Seeking member feedback: Dues

As this wonderful group continues to grow and develop, an occasional expense pops up here and there and we consider other activities/events that may involve some expenses, such as bringing in speakers, organizing "field trips" or retreats, etc.  The officers are again considering the subject of dues and would very much like your feedback.    In the column to the right is a poll -- just under the information on this month's meeting.  Your money and opinion matter, so please indicate your preference.  If you have any questions, please leave a comment below, and we'll get back to you. 

Thanks so much for your input -- Jen, Marcia, Tamara, Cherri, and Joan

Quilt A-Longs!

There's a lot going on right now!
Joan made a tab for everyone to reference.  It's in the upper right hand corner of the blog.
Here's the list of the local ones:

Free Motion Quilt-along with Christina/A Few Scraps
Tokyo Subway Map Quilt-along with Elizabeth/Oh, Fransson
Quilt as You Go Quilt-along, Round a' Deux with Heather/a la mode fabric



Are you participating in one?

Event Calendar UPDATE

Finally, I was able to get two events to show up at once!
So please make sure to RSVP for the sewing night and meeting night. We want to make sure there is space for everyone and by RSVPing we can do that!

Thanks all! Hope to see you on Saturday for sewing night. I think I will be working on my Project Modern quilt.

Sewing at Modern Domestic!

This months sewing night will be September 11th from 6-9 pm at Modern Domestic.

I hear there will be a little raffle!  Lupine and crew always like to give away something you'll want!

Come hang out, get some UFO's done, check out the new sewing machines and get tips and tricks for your fellow quilters!


Bring a friend, some snacks and enjoy time with fellow like minded friends.
You can prepay here.
Leave a comment and let us know you'll be coming!
I'll make treats too.

Modern Quilters: growing and learning together

As the officers of the Portland Modern Quilt Guild gather information from members, one thing is crystal clear: Portland Modern Quilters want to be inspired, have fun, meet other quilters, and learn and grow together.  

Molly's Wonky Log Cabin/Joan Callaway

Some have experienced strong support and encouragement from other quilters in the past, but some have felt discouraged by quilting instructors or shop owners along the way.  Jacquie (Tallgrass Prairie Studio) has a must read post on her blog today featuring her reaction and response to the questions and discouragement of a new sewer/quilter.

Have you been discouraged rather than encouraged by a more experienced sewer/quilter?  Are you mentoring/encouraging new sewers/quilters?  

Quilting, Product Design and Art Quilts all at PNCA!

Did you that PNCA offers Fiber Arts classes?

What a great opportunity to grow your skills and learn something new.

So check out PNCA's amazing continuing education classes and sign your self up!

Free Motion Commotion

Fifty-three Portland Modern Quilters attended the August 19 meeting at PNCA.  Christina started the meeting off with a presentation on free motion quilting on your home sewing machine.  After a powerpoint presentation 

and some discussion,

Christina sat down at her sewing machine for a demonstration.  Thanks to PNCA, a camera recorded her stitching and the picture was projected onto the wall for all to see. 

Christina demonstrated a variety of stitches, including writing words in cursive.

And then members got to try out their own skills at one of several stations.

Here Traci has fun practicing her technique.

The FMQ giveaway was won by Anne.

Show and Tell brought out a lot of beautiful quilts, laughter, and even a few tears.

Elsa shared this quilt top from the 20s.

Jill made this version of Elizabeth's New Wave quilt with vintage sheets that her parents owned before they were married.

Jill also brought the doll quilt she made for her daughter to match painting on her bedroom walls.

This is Megan's version of the New Wave quilt and is her first quilt with free motion quilting.

This is Tania's woven quilt, based on a Kaffe Fassett design.

Kristen made this quilt with the Kona Cotton solid charm squares that she won at a previous meeting.

Lisa made a Halloween version of the New Wave quilt and a pillow to go with it

and this baby quilt top.  Unfortunately the niece for whom this was intended was never born, so Lisa is donating it to a member who will finish it for charity.  

Gail made this quilted hexagon pillow cover, including the screen printing.

Liz showed this quilt top, originally started by her grandmother and finished by Liz and her mother.

Elizabeth put together this quilt top with blocks from a quilting bee.

It is sashed with light pink on the front

and red on the back.

This is Katie's quilt-as-you-go quilt.

Heather showed what can be accomplished with an AccuQuilt system, 

as well as her Swiss Army quilt.

Jeri made this quilt using Elizabeth's Paint Box pattern.

Becky's baby quilt.

Christina made this quilt with friends.

Lee stepped out of her comfort zone to make this I-Spy quilt in primary colors for her niece's bedroom.

Jen shared this quilt made from vintage sheets

and this wedding quilt made with blocks designed around the couple's initials (S & P).

Tamara made this quilt for her son from a Honeycomb pattern designed by Lee.

After show and tell, we swapped 1" hexagons:

and helped ourselves to fabric samples donated by Free Spirit.
Thank you so much, Free Spirit!

ANNOUNCEMENTS:

Elizabeth gave an announcement about Project Modern.

September Sewing Night:

September 11 (one week later due to Labor Day)

at Modern Domestic

There will be a giveaway.

September meeting:

September 16 -- Elizabeth will demonstrate how to dye fabric in cups.

Keep on stitching, Portland Modern Quilters!

Note:  I have tried to link to blogs whenever possible.  If there is a photo of you and your quilt above and it is not linked to your blog, please let me know and I will add it.
joanhcallaway@comcast.net

Meeting Tonight!

Just a quick reminder that if you had Katie and Amber make you a name button bring your $$!  I know at the end of the last meeting she had some that people had forgotten to pick up!

PROJECT MODERN

(If you are looking for August meeting information, it's HERE.)
 

Did you hear?

The Modern Quilt Guild is putting on an amazing quilt challenge!  

Go check it out.

Giveaway at PMQG Meeting 8.19.2010

Hi all-

Since our next meeting is all about quilting on your home machine, I thought I'd put together a little giveaway to help out one lucky person!

To win: come to the meeting and put your name in the "hat"! That's it!



Included in this is:
1 package of 90/14 Organ Needles
1 pair of hot looking blue grip gloves
2 packages of curved safety pins for basting
1 70 byk 90 Warm and White Batting (this was originally in our 1st giveaway that was won by Alison of Cardygirl. However, since she had already won a prizes and lives in Australia,she graciously donated it back to us. Thanks Alison!)

Again, make sure to RSVP and come spend a few hours learning and sharing ideas on Free Motion Quilting and Quilting at home!

Meet Jill -- A Portland Modern Quilter

(If you are looking for August meeting information, it's HERE.)

Jill

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

My name is Jill, and I’m 34 years old. I’m married to a great guy, and the Mom of two adorable yet challenging kiddos, and a sweet furry dog. I have 2 degrees in Architecture – a field I have since decided I have no interest in working in. I’ve worked in a few different Architecture offices and I now realize that I’m not cut out for a fast-paced business life. I like to think about things before I do them, and I don’t like to do things that I don’t agree with. Right now I stay at home with my kids and pick up contract drafting/design work when I can. We live in a beautiful old craftsman style home that was built in 1904, and has been in my husband’s family since 1919. I have a lot of pent up creative energy since leaving work and have found sewing to help me release that.

How long have you been quilting/how did you get started?

I’ve really only been quilting for about a year, and not consistently. I have been sewing for awhile though. I learned in middle school, and have dabbled in it at different times in my life. I started a quilt that I never finished about 10 years ago, and finished my first quilt for a friend’s son about a year ago. Since then I have made a quilt for each of my 2 kids, and a couple more as well. I’ve also made several quilted pillows. I still feel like I’m just learning about the whole process. I have made a lot of handbags also, that was what got me back into sewing a few years ago. I also have a big obsession with fabric, and quilting is a great use for all those pieces of fabric that I just can’t pass up!

Why do you quilt?

I think quilting is a good use of my creative side. I get to design something, then make it, and I end up with a useful object. It’s therapeutic for me as well, it’s something that I can work on, then let sit and pick right back up where I left off. It doesn’t whine at me, tug at my pant legs, or keep me up at night. I can do it with my mind racing or resting, and either way it helps me to find a balance. I always feel relaxed and even keeled after a sewing session.

What is your favorite and/or least favorite part of making a quilt?

I really love designing and visualizing a quilt. I often draft quilt patterns out in AutoCAD. Picking out fabric and laying it out in different groupings, I can do this all day. I’d have to say cutting and ironing are my least favorite parts, and basting isn’t all that fun for me considering I have to move furniture and roll up a rug, then vacuum to do it. The actually sewing part is very fun and relaxing for me. Opening up the pieces and laying them flat after each seam is so gratifying, and I love that first time I get to flip the binding over to the back and see what the quilt will look like finished.

What inspires you?

I’m inspired by a lot of things. Certain fabric can sometimes just call out to me and tell me what it needs to be made into. I’m inspired by color, geometry, and architecture. I see patterns in a lot of things. I do get inspired by other quilters work, and sometimes like to try my hand at other designer’s patterns – but not knowing how to really use a pattern, I usually draw a similar one up for myself with AutoCAD so I can really understand it. (This is where those free online patterns come in handy!) I’ve also been known to make acrylic rotary cutting templates/rulers for any shape I need to cut more than 1 of – this helps my dislike of cutting immensely.

What are you working on right now?

I’m now finishing up binding on a wall hanging / doll quilt for my daughter’s room. I made the pattern for this one based on the painting we did on her walls. I also made a diamond template to cut with. I have a pattern designed and fabric picked out for a couch quilt for each of my kiddos to work on next, along with a bag for a good friend. Then onto Christmas presents. Yikes!

Jill, Thank you so much for sharing a little bit about yourself and your very inspiring work!


For better views of Jill's lovely quilts, visit her flickr photostream:

Some things to thing about...

(If you are looking for August meeting information, it's HERE.)

Came across this article from Quilters Home. Thought it might be a good one to share.

Saturday Night Sewing at Modern Domestic

Order a pizza for the family,

pack up a WIP,

and head over to Modern Domestic for a night of sewing with quilty friends.

Saturday, August 7, 6 to 9 p.m., $10.00.

Come on! You know you want to!

August Meeting Room 205

Meeting Agenda

• Opening comments-5 minutes
• Free Motion Quilting Presentation by Christina of A Few Scraps-30 minutes
• Station Rotation, watching and practicing free motion quilting-30 minutes (Tracie, Jenn, Kristen MacDonald , Heather, and Kimberly)-Hopefully!  Still waiting to hear back from a few of you!
•  Show and Tell-30 minutes
•  Blind hexagon swap-10 minutes
• Giveaway-5 minutes
• Wrap up announcements for next meeting-5 minutes

Hexagons!

Hope you are all loving and enjoying them.  They can be a little addictive, but what a great activity for the bus, a long car ride, camping, etc.  If some of you are still wanting to learn more about them, or are having issues, let me know and we will work something out!

For the Hexie Swap

All you need to do is:

Make 15 hexagons 1 inch in size (not sew together)

Put them in a paper bag

Bring them to the meeting!

There will be a table that we will put them on and then we'll all chose a bag towards the end of the meeting.  Just like we did for the pot holder swap.

If anyone has any questions, don't hesitate to leave a comment!  One of us will get back to you ASAP.

As always, please make sure you RSVP for the meeting so we have enough hand outs, chairs and room!

Free Motion Quilting

Do you free motion quilt on your home machine?
Do you love doing it?
is your machine portable?
Are you coming to the next meeting?

If you anwsered yes! Leave a comment and let's talk!

Quilt Retreat

Show off your Blog!

Do you have a blog or website that you don't see on the side bar?
Are you a member of PMQG?
If so, leave a comment and let me know the address and I'll get it all linked up!

Meeting information coming soon look for a detailed blog post in the next few days.

Remember we are doing a hexagon swap.
15 one inch hexies for a blind swap!

Thanks!

Jen

Heather Ross!

You love her fabric, you love her designs now come listen to her speak at PCNA!

Heather’s Week

 

This week Fabric Design with Heather Ross begins!  In addition to her class, Heather will be giving a free presentation about her work, process and approach to design that is open to the community.  

This will be held Friday evening 7:00pm-8:00pm at the PNCA main campus (1241 NW Johnson Street).

All About Hexagons

We had another beautiful summer evening for our July meeting at PNCA, with 47 stitchers eager to learn and/or share All About Hexagons.  President Jen started the meeting off with a brief history of hexagon quilts, which was followed by a show and tell of hexagon quilts old and new and other recently finished projects.  Show and tell is always a favorite part of meetings, and it's easy to see why....

Marcia already has a beautiful queen-sized quilt top made from charms from our May charm square swap.

Heather shared this quilt of beautiful Amy Butler fabrics,

this Cherry Pie quilt, and

and this Thimble Blossoms quilt.

Lee shared her Egg Drop Soup quilt

and this quilt with black and white and color gradations.

Shayla shared a vintage Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt top and blocks in pastels.

Janet's mini Grandmother's Flower Garden quilt.

Marie shared a large stack of Grandmother's Flower Garden blocks that have been stored away for some time.   We'll have to wait and see if a little inspiration from last night's meeting is just what Marie needed to turn her UFO into a finished quilt.

This hexagon WIP was shared by Kate.

Christina shared her hexagon creatures which were inspired by thumbprint drawings by children's author, Ed Emberley.

There are more pictures of Christina's blocks on the Portland Modern Quilters Flickr group.

Violet displayed her Heather Bailey quilted duvet cover.

Jill's hexagon pillow.

Gorgeous vintage English paper pieced quilts.

Show and tell quilts and projects inviting closer inspection after the meeting.

Christina (The Sometimes Crafter; on the left in the black top) gave a presentation on her Adventures In Hexagons, comparing and contrasting different methods and materials.
 Even if you couldn't join us last night, you can read all about it on her blog post here.

Stitching and chatting in the small groups.

!!!THANK YOU!!!

Many, many thanks from PMQG to Mettler and YLI for generously donating thread for our hexagon stitching pleasure.

  Jill made and donated the hexagon paper templates for everyone.  Your time, effort, and generosity are much appreciated, Jill!  (To make your own templates like the ones Jill made for us: http://www.etsy.com/shop/TabSlot).

And a big thank you to Rachel for putting together and donating two giveaway bags -- and I won one!

Flea Market Fancy, thread, and scissors.  Ready, set, HEXY!

I'll close this post with these lovely hexies stitched and dressed up by Heather for Mo in Mo's Party Dress fabrics.

Keep on stitching, Portland Modern Quilters!

Note:  If I missed your quilt at the beginning of the meeting, please send me a photo and I will add it to the eye candy.  Also, I have tried to link to blogs whenever possible.  If there is a photo of you and your quilt above and it is not linked to your blog, please let me know and I will add it.
joanhcallaway@comcast.net

July 15th Meeting! Hexagons via the English Paper Piecing Method

This Thursday is our fifth meeting and it's all about Hexagons or Hexies as some like to refer to them.

We have some pretty cool things happening:

1. Donations from Tab Slot-1 inch card stock hexagons

2. YLI donated silk thread

3. Mettler donated thread

4. Rachel from 2nd Avenue Studios has two kick butt giveaway packages

5. Christina from The Sometimes Crafter will be joining us and doing a presentation all about her adventures in teaching herself about Hexagons.

 Here's a little eye candy to help inspire you.  Some of you might even recognize a few things!

Now, for the meeting please try and bring the following supplies:

1.  Fabric you'd like to turn into hexies

2.  Scissors

3. Thimble if you have one

4. Sewing Needles

5. Anything that you have done with hexagons for show and tell!

I will have extras of everything above in-case you don't have something.  Also, if you are so inclined, please bring extra.

Please RSVP so we can make sure that there are enough pre-cut hexagons, chairs and snacks!

UPDATED To include directions on how to RSVP
 --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
To RSVP for the meeting:
1. Under the map on the right hand side of the  page click the "Join This Site"

2. Under the right hand corner of the new pop up page click the "follow" button if you have any of the following accounts: Google, Twitter, Yahoo, AIM or Netlog, sign in. If not, hit "Create a new google account".

3. Follow sign in directions. After the super easy sign in it will take you back to the event, click "I'm going" 

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If you'd like to do a little pre-work, below are some links from Christina's web site!

I came across lots of helpful sites while reading up on Hexagons. I’d like to share them here and if I come across any new links in the future I will add them as well. Let this be your hexagon resources post.

1. Posy Gets Cozy – Hexagon Piecing (Writes about her experience in hexagon piecing) 
2. Postcards From Panama – Hexagon Quilt Tutorial (suggests using glue stick) 
3. Craft Passion – Basic Hexagon Quilting Tutorial (links to hexagon pincushion project) 
4. Thimble Blossoms – Hexagon Quilt Tutorial (Great tutorial and photos) 
5. All Buttoned Up – Oh snap! That girl doesn’t baste. (Awesome alternative to basting) 
6. The Jax Collection – Traditional English Hexagon Patchwork Demonstration – Video 1 and Video 2. (Great videos demonstrating how to make and connect your hexagons) 
7. Incompetech – Hexagonal Graph Paper PDF Generator (generate your own hexagons in any size you need) 
8. Paper Pieces – Hexagon Cutting Guide (how big to cut your squares of fabric and also a great spot to buy paper hexagons)
9. Texas Freckles - Hexagon Fussy Cut Template (A how-to for creating a template)

And that’s what I've learned so far. I have some more ideas, but we’ll have to wait to see what comes of them. You can be sure I'll share more as I learn more. I hope that all of this information is useful to you and that you find something to make piecing these a little easier for you. Happy hexagon sewing!