Quilt Alongs 101

Several members have requested information regarding Quilt Alongs so I thought I would share a few pointers and links where you can join in the fun.  Also, please share any information or tips you have regarding past or current quilt alongs.

There are many benefits to participating in a quilt along, depending on the type and whether it is currently in session. It's a great way to sew with others, learn tips and tricks, and keep on track with posted time frames.

Various types of quilt alongs can be found and are usually one of the following:

• Hosted by a blog author who shares a tutorial and series of posts for making a quilted project
• Quilt Along based on a published pattern (needs to be purchased) where you follow along in making that pattern.   The pattern designer may or may not be the host but has approved of the quilt along and sometimes offers tips.
• Quilt along with pattern designed specifically for that purpose such as a block of the month or skill builder series.

In the past, most quilt alongs were posted on blogs but more and more are popping up on Instagram.  Hashtags make it easy to quickly browse pictures on Instagram from a particular quilt along.  Examples include #kcmqgsteampunkalong #economyblockalong #facingeastqal #nestedchurndash #floweringsnowballalong .  Flickr is another resource for quilt along posts.

Past quilt alongs of interest:

• Summer Sampler Series - 12 different 12.5" block tutorials by Swim Bike Quilt, Freshly Pieced and Fresh Lemon Quilts
• SuperNova Quilt Along hosted by Freshly Pieced
• Sew Together Bag Sew Along - The Quilt Barn takes you through the steps to make this bag. Pattern required.
• Old Red Barn Quilt Along - This link will take you to the Flickr group which has links to thirteen rounds of various quilt along posts.  I believe all are free tutorials.
• Crazy Mom Quilts - Link to four quilt alongs with a series of tutorials.

In case you want to join one from the beginning:

Timber Quilt Along has just been announced and starts March 2015.  This is based on Alison Glass's Timber quilt pattern (which is required).
Elephant Parade a free quilt along by Sew Fresh Quilts started February 2015.
Moccasin Block of the Month Club - through Gen X Quilters and started January 2015.  Fee involved.
Quilt Along Directory - an online directory of quilt alongs and linky parties


I've found some tutorials start off as a quilt along but then later become patterns or books, so keep that in mind ;-)  Pinwheel Sampler and Great Granny Along are two that I completed a while back but when referencing for this post I see are now only available for purchase.

I hope this post has shed some light on sew alongs and quilt alongs.  We've only touched on a few of many quilt alongs.  Do you know of any other great quilt alongs that are just now starting?  How about any past quilt alongs you have participated in?  What tips do you have regarding what makes a great quilt along?  Please leave a comment below.  The random number generator will pick a winner on March 1st for a quilty prize.

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Not Receiving Emails?

The subject came up at the February meeting about some members not receiving emails from the guild (you should have received one TODAY February 8th from Marge) nor communication for the MQG Mothership. 

Concerning the MQG. In order to receive the newsletter and other news emails, each member must individually go into their own MQG account and edit. 

Here's how:
First ensure it isn't going into your email spam box

If not, Go to the MQG Website here MQG

Click Login on the top right corner, then sign in with your own personal login

On the right of the page you will see Communication Preferences

Ensure BOTH boxes are checked

Click Update

Next check that they have your correct email by

Clicking the Edit Tab

For our Orlando Modern Quilt Guild
First check your spam box to ensure the emails are not going there

Next ensure your own email is correct on the roster. (mailed today)

If you do not have access to the roster, please email Marge (ATTN Marge/email, orlandomodernquiltguild@gmail.com) and she will be happy to check for you. Or you can add a comment here to this post.
If you are a NEW member or ANY of your information has changed please fill out the complete membership form.

If you have any further question you may also contact Debra through her email on the roster or ATTN Debra, orlandomodernquiltguild@gmail.com

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Meeting Minutes

MEETING MINUTES
FEBRUARY 4, 2015
MAITLAND, FL

The meeting was called to order by Vice President Debra.  35 members and 7 guests were present.

Debra reminded members that all are welcome at OMQG Board of Directors' meetings.  The Board's next meeting is Friday, February 6, at 12 pm at Tartini's.

TREASURER'S REPORT
Marge reported that our current balance is $4551.76.  Members' annual dues of $50 are due at our March meeting. Marge will accept payment at Sew Day and through the mail as well.

RAFFLE BASKET
This month's basket was won by Julia.

UPCOMING EVENTS
Debbe spoke about "And Still We Rise: Race, Culture and Visual Conversations", an exhibit featuring story quilts, at the Orange County Regional History Center February 7 - May 3. The Eatonville quilters will be holding a workshop in conjunction with the exhibit on Mar 28, and a group rate may be available for this day, if enough people are interested in attending.  Please email Debbe if you would like to attend.

Please let Debbe know if there are any particular teachers/companies you would like her to make contact with at Quiltcon.  (It was mentioned that swag from Cherrywood would be nice.)

Information about the upcoming RaNae Merrill workshop will be coming ASAP after the Board meeting on Feb 6.

Our next "Modern Salon" will take place Sunday, Feb 15, from 4-6 at the Michael's store in Winter Park.

DEMO
Debra gave a demo on making lanyards.  She encouraged members to join Instagram and follow quilters to find all kinds of challenges and swaps; the lanyards she made were part of a swap on Instagram.

Next month's demo on different kinds of bindings will include brief presentations from Beth S, Pamela, Marge, Jodi, Jane H, Mary S, Alejandrina and Pat.

UFO CHALLENGE
Our 2015 challenge to clean out those UFO's has begun.  Please fill out the survey and send to Kelly ASAP (no later than Feb 12.)

CHARITY QUILTS
Linda reminded members that all quilts for the Veteran's Home are due at our March meeting.

She also gave a "sneak peek" at our next charity project, which will be making small quilts for Alzheimer's patients.  These quilts should be made of tactile materials, featuring different textures and embellishments.  Linda and Alejandrina shared some examples:

Details will follow at next month's meeting.

Please contact Linda with any smaller-scale charity projects you would be interested in having her share with the Board for their approval.

CHALLENGES
Our next challenge will be making fabric postcards that will be mailed and exchanged with a couple of other modern quilt guilds.  Postcards should be 4x6.  Beth shared a number of websites postcard ideas: click here, here, here, and here.  Also check out the board on OMQG's Pinterest page.  Bring your finished cards to show at our April meeting; Beth will then mail all of them.

BLOCK OF THE MONTH
This month's blocks...

...... were won by Debbe.

Block of the month for March is "Circle of Friends".

SHOW AND TELL

 WISH I HAD MADE THAT

....was won by Beth.  It's a present for Cara's baby, with artwork done by Cara's daughter and mother!

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Block of the Month - Circle of Friends Block

What is a quilt guild?  Well it is a big circle of friends.  Am I right?  Well this month's quilt block is called Circle of Friends.  It seems very fitting, doesn't it?

I found the tutorial on the Emerald Coast Modern Quilt Guild's website.  They had it for their block of the month as well.  I guess great minds think alike.  :-)  You can find the tutorial here.

This block is easier than it looks.  It is a basic nine patch made up of mini log cabin blocks.  Take a look at the tutorial to see how easy it is.

Here is the block I have made.  Let's use solid white as our background fabric and the colored blocks should be in a rainbow of colors.  Do you remember Roy G. Biv from art class?  Well follow that order but sneak an extra color in there somewhere since there are eight blocks in the round.  I added a pink between the purple and the red but you can add one where ever it fits best in your rainbow.

Have fun sewing your own circle of friends!

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