Scrap Attack Challenge

Scrap Attack! is our guild theme for the year. Helen H & Claire F are challenge coordinators for the year.They will be creating fun and provacative challenges around the Scrap Attack! theme this year.

This is a brief summary of the presentation about the challenge:
 
Why scraps?

• Environmentally sound
• imple Living/Spiritual choice (less is more)
• Inspirational (especially if someone else's scraps)
• Fun
• Challenging

APPROACH: What reflects you - can be random, improvisational or structured/architectural. Examples of both were shown at the meeting.

ORDERING: Try different things and decide what works for you. Examples:

• Ruth cuts all into standards sizes and shapes
• Claire sorts by shapes but doesn't cut down; has separate containers for rectangular, triangles, orphan blocks, strips, odd sizes/shapes. 
•  Some people cut certain sizes, such as 2.5" squares, 5" squares, 2.5" strips, etc
• Others sort by color

Can further refine by size or color. Throw UFO's, old linens & clothing into your scrap mix if they work with your style.


COLOR:

• Don’t need to use all scraps at once, apply same color rules you use for new projects
• Replace solids with tone-on-tone (“acts-as-solids”) in color of your choice
• Similar or contrasting intensities, pattern sizes? Apply same rules as for new
• Choose palettes thoughtfully, let them reflect your own sensibilities.

DESIGN & USES

• Small projects (journal covers, block centers)
• Make new fabric by sewing scraps together and cut shapes for a project from this new 'fabric'
• Crazy quilt
• Show off scraps with single color sashing or field background
• Cut ugly fabric into small or skinny pieces
• Consider embracing randomness and improvisation
• Think architecturally/structurally
• Consider “slash” techniques
• Level of effort? "How much do you love the recipient?"

HACKS

• Line up varied sized rectangles by size, sew, trim ends with ruler for an elongated quadrilateral.
• Match with opposing angles strip for new rectangle
• Resizing rectangles to desired size using cross ratio math or, graphic arts diagonal method.

THE CHALLENGE

• Surface 18” X 24” or larger
• All scrap or stash
• Rectangles or squares are dominant feature
• Colors & patterns that please you
• Due April 2017 Meeting

 

RESOURCES

• Successful Scrap Quilts from Simple Rectangles –Turner/Rolfe
• Patchwork City – Elizabeth Hartman
• Quilts in the Sun – Kaffe Fassett
• The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters – Sherri Lynn Wood
• Setting Solutions – Sharyn Craig (old)
• Various Bonnie Hunter publications such as Addicted to Scraps and Adventures with Leaders and Enders
• Sunday Morning Quilts
•  Scrap Patchwork
• Scraps Inc

New Challenge: Color My Quilt

Color My Quilt is a new challenge conceived and hosted by Karen. By participating in this challenge you will:

• Explore another member’s color palette
• Explore colors outside of your typical selections
• Experiment with design in a group setting 
  

Each month we explore a color palette of that month’s Colorist.
The Colorist creates a set of 25 packets to had out at the meeting with the following information:

1. A set of small fabric swatches representing the color palette 
2. A theme, concept, or idea in words and/or photos to inspire a direction
3. Each participant goes home and makes a Chunk using that color palette with the following rules:
4. No design requirements:  improv, regular block anything goes
5. Use your own stash
6. Stick to the palette:  no new colors except in very small amounts in a print
7. You do not have to use all the colors in the palette
8.  Minimal size of each side:  5”
9. Maximum size of any side:  20”
10. Add your name on a piece of paper / fabric and attach to your chunk
11. Post photo on Instagram #colormyquilt

Follow on meeting:

1. Each participant brings their Chunk to the meeting
2. After the meeting, we can play and discuss design ideas together

Colorist:

1. Owns the design and the chunks
2. Will most likely need to add to the collection to complete the design
3. Is free to cut, modify or not use any chunk of their choice
4. The design will be a challenge!
5. Post photos on Instagram using #colormyquilt

Repeat each month till we run out of members who wish to be Colorists.

We will use this Ning Forum to sign up Colorists for the month.  Pick a month, and I’ll add you to the list.

January:  Karen
February:  Cheryl
March: Kelly
April: Gerre
May: Annemarrie
June: Michelle S
July: Bonnie
August : Joelle
September: Amy
October: Melinda
November: Beth
December: Michelle Nicole
Jan 2018: Sue
Feb 2018: TBD 
etc... till we have no new Colorists.

Color My Quilt

Color My Quilt

     — Explore another member’s color palette

     — Explore colors outside of your typical selections

     — Experiment with design in a group setting

Each month we explore a color palette of that month’s Colorist.

Each participant creates a chunk that matches the palette

More details on the Bay Area Modern Forum and Blog

The Colorist creates a set of 25 packets to had out at the meeting with the following information:

     1.  A set of small fabric swatches representing the color palette

     2.  A theme, concept, or idea in words and/or photos to inspire a direction

Each participant goes home and makes a Chunk using that color palette with the following rules:

     1.  No design requirements:  improv, regular block anything goes

     2.  Use your own stash, use any scraps you might have

     3.  Stick to the palette:  no new colors except in very small amounts in a print

     4.  You do not have to use all the colors in the palette

     5.  Minimal size of each side:  5”

     6.  Maximum size of any side:  20”

     7.  Add your name on a piece of paper / fabric and attach to your chunk

     8.  Post photo on Instagram #colormyquilt

Follow on meeting:

     1.  Each participant brings their Chunk to the meeting

     2.  After the meeting, we can play and discuss design ideas together

Colorist:

     1.  Owns the design and the chunks

     2.  Will most likely need to add to the collection to complete the design

     3.  Is free to cut, modify or not use any chunk of their choice

     4.  The design will be a challenge!

Repeat each month till we run out of members who wish to be Colorists.

Members will use the Ning Forum to sign up Colorists for the month. Pick a

month, and talk to Karen about adding you to the list.

January:  Karen

February:  Cheryl

March: Kelly

April: Gerre

May: Annemarrie

June:

etc... till we have no new Colorists.

MQG: Michael Miller Fabric Challenge

Check your email account and/or the MQG website for information about the QuiltCon 2016 Michael Miller fabric challenge. Register now, and if you sign up while there's still challenge fabric available, you could receive a bundle of the challenge fabric! Go! Now! Hope to see you at next week's meeting!!

May Personal Challenge: Tote Bag

The personal challenge for May makes use of your quilted piece from last month. If you didn't practice your machine quilting, you can still do it and then make the bag.

These are very loose instructions. There are enough bag makers in the group to get help if you need it.

 

Take your quilted piece and "square it up" -- going for clean lines, not perfection here. If you have a serger or overlock stitch, go around three sides of the panel (sides and bottom). If not, or if you want a cleaner look inside, then you can either make a lining, or do Hong Kong seams (essentially narrow single fold bias enclosing the sides/bottom of the piece) or French seams (but that will be bulky for a later step...may want to reconsider that, but it is doable).

Then fold the piece in half, Right Sides Together, and sew the short side and bottom of the bag with a generous 1/4" to 1/2" seam allowance (or do the French seam if you'd prefer). 

Bind the top, same as you would a quilt. Gives a nice finish!

Box the corners -- depth is whatever you'd like. Generally, I go for a visually pleasing proportion, which allows you to play around with the look. That just means that it depends on what purpose the bag has. If I want to carry bulky things, like quilts, etc., I go a little deeper (4" deep or so). If it's for cutting mat/rulers/fabric, then a narrower depth (up to 2"). 

Attach handles -- length and placement is personal preference. I usually figure out the length I want by trial. These are added last since placement depends on the depth of the bag.

Triangle Challenge

This is a guild challenge.

The current challenge theme, delivered at the January meeting, is "Triangle."  Your mission is to create a pieced work that represents your interpretation of that theme.  You can make any project that you want, the only restriction is that your finished project somehow expresses or relates to the theme.
Everyone who wanted some got a  little bundle of fabric -- the pieces were different colors/sizes, but the total amount of fabric was the same (some may have gotten four little pieces, another three slightly larger, etc.).

The fabric was a mix of Cat Nap and True Color and you are not barred from the challenge if you didn't get a pack. You can use just the fabrics provided, fabric you buy or add as much of any other fabrics as you want.

Any size from Potholder to King. Mugrug anyone?

Challenge projects are due in March.

Out of the area? Play with your own fabrics (you could buy some of the above ;-)  ). Link to your project in the comments.

Personal Challenge #2

Kelly started out her presidential year telling us she would issue personal challenges. The first was nametags and lanyards.

The newest challenge is to make something using or inspired by the Pantone color of the year "Radiant Orchid" - No rules, just make something and bring it along to share at the February meeting.


If you haven't done your lanyard or nametag yet, this newest challenge would be a great way to do it!

Not in the area, but still want to play? Place a link to your creation in the comments!

Lanyards & Nametags: Name tag Resources and Ideas

At the recent December meeting, Kelly suggested we all make Lanyards and Name tags that reflected our own style.We posted about lanyards and are now here to give you ideas about namet ags.

A simple Google search using the terms (no quotes) "nametags fabric" will give you a lot of eye candy. Switch over to the images tab and just look at the variety of options. Some people did a little piecing. Some added a small image and their blog name.

Some musts:

• Make sure your name is readable: large font, bold, dark color or good contrast with background
• Make your name tag a reflection of your personality

Inspiration

• add blog name
• add your Avatar or social media image
• add some piecing
• machine embroider your name
• hand embroider your name
• Use a different shape for your nametag - star, shipping tag, circle, rainbow, heart, assymmetrical
• Print on fabric with your printer
• Shape it and put a pocket for a pen, etc
• Check out this Pinterest board called Quilty Name Tags

Use a shape Add a love or hobby (besides quiltmaking!) Add buttons or other embellishments Make it three dimensional Make it round (or not rectangular)
Use your favorite colors, embroidery AND embellishments!

There are a lot more ideas out there. Use your imagination! I can't wait to see what you come up with. ;-)

Lanyards and Nametags: Lanyard Resources & Ideas

Kelly, the incoming President, asked everyone make a lanyard and a nametag that reflects them and their style. There will be a special show and tell to see your beautiful work.

Lanyards are about 37" long before finishing. You may want to adjust this length if you are taller or shorter.

If you want some direction on making lanyards, here are some links:

• Learn with Joann: Make an Easy Lanyard (YouTube video)
• Gen X Quilters: 10 Minute Project: How to Sew a Lanyard
• Two Peas in a Pod: Patchwork Lanyard Tutorial
• Pink Buckaroo Designs tutorial looks like it uses bias binding. That might be worth a try as it might make the lanyard hang better
• Double-sided Lanyard from  Ellison Lane
• Sew Can She.com tutorial for Pretty Lanyard
• Simply Cotton Little Lanyard tutorial
• Pile o' Fabric combination lanyard and nametag (2 birds one stone)
• Sew 4 Home lanyard with secret pocket
• Cold Hands Warm Heart tutorial - good indications and photos of where to sew
• Sheena Griffith has a Pinterest Board of Key Chains and Lanyards

A couple of the above use a cover to finish the lanyard where you have sewn the clasp or hook on to the fabric. You can also finish the end of the fabric before sewing on the clasp or hook.

There are, of course, many other tutorials available. Use your favorite along with some pretty scraps to reflect your quiltmaking style or personality.

Hardware
Some patterns call for various hardware. Think about the following, but check the pattern before purchasing:

• swivel hooks (Try Studio Kat Designs and Atkinson Designs)
• swivel clasp (one tutorial mentioned TWPMango* as a source.
• O ring (try the hardware store, if you can't find a good size at your LQS)
• Badge clips with swivel (JKMribbon* has them)
• Nickel sanphooks have an interesting shape. I am not sure how to connect them to a fabric lanyard, though.

I did find O rings in a variety of sizes as well as rectangle metal things other hardware that might be useful at a couple of non-chain hardware stores in the City - Standard 5&10 on California Street in Laurel Heights as well as at Cliff's Variety on Castro in the Castro. Check your local mom and pop hardware stores to see what you can find.

Shops*:

• JKMribbon
• USA Lanyard
• TWPMango 
• Voodoo Rabbit (Australian shop, so plan ahead)
• Sew Thankful

 Other thoughts:

• Try some ribbon instead of fabric. Britex has some lovely thick ribbons that would make some special looking lanyards.
• Use scraps to make the main part of the lanyard
• Add beads or buttons to personalize it
• Make it more of a chatelaine by adding a scissor pocket and other handy accessories, such as a Lip Balm Key Fob. I found a few chatelaine tutorials here.
• The You Sew Girl blog has a Convertible Strap tutorial, which will give you ideas about how to add other types of hardware to your lanyard. Need some extra rings? Check  out this tutorial. Want to use your bias tape maker? This tutorial is for you.
• Perhaps you want your lanyard to be adjustable? Take a look at the adjustable strap tutorial.

There are a lot of options for you to personalize your lanyard. Let your imagination spiral off into magical directions.

While you are making your own, why don't you make one for the officers as a thank you gift? These also make great gifts for teachers.

Look for a nametag post coming to this blog soon!


 *Your editor has no personal experience with the sources provided

Pincushions Sent

Pincushions made by members of the Bay Area Modern Quilt Guild

Top Row: Adrianne, Cheryl, Deborah, Peggy, Annemarie
Middle Row: Michelle, Cynthia, Jaye, Buff, Lizzie
Bottom Row: Kathy, Jen A., Rhonda, Jen J., Kelly

These pincushions are on their way to Kansas City for a pincushion swap with fellow modern quilt guilds, Austin, Wichita, Indianapolis, Northern Virginia and Kansas City. What a wonderful variety of shapes, sizes and designs. I'm excited to see what pincushions we get back and where they are coming from.

Happy pinning from the Bay Area!! : )

Visit our flickr page to see any of the pincushions larger.

A-B-C Challenge: Y & Z Blocks

The A-B-C Challenge is still going strong! Y & Z are our last block before we start sashing, setting, quilting and getting these quilts ready for the Fair. You can still join us, but you have to hurry! Bring your Y and Z blocks to the October meeting. The names of these blocks should start with Y & Z

Y blocks:

• Yankee Charm, 12" from Quilter's Cache
• Yellow Dervish, 8" paper pieced from Quilter's Cache
• Young Man's Fancy, 15" from Quilter's Cache

Some examples of Z blocks are:

• Zanizibar by Weeks Ringle & Bill Kerr from their book, The Quiltmaker's Color Workshop. You can see an example of this block made into a quilt here. 
• Z Cross, 10" block from Quilter's Cache
• Zig Zag, 20" block from Quilter's Cache (would make a nice medallion

Below are a few of the many block resources available to inspire you:

• 1000 Great Quilt Blocks by Maggi McCormick Gordon
• Around the Block with Judy Hopkins: 200 Rotary Cut Blocks in 6 Sizes by Judy Hopkins
• Around the Block Again: More Rotary Cut Blocks from Judy Hopkins by Judy Hopkins
• The Civil War Love Letter Quilt: 121Quilt Blocks Inspired by Love and War by Rosemary Youngs
• The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt: 55 letters and the 111 Blocks they Inspired by Laurie Hird
• Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix & Match by Susan Briscoe
• Judy Martin's Ultimate Book of Quilt Block Patterns by Judy Martin
• Modern Quilt Blocks: 99 Quilt Blocks from your Favorite Designers by Susanne Woods
• Once More Around the Block by Judy Hopkins
• The Quilter's Album of Blocks and Borders by Jinny Beyer (out of print)
• The Quilter's Album of Patchwork Patterns: 4044 Pieced Blocks for Quilters by Jinny Beyer (2009) - you NEED this book if you don't have it.
• Quilter's Cache website

So, go forth and make blocks. You can do it. Have fun, use great fabric. Enjoy!

A-B-C Challenge: W & X Blocks

The A-B-C Challenge  is still going strong and we have just a few blocks left before we can start sashing, setting and quilting. You can still join us. ;-) Bring your W and X blocks to the September 8 meeting. Here are some ideas for your W & X blocks:

W blocks:

• Wampum, 12" (Quilter's Cache, and Around the Block, pg122)
• Wandering Star, 9" (Quilter's Cache)
• Washington Star, 9" Paper pieced (Quilter's Cache)
• Watermill, 10" (Quilter's Cache)
• Weathervane, 12" (Quilter's Cache)
•  Wheel of Fortune, 8" Paper pieced (Quilter's Cache)
• Whirling Hexagon, 7"x8" RECTANGLE! Paper pieced (Quilter's Cache)
• Windmill, 10" Paper pieced (Quilter's Cache)

Some examples of X blocks, which were very hard to find!, are:

• X Quartet (from Around the Block, pg.127)
• The X (from Around the Block Again, pg.125)
• Japanese X (from Badskirt tutorial via Doodles and Designs Friday Reveal)

Rhonda was looking for a quilt block named after a place. We found a quilt with the name of Xanadu. If you are in the same boat as Rhonda, take a look at Connecting Threads at the Xanadu quilt.

Remember that there are many, many blocks, not listed above, from which to choose. Below are a few of the many block resources available to inspire you:

• 1000 Great Quilt Blocks by Maggi McCormick Gordon 
• 501 Rotary Cut Quilt Blocks by Judy Hopkins
• Around the Block with Judy Hopkins: 200 Rotary Cut Blocks in 6 Sizes by Judy Hopkins
• Around the Block Again: More Rotary Cut Blocks from Judy Hopkins by Judy Hopkins
• The Civil War Love Letter Quilt: 121Quilt Blocks Inspired by Love and War by Rosemary Youngs
• The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt: 55 letters and the 111 Blocks they Inspired by Laurie Hird
• Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix & Match by Susan Briscoe
• Judy Martin's Ultimate Book of Quilt Block Patterns by Judy Martin
• Modern Quilt Blocks: 99 Quilt Blocks from your Favorite Designers by Susanne Woods
• Once More Around the Block by Judy Hopkins
• The Quilter's Album of Blocks and Borders by Jinny Beyer (out of print)
• The Quilter's Album of Patchwork Patterns: 4044 Pieced Blocks for Quilters by Jinny Beyer (2009) - you NEED this book if you don't have it.
• Quilter's Cache website

So, go forth and make blocks. You can do it. Have fun, use great fabric. Enjoy!

QuiltCon Block Challenge: Nearly Your Last Chance

 DEADLINE: August 15, 2012  August 15, 2012 August 15, 2012 August 15, 2012 August 15, 2012

BAMQG is participating in the QuiltCon Block Challenge! The "challenge is to use the colors of the QuiltCon logo to make a quilt block that reflects what modern quilting means to you."

These guidelines (from the original QuiltCon post) to follow when constructing and submitting your blocks:

1. Blocks should be 12½” tall x the width of your choice. That could mean 12½” x 5”, 12½” x 24”, or anything wider, more narrow, or in between. Be creative!
2. Blocks should be machine pieced. Any piecing style is welcome, but please avoid using hand sewing, applique, embroidery, fabric markers, or any other embellishments.
3. Please use only “quilt shop quality” 100% cotton or cotton/linen fabrics in colors consistent with the QuiltCon logo (tangerine, gold, citrine, lime, aqua, turquoise, white, and gray).  Please feel free to include as many or few of the logo colors as you like, but avoid adding additional colors. Both print and solid fabrics are welcome.
4. Use your own judgment when selecting thread. Our preference is white or light gray 100% cotton thread, but any coordinating thread of good quality will do.
5. Each quilter may submit up to 3 blocks.
6. Each submitted block must be accompanied by a Block Challenge Entry Form. Please send your finished block(s) and entry form(s) by August 15, 2012 to: QuiltCon Block Challenge
   c/o Elizabeth Hartman
   PO Box 2309
   Beaverton, OR 97075

Please send only finished blocks. Partially completed blocks, additional fabric, or other supplies will hamper the process.

For more information about the QuiltCon Block Challenge, please refer to The MQG website.

No blocks will be returned!

Buy fabric bundles in the QuiltCon logo colors from the sponsors!
Sew Modern
Marmalade Fabrics
Fat Quarter Shop
ChéFAB
Pink Chalk Fabrics

An additional challenge with the same type of blocks to make a BAMQG project is going on at the same time.

QuiltCon Block Challenge: Deadline Approaching!

BAMQG, with Ruth as leader of this project,  is participating in the QuiltCon Block Challenge. The "challenge is to use the colors of the QuiltCon logo to make a quilt block that reflects what modern quilting means to you."

These guidelines (from the original QuiltCon post) to follow when constructing and submitting your blocks:

1. Blocks should be 12½” tall x the width of your choice. That could mean 12½” x 5”, 12½” x 24”, or anything wider, more narrow, or in between. Be creative!
2. Blocks should be machine pieced. Any piecing style is welcome, but please avoid using hand sewing, applique, embroidery, fabric markers, or any other embellishments.
3. Please use only “quilt shop quality” 100% cotton or cotton/linen fabrics in colors consistent with the QuiltCon logo (tangerine, gold, citrine, lime, aqua, turquoise, white, and gray).  Please feel free to include as many or few of the logo colors as you like, but avoid adding additional colors. Both print and solid fabrics are welcome.
4. Use your own judgment when selecting thread. Our preference is white or light gray 100% cotton thread, but any coordinating thread of good quality will do.
5. Each quilter may submit up to 3 blocks.
6. Each submitted block must be accompanied by a Block Challenge Entry Form. Please send your finished block(s) and entry form(s) by August 15, 2012 to: QuiltCon Block Challenge
   c/o Elizabeth Hartman
   PO Box 2309
   Beaverton, OR 97075

At this point you will need to send your blocks and paperwork directly to Elizabeth Hartman. The BAMQG group package is already on its way.

Please send only finished blocks. Partially completed blocks, additional fabric, or other supplies will hamper the process.

For more information about the QuiltCon Block Challenge, please refer to The MQG website.

No blocks will be returned!

Buy fabric bundles in the QuiltCon logo colors from the sponsors:
Sew Modern
Marmalade Fabrics
Fat Quarter Shop
ChéFAB
Pink Chalk Fabrics

An additional challenge with the same type of blocks to make a BAMQG guild banner is going on at the same time.

A-B-C Challenge: U & V Blocks

The A-B-C Challenge  is still going strong and we have just a few blocks left before we can start sashing, setting and quilting. you can still join us. Bring your U and V blocks to the August 4 meeting. These blocks should start with U & V

U blocks:

• Underground Railroad (from Around the Block)
• Union (from Around the Block)
• Unnamed Star (from Around the Block)
• Uneven Star (9" paper pieced block from Quilter's Cache)
• Unnamed Basket (10" block from Quilter's Cache)
• Union Square  (12" block from Quilter's Cache) - Rhonda: this is for you since you are looking for place name blocks!
• Upright Basket (8" paper pieced block from Quilter's Cache)
• Utah Sparkler (12" paper pieced block from Quilter's Cache)
• Quilter's Newsletter magazine had a series of blocks listing blocks for states. There were several blocks included for each state, including Utah.

Some examples of V blocks are:

• Variable Star (from Around the Block Again)
• Virginia Reel (from Around the Block Again)
•  Vermont (12" block from Quilter's Cache)
• Victoria's Star (12" paper pieced block from Quilter's Cache)
• Vines at the Window (12" block from Quilter's Cache)
• [Easy] Virginia Star  (9" paper pieced block from Quilter's Cache)

Below are a few of the many block resources available to inspire you:

• 1000 Great Quilt Blocks by Maggi McCormick Gordon
• Around the Block with Judy Hopkins: 200 Rotary Cut Blocks in 6 Sizes by Judy Hopkins
• Around the Block Again: More Rotary Cut Blocks from Judy Hopkins by Judy Hopkins
• The Civil War Love Letter Quilt: 121Quilt Blocks Inspired by Love and War by Rosemary Youngs
• The Farmer's Wife Sampler Quilt: 55 letters and the 111 Blocks they Inspired by Laurie Hird
• Japanese Quilt Blocks to Mix & Match by Susan Briscoe
• Judy Martin's Ultimate Book of Quilt Block Patterns by Judy Martin
• Modern Quilt Blocks: 99 Quilt Blocks from your Favorite Designers by Susanne Woods
• Once More Around the Block by Judy Hopkins
• The Quilter's Album of Blocks and Borders by Jinny Beyer (out of print)
• The Quilter's Album of Patchwork Patterns: 4044 Pieced Blocks for Quilters by Jinny Beyer (2009) - you NEED this book if you don't have it.
• Quilter's Cache website

So, go forth and make blocks. You can do it. Have fun, use great fabric. Enjoy!

BAMQG Block Deadline: Saturday!

Have you designed your block yet? Made it? The deadline is THIS Saturday.

At the meeting!

We want to see your creations.

Like the QuiltCon Block Design Challenge, we are having a BAMQG Block Design Challenge.

For the local challenge, we are asking you to duplicate your Quiltcon block submission in the Bay Area Modern colors of orange and teal.  If you need to brush up on the QuiltCon challenge guidelines, you can find tons of info here, here, and here.  Solids and prints are both great to use.  If you would like to use solids, we recommend the following shades:

• Kona:  School Bus, Orange, Jade Green, Bahama Blue, White, Medium Grey, and Coal.
• Moda Bella:  Turquoise, Orange, and Robin's Egg Blue, White, Slate, and Charcoal (no really good match for light orange)
• Art Gallery Pure Elements:  Burnt Orange, Fresh Water, and Tile Blue (no really good match for light orange)
• Free Spirit:  Peach Blush, Caribbean Sea, and Jade (no really good match for dark orange)

Please use whites & greys for your neutrals, rather than creams or tans (just like the QuiltCon block).  See the above banner for a visual of the colors.


You can make up to 3 blocks for this challenge.  Some people have mentioned that their QuiltCon block design doesn't translate well to the reduced number of colors in the local palette.  While it's great to get a 2-for-1 deal, it's also fine to modify your design or create a new one.  Be creative!

We will show our challenge blocks at the July meeting (although if you are running late, we will only heckle you a little if you bring them in August or September).  The submissions will be used for a fantastic (and still to be determined) guild project. 
No blocks will be returned!

QuiltCon Block Challenge Reminder!!!

BAMQG, with Ruth as leader of this project, has decided to participate in the QuiltCon Block Challenge. The "challenge is to use the colors of the QuiltCon logo to make a quilt block that reflects what modern quilting means to you."
These are the guidelines (from the original QuiltCon post) to follow when constructing and submitting your blocks:

1. Blocks should be 12½” tall x the width of your choice. That could mean 12½” x 5”, 12½” x 24”, or anything wider, more narrow, or in between. Be creative!
2. Blocks should be machine pieced. Any piecing style is welcome, but please avoid using hand sewing, applique, embroidery, fabric markers, or any other embellishments.
3. Please use only “quilt shop quality” 100% cotton or cotton/linen fabrics in colors consistent with the QuiltCon logo (tangerine, gold, citrine, lime, aqua, turquoise, white, and gray).  Please feel free to include as many or few of the logo colors as you like, but avoid adding additional colors. Both print and solid fabrics are welcome.
4. Use your own judgment when selecting thread. Our preference is white or light gray 100% cotton thread, but any coordinating thread of good quality will do.
5. Each quilter may submit up to 3 blocks.
6. Each submitted block must be accompanied by a Block Challenge Entry Form. If you are not handing in your blocks at the July 7 BAMQG meeting, please send your finished block(s) and entry form(s) by August 15, 2012 to: QuiltCon Block Challenge
   c/o Elizabeth Hartman
   PO Box 2309
   Beaverton, OR 97075

If you want to send the QuiltCon blocks as part of the BAMQG group, please bring your blocks to the July 7 meeting with your paperwork filled out.

Please bring/send only finished blocks. Partially completed blocks, additional fabric, or other supplies will hamper the process.

For more information about the QuiltCon Block Challenge, please refer to The MQG website.


The following stores have created fabric bundles in the QuiltCon logo colors:
Sew Modern
Marmalade Fabrics
Fat Quarter Shop
ChéFAB
Pink Chalk Fabrics

An additional challenge with the same type of blocks to make a BAMQG guild banner is going on at the same time.

BAMQG Shows Up with Force at the San Mateo County Fair!

by Amanda

With a stitch-stitch here and a press-press there, so began the 2012 San Mateo County Fair - or at least the part we BAMQGers were interested in: the Quilt Show! BAMQGers found out about the fair only two months prior to entries being due, and it was a mad sewing dash to the finish - at least for some of us! - to complete what we wanted to enter and turn it in.  As it turned out, our members were very ambitious and prolific in a short period of time, resulting in a fabulous representation for our first foray into the San Mateo County Fair.

Our talented members entered in a variety of areas.  First there was a group of us entering in the Challenge section of the quilt show.  With a requirement of six entries for any challenge showing, we had eight BAMQGers who braved the fair judges and entered our quilts from our 2011 Kona Challenge.  The Kona Challenge was open to any member who wanted to participate.  The quilter received a charm pack of Robert Kaufman’s Kona Bright solids.  With that charm pack you could create any size quilt, but could use only other solids with it.  Here is the Wall of the BAMQG Kona Challenge, Eight Quilts Total:



The BAMQG quilts took first, second, and third place amongst the entire Group Challenge quilts in the fair!  That deserves some close up shots, don’tcha think?  First, some shots of the ribbon winners:
Two Margaritas by Ruth Beeby, First Place ribbon winner

Kona Challenge Quilt by Jaye Lapachet, Second Place ribbon winner

Modern Peel by Adrianne Ove, Third Place ribbon winner

And here are close up shots of the remaining 5 BAMQG Kona Challenge Quilts:




Angela Obeso & Cynthia Marshall

Amanda Materne & Rhonda Ludwico


The BAMQG was also well represented in several other divisions - in fact, we didn’t know how well until several of us went to the fair and found out by looking! Some were even ribbon winners in their different divisions.  We obviously have some modest members in our guild, but their beautiful works will be outed here:

Blocks of Crazy by Michelle Boyd

Echino Challenge quilted bowl by Michelle Boyd

Homeward Bound, Third Place ribbon winner by Michelle Boyd

Night Gallery by Leona McCann
Leona McCann’s First Place ribbon-winning Asian Quilt

Leona McCann’s Honorable Mention ribbon winner “Circle of Life”

Cynthia Marshall’s Second Place ribbon winner “Crazy Eights in Purple”

Christine Crawford’s quilted wall hanging

Christine Crawford’s “Just Peachy”

Christine Crawford’s “Celestial Views”, Third place ribbon winner for Best Use of Color




Marci Gore's "My Secret Garden"

And finally, because all you’re seeing is quilts quilts quilts (and who says that’s a bad thing?) we had to end with a great shot of one of our members actually WITH her quilt.  Here is Angela standing with her beautiful Kona Challenge quilt:


We hope we got everyone’s quilts that were in the fair, but if yours slipped through, don’t be shy - let us know!  And send us a photo of it if you snapped one.

Thanks to all who entered the 2012 San Mateo County Fair - it was great to see the BAMQG so well-represented, with so many winning quilts.  Let’s do it again next year!