American Artist Bisa Butler

 

The Guild has recently added a new book to our collection, titled “Bisa Butler – Portraits.”  Ms. Butler is an American artist who creates beautiful portraits of cut, layered and stitched fabric depicting scenes from African American life and history.  Her piece titled “Wangari Maathai” has been recently acquired by the Orlando Museum of Art and is being shown as part of their “Voices & Conversations” exhibit, which runs through May 2, 2021.  It uses quilted, wax fabric as the base for her rendering of the Kenyan environmentalist and activist.  The exhibit runs through May 2, 2021, in the Lockheed Martin Gallery II of OMoA.  Take a look at the book and check out her art in person.  The Orlando MQG is a supporter of the Orlando Museum of Art through the annual Festival of Trees quilt donation.

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March Newsletter

A newsletter designed with OrlandoMQG members in mind! View this email in your browser

Issue 48 March 6, 2020 10 Years this month! That is 521 weeks that the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild has been offering inspiration and opportunity for Central Florida modern sewists to  create and connect together . We are made up of people of all skill levels, ages, and quilting backgrounds.  Join us as we celebrate this milestone and look ahead to the next 10 years! In what has become an annual tradition, March is the month for our guest lecturer, and at Wednesday's meeting , we welcome Linda Hungerford of Flourishing Palms,  from Central Florida MQG, for a lecture and demo on "Domestic Machine Quilting Using Rulers." You will not want to miss this ! Please see the biography on Linda at the end of the newsletter , and familiarize yourself with this talented and energetic instructor. This will be a wonderful way to culminate the #10yearsinthemaking celebration of Orlando MQG , and look forward to a special gift to tie it all together ! Bring your show and tell on Wednesday; we'll proceed if we have time after the program. See you at the meeting. Paula Kennedy Secretary Questions, comments, or suggestions regarding the newsletter are welcome, please email me .  I would also love to hear of any quilty news or ideas for content you'd like to share.  Constructive feedback is always welcome.   MEETING REMINDERS It is time to renew your Guild Membership.  Click on the LINK to download the Renewal form.  Our treasurer will collect dues at the meeting. If you've borrowed a Library Book, it is time to bring it back.  We hope you have enjoyed it.  Go to our blog and check the list of books available to borrow and/or look at Aradria's Library Spotlight in the Minutes Section.  If you can't find what you want, make a recommendation to our Wish List. Next General meeting is on March 4 at The Sewing Studio at 10am (No drink, No food in the room). February SewDays are: Maitland Library -  Monday, March 9th Casselberry Library - Sunday, March 29  1:00 pm to 4:45 pm April 1 General Meeting:  The Board will present the roll-out for the 2020-2021 year of programming. Block of the Month (current and past) instructions, meeting minutes, Calendar dates, and more can be found on the guild blog.  Below: Kelly Eskin's "Get Your Sewjo  Back"  Challenge Project as shown on Instagram. To see her project and information, visit Kelly on her Instagram page. See below about  the challenge ! PROGRAMMING Debra Jalbert  Get your Sewjo Back Challenge is still happening  ! If you lost your Sewjo over the holidays, we want you to rediscover your creativity. Pick up that book/pattern you were once excited to make.  Your project does not have to be completed by the end of this challenge, but actual sewing has to have taken place. Bring your progress to the April meeting.  10 Years in the Making BOM Thanks to everyone who participated in our BOM lottery celebrating our guild's 10th year! Debra J. organized this year's block each month with the idea of making a sampler quilt at the end of the year. See the blog link here  http://theorlandomodernquiltguild.blogspot.com/p/bomstutorials.html  Each block had an element of gray or white and you could make blocks for the lottery and one for yourself. Bring your blocks or quilt to share in April . Please contact Ede or Debra  for any programming ideas, or send an email to orlandomodernquiltguild@gmail.com. Orlando Modern Quilt Guild Call for Blocks "Road to Tennessee "  COMMUNITY OUTREACH Sue Kenard   ON-GOING PROJECTS Call for Blocks (contacts: Julie Parrott, Connie Tresize, Laurie Watson) This year we will be continuing the Road to Tennessee blocks (BLOG LINK). Finished blocks or quilt tops can be brought to monthly guild meetings. Julie, Connie, and Laurie will be set up in the back of the room. You can also help by picking up one of the quilt bundles (includes top, backing, batting and binding) to complete the quilting and binding. The more finished quilts we have on hand the more quickly we can respond to each new call. Seniors First Placemats                                                                       (contact:Sue Kenard) In case you haven’t already found out, making placemats is a quick and easy way to clear out your stash of orphan blocks and fabric. Seniors First includes our placemats as part of birthday gifts delivered to their Meals on Wheels and other program clients. Large Drawstring Bags                                                                     (contact: Jan Bilbro) Another great stash buster for a good cause are the drawstring bags (takes about 1 yard of fabric) that are given to kids aging out of foster care who would otherwise use a large plastic garbage bag to carry their clothes and belongings. Jan mentioned that smaller bags were also needed so check with her at the next meeting. QuiltCon and Festival of Trees quilts Committees will be set up to design and coordinate these annual projects. NEW 2020 PROJECT There will be more information at the April meeting.

EDUCATION  Marge Cree  Good news and other news ... The Timna Tarr class is currently full, but remember, your check holds your spot. Payment needs to be made by the March meeting ( March 4); after the meeting ,  the registration will open up to other members on the wait list.  Please be sure to bring the $45 to purchase the kit at the day of the class.  If you want to learn more about Timna, visit her website (HERE). Aradria , our wonderful Orlando Modern Quilt Guild Librarian , has added two new titles to the library. She'll provide additional detailed information at the April meeting, but if you want to check either of them out , she'll have them available at the March meeting, or send her an email to let her know you're interested aradria@stellabell.com Orlando Modern Quilt Guild Members at QuiltCon, 2020 -Austin , TX  left clockwise The "sisters" Connie Tresize , Laurie Watson, Julie Parrott  Patti Lapinsky and friend , Linda Blakley of the Triangle Modern Quilt Guild  Carla Santor with the QuiltCon Charity Quilt Entry from Orlando Modern Quilt Guild  Debra Jalbert with her prize winning entry - (see how coordinated she is with that pretty blazer!)  QUILTY HAPPENINGS Locally, Globally, and on the Web Do you want to enter a quilt in an international quilt competition?https://mailchi.mp/quilts.com/long_beach_calls_for_entry-1004479?e=3c1c642a6d The Florida Quilt Network Calendar  https://www.floridaquiltnetwork.com/calendar.html Original Quilt and Sewing Expo ,  March 19-21 Lakeland Florida  https://www.sewingexpo.com/Events/Lakeland,FL.aspx Crystal is an Orlando MQG member and she maintains a list of sew along and quilt a long information https://www.instagram.com/letsquiltalong/ Modern Monthly, https://www.modernmonthly.com is the MQG quarterly magazine, is always full of inspiration and interesting articles. Did you know that as member of the the Modern Quilt Guild, you are eligible to receive special deals and discounts on lots of entertainment and travel items ? Check out this link to see what's available to you https://mqg.memberclicks.net/deals-discounts Guest Speaker , March Meeting  Linda Hungerford from Flourishing Palms I have been a sewist since the age of 13 when my mother made me sew a tent dress! I transitioned from garment-making to quiltmaking in 1976, when quiltmaking saw a resurgence in popularity due to our country’s Bicentennial. In 1998 I began domestic machine quilting because hiring a longarm quilter, quite honestly, didn’t fit my budget. Since graduating with a journalism degree in 2000, I have written articles for numerous quilting magazines, and had several patterns published. In 2005 I began teaching free, five-week beginner quiltmaking lessons. As a result of those classes, Landauer Publishing invited me to write First Time Quiltmaking (2006). I’m honored to have had quilts accepted into three QuiltCons, one of which is included in the book Modern Quilts: Designs of the New Century (2017, C&T Publishing). In 2012 we moved from West Des Moines, Iowa to The Villages, Florida, where I have continued to teach. In 2015 I presented the MQG webinar “No Tails Binding: Mitered Corners by Machine.” Most frequently I teach domestic machine walking foot and free motion quilting. I have also been demonstrating ruler quilting. The Central Florida chapter of the MQG started in my living room in the fall of 2012 (CentralFloridaMQG.blogspot.com). I have been on the chapter’s executive committee ever since, and am currently media coordinator. I’ve blogged at FlourishingPalms.blogspot.com since January, 2009, and am on Instagram and Pinterest as FlourishingPalms. Thank you for being a part of The Orlando Modern Quilt Guild.  We appreciate you taking the time to read our newsletter and hope you find it as interesting as we do! President:  Ede Nault Vice President:  Debra Jalbert Secretary:  Paula Kennedy  Treasurer:  Kathy Aber  Community Outreach: Sue Kenard  Education Coordinator: Marge Cree Member-at-Large:  Love Sullivan Founding Officers and Board Members: René Martinez and  Michele Lancaster Do you know someone who might like this newsletter?  Forward it to them.  They can subscribe here.   You can find the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild on these social media platforms.

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Meet Yanick Booz

How long you have been sewing and/or quilting and when did you join the Orlando MQG?

I have been sewing for 18 years and quilting for 16 years. I joined Orlando MQG in January 2013 and it was the best birthday present I gave myself! I needed to find “my people” that loved quilting/collecting fabric as much as I did. I was honored to serve as president from 2014-2016 and have adored the friends made here ever since.

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Meet Zonetta Glenn

My dear neighbor, Love Sullivan, introduced me to the "world of quilting" about six years ago.  I knew she was a quilter and I needed her sage advice.  I showed her my very first attempt (with no quilting experience at all)--a mermaid themed baby quilt for my new granddaughter.  Naturally, she insisted I visit OrlandoMQG. I immediately joined the guild and fell in love with the adventure.  Little did I know it would become an addiction!

My mother had been a beautiful seamstress and I had sewn as a young girl and young mother, but never quilted.  I took a beginner's class at Quilter's Cove and slowly got my feet wet.  My first "real" quilt was a log cabin design from a Mary-Jeanine class at the Sewing Studio.  I was on my way.

My first quilting machine, which I still have and use mostly for classes--and retreats--is a Janome 2010. (I would not let my husband buy a real expensive machine--just in case it didn't take!)  Last year I bought a Bernina 750 and who knows what is next . . .

I always sew barefooted or in socks!  Shoes can be so cumbersome under a sewing machine!

My husband's older daughter is a quilter extraordinaire (although not a modern quilter) and she gave me my most useful, and therefore my most favorite piece of equipment--an ergonomically shaped seam ripper.  Love it and use it lots and lots and lots.

The favorite quilt I've made to date is this multi-dimensional pinwheel quilt.  It was just fun!  My next adventure is not one, but two, T-shirt quilts for my two grandsons, ages 13 and 15.  Time goal is Christmas.  Hoping it's this Christmas and not next--certainly before they graduate from high school.

Little known fact: About five years ago I was the "victim" rescued in the mountains in Colorado by the Colorado Springs Fire Dept. High Angle Rescue Team.  Ever been rappelled down a mountain side about 200' while clinging desperately to a firefighter, left on a ledge, and then basketed and rescued and rappelled the rest of the way down, another 300'?   Try it sometime!

As for inspiration, there is not a person in our guild who is not an inspiration to me--beginners to intermediates to professionals.  So much to learn.  I'm happy to be here.

Kindness is the greatest virtue.

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Meet Patti Lapinsky

I’ve been sewing since I was ten years old (my mom taught  me). I can still remember the first skirt and top I made. I sewed for my girls when they were younger and often made my own clothes. Although I’ve been sewing for many years, I only began quilting about five years ago. My friend, Linda Blakely (also a member of our guild),  tried to get me into quilting years ago, but it was just so fussy and it really wasn’t my thing. Fast forward many years, and my daughter Alissa discovered modern quilting and loved it so much, she convinced me to try it. And an obsession was born…. she encouraged me to join the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild and we also attended Quilt Con in Austin that following year. It was official, I was bitten by the quilting bug.

I have made quilts for my daughter, my mom, my grandsons and many baby quilts. My favorite quilt is usually the one I am working on at the moment, but I do love the Double Square Star quilt I made with my Anna Maria Horner fabric.

I always sew with my shoes off on my Viking that my mom gave me, and on occasion I wander down the street and sew with Alissa, or more often than not, I wander down the street for her advice and inspiration. I love that we can quilt together! My inspiration comes from Alissa, Anna Maria Horner and a host of quilters on Instagram!

Not sure of my next quilting advenure, but we are definitely planning to go to the retreat in November, QuiltCon in Nashville and I’m excited about being the Education Coordinator this year.

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Meet Michelle Mullinax

Please tell us how long you have been sewing and/or quilting and when you joined the Orlando MQG.

I began quilting about 7 ½ years ago. I joined the MQG as an individual member first since there wasn't a local MQG where I live (Lake Park, GA) and then became a member of the Orlando MQG February, 2015. As an out-of-state member, I miss out on most of the monthly sew days and board meetings. But I have enjoyed attending a couple of workshops and sew days, and retreating with the guild in Sebring a few years ago was such a wonderful experience. QuiltCon 2015 and 2017 was also a great opportunity to see my Orlando MQG friends!

Starry Sky mini quilt - blocks made at guild retreat

How did you learn to quilt?

I initially learned to quilt by watching YouTube videos and tutorials from blogs. My sister, Rene’, introduced me to quilting by giving me a sewing machine and a kit to make a Yellow Brick Road quilt.  She had planned a mini quilting lesson/retreat to go along with the gifts, but the weekend ended up being a comedy of unfortunate events (car trouble for her and a dead air conditioner in the middle of August for me), so I was given a list of wonderful video tutorials to get me started. At the time, I didn’t even know how to thread my machine…haha. But I quickly developed a passion for quilting that has not subsided in the least. My first year of quilting resulted in about 8-10 quilts! Over the years, I have slowed down quite a bit and learned to really enjoy the process instead of being so focused on the final product. 

Modern X quilt

What machine do you drive?

I drive a Janome Memory Craft 6300. She is a workhorse!! 

Do you sew with your shoes on or off?

Shoes are always off. 

What and/or who inspires you?

This is almost an impossible question to answer without writing a book! There are so many wonderful quilters that have inspired me over the years. But, the quilter that always comes to mind first is Jacquie Gering. I love her passion, her generous spirit, the way she embraces the quilting process…I am definitely a fan! One of the first modern quilts I made was from her Quilting Modern book, co-authored by Katie Pedersen. I fell in love with her Fiesta Quilt…such bold, vibrant colors. At the time, I didn’t have the confidence to use those brilliant colors. Instead, I made a Siesta wall quilt using colors more suited to me.

Fiesta quilt

What is your most treasured (sewing) possession?

I treasure all of the quilts and handmade gifts given to me. I am blessed to have several amazing quilts made by my sister and a beautiful Christmas quilt made by our mother. It is not unusual for me to pick a quilt to snuggle under based upon my mood at the time. Each one serves a specific purpose, comfort-wise. 

Peace quilt

What is your favorite thing you’ve made to date?

In 2012, my sister and I made a quilt for our mother to celebrate her 70^th birthday. We each made 10 great-granny square blocks, for a total of 20 blocks, using fabric from one of my favorite designers – Kate Spain. Somehow we were able to keep this project a secret from our mother. The only thing better than working on a collaborative project with my sister was knowing that our mother would treasure this quilt and the love that went into each stitch! 

Great Granny Square quilt made for my mom

What is your next sewing adventure?

I’m looking forward to retreating in Minnesota this July with a wonderful group of friends. Quilting has allowed me the opportunity to make great friends, and I am fortunate to spend 4-5 days at Gruber’s retreat center each summer with friends from all over the country. After that, maybe QuiltCon 2019 in Nashville!!

QuiltCon 2015 in Austin with my sister

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Meet Sandra Fay

Hi everyone, for those who do not know me, I am Debra Jalbert’s older sister, but not by much!  I have been quilting off and on for about 18 years.  More off than on.  I joined the OrlandoMQG four years ago and try to make at least one or two meetings a year.  I live in New Hampshire so I try to time my visits around either a special event or a meeting at the OrlandoMQG.  I get so inspired by both my sister’s work and everyone else’s’ that I see at the meetings, but when I get back home, life takes over and I don’t get too much done as far as quilting.  

At QuiltCon with my sisters and Victoria Findlay Wolfe

I first learned to quilt when I took a class at Joann’s Fabrics.  At that time, it was a hand quilting class. It was a wall hanging with four different blocks.  I have it somewhere at home, but never took a picture.  My second quilt was one I made for my newborn nephew Noah, who is now 17.  It was a multi colored quilt that I tied.  It took me about two years to get it done.  

First full size quilt made

I currently have a Baby Loc Audrey which I received from my sister a few years ago.  She was my one and only baby until November when she and my other sister Donna, gifted me for my birthday a Singer 301a that was purchased from Jeff.  It was one of his babies.  I was able to take it to the retreat and it has been my go to now.  I love how straight and fast she sews.  I am not a fast sewer, but boy she is.  I have been toying with names, but have not yet settled on one.  She is also my most treasured sewing possession because of who I received it from and how fast that baby is!!!  I sew with my shoes on as I feel I have more control over the speed than going barefoot.

Quilt from Victoria Findlay Wolfe class

My sister Debra really inspires me with her quilting.  I love everything she does.  The colors she chooses, the patterns she designs and the speed at which she often gets them done.  I am lucky if I get one done every couple years.  I need to make more time for this craft that I love!!!

My favorite thing I have made to date, which is still in process, is a quilt I am making for my sister Donna.  She doesn’t know it yet.  I worked on it at the retreat and the top is completed, so now I need to make time to finish her up.  Might not be until my next trip down so I can use Lucey-Lou (Deb’s longarm) to complete her.  Maybe by next Christmas……  Once this project is complete, I have a few ideas but have not yet determied what I want to work on yet.  Too much fabric and not enough time to work with it.

Current quilt top finished at quilt retreat

As to an unknown fact of myself, I like too many things.  Photography, sewing, quilting, crocheting, spending time with friends that I never have enough time to do a lot of any of it.  GRRRR,  I need to try to make more time for each of these things, especially visiting Deb and using Lucey-Lou.  Perfect happiness for me would be to have so much time that I can spend time on all of my likes and actually get something done.  I start too many projects and never seem to be able to get them done, or at least timely.   I need/want more time in my life.

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Meet Sharleen Jespersen

Sharleen served as our past Community Outreach Coordinator and continues to inspire with her generous spirit and amazing quilting skills!

Please tell us how long you have been sewing and/or quilting and when you joined the Orlando MQG.

I started sewing as a young girl in 4-H as well as in home economics in junior high school.  My Mother and my Grandmother also quilted in their spare time although they didn’t have much of that. They were doing hand piecing mostly and hand quilting. It was hard for me to see that I would EVER do that. Once I learned about rotary cutting and machine piecing I was in.   I first joined a quilt guild in Rochester, Michigan where we lived for 22 years.

We moved to Florida in 2010 and so I think it must have been 2011 when I joined the OMQG. Here I have met so many great people with common interests.

How did you learn to quilt?

Years ago I helped with a quilt project at church that was being tied and decided to look into it a little further and I was hooked. Someone gave me the permission to be a piecer only and that’s how I started.  Now, I try to do my own quilting as much as I am able.

What machine(s) do you drive?

I have been a Bernina girl.  Last Christmas my husband upgraded me from a 165 to a 765 and I’m really enjoying that.

What is your most treasured (sewing related) possession?

I have several prized quilting possessions.
One is the blue and red quilt that you see in the photo.  It is now very well worn. When my Grandmother died in 1960, there was a box under her bed with this quilt in it.  Inside was a note that said to give it to me. I was in grade school and was delighted to use it on my bed.

I have quilts made from my Mom’s first quilt blocks that she made as a teenager in 1936 as well as other quilts made by Mom and Grandma Rush that are very dear to me.

Tell us a little known fact about yourself.

I was born and raised in Lincoln, Nebraska where by family were some of the very first pioneers.  My husband, myself and our two daughters were all born at the same hospital there. While living in Michigan, I made a quilt for a dear friend and she had a reproduction of one of the blocks painted on her barn.  You can see a photo here.

Today I’m retired and use sewing and quilting as my creative outlet.  Most of my free time is spent helping at our local Food Pantry and sewing with our Days for Girls Team.

I also try to promote and contribute to The 70273 Project by keeping blocks in my purse to stitch while in waiting rooms.  When I get to play, I go to my sewing room.  Right now I’m not doing any large projects.  I seem to get a lot of satisfaction in being a small part of a larger system.  I’m perfectly happy to do a simple block over and over that can be used in a quilt for community outreach.  And, I love seeing my daughter Sarah’s advancing skills in quilting.  In some circumstances, I think that a quilt can provide a tangible hug for someone.  It says, “I see you” and “I know of your struggle.  You are not forgotten”.

Thank you Sharleen for sharing your quilting journey with us.

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