Medallion Along: July/Round 6

Robert Kaufman Sponsored guild quilt made with Carolyn Friedlander Botanics fabrics

Instead of a Block of the Month this year, we are doing a Medallion Along! Join us each month as we introduce a new round. We will introduce new rounds through September and hope that gives people time to finish their quilts by December's meeting, where we will have a mini exhibition of them. The completed quilts should finish around 60 inches square.

The July round consists of 48 Square in a Square blocks. We have provided 2 different ways to make these blocks. (a third paper pieced one coming soon)
Before beginning, your medallion should measure 44.5 inches square.

Step 1:  Use one of the following options to make (48) 4.5 inch Square in a Square blocks.  When done, move on to Step 2 below.


 Option A: Use a corner block stitch and flip method.

Cut (48) 4.5 inch squares of your center fabric. Cut (192) 2.5 inch squares. Draw a line from corner to corner on the back of each of the 2.5 inch squares* (as you would for half square triangles). Pin the smaller squares to the corners of your center blocks and stitch along the line. Trim 1/4 inch seam allowance and press. * Kelly has a tip on her blog if you would like to skip the drawing a line step! Find it here!

Pros: This is a good option for fussy cutting, and if you utilize your corner square scraps you can have another project in the works! Good for chain stitching. If you stitch another line 1/2 inch away from your first one when making the corners, you can make tiny half square triangles as you go!
Cons: May be a bit wasteful of fabric if you don't utilize the scraps.

After creating your 48 blocks, move on to step 2.


  
Option B: Cut Half Square Triangles and stitch onto the four sides of the center block.

 Cut (48) 3 3/8 inch center squares. Cut (96) 2 7/8* inch squares for the side. Cut them in half along the diagonal, giving you 192 Triangles. To stitch, center a triangle on one side of a center block and stitch with a scant 1/4 inch seam. Stitch the opposite side's seam and press. Then stitch on the remaining two sides and press. A 4.5 inch square ruler to help square up at the end is very helpful.

*My second run-through I cut the corners at 3 inches and it gave a bit more wiggle room when squaring up


Pros: Uses less fabric than other method, is fast to chain stitch

Cons: Not good for fussy cutting the center square since it will be on an angle in the finished square. Also, working with bias edges and 1/8 inch measurements. A scant seam is very important here.

 After creating your 48 blocks, move on to step 2.


  
Option C: Paper Pieced Blocks. Download and save this pattern:
Generations Quilt Patterns 4 inch Square in a Square

Open up the saved pdf file and print one copy, making sure to select "no scaling" or "actual size" (my test print was 1/4 inch off the test print because it was on "shrink to size" rather than actual size." Measure the printed piece to make sure that with seam allowances the block is exactly 4.5 inches. When you've got it right, print out 23 more copies of the pattern.

 Need tips on paper piecing? Follow these directions about halfway down the page!
Paper Piecing 

After creating your 48 blocks, move on to Step 2


Pros: Super precise and beautiful seams!
Cons: Uses paper and printer ink, have to spend time removing paper

  
Step 2: Stitch 2 strips of fabric 9 blocks wide. Stitch 2 strips of fabric 11 blocks wide. Attach the 9 block strips to the top and bottom of your medallion. Press seams. Attach the 11 block strips to the left and right of your medallion. Press seams.

Your Medallion should now measure 52.5 inches 

Kelly's Beautiful Medallion!

Baby/Preemie Quilts Needed for Providence NICU *Now with Linky!*

Providence is looking for quilts for their new NICU! Quilts should be:
  • 36 inches square
  • 100% quilting cottons (no minkie, flannel, etc)
  • Washed
  • No dark colors please
Bring quilts to our August 2nd Sew Day at Fabric Depot, contact the guild at our email address, or see link below for mailing/drop off info.

Edit: Quilts may also be dropped off at Modern Domestic through August 16th! Thanks MD!





July Meeting Reminder

"Untitled" by Maren Johnson, at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show

Please join us for our July guild meeting! Our friends from Modern Domestic are going to explain the mysteries of sewing machine maintenance. (You know your machine could use some love!) 

We'll also be presenting our charity quilts to Camp Erin ... it will be great to see the final result of all our hard work from the last three months! 


July PMQG Meeting

When:
WEDNESDAY, JULY 23 
7:00 p.m.

Where:

St Andrews Church
806 NE Alberta St.
Portland, OR 97211

The meeting will be in the community center, which is behind the main church building. There are two parking lots.

What’s in store:

•   Mysteries of Machine Maintenance, Revealed! A presentation from Modern Domestic
•   Charity Quilt handoff to Camp Erin
•   Giveaway of Angela Walters' new book (read Mary Ann's review!) and more 
•  Show and tell
•   Post-meeting socializing at the Radio Room


Don’t forget to bring:


•   Blocks for the Monaluna Challenge (they're not due until the August meeting, but why not be early?)
•    Any last-minute quilts to donate to Camp Erin
•   Your Medallion Along quilt-in-progress
•   A cup, if you want ice water
•   Your quilts for show and tell, of course!


Guests

Guests and non-members are welcome at the guild meeting. Guests are free for the first visit; $5 for each visit after that.


Modern Domestic Discount

In conjunction with the theme of this meeting, Modern Domestic will offer PMQG members a discount on machine service ... details to come! 

We look forward to seeing you at the meeting! 

"Parts Department" by Jeannette Pilak at the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show


Book Review: Free-Motion Quilting Workbook

I recently had the chance to take a look at Angela Walter's newest book, Free-Motion Quilting Workbook. This book is part quilting tutorial, part sketchbook to practice what you're reading. 
Source

 I love checking out free motion books because I'm not much of a free motion quilter, but I would like to be. What every book will tell you is draw, draw, draw, and then practice, practice, practice! Angela's workbook reinforces the "draw" commandment with pictures of her sketches next to pictures of the quilted version of those sketched designs. It's really fun to see the drawings come alive in thread!



 Each chapter of the book gives insight on how to quilt something specific--borders, negative space, and blocks all make an appearance, and at the end of each chapter there are a few pages of graph paper to practice on. The book closes with several pages of pictures of Angela's beautiful quilting and then the back of the book includes more blank graph paper pages. 



 Over all, Free-Motion Quilting Workbook seems like a solid book to help improve your free motion skills with hands on practice and useful tips. Oh, and the book is spiral bound, which makes it much easier to maneuver when you're drawing in it, I love that detail!



PMQG would like to thank Stash Books/C&T Publishing for donating Free-Motion Quilting Workbook as well as two other Angela Walters titles: In the Studio with Angela Walters and Free-Motion Quilting with Angela Walters.  All 3 books will be given away in our door prize raffle at July's PMQG meeting! Good luck!

Member Tutorials

Here is a small list of members tutorials. Enjoy checking them out! 
Disclaimer: By no means is this a complete list! 

 Paper Piecing
Make your own English Paper Piecing by Christina of A Few Scraps
Paper Piecing Kit & Tutorial by Christina of A Few Scraps


Binding tutorials
Making and Sewing Binding by Elizabeth of Oh, Frannson!
Binding Tutorial by The Sometimes Crafter
One Seam Bias Binding by Jenn of Quiddity Quilts
Bias and Binding Tape by Susan of West Coast Crafty

Block tutorials
Log Cabin Video Tutorial by Susan of West Coast Crafty
Faster Hourglass Blocks by The Sometimes Crafter
Double Disappearing Nine Patch by Christina of A Few Scraps
Disappearing Nine Patch by The Sometimes Crafter
One Seam Flying Geese by Jenn of Quiddity Quilts
Magic Hourglass by Monica of Happy Zombie

Free Motion Quilting
Free Motion by Elizabeth of Oh, Fransson!

Quilt Tutorials
Bow Tie Block by Michelle of Design Camp
Wabi Heart Mini Quilt by Sew While He Sleeps
Scrappy Back Tutorial  by Kelly of Blue Bird Sews

Pillows
True Love - His and Hers Pillows by Jen Carlton Bailey on Sew, Mama, Sew
A Hexagon Robot Pillow by Jen Carlton Bailey on Sew, Mama, Sew
Scrappy Sunshine Potholder Tutorial by Kelly of Blue Bird Sews

Misc.
Patchwork Tote Bags by Susan of West Coast Crafty
Patchwork Draft Snakes by Susan of West Coast Crafty
Custom Tags by Megan of Monkey Beans
Christmas Tree Pants by Monica of Happy Zombie

Medallion Along: June/Round 5

A simple 2.5 inch border, with or without cornerstones

Robert Kaufman sponsored guild quilt made with Carolyn Friedlander Botanics fabrics 

Instead of a Block of the Month this year, we are doing a Medallion Along! Join us each month as we introduce a new round. We will introduce new rounds through September and hope that gives people time to finish their quilts by December's meeting, where we will have a mini exhibition of them. The completed quilts should finish around 60 inches square.


 The June round consists of a simple 2.5 inch border. You can use contrasting cornerstones, pick a cornerstone block pattern of your choice, or omit cornerstones as you like!

 Before beginning, your medallion should measure 40.5 inches square.

 Option A: With Cornerstones

 Cut 4 strips at 40.5 inches x 2.5 inches.
Cut 4 squares at 2.5 inches x 2.5 inches

 Attach two of the strips to the left and right of the medallion. Press as you like. Stitch the squares to each end of two of the strips, press.. Attach the strips/cornerstones unit to the top and bottom of the medallion and press as you like. Medallion should now measure 44.5 inches square.

 Option B: Without Cornerstones

 Cut 2 strips at 40.5 inches x 2.5 inches
Cut 2 strips at 44.5 inches x.2.5 inches

 Attach the shorter strips to the left and right of the medallion. Press as you like. Attach the longer strips to the top and bottom. Medallion should now measure 44.5 inches square.

Other options: Select a block of your choice for the 2.5 inch cornerstones (a snowball, 4 patch, HST?)

Kelly's Medallion, with cornerstones

Lisa's Medallion, solid border without cornerstones

Take our Communications Survey!


This is what the internet used to look like.

 We want to know: How do you find out about PMQG events and news? With the ever-changing landscape of social media and other modes of communication, we want to make sure we're reaching you in the best possible ways. Please take a moment and fill out our brief survey so that we can do our jobs better! 

 Take the survey:

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 Thanks in advance! 


Review: Susan Beal's Online Log Cabin Class

Hello, this is Secretary Kelly!  I had the pleasure of joining past PMQG President Susan Beal's Log Cabin Quilting class on Creative Bug recently. Susan is an expert of the log cabin block (she literally wrote the book on it!) and also a top-notch teacher, offering four log cabin quilting projects in an online video format.
Online learning, quilt style! 

 I had never taken a class in this way before but it was just as good as being there in person —I could even pause and rewind if needed. Something that is necessary at my house when there's a four-year-old boy getting into mischief! Another great thing is that if you miss a class, it will be there later.  I was able to watch week one and make the log cabin pillow cover, but it took me a couple of weeks to have the time to watch the tote bag class, which is another item on the to-sew list. Also offered are classes for making a very sweet baby quilt and a pretty little table runner.

 Each class is about an hour long; you can also view the weekly chats that Susan hosted. It is just so cool to see someone you know in real life in this online setting. It was beyond fun to watch the preview of Susan in her home and at local spots like Modern Domestic and Cool Cottons and with cameos of PMQG members!
Susan's tote bag pattern

 Here's the pillow I made from the first week's class, Block Making Basics and Sewing a Pillow. I used blue solids and some Joel Dewberry Heirloom fabric to make this sweet and comfy pillow for my bed—on my husband's request if you can believe it!
Kelly's cute new pillow
A little bit about Creative Bug. It is an online craft class marketplace. There are hundreds of video tutorials for all sorts of crafts: sewing, drawing, quilting, paper crafts, yarn, etc...and all for a $9.95/month subscription. 

 Thanks a bunch to Susan for sharing her class with us at the April meeting, and for giving away three Creative Bug 3-month memberships to PMQG members!

June Meeting Reminder

Elsa's medallion
Please join us for our June guild meeting, featuring mini-trunk shows from seven accomplished PMQG members. We're excited to see their quilts up close and hear about what modern quilting means to them! 


When:
Thursday, June 19
7 to 9 p.m.

Where:

St Andrews Church
806 NE Alberta St.
Portland, OR 97211

The meeting will be in the community center, which is behind the main church building. There are two parking lots.

What’s in store:

•   Mini-trunk shows! 
•   Fabric pickup for the Monaluna Challenge 
•   Hot giveaways: books by Angela Walters and Kevin Kosbab, an Olfa gift set, and more!
•   Show and tell
•   Post-meeting socializing at the Radio Room


Don’t forget to bring:

•   Your Medallion Along quilt-in-progress
•   Quilts to donate to Camp Erin (we're collecting them to present at the July meeting)
•   A cup, if you want ice water
•   Your quilts for show and tell, of course!


Guests

Guests and non-members are welcome at the guild meeting. Guests are free for the first visit; $5 for each visit after that.


Modern Domestic Discount

On the day of the meeting, ModernDomestic will offer PMQG members 20% off anything in the store (except machines and classes). Visit them at 1408 NE Alberta, just down the street from the guild meeting.

Also, there’s a special PMQG discount for Katie Pedersen's classes at Modern Domestic on June 21 and 22. PMQG members receive $20 off an all-day class (regularly $120)--or you can take both classes for only $175 (regularly discounted to $200). Please call the store or sign up in person for this special offer.


We hope to see you at the meeting!


Mini Trunk Show: Meet the Quilters

Our June meeting will feature mini trunk shows from seven accomplished PMQG members, who will show some of their work and talk about what modern quilting means to them.  

 Who are these talented ladies, you ask? Read on—and check out their blogs for more!  





Pétra Anderson

When I was growing up there was always some form of art in my life. My Granny painted; my Mom did ceramics, sewed, and eventually made art quilts. I received a BFA in painting from the Kansas City Art Institute and continued my "art career" in the retail industry as a makeup artist and working at Art Media after moving to Portland in 1993. Then I ventured into teaching art to children, and also started an Etsy business making knitting-needle holders.

Then everything turned into kids and family.  After my life calmed down a bit I was ready to be creative again. My goal was to start painting again but then I made my first quilt and I was hooked! I also started a blog in 2009 (here is my first post). I had no idea what I was doing, or that there were other bloggers doing exactly what I was doing—and then I found this wonderful community through PMQG. 

My quilting philosophy stems directly from my fine art background, where I painted a lot of abstract art landscapes and had a bold use of color. I approach a lot of my quilts by starting with sketches and also just improvising on my design wall with blocks of fabric. I love improv piecing and quilting but I also enjoy working from patterns some and focusing more on fabric choice and color. Of course I have always been addicted to fabric and hope to take things a step further by getting into fabric design in the future. 

Blog: Sew Paint Create
Instagram, Flicker, Twitter: @CreativeMomPDX





Jen Carlton Bailly is a self-taught sewist who learned to sew from online tutorials. Before she began sewing she graduated from the Art Institute of Seattle in fashion marketing. Having a love of textiles, fashion, and art, sewing/quilting was a natural progression and a quick addiction. She finds inspiration in everything from an old dresser drawer to a run-down Portland building. Currently working full-time from home as the communications manager for the Modern Quilt Guild, she spends every free minute sewing.

Blog: bettycrockerass.com




Susan Beal is the author of seven books, including Modern Log Cabin Quilting, Sewing for all Seasons, Bead Simple, and Button It Up. She’s also the historian for the Modern Quilt Guild, a contributing editor at Stitch magazine, and the mother of two little children, Pearl and Everett. Her Pearl's Rainbow Charm Bracelet (quilted by Nancy Stovall) is part of the PMQG Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show special exhibit for 2014, and a new version of the quilt pattern will be published in Scraps, Inc. later this year.

Susan also teaches log cabin quilting classes for Creativebug, and her new book of sewing projects with Pendleton wool, Hand-Stitched Home, comes out in September.

Blog: West Coast Crafty
Instagram:  @westcoastcrafty




Christina Cameli fell in love with quilting as a folk art more than a decade ago. She spends her sewing time experimenting with fabric, using up scraps, and finishing her quilts on her home sewing machine. She works primarily without patterns, enjoying the surprise of letting quilts develop as they go. She loves to share enthusiasm for quilting with anyone who is
excited to try it. Christina believes quilting is for everyone, regardless of budget or style or experience. She sees quilting as an art—a living, breathing art that we are all creating together.

Christina's special interest is in helping quilters become comfortable with free-motion quilting. She has a series of free-motion quilting tutorials on her blog, and is the author of “First Steps to Free-Motion Quilting: 24 Projects for Fearless Stitching”.

Blog: A Few Scraps




Rachel Kerley

A founding member of the Portland Modern Quilt Guild, Rachel has been quilting ever since she found some squares, drafted her own pattern, and proceeded to make every mistake imaginable. After making a couple of hundred tops, quilting and finishing a couple hundred more, Rachel has grown her piecing and quilting skills and can easily communicate her vision of creating simple, artful utility quilts. Drawing on her art education, her love of Art Deco, and her ongoing delight with the simple circle, Rachel designs most of her own patchwork and applique.

Rachel quilts freehand on an Innova 22" longarm machine.  "I like the idea of the quilting being uniquely mine, no quilt is ever repeated exactly the same. And the idea of being able to reinterpret older quilting motifs from my own perspective gives me great joy.  Quilting is something that gives me a chance to connect to the women before me, to connect with my own sense of Womanhood and to women around me."

 Rachel tends to work in series in her home studio, making bed quilts of various sizes, with each quilt as an opportunity to express herself.  She has also collaborated with other artists and worked for manufacturers.

Instagram: @2ndavestudio




Christina Lane


I have been sewing since I was a little girl, when my mom gave me many pushes to try it.  I can't say I was particularly interested, but I had a lot of fun making things with her and my grandmother.  I loved to dissect objects and figure out how they were made and then make them myself, to my own specifications.  I started quilting in my teens, but really went full force into it after my step dad died in my early 20s.  It was my therapy, and still is today.  I especially love drawing graphic quilts, figuring out the math and placement for a quilt top, and making it happen.  I love the whole process.

My quilting philosophy: Enjoy the process.  Society has this instant gratification problem.  We want it now.  Quilting isn't an instant kind of thing.  It takes time.  You have to figure out your pattern, cut your fabric, sew your pieces, rip a few seams, square your blocks, assemble the top, assemble your backing, sandwich the quilt, quilt it, bind it...  A lot goes into making a quilt.  You're going to be working on it for awhile, so you should enjoy the process.  See the beauty in each step.  By taking your time and enjoying the process you will not only have a greater love for quilting, but also an end product you are happier with.  Taking your time has never been a bad thing in any endeavor.

Christina is the author of Quilting Happiness (Aug 2013, Potter Craft)
  
Blog: Sometimes Crafter 
instagram: @SometimesCraftr





Cherri Langley


I love surface design, unusual color combinations and clever cutting and piecing techniques. I have made over 100 rotary cut, paper pieced or improv quilts. I love quilts with fussy cut elements and traditional block designs reinterpreted in a modern way. I appreciate quilts that are full of pattern and color and showcase quality construction techniques.

Monaluna Challenge


"Bloom" by Monaluna


We have a special challenge for you, featuring Haven, the new line from Monaluna. In addition to being gorgeous, these Scandinavian-inspired prints are certified organic cotton! We're very excited that Monaluna has generously sponsored this challenge. 



What We're Making

Blocks for quilts to raffle at the holiday party in December. All members will get the chance to win one of these quilts! 


What You'll Get

Participants will receive four fat quarters of Haven fabric. 


The Blocks
You'll make one (or more!) of the following blocks: 

*  Flower Path Quilt Block by Ellen Luckett Baker (courtesy of Kristin at Sew Mama Sew)
(Here's the second part of the instructions)

*  Ohio Star by Tessa at The Sewing Chick Blog (courtesy of Tessa)

*  Modern Improv Block: Make your own block design, just make sure at least ONE side is 12.5" unfinished.
Adding Fabrics
Do not add any other prints.

You may add the following Kona Cotton solids:

Yellows: lemon buttercup, canary
Pink: Medium pink, carnation, peony
Red: Coral
Gray: Iron, medium gray

Hello, kitties! "Meow" by Monaluna


Due Date

Participants must commit to making at least one block and returning it to the guild by August 31. If you don't make a block, you must return the fabric to the guild by August 31. You can give your block or fabric to one of the officers at any PMQG event in August. 


Who Can Participate

You must sign up for this challenge. We have fabric for 80 people. You must be a current PMQG member to participate. 

(PMQG membership is $40. If you're a member of the national Modern Quilt Guild but not PMQG, you can upgrade for $15. Email the guild at portlandmodernquiltguild@gmail.com for details.) 


Sign Up

Sign up for the challenge using this online form.


Fabric will be distributed at the guild meeting on June 19.  


 Share Your Work

If you post your block on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, etc., use the tag #PMQGchallenge so we can all admire your work! 


Questions?



We can't wait to see the blocks you all make out of this beautiful fabric! 

"Little Garden" by Monaluna

Interview with Kevin Kosbab




Say you have a question about applique. It could be, “What the heck is applique and why would I want to do it?” Or it could be more like, “How can I broderie-perse a flower with very skinny petals without fraying?

You can find the answers to these questions and many more in The Quilter’s Applique Workshop: Timeless Techniques for Modern Designs (Interweave, 2014), by Kevin Kosbab. It’s an impressive handbook of techniques and projects that cover everything you need to know about sewing one piece of fabric onto another.


The book opens by handily refuting the most common anti-applique sentiments (too fussy, too hard, requires hand sewing, etc.). It also does a great job at explaining the pros and cons of raw-edge, prepared-edge, and needle-turn applique. And the patterns are very modern and cool, and even include some improvisational techniques. Most inspiring, perhaps, is Kevin's attitude about quilting. The overall message is, Do whatever brings you joy, and don't worry too much about what other people think. 

We recently had the chance to ask Kevin some questions about The Quilter’s Applique Workshop.

 
The Counterbalance Quilt uses prepared-edge techniques and is machine-sewn.
In the introduction to the book, you mention that you started quilting on your own, without the assistance of a quilt guild or the Internet. What inspired you to start quilting?

My mom bought me a sewing machine so I could make curtains, and that quickly led to other home-dec sewing—namely a quilt for my bed. I’d been interested in both graphic and interior design for a long time, so quilting turned out to be the perfect combination of the two.

What was your first project? What do you like or dislike about it now?

My first quilt was a “Day at the Beach” from Denyse Schmidt's first book, adapted to bed size. It’s hard to believe that even back in those days (less than 10 years ago) solids were difficult to find—one of the things I'm not so fond of now is that a good part of the quilt is poly-cotton blend!

What was the biggest mistake you made in the early days?

Probably trying to run hand-quilting thread through my machine. It took some time for proper pressing to sink in, too.

This may be a dumb question, but with words like “applique” and “broderie-perse” … Did the French invent this technique? What’s the history here? And do you think the accent marks scare away some people?

Stitching one piece of cloth onto another for decorative or practical purposes is an ancient technique, if not prehistoric, so the French can only be credited with the term that’s currently in favor (“applied work” often appears in older books). You may well be right that the foreign names make people think appliqué’s more exotic than it is. I think it may also suggest fussy, frilly, nineteenth-century styles to some people—which is a shame, since one of the best things about appliqué is its versatility.

Fruit Market Quilt, an homage to mid-century designer Jean Ray Laury
In the book, you mention that you’re inspired by mid-century graphic design. Can you tell us more about the objects, designers, or styles that inspire you? Has this changed over the years, or have you always been a mid-century kind of guy?

Patterns from mid-century fabrics, wallpapers, and dishes are natural sources for quilt designs, but I get ideas from mid-century posters, book and record covers, architecture, furniture, and all sort of other things. There’s a visual exuberance of color and shape that really appeals to me, from “high” designers like Alexander Girard, Verner Panton, and Lucienne Day all the way through to unsigned household goods. I’ve always had an interest in the design of the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s, which only grows as I learn about new (to me) designers.

What’s you’re favorite part of the quiltmaking process, and why? What’s your least favorite part?

Designing is probably my favorite part, but not necessarily just the preliminary design processes—I often add and subtract fabrics as I go and keep adjusting the final project while I’m making it, and I really enjoy seeing the idea come to life. I love hand-sewing too, for its relaxing, meditative qualities. Basting before quilting is probably the worst—does anyone like doing that?—but it’s become much easier now that I’ve set up a semi-permanent basting table in my garage.

What do you do with your finished quilts—keep, give away, sell? What’s the most special gift quilt you’ve made?

I usually hold onto quilts to use as samples when I’m teaching, lecturing, or marketing patterns. Probably because my background is in publishing, it’s always made more sense to me to make a quilt once and sell multiple copies of patterns rather than try to sell the quilts themselves. One of my first appliqué quilts was a gift for my partner when we were living long distance, though now that we’re married its kind of back in my possession!

Reverse-appliqued Eccentric Concentrics Wall Quilt


I liked your sidebar encouraging us to ignore the “quilt police” and to use the techniques that seem best to us. You also mention that you choose to make quilts not for shows or posterity but in order to bring joy to your loved ones. Was this position hard to come by? Have the quilt police ever called you in for questioning?

That sidebar’s kind of my manifesto, albeit tongue in cheek. It’s really just an articulation of how I’ve felt about quilting since I started. I personally make quilts because I enjoy the process of making and designing them, but I know that many quilters are motivated by sharing their quilts as gifts or charity donations—and whatever the case, my feeling is that quilting should be something we do because we enjoy it. I know there are people who genuinely get their pleasure from doing things “the right way,” but everyone should be allowed to decide that “right way” for themselves.

I haven’t had to answer to the quilt police directly very often, but I’m sure they’re working up a file on me!

What’s next for you?

I’m developing a line of patterns that reinterpret classic mid-century modern design through piecing, appliqué, and quilting, which I’m very excited about. And right now I’m really intrigued by screen-printing, so I’m experimenting with hand-printed fabric for use in quilts. Of course, I’m also teaching classes related to the book, so I’ll continue spreading the appliqué love!

Thanks, Kevin! One lucky guild member will win a copy of The Quilter’s Applique Workshop at our meeting on June 19.

Medallion Along: May/Round 4


Flying Geese with Paper Pieced Cornerstones
Robert Kaufman sponsored guild quilt made with Carolyn Friedlander Botanics fabrics
Instead of a Block of the Month this year, we are doing a Medallion Along! Join us each month as we introduce a new round. We will introduce new rounds through September and hope that gives people time to finish their quilts by December's meeting, where we will have a mini exhibition of them. The completed quilts should finish around 60 inches square.

 The May round consists of 36 Flying Geese with Paper Pieced Cornerstones. By piecing the flying geese using the 4 at a time method, it goes quite quickly!

 Before you start, your Medallion should measure 36.5 inches square.


1.) Make 36 flying geese that measure 4.5 inches x 2.5 inches. A variety of methods are outlined below, please use what works best for you.
  • 4 at a Time Method
If using 1, 3, or 9 different fabrics, using the 4 at a time method will work well for you. I like this tutorial found at Connecting Threads (scroll down almost halfway for the 4 at a time method). However, I prefer to make mine a little bit oversized (measurements below) and trim them down on 3 sides. I only straighten the point side, this helps prevent losing your geese points in the seam on the next round, something I find a problem with sometimes. If you want to make them oversized and trim down, follow these measurements:

 Cut (9) 5 3/4 inch squares in your "geese" fabric
Cut (36) 3 3/8 inch squares in your background fabric

 You want finished 4.5 inch x 2.5 inch flying geese. Using the above measurements and the 4 at a time method you will trim off a decent amount, but will have lovely accurate points when the next round is stitched on;

So this is how I trim them down to ensure that my points will not later get lost:

 On the point side, only take off the barest sliver to get the edge straight.

On the opposite side, trim off a bigger piece so that it now measures 2.5 inches wide.


Then you can just trim the other sides evenly down to 4.5 inches.
  • 1 at a Time Method
If you prefer a scrappier quilt with 36 different fabrics for the geese you can just use the 1 at a time method found here.
  •  Paper Pieced Method
You could also paper piece all of your geese.
 Download the flying geese paper pieced pattern here. Click on the down arrow near the top left to download.  You will need 12 copies total (not 11). Thanks to Cath Hall of Wombat Quilts for designing the patterns.

Don't know how to paper piece? There are lots of tutorials online. Here's a video from the blog Ellison Lane that is pretty clear. Plus, here are some paper-piecing tips and tricks from Cath.

 2.) Make (4) 2.5 inch square cornerstones. Download the paper piecing template for the cornerstones here.

3.) Stitch 9 geese together, side to side, using 1/4 inch seams. Do this 4 times.

4.) For two of these strips, attach corner stones to each end.

5.) Your starting medallion should measure 36.5 inches square. Attach the strips without cornerstones to opposite sides of your medallion. Iron your seams whichever way seems to reduce bulk the best for you. I attached my strips so that the flying geese are flying "out" away from the center, but you could point them "in" towards the center if you like.

6.) Attach your strips with cornerstones to the other sides, again ironing seams in whichever way reduces bulk best for you.

7. Your medallion should now measure 40.5 inches square.

  
Mary Ann's Medallion


 Customize Your Medallion Further!
  • Use a different technique to make your flying geese, such as the provided Paper Piecing pattern
  • Add a solid rectangle or square in between each goose (so you can make less geese!)
  • Make plain cornerstones or a cornerstone pattern of your choice
Kelly's Medallion

Business Member Spotlight: All Quilted


All Quilted is our business member for May. Thanks to owner Debbie Scroggy for supporting PMQG-- and for telling us a little more about her long arm quilting business! 

Debbie Scroggy at the NW Quilters show in May
What makes your business special or different than others in your industry? 

 I offer easy pick-up and delivery: I meet customers at their favorite quilt shops. I’m still promising a four-week turn-around and can often facilitate rush jobs with no expediting fees. My quilt “Brighter Days” just won the 1st place ribbon for computer guided quilting at the NW Quilters, Inc. quilt show at the Expo Center in Portland.  Three quilts that I quilted for customers won ribbons as well.
"Brighter Days," Debbie's prizewinning quilt!
How long have you been doing this?

 I have been quilting for customers for one year—my first customer came to me on May 21 last year.


What’s the most important thing you’ve had to learn to do your job well?

 Patience. There is no rushing a good quilting job—it will take as long as it takes.  Also, taming the “tension” beast—the bane of all long arm quilters.  Heck, the bane of all quilters!  I have quilts in my house that I quilted on my domestic machine before acquiring my long arm—and the backs are completely unraveling—nasty.  Now my tension is always lovely.

 What do you see as a significant aesthetic trend right now?

 I love the effect of simple quilting lines—a simple serpentine or gentle undulating curves can be just perfect!  I also love the dramatic “zentangle” designs that are quite intricate, and delicious!  It seems that nobody like stipples anymore!
Stitched by Diana Alexander, quilted by Debbie Scroggy
What’s the strangest thing a customer has ever asked you? 

 “Just do what you want.” To which I always reply, “OK, I’ll quilt pink flamingos all over your quilt!” —with a smile, of course.  I spend lots of time with my customers as they look over my quilted samples so we can pick a design and scale that will be sure to make them happy, happy, happy when they see their quilt quilted.

 Any new products or services you’d like to mention? 

 I’m upgrading my robotics system this summer to help me more efficiently do the custom work that some quilts cry for.  


Why do you like being a business member of PMQG? 

 I am constantly blown away by the creativity and productivity of PMQG members.  It is a routine event to sit in a guild meeting with multiple book authors and/or pattern designers in the group.  I find it truly inspiring!

 If you couldn’t work in the quilting/sewing world, what would your dream job be?

 I am a retired CPA and I truly love what I’m doing right now.  I love taking in quilt tops that I find to be quite fragile, and returning them to my customers with the stability and structure that quilting provides, in addition to the complementary design and thread color of the quilting.  The very best thing is my customers’ delight at seeing their quilts quilted.

 My children are spread all over the country and I’m telling my husband that we need to full-time RV when he retires so we can spend time with all of them—but then I think of having to stop long arming and it gives me pause.  Maybe there is a traveling long arm business in my future!
Business Info:  
All Quilted, LLC
located near Wilsonville, OR
Owner: Debbie Scroggy

Phone:  (503) 704-4739
Web site:  www.allquilted.com