long.
 
As a result of missing October, there was a lot of business to cover. The meeting went longer than usual, but people stayed and contributed, which was nice. There were a ton of visitors and we hope to see them back again as new members! I took Ann around and showed her the Charity table and talked to her about the guild in general. It is great to meet new quiltmakers!

QoM
The question of the month was good but hard: For what are you grateful in the quiltmaking realm. Some of the answers were:
  • Time to quilt
  • Rotary cutter
  • Eleanor Burns
  • People who accept and love quilted gifts
  • Design board
  • Internet tutorials
  • Online buying opportunities
  • Playing with fabric
  • Electric sewing machine
  • Organized charity function
  • Designers
  • Modern fabric
  • Space to sew
  • Creative inspiration
Kelly, who went first, since she is the boss lady, said she was very grateful for all of us. She said in such a sweet and sincere way that we were really touched. At least I was.

To Do List
QuiltCon entries due November 30. Kelly encouraged everyone to enter. While I want my quilts to get in, I think that everyone's work is spectacular and high quality enough to get in.

Reimbursements
Claire talked about reimbursements. Reimbursement requests must be submitted WITH receipts within 6 months of the purchase. The group is a 501(c)4 and you can take a deduction if you donate fabric, batting, etc. You have to log the information. If you have questions about money or donations, contact Claire.

Charity
The charity Sew Day was a success. About 10 wheelchair quilts were completed and will be donated to a local nursing home. Most of them were "pillowcased" and did not require binding, making them much easier to finish. Wheelchair quilts are easy to make using 9.5" squares or blocks and are quick to make. Peggy and Michelle have a pattern if you want to make one.

A giant pile of postage stamp blocks were donated and there were lots of kits available to make more.

The guild has donated 65 quilts to local charities. This is less than last year bit many of those were larger quilts than were donated last year.

If you have outstanding blocks, please bring them back to the next meeting.

Continue to make blocks and tops and bring them to the meeting.

Opportunity Quilt
Winning ticket was drawn. G.M. Haynes from Pacifica won our quilt. Amanda will contact him/her. The guild netted about $400 from the sale of opportunity quilt tickets.

Cat Beds
Are back! There were a number of designs to choose from and Amanda gave some tips and tricks as well as request to double sew around each piece (gusset to top and bottom) of the cat bed. All the kits were taken. You can use your own fabric (polar fleece or soft quilting cotton) to make some as well. Amanda also said that stuffing the cat beds with scraps up to 5" is ok. If you use batting, please cut it up into ~5" pieces. Amanda is not accepting schnibbles right now. Bring your finished cat beds, stuffed or unstuffed, to the next meeting.

Challenges
Karen is organizing a new challenge, due in January, using Carol Van Zant fabric. She handed out FQs of the fabric at the meeting (another good reason to attend!).

The Low Volume Fabric Projects were due this month. Everyone who worked on the Low Volume Challenge showed their work. There were a lot of quilts and tops and a few other small items. Jaye made a journal cover and Ruth made a fantastic bag.

MQG
The guild will not renew the guild membership in the MQG. The board decided that the promised benefits, including technological infrastructure and other promised features and functionality, had not been realized. The ability to maintain a roster was particularly missed. Also, the admin time required to work with the MQG was dragging down the Board. The Board will now be able to focus its resources on local activities and members. Members were encouraged to join the MQG as individually since the benefits are much more robust for individual members. The guild will pay for Mike's membership and he will continue as MQG liaison for the group and for guild members. He will also advise the Board on MQG matters. Guild membership in MQG ends on Feb.15 so that is when people should join as individual members. The group will reevaluate guild MQG membership in the future.

Membership
Alison will be transitioning membership function to Annemarie. She has a standard letter she sends to new members and she will share it with everyone. She encouraged everyone to join the Ning forum as it is a great community builder. It is also a place to find out about what is going on in the guild and to show photos.

Swaps
The favorite blog swap coming to an end. Please take some time to post your favorite blog to the Ning forum discussion. Joy-Lily will bring a paper list to the Winter Extravaganza meeting and will also post a virtual list. Look for it here.

Reminder to get your gifts for the Winter Extravaganza swap at the December meeting finished. Look for ideas posted here a few weeks ago. Look for an updated list in the next few days.

2016 Speakers
Amanda has been working on getting a big name speaker to come to our guild to speak and do a workshop for two years. After many hours of work, and after everything was set up, Angela Walters cancelled her engagement with us. :( She does not want to do two day trips. This is a huge disappointment, especially to Amanda. She and Angela will be working on bringing other speakers to the group.

Officer Elections
Nobody has stepped forward to be president so Ruth and Joelle will share the role of point person this year and a Mistress (or master) of Ceremonies will be selected for each meeting. Lynette and Gerre will be co-VPs. Claire has agreed to continue as Treasurer. Angela will be Workshop Coordinator and others will take on other roles. Please contact a Board member if you are interested in being MoC or want to contribute in some other way. Many hands make light work.

Show and Tell
The show and tell was great, as usual. There were many, many quilts. Peggy showed about 15 charity quilts she had worked on since August. Some of the quilts were made from donated blocks that weren't quite the right size. She did a great job thinking up interesting settings. Bonnie brought two of the wonderful bags she has been making. Jaye brought an owl stuffie and the Tuffet she made. Gerre brought a gorgeous quilt she made from a class with Kathy Doherty of Material Obsessions fame. There was so much more.

Next Meeting
December 12: Winter Extravaganza swap and party.

Friday, November 20, 2015

November Meeting Tomorrow

Will we see you tomorrow? We hope so. You don't know what you are missing!

WHAT: Bay Area Modern Quilt Guild Meeting!!!
WHEN: Saturday, November 21, starting at 1:00 pm 
WHERE: we'll be meeting at the Redwood City Library, in the upstairs community room. 

Ruth will be talking about Scrap Management, and people are welcome to bring their scraps and cutting implements for Sew Time after the meeting. To prepare you for that, you might want to read some scrap management posts:

We will be drawing for the Opportunity Quilt!
 
Prepare to sign up to volunteer for 2016. Officers are needed. Advisory positions are also available. Many hands make light work.

WHAT things to bring:
*Show 'n Tell
*Your name tag
*Charity blocks and quilts
*Small Group projects (and ideas for new Small Groups!)
*Information about local/national quilty happenings
*Non-messy snacks
*Sewing projects for after the meeting
*Enthusiasm and a positive attitude! 

Please note: this list is not necessarily all-inclusive. It's quite likely there's something important that's been left off, so if you think of something that should be added, please speak up! 
 

There will be lots of time to visit, too, especially after the meeting. Plan to stick around and have some fun! Meet new friends, chat with old friends, and eat some yummy snacks!
If you have any questions, please reply here, or see an officer at the meeting

Members can visit the BA Modern Ning site. Join to become a member!!!

Sunday, November 15, 2015

November Meeting - November 21

I don't know about you, but I really missed seeing everyone in the context of the meeting last month. I did have a lot of fun at the Opportunity Quilt booth at PIQF, but I am really looking forward to the meeting and hope to see you there.

We will have some fun this month!

WHAT: Bay Area Modern Quilt Guild Meeting!!!
WHEN: Saturday, November 21, starting at 1:00 pm 
WHERE: we'll be meeting at the Redwood City Library, in the upstairs community room. 

Ruth will be talking about Scrap Management, and people are welcome to bring their scraps and cutting implements for Sew Time after the meeting. To prepare you for that, you might want to read some scrap management posts:

We will be drawing for the Opportunity Quilt!
 
Prepare to sign up to volunteer for 2016. Officers are needed. Advisory positions are also available. Many hands make light work.

WHAT things to bring:
*Show 'n Tell
*Your name tag
*Charity blocks and quilts
*Small Group projects (and ideas for new Small Groups!)
*Information about local/national quilty happenings
*Non-messy snacks
*Sewing projects for after the meeting
*Enthusiasm and a positive attitude! 

Please note: this list is not necessarily all-inclusive. It's quite likely there's something important that's been left off, so if you think of something that should be added, please speak up! 
 

There will be lots of time to visit, too, especially after the meeting. Plan to stick around and have some fun! Meet new friends, chat with old friends, and eat some yummy snacks!
If you have any questions, please reply here, or see an officer at the meeting

Members can visit the BA Modern Ning site. Join to become a member!!!

Friday, November 6, 2015

Charity Sew Day Tomorrow!!!!

We will be sewing "Wheel Chair Quilts" for charity TOMORROW.  Fabric will be waiting for you.   The ever popular postage stamp quilts and other charity projects will also be available.  Or bring your own project to work on.

Date: Saturday, November 7, 2015
  • 12 Noon to 8:00 PM
  • Willow Ranch Mobile Home Park Club House
  • 1111 Morse Ave
  • Sunnyvale, CA 94089
 Directions to the park are on the Ning site.  There is parking around the club house.  If full, park on the street to unload you car and I will direct you to other parking area's in the park.
If you plan on being there, PLEASE reply to this discussion (or comment on this post and your reply will be recorded) as the Charity Girls need a head count.

Please bring:
  • Light non-messy snacks
  • Irons (3)
  • Ironing boards (3)
  • Large cutting mats (need 2)
  • Design walls (need 2)
Reply to the Ning discussion or here to let Peggy and Michelle know what you will bring.

Plan to bring your own:
  • Extension cord and/or power strip
  • Sewing machine
  • Cutting tools (your own personal mat if you want)

Monday, November 2, 2015

Charity Sew Day Saturday 11/7

Can you believe it is November already? I can't, but so it is and that means a Charity Sew Day. Bring your machine and supplies and let's get some sewing done!!!

We will be sewing "Wheel Chair Quilts" for charity.  Fabric will be waiting for you.   The ever popular postage stamp quilts and other charity projects will also be available.  Or bring your own project to work on.

Date:Saturday, November 7, 2015
  •  12 Noon to 8:00 PM
  • Willow Ranch Mobile Home Park Club House
  • 1111 Morse Ave
  • Sunnyvale, CA 94089
 Directions to the park are on the Ning site.  There is parking around the club house.  If full, park on the street to unload you car and I will direct you to other parking area's in the park.
If you plan on being there, PLEASE reply to this discussion (or comment on this post and your reply will be recorded) as the Charity Girls need a head count.

Please bring:
  • Light non-messy snacks
  • Irons (3)
  • Ironing boards (3)
  • Large cutting mats (need 2)
  • Design walls (need 2)
Reply to the Ning discussion or here to let Peggy and Michelle know what you will bring.

Plan to bring your own:
  • Extension cord and/or power strip
  • Sewing machine
  • Cutting tools (your own personal mat if you want)