Thursday, October 8, 2015

MEETING MINUTES
October 7, 2015
Maitland, FL

President Yanick called the meeting to order.  3 guests were present, along with about 30 members.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Marge reported that our balance as of the end of September is $8052.04.

RAFFLE BASKET
.....was won by Beth.

BLOG POST WINNER
......was Caroline!

ONGOING UFO PROJECTS
Remember to email Kelly if you have completed any of the projects on the UFO list you submitted to her.  Final deadline for the year coming soon!

PAST, CURRENT AND FUTURE EVENTS
Maker Faire Orlando was a huge success.  Over 300 signed blocks were made at our OMQG booth. These will all be used to make pet quilts for shelters; Beth suggested we send them to shelters in South Carolina, for pets of flood victims.  Over 10,000 people attended Maker Faire--great publicity for OMQG!

Deposits are due NOW for our November quilt retreat at Kenilworth Lodge in Sebring.  More than 20 members have currently signed up; if you are a newer member, and feel that you don't know a lot of people in the guild, this is a great way to establish some new friendships. If you weren't at the meeting but plan to go, please contact Marge ASAP as our deposit is due now.  Emails will follow about carpooling, food and supplies to bring, etc. Attendees may arrive in Sebring starting at noon on Friday, Nov 6.

Don't forget to visit the ongoing (until Oct 31) exhibit of OMQG quilts at the Maitland Library. Many thanks to Karol and her team for hanging all the quilts; the librarian told Karol they have never had such an enthusiastic response to an art display before.

DEMOS
Karol gave a demonstration of how to make your own extra-large ironing board, using plywood covered with batting and denim weight fabric.  (Marge mentioned that her husband would be happy to make these for members for a fee.)
Karol also showed how to make your own foam core display wall for your home.
Sharleen demonstrated how to make pillowcases using the "burrito" method.  This will be the next charity Sew Day project in Maitland, on October 12.  We will be making masculine themed pillowcases for an Army National Guard battalion that is awaiting deployment orders.  Please note that Sharleen will not be providing supplies for this project.  You will need to bring prewashed fabric cut as follows: 

main fabric - 27" by WOF
Cuff - 9" by WOF
Optional flange - 2.5" by WOF

Sharleen challenged guild members who are not attending the Maitland Sew Day to also make pillowcases.  She will accept them through our December meeting.  Some tutorials can be found here and here, and the "burrito method" is explained here.

CHARITY AND CHALLENGE PROJECTS
Linda announced that the wheelchair cover challenge is now ended.  If you have completed covers that you have not turned in, please contact her immediately.

This will be our last charity project of the year, due to our other ongoing projects.

All Festival of Trees blocks are due now.  If you have not turned yours in, please get them to Alissa immediately so that she can begin piecing.

Fabrics were distributed for our "Improv With Intent" quilt for the Quiltcon 2016 charity challenge.  These must be completed and returned by our November meeting.  We are making "sticks and stones" (see the blog post below for extensive directions and suggestions.) Fabric may still be available for use at our quilt retreat if you would like to make blocks there.

BLOCK OF THE MONTH
....was won by Kate!
Instructions for November's blocks are shown in the blog post below.

UPCOMING OFFICER ELECTIONS
All current officers will be stepping down when their terms end.  A nominating committee will be formed soon, so start thinking about volunteering to be an officer for the guild.

SHOW AND TELL
The first quilt shown was made for our dear friend Leandra, who is coping with the tragic death of her daughter.  It was given to her in hope that she might find comfort in wrapping herself in the love and best wishes of her fellow OMQG members.



The last quilt shown was one that a member picked up at a yard sale, and is made largely from double-knit polyester.  It's a real "find"!

The meeting ended with a UFO challenge swap.  All of the uncompleted projects brought in by our members found new homes--now we can't wait to see what becomes of them.  Remember to bring your finished projects to our December meeting!

Meeting adjourned at 11:45, followed by lunch at Orlando Ale House.






Wednesday, October 7, 2015

November Block of the Month

November's choice for block lotto is this cute little raspberry kiss block.  The blocks measure 4.25" (unfinished) and are quite addicting once you get to making them.


Rachel at Wooden Spoon Quilts has a wonderful tutorial for making these blocks.  She even has instructions for making other sizes, but for our block lotto follow the 4.25" size directions.


Bright modern fabrics make up the crosses; use white, cream, neutral, low volume for the background areas.

For fun, here are some links to projects made using these adorable blocks.




Have fun!

Sunday, October 4, 2015

Sticks and Stones

For QuiltCon 2016, we were challenged with making a modern improv charity quilt. The theme was "improv with purpose" and we were given a bright color palette to select our colors. We purchased all of the colors below since they play really well together.


Our design for this quilt will be called "Sticks and Stone" which gives members the option of making one of two different improv blocks to be included in the quilt. Members will be provided with a paper containing the only fabrics to be used in the quilt block. (Please do not add any additional fabrics so the quilt will remain cohesive.) Since we are improvising the design there isn't a uniform way each block needs to look when complete. Unfinished blocks must measure 6.5 inches square.

"Sticks"


The sticks will be made using the slash and insert method used to create a fun block with straight lines.

Check out these tutorials:
Empire's BOM
City House Studio

1. Choose a color you wish to have a background. (Any color except black that measures at least 6.5 inches square can be selected.) The remaining colors will be use to create the sticks you will insert into the block.

2. Cut strips of the various remaining colors. Piece together a variety of colors to create a long string that will be inserted into your background.

3. Cut background at any angle. (Avoid cutting too close to any one corner to avoid bulk at the seams.) Sew strip into both cut background pieces.

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 at least two or three times to make an interesting set of "sticks".

5. Square up the final design of your block to measure 6.5 inches by 6.5 inches.


"Stones"


The stones will be made up of your choice of a circular design. You can piece or applique your stones together to create a 6.5 inch block.

Use this TUTORIAL to create one quarter of the block shown above. (You'll need 4 of them to make your finished block.)

Check out these tutorials for more circle improv block ideas:
Reverse Applique
Tallgrass Prairie Studios Pieced circles
Pile o' Fabric Improv Circles
More circle improv ideas!




You can choose to make one or both blocks depending on the amount of fabrics you use from your bag. Blocks will be due at the November guild meeting.

Let me know if you have any questions!


Monday, September 21, 2015

Calling All Bloggers!

Did you know we list our member bloggers on the left sidebar?  We have so many creative members, and it's nice to see what they are up to in between guild events.

Sewn With Curves
Our President Yanick is the featured quilter on Amy's blog this week.  Take a minute to read more about Yanick's artistic background, her passion for creating, and quilting tips.   There is some colorful eye candy there as well!

I noticed The Sewing Studio has updated their website to include a blog which features bios on the staff along with product features and tips not exclusive to quilting.

If you are a quilt blogger and are not listed on our sidebar, please let me know immediately so that can be rectified.  You can leave a comment here or email me (address in directory).

Have you thought about starting a blog, but not sure where to start?  I am sure any one of the bloggers listed on our site would be happy to help.  Feel free to leave any questions on this post.

Would you like to see a blog hop of all guild blogs with a last stop here for a giveaway?  Leave your comments and suggestions below and we will make it happen.  There will also be a random winner drawn from the comments on this post.  Suggest away!

Thursday, September 3, 2015

MEETING MINUTES

MEETING MINUTES
SEPTEMBER 2, 2015
MAITLAND, FL

The meeting was called to order by President Yanick.  37 members and 6 visitors and new members were present.
TREASURER'S REPORT
Marge reported that current assets are $6937.04.

RAFFLE BASKET
.....was won by Alissa.

BLOG POST WINNER
....was Frank.  (I forgot to get a picture!)

ONGOING UFO COMPLETION
Kelly passed around her list of submitted UFO projects so that members may update their completions.  Remember it is not too late to join this year's UFO contest; complete the form on the blog.  Each completed project will earn you a ticket for a lottery at our December meeting.  Contact Kelly with questions.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Michelle and her committee are ready for Maker Faire Orlando.  Stop by the OMQG booth! (NOTE: due to the great response for Maker Faire this year, some participants, including OMQG, will be in the Orlando Museum of Art, rather than the Science Center.) Cara mentioned that OSC members may be eligible for a free MFO ticket; Marge mentioned that tickets purchased in advance online are less expensive than tickets purchased at the door.

Remember to bring your unwanted UFO projects to October's meeting!  All projects will be raffled off to other OMQG members; they should be completed by their new owners and shown at our December meeting.  You are not obligated to take home as many projects as you "donate"!  Contact Beth with questions.

Karol is still collecting quilts for our October exhibit at the Maitland Public Library.  She will collect quilts at the Maitland Sew Day on on September 14, and later as well if necessary.  If you have quilts that you would like to display, please contact Karol ASAP to arrange for a time to get them to her.

Sign up for Carole Lyles Shaw's class on October 3 took place.  Class fee is $25, and will take place at the Dr Phillips Library from 10-4:30.  As of this posting, there are still a few spaces available.  Contact Marge ASAP if you would like to attend.  See the August meeting minutes for the supply list for this class.  Bring a potluck dish to share.

We are planning a weekend quilting retreat at the Kenilworth Lodge in Sebring.  Retreat will take place Nov 6-7.  Rates will be $77 for a double room for the weekend, or $153 for a single, which includes breakfast.  Please let Marge know as soon as possible if you would like her to reserve a space for you.  Payment will be required at our October meeting.

DEMONSTRATION
Alejandrina conducted a demonstration on how she uses pins placed along the seam lines to make sure that her pieces are correctly lined up while doing paper piecing.  She also highly recommended the use of a roller to press seams while piecing.

FESTIVAL OF TREES QUILT
Once again, we are donating a quilt to Orlando Museum of Art's Festival of Trees.  Bags containing materials for the required blocks were distributed.  PLEASE remember that if you took a bag, you must return the completed blocks at the October meeting.  If you will not be at the meeting, please make arrangements to get your completed blocks to Alissa, who will be piecing the quilt, no later than the October meeting date. Many thanks to Frank and Mary W for volunteering to quilt and bind the quilt, respectively.  See below on the blog for more detailed information about construction of the quilt, and contact Debra if you have any questions about assembling your blocks.  (Debra will put an example of the green and white blocks on the blog.) Remember to use only the fabrics supplied in your bags. Do not add additional fabrics, although you do not have to use all the fabrics supplied to you. Blocks will be unfinished at  4 1/2 inches; please trim yours to this size before you return them.  If you were not at September's meeting, but would like to participate, please contact Debra to see if any bags are still available.

QUILTCON CHARITY QUILT
We are also once again submitting a quilt to Quiltcon for their charity display.  Fabric bags will be distributed and instructions given at our October meeting.  If you would like to get a head start on your blocks, contact Marge and she will make arrangements to get the fabric to you.  The theme is "improv with intent", and Yanick has chosen our quilt's theme--"Sticks and Stones".  Yanick will post videos of techniques for both "sticks" and "stones" on the blog, although other circle techniques (for the "stones") are acceptable as well.  Completed 6.5 inch blocks MUST be returned at our November meeting.  Some examples:


SHOW AND TELL

















BLOCK OF THE MONTH

....was won by Karol.
OUR FAVORITE MODERN QUILTING BOOKS
Several members shared information about books on modern quilting that they've found especially informative and inspirational.  The books mentioned were:

Meeting adjourned at 12 pm.  Lunch followed at Keke's in Winter Park.



Wednesday, September 2, 2015

October Block of the Month!

Hello everyone! It's Kate!

I am so excited to be choosing the October block of the month since autumn and Halloween are my favorite!
I chose a Spiderweb quilt block and the tutorial can be found here via Sew Mama Sew. These spiderweb blocks use a piece of fabric as your foundation (a new technique to try!) and give you a great use for your scraps (who doesn't love a good scrap buster?).

As a kid my favorite spooky stories were the Goosebumps "Choose Your Own Adventure" books so I thought why not do that for the color ways for these block to add some interest? You can also choose if you want to get super scrappy and have the spider web strips be different sizes (like the black and white webs) or more uniform (like the colorful webs)  So many ways to change up this block!

Color way 1:

Choose a black white or gray solid fabric for your foundation and add all your fun Halloween colors to the outside.

Color Way 2:

Choose a Halloween color solid for the center and keep your spiderwebs grayscale.

I understand not everyone will have the overgrown Halloween stash I have so feel free to use any prints or solids that fit the color scheme for your webs. Just have fun with it!

And as for these "Halloween Colors" I keep referring to, some examples would be: ghoulish greens, putrid purples, otherwordly oranges and even a little zombie skin blue.

Can't wait to see the blocks in October!