It was standing room only as 46 eager Portland Modern Quilters came together on November 18 at Pacific Northwest College of Art to shop, share, and be inspired. The energy level was even higher than usual with the excitement of multiple tables of fabric, notions, crafts, giveaways, and a silent auction.
Kristin Link of Sew, Mama, Sew! gave a presentation on the Green Grocery Bag Challenge. This challenge was created in collaboration with the Green Grocery Bag Lady to cut down on the amount of wrapping paper entering the waste stream and to get more multi use bags into circulation by wrapping gifts in reusable cloth grocery bags.
PMQG President Jen and Kristin Link
Kristin shared several ideas for creative and beautiful wrapping using cloth bags, including this vibrant drawstring pouch.
Join the challenge and spread the word via the Green Grocery Bag Challenge Facebook page.
Kristin got the group started by donating these gorgeous home dec fabrics for a giveaway.
A 1/2 yard cut is perfect for a cloth grocery bag.
Megan gave a Ten Minute Tute on stamping on fabric and making quilt labels, including using an old typewriter to type on fabric, which is then heat set with an iron.
Program Chair Cherri gave instructions for our November-December fabric bag swap. Each member filled a ziplock bag with favorite fabrics which were collected at the start of the meeting.
Treasurer Tamara passed out the bags to the participating members, and swap partners then briefly met each other. Each member will now add one fabric from their own stash to the fabrics in the bag they received and make something to give back to their partner. This swap is wide open for all kinds of creativity, so be sure to check back here in December for the results!
Kaci and Cherri started off Show and Tell by sharing the story and results of a little design challenge they came up with together.
It all started with the cover of a magazine and some fabric inspiration.
They kept the results secret from each other until the meeting:
Kaci reveals her spiderweb quilt.
Then Cherri gave Kaci the butterfly quilt for her daughter, Daisy.
Kaci showing off the back of the butterfly quilt.
This quilt features cute hedgehog fabric.
(I didn't get a Show and Tell slip on this quilt, so I hope the quiltmaker will please contact me so that I can post your information)
Marcia made this quilt with charm squares she collected, with a little help from her PMQG friends.
Marcia's quilt was quilted by Nancy.
Katie made this hexi charm square pillow with hexagons from the PMQG charm square swap.
Amber showing her patchwork camera strap.
Michelle made this disappearing nine patch quilt top and asked for quilting suggestions.
Dawn made this Minnesota quilt.
Tamara made this quilt, Mrs. Belote, for a newlywed friend out of Hope Valley fabrics.
Tamara also made this improv quilt from a class she took from Denyse Schmidt in Sisters.
Kimberly showed off her Peaches 'n Cream quilt which she made for her daughter's bed, and Baby made it into the picture!
Megan's charm quilt
Brittany's board game quilt, inspired by her family's love of board games.
Lara made these tree applique quilts for twin girls.
Kristin (first time visitor) shared this quilt top and asked for quilting advice for a new quilter.
Heather has been busy lately. She shared this owl that she made for her niece, which was copied from a Pottery Barn stuffed owl,
this Pop Garden quilt, made from a Crazy Mom Quilts pattern,
this Schnibbles quilt,
and this Schnibbles quilt!
Laura's Indian baby quilt.
And, of course, there were giveaways and items for a silent auction:
Donated by Sew, Mama, Sew!
3 copies of The Practical Guide to Patchwork donated by Elizabeth.
Mo donated some of her Party Dress fabric.
Announcements:
The December 16th meeting will include a potluck -- bring something sweet or savory.
Dues of $25/year will begin in January 2011.
Nancy Stovall's longarm quilting studio -- Just Quilting -- is having an open house on Friday and Saturday, December 10 and 11, at 105 SE Taylor Street (between Water and 2nd Aves), between 10am and 5pm. On Friday between 11am and 2pm, local quilt and fabric designer, Lori Mason, will have a trunk showing of her new fabric designs for RJR Fabrics and fat quarters available for sale. There will be door prizes, sweet treats, and hot drinks.
The meeting ended with a fabric destash and homemade craft item swap and sale:
Let's hear some chatter, Portland Modern Quilters! What was your favorite part of the meeting? Did you score any great fabric or other treasures?