Monday, October 30, 2017

Sew Day Saturday

Our next fun filled Sew Day is this coming Saturday, November 4th!
Meeting place:
Location: Grace Lutheran Church
3149 Waverly Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306
(Corner of Waverly and Loma Verde Street)
Time: 10-4pm 

Some of us are planning on sewing pillowcases for the Happiness is a Warm Quilt drive for the fire victims in Napa and Sonoma Counties.  They are asking for quilts (bed sized only) and children's pillowcases. There is additional information here Happiness is a Warm Quilt info.
Bring your own fabrics or help yourself to the charity donation fabric to make pillowcases.

Please bring:
- Your sunny smiling self
- Light non-messy snacks

Plan to bring your own:
- Sewing machine
- Cutting tools (your own personal mat if you want)
- Fabric and other project parts

We provide:
- Ironing Boards (2)
- Irons (2)
- Cutting Mats
- Extension Cords (but you should pack one just in case!)

No donation needed! Unless you want to be generous of heart.

If you can, please get there early and help Mary set up!

Also, remember to put your chair and table back (unless you are sharing a table!) if you leave early. If you stay to the end your help is greatly appreciated in putting away all the tables and chairs. Many hands make light work! THANK YOU!

Join in the fun at this Sew Day!  

Thank you Mary for setting this up!

Monday, October 23, 2017

October Meeting Minutes

The group had another fun-filled and informative meeting at the Redwood City Library Community Room. We were ably led by Gerre D. Amy, Nancy and Mary. A whole host of volunteers helped to make this meeting happen.

Upcoming events:

  • November 4: Sew Day
  • November 11: Sarah Goer Workshop
  • November 18: November Meeting
  • December 9: December Winter Party
  • January 6: Sew Day
  • January 13: Meeting Date


1. Question of the Day: What Color is LEAST represented in your stash?

  • Beige - 3
  • Black - 4
  • Brown - 9
  • Green - 1
  • Grey - 1
  • Orange - 3
  • Pink - 4
  • Red - 6
  • Tan - 2
  • Teal - 1
  • Yellow - 6
As usual, some of the comments were hilarious:
  • Regarding teal, the member who said that was she she had least of in her stash remarked that she knew she was swimming against the guild tide.
  • Regarding brown, one member said there was nothing wrong with brown
  • Another member said that she did not consider brown a real color
2. Membership - see Nancy and Annemarie to get set up

3. Merit hexies - be sure to pick up your awards.

4. 2018 Meeting dates and Sew Days are posted on the Meeting page.

5. Charity - Michelle & Peggy
  • they will bring fabric to Sew Day so members can make pillowcases for Sonoma and Santa Rose fire victims
  • The guild (thanks, Michelle!!!) now has labels for charity quilts
  • There area a few MassdDrop FQs left for charity projects.
Also, the money we pay to Grace Lutheran for the space goes to a fund at the church that has helped to build and stock a health center in the Sudan.

6. Pet Beds
  • last count: 60 donated
7. Library - Lee Ann
  • was available at the meeting
8. Retreat Wrapup
  • retreat was great
  • small gifts were given to Retreat committee members
9. Sarah Goer Workshop had 4 spaces left

10. Quilty Happenings
  • Thru 4/1/2018: Gees Bend Quilts at the DeYoung as part of another exhibit
  • Textile Tuesdays in SSF at the SSF library, 1.3
  • FabMo boutique 10/28
11. Meet Your Neighbor - Lee Ann interviewed Mary C.

Mary was born in Connecticut and grew up in Wisconsin. She moved to California to marry her husband of ~30 years, Mark. They have lived in Palo Alto for 27 years. Mark happens to be Marti's brother. 

Mary can't remember not sewing. She started with dolls, Kleenex and paper towels. A neighbor taught her how to sew. She worked on costumes for plays all through high school, then studied costume design in college. She worked for the Palo Alto Players for 6 years and made costumes for her children's high school productions

She is all about speed in sewing. Mary also makes wedding dresses and ball gowns. She considers them "costumes with demanding actresses."

She started quilting about 12 years ago. She also likes puzzles, games, dominos and watching (bingeing on) movies). She likes to travel and thinks that no matter where you go, you'll have good stories. 

Quick Questions:
  • Prints or solids? Prints leaning towards solids
  • Casserole or BBQ? BBQ
  • FMQ/Walking Foot? Walking foot
  • Curves or triangles? Curves
  • Wine or beer? Wine
Next month Mary will interview Tim H

12. Elections in November - see a board member if you want to run. Email Gerre whether you will continue your guild job for next year.

13. Forum notifications need to be coddled. If you are not getting notifications:
  • Login to the forum (http://bamodernquiltguild.ning.com/)
  • Click forum
  • Scroll all the way to the bottom 
  • click follow
  • You may need to toggle on/off, if you have done this step in the past.
  • You can also look into the options for email/RSS feed.
14. Baby Beeby Burpoff

We held a mini-baby shower for our founder, Ruth. She opened and graded beautiful burp cloths, pouches and other small baby gear and a gift card.

15. Color My Quilt - Melinda

Hope you are all caught up! Melinda is next up. She likes things as they morph, transitions and Escher. Her favorite color is raspberry.

16. The Holiday Extravaganza Palooza Swap is coming
  • Signups through Nov.1 Contact Cheryl via the forum thread.
  • Theme is kitchen
  • It is a regular swap with a theme
  • Wrap the gift in a pillowcase, which will be donated to the Santa Rosa/Sonoma fire victims
  • Swap will happen at the holiday party
  • Ideas are posted on the blog
17. Holiday Party will be 12/9 and will be organized by Alison and Michelle S.

18. Trunk Show. Sarah Goer

She has sewn as long as she can remember. She made her first quilt in 2002 and learned never to trust patterns. The directions  in Quilting for Dummies were wrong. She made her next quilts starting in 2010 using Very Hungry Caterpillar fabric. She uses a lot of Karlee Porter inspiration in graffiti quilting. She participates in challenges and has learned to work small. She has a new (and very popular, according to members) machine binding tutorial on her blog.

Friday, October 20, 2017

Meeting Tomorrow for October

We look forward to seeing you Saturday October 21, 2017, for our monthly guild meeting! Join us at 1:00, at the Redwood City Library, in the upstairs community room.

Reminder about our BAM Merit Hexies challenge! Participation is the key to winning your hexies!

Things to bring:


  • Color my Quilt pieces - this is catch up month
  • Show and Tell - this is a great way to get to know people and we LOVE to see your stuff!!!
  • Your name tag (hexie available!)
  • 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 
Volunteer Opportunities:
Gerre needs someone to organize the Winter Extravaganza/Holiday Party. She needs:
1) Gift Swap - we'll need to have the parameters by the Oct. meeting. Please note that ideas have already been posted.

2) Party Food - November meeting for guidelines. You can organize however you wish, including a pot luck. There is a budget for this.

Our Sew Day, Meeting and Holiday Party will all be on the same day - December 9th. Details to follow.

Other Reminders:
  1. Make sure you check off your charity and service accomplishments and collect your BAM Merit Hexies.  Don't forget, there are EXCLOOOOOOOSIVE Merit Hexies for special projects, such as dropping off Pet Beds, VA Sew Day, San Mateo County Fair, UFO Swap, FiberShots, and the Triangle Challenge. Gerre has announced a new hexie for working on Quilts for Las Vegas.
  2. Remember to take away uneatened snacks and unclaimed items off the free table. Thanks! 
  3. Check out the May Meeting Minutes.
If you have any questions or want a space on the agenda, please leave a comment, or contact an officer before the meeting.

Monday, October 16, 2017

Meeting October 21


We look forward to seeing you Saturday October 21, 2017, for our monthly guild meeting! Join us at 1:00, at the Redwood City Library, in the upstairs community room.

Reminder about our BAM Merit Hexies challenge! Participation is the key to winning your hexies!

Things to bring:

  • Color my Quilt pieces - this is catch up month
  • Show and Tell - this is a great way to get to know people and we LOVE to see your stuff!!!
  • Your name tag (hexie available!)
  • 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 
Volunteer Opportunities:
Gerre needs someone to organize the Winter Extravaganza/Holiday Party. She needs:
1) Gift Swap - we'll need to have the parameters by the Oct. meeting. Please note that ideas have already been posted.

2) Party Food - November meeting for guidelines. You can organize however you wish, including a pot luck. There is a budget for this.

Our Sew Day, Meeting and Holiday Party will all be on the same day - December 9th. Details to follow.


Other Reminders:
  1. Make sure you check off your charity and service accomplishments and collect your BAM Merit Hexies.  Don't forget, there are EXCLOOOOOOOSIVE Merit Hexies for special projects, such as dropping off Pet Beds, VA Sew Day, San Mateo County Fair, UFO Swap, FiberShots, and the Triangle Challenge. Gerre has announced a new hexie for working on Quilts for Las Vegas.
  2. Remember to take away uneatened snacks and unclaimed items off the free table. Thanks! 
  3. Check out the September Meeting Minutes.
If you have any questions or want a space on the agenda, please leave a comment, or contact an officer before the meeting.

Friday, October 6, 2017

October Sew Day TOMORROW

Our next fun filled Sew Day is TOMORROW, Saturday, October 7.
Location: Grace Lutheran Church
3149 Waverly Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306
(Corner of Waverly and Loma Verde Street)
10-4pm

Please bring to share:
  • Your sunny smiling self
  • Light non-messy snacks
Plan to bring your own:
  • Sewing machine
  • Cutting tools (your own personal mat if you want)
  • Fabric and other project parts
We provide:
  • Ironing Boards (2)
  • Irons (2)
  • Cutting Mats
  • Extension Cords (but you should pack one just in case!)
  • No donation needed! Unless you want to be generous of heart.
If you can, get there early and help Mary set up! Please remember to put your chair and table back (unless you are sharing a table!) if you leave early.  If you stay to the end your help is greatly appreciated in putting away all the tables and chairs. Please take any leftover snacks home with you. Many hands make light work! THANK YOU!

Thanks to Mary for organizing this event!

Wednesday, October 4, 2017

Winter Extravaganza Palooza Swap Ideas

The Winter Extravaganza-Palooza Swap is upon us, as is the holiday season and officer gift time. It might be early, but there are a lot of gifts to make so it is time to get started. You may not have your swap partner yet, take a look at some of the ideas below so you can check out tutorials that seem interesting and be ready to start creating as soon as you get your swap partner. You can also test out patterns so you can avoid the duds when it comes to making a fabulous swap gift.

The following list contains a few ideas. Ideas for projects were originally exchanged at the September 2015 meeting. Your editor has expanded on that list over the past two years, especially during the past few months.Where patterns are listed, it is for ease of use. Patterns have not necessarily been tested. Also, there may be other patterns and tutorials out in the blogosphere that are just as good or better. Not all patterns listed below are free.  The guild, generally, has no affiliation with the sites or vendors listed.

Apron
  •  Sew4Home's Festive Half Apron with Extra Large Pockets tutorial
  • Sewing pattern companies such as McCall's, Simplicity and Vogue all have apron patterns. the packets often include multiple versions.
Backpack
Bath bombs tutorial 
Bionic Bag
Board/ruler bag
Boxy bag
  • Snappy boxy pouch tutorial from Clover & Violet
Bunting
Camera case wristlet - pattern
Camera pouch - pattern
Camera strap - tutorial by ikatbags.com
Catch All Caddy by ByAnnie
Car trash bag - pattern 
Car ditty bag - tutorial
Cargo Duffel 2 - Noodlehead revised tutorial on the Robert Kaufman site 
Casserole carrier- pattern
Cell phone sling
Chair bag - tutorial 
Changing pad - pattern (make sure your giftee has a baby!)
Checkbook cover tutorial from SewVery
Clipboard (fabric covered) - tutorial from SewVery
Clutch bag - pattern from Clover & Violet
Coasters
Coin purse
Cold pack tutorial from SewVery
Composition book cover tutorial from Hip to Be a Square
Craft organizer tutorial 
Cup holder/ coffee cozy

Cushions / Throw pillows
  • Use any block
EPP Travel Kit
  • The Zen of Making pattern and tutorial. Make sure you look at the link for the optional pin cushion and other tutorials on EPP.
eReader /Tablet bags and cozies
  • Book Style Kindle cover tutorial from Clover & Violet
  • eReader sleeve with zipper closure - pattern
  • Scrappy Striped Tablet bag pattern
  •  
Eye pillow
Fabric basket (One Hour Basket)
Fabric boxes (tutorial)
Floor pillow - tutorial from SewVery
Garment bag tutorial from Sew4Home
Gift card holder - pattern from Valori Wells
Glasses case
Grocery bag -

  • Jane Market Bag/tote pattern by Alicia Paulson
  • Pattern by Michelle Patterns 
  • Ruby Market Tote tutorial from Clover & Violet
Hanging toiletry Basket (pattern found in In Stitches book)
Happy Birthday banner
Heating pad/ rice pack
Holiday banner
  • Charm square bunting tutorial from Hip to Be a Square
Idea pouch (pattern by Michelle Patterns) - holds notebooks, pens, pencils, etc
iPad Cover - (pattern by Michelle Patterns)
Iron Caddy
Jewelry

  • Starburst wrapper bracelet pattern
Jewelry roll
Journal cover
Keychain
Lanyard (tutorial)
Light switch plates (covered) - tutorial from Craft Buds
Luggage tag tutorial from Clover & Violet
Manicure roll-up bag tutorial from Hip to Be a Square
Mask
Mini ironing table (pattern/tutorial)
Mini quilt / wall hanging
Mug rug
Name tag
Napkins
Needle safe
  • Kantha Stitched Needlebook pattern  
  • Sew4Home's Full zippered Sewing (& More) Case tutorial
One Hour Baskets pattern/tutorial
  • Friends of the One Hour Basket pattern (for purchase)
Pattern weights (tutorial/pattern)
Pencil case
Pencil roll (Pink Chalk has an excellent pattern, but the shop is closed. If you can find one of these patterns somewhere, you won't be sorry.)
Pencil pouch - tutorial from Craft Buds
Pillowcase
  • Artquiltmaker Guide to the burrito style pillowcase pattern
  • Clover & Violet French Seam pillowcase pattern
  • Reversible pillowcases pattern  
  • Romantic Floral pillowcase with decorative cuffs tutorial from Sew4Home
Pincushion resources
Phone sleeve (tutorial)
Placemats -
Potholders
Project bag
  • Betsy Makes Project bag with zippers tutorial
  • Sew Mama Sew Fat Quarter project bag tutorial
Purse
  • Wristlet Cora purse pattern from Clover & Violet
Purse organizer
Remote control organizer
Retro Rucksack pattern from Radiant Home Studio 
Sash with Beaded Fringe (pattern found in In Stitches book)
Scissor Sheath (tutorial)
Sew Together Bag
Sewing machine cover
Sewing Organizer Bag - handwork tutorial 
Sketchbook cover tutorial
Sleeping mask  (pattern found in In Stitches book)
Softies
  • Stuffed fox with antlers pattern by Imaginegnats.com
Stitching folder
  • AllPeopleQuilt.com' Sew Perfect project by Linda Lum DeBono (you may have to sign up for an account or newsletter to get this project)
Table runner
Tablet cover
Tea cozy
Thermal cup holder
Thread catcher/pin cushion - tutorial
Tissue box cover tutorial from Craft Buds (you might want to include a box of tissues so the giftee knows the size) 
Tissue holder
Tote bag
Triple zip pouch (tutorial)
Undercover Maker Mat - free pattern on Craftsy by LillyElla Designs
Wallet
Water bottle strap
Wrist pin cushion
Zipper bag
  • Zipper pocket tutorial pattern  
Zipper pouch

There are numerous other resources with multiple projects, including:

Sunday, October 1, 2017

October Sew Day COMING SOON!

Our next fun filled Sew Day is  Saturday, October 7.
Location: Grace Lutheran Church
3149 Waverly Street, Palo Alto, CA 94306
(Corner of Waverly and Loma Verde Street)
10-4pm

Please bring to share:

  • Your sunny smiling self
  • Light non-messy snacks
Plan to bring your own:
  • Sewing machine
  • Cutting tools (your own personal mat if you want)
  • Fabric and other project parts
We provide:
  • Ironing Boards (2)
  • Irons (2)
  • Cutting Mats
  • Extension Cords (but you should pack one just in case!)
  • No donation needed! Unless you want to be generous of heart.
If you can, get there early and help Mary set up! Please remember to put your chair and table back (unless you are sharing a table!) if you leave early.  If you stay to the end your help is greatly appreciated in putting away all the tables and chairs. Please take any leftover snacks home with you. Many hands make light work! THANK YOU!

Thanks to Mary for organizing this event!