~CLOSED~ Submissions for PMQG Quilt Show--2014 Medallion Quilts

Happy New Year, guildies!

It's time to submit your 2014 Medallion Quilts for our PMQG Quilt Show that will hang at Modern Domestic in February.  Submissions are now closed, thank you.

To submit, please send the following to PMQGEvents@gmail.com with the subject "Medallion Quilt Submission" Submissions are now closed.

• Name and Email Address
• Completed Quilt Size
• 1 picture of the entire quilt
• 1 close-up picture

We are doing our best to include all the quilts submitted, but size restrictions may not allow that. Submit your quilts from now through Midnight, January 9th. Notifications will go out on January 12th if your quilt will be included in the show. If included, please bring your quilt to our January 15th meeting at St. Andrew Catholic Church. If unable to make the meeting, please send your quilt with a friend, or you can make later arrangements with quilt show coordinator Rachel to get the quilt to Modern Domestic.

Book Review: Burda Style: Wardrobe Essentials

BurdaStyle Modern Sewing: Wardrobe Essentials (Interweave/F+W; $29.99; November 2014.)

Hi there! Secretary Kelly here to bring you a review of something a little different than quilting: BurdaStyle Sewing. 

Have you ever wanted to sew your own clothes? Have you seen all the amazing garment fabrics being produced by our favorite quilting fabric designers? Rayons, lawn, knits--they are all ripe for clothes sewing! 

In this new release from BurdaStyle the book takes some of the confusion out of Burda patterns and explains construction steps with how-to's and diagrams. 15 projects are included, from a simple peasant top to a more advanced yet classic twill blazer and trousers. The designs are all very classic and could be interpreted over and over. 

The book comes with a set of full printed patterns ready for tracing onto pattern paper. 

Also useful is the step-by-step section on how to use the patterns, answering questions like like what size am I, what do all these crazy symbols mean, and how do I match up directional fabric? 

I learned how to sew clothes before I started quilting, and yet I am still feel like a beginner. I think this book would be perfect for someone who has some garment sewing experience and wants to push their skills further. 

Thank so much to F&W media for sending us this book! I hope who ever wins it at our upcoming meeting finds a new handmade wardrobe waiting for them inside!

Book Review: artfully embroidered: motifs and patterns for bags and more

Artfully Embroidered: Motifs and Patterns for Bags and More By: Naoko Shimoda (Interweave/F+W; $24.99; November 2014)

Hello there! Secretary Kelly here to bring you a review of an amazing new embroidery book. I'll be honest, my embroidery skills are weak. I still have a WIP from 1996 of jungle animals waiting to be finished. (One day!) But this book makes me want to stitch all the things with simple yet stunning designs inspired by nature. 

I like how this book is set up-- not only does it have gorgeous embroidery patterns, but it also includes a little pattern to make something with it. Bags, purses, and pouches are used throughout the book. Instructions are clear and well-illustrated for bag construction and for the embroidery stitches themselves. 

Who can't see themselves in an adorable linen skirt with embroidery embellishments around the hem? I don't know, everyone should have a skirt like this!

I could have photographed every page of this book, but I restrained myself. The photos are beautiful, the projects inspired and I hope who ever wins this book at our next PMQG meeting will make me one of these little coin purses! (wink, wink)

Thanks so much to F&W media for sending us a copy of this book to give away. I hope all you stitchers check it out, it is one for your craft library.

Jessica Darling Color Party Improv Workshop--Signup

PMQG is thrilled to welcome Jessica Darling to speak at the guild at our January meeting! The next day she will teach an Improv Workshop all about color and mixing fabrics. See sign-up form at the end of this post to register for the workshop.


I had the pleasure of meeting Jessica at last year's Quilt Knit Stitch when PMQG member Violet Craft introduced us. She is bubbly and fun and vibrant and just kind of oozes cool, ya know? I'm very excited to kick off 2015 with Jessica as our first speaker AND the first teacher for our new workshop program!

 Here's a little about Jessica in her own words:

Before she knew how to drive, Jessica Darling knew how to operate a longarm

machine. As a teen, she was greatly influenced by colorful graffiti/street art and album covers from her favorite musicians. She had dreams of owning a trend-conscious, funky quilting boutique that catered to her esoteric taste. She started remnants:fiber[culture] in 2012 and offered the Austin, Texas sewing community a unique alternative. The store has since closed, but it inspired Jessica to pursue teaching and pattern design. She started Homegrown- a division of Villa Rosa Designs, the pretty little postcard patterns. 

When sheʼs not designing card patterns, she lectures and teaches about color and composition with a modern, edgy twist.

You can keep up with her rock-and-roll lifestyle and peep her constant works in progress

on her instagram- @jessicakdarling

thru her website- jessicakdarling.com

OR you can be friends and keep in touch

thru her Facebook page- facebook.com/jessicadarlingquilts

Check her patterns out at Villa Rose Designs

Still want more? How about some gorgeous pics of her colorful work?


And the description for the Color Party Improv Workshop:

Does color selection confuse and infuriate you? Are you unsure of your color combinations and intuitional color sense? Explore the art of intuitional and individual color stories by personifying your fabric. Everyone loves a party.

For this workshop, besides sewing machines and basic sewing tools, attendees bring 2 yards of a "Party Host" fabric that will be the overall theme for their quilt, as well as 3-5 yards of scraps that will be shared among all the workshop attendees (you may or may not get your scraps back). How much fabric is 3-5 yards of scraps? A gallon ziplock bag stuffed to the brim will work!

What: Color Party Improv Workshop with Jessica Darling

When: January 16th, 9 am to 5 pm
Where: St Andrew Catholic Church, 806 NE Alberta St., Oscar Romero Room (above the gym, to the right up the wheelchair accessible ramp)
Price: $72, Online Square payment only. No additional fees or pattern needed for this workshop

Refunds only given for cancellations if spot is able to be re-sold or if workshop is cancelled due to low attendance. 

This workshop is open only to 2015 PMQG members through January 1st, 2015. After that date it will be open to non-members as well if we haven't filled the class.

2015 Skill Building Block of the Month

We're excited to participate in Pile O' Fabric's Skill Building Block of the Month this year! This is an optional paid program that PMQG members can participate in with a group discount. This program is in addition to any program (like the 2013 BOM or the 2014 Medallion Along) that the 2015 Officers might put together. 

This Color Wheel style quilt will help us develop all kinds of quilting skills  and techniques as the year goes on:

All lessons will be online and a new lesson will be posted each month.Participants will need to be able to download and print templates as well as access the online classroom. There is a higher priced option if you would prefer to pay for templates.

The original price of the class is $45 for just the class, or $69 for the class plus printed templates, but we will be receiving a group discount. The discount we receive will depend on how many members sign-up. We currently are at a 30% discount! ($31.50 or $48.30 with templates) and only need 4 more people to make it a 35% discount! ($29.25 or $44.85 with templates).  If more people sign up the price will continue to go down. (please note, discount will not apply to fabric kits).

To sign up, please email us at PMQGEvents@gmail.com. On January 1st I will send in our head count and receive a discount code to distribute. After you receive your discount code via email, you can visit the Pile O' Fabric website to register and pay.

Business Member Spotlight: Bill Volckening Quilts

Our business member for December is Bill Volckening, quilt appraiser extraordinaire (and subject of much envy after he won the medallion quilt raffle at the guild meeting on Thursday.) How does Bill know so much about quilt history? Find out below! 

What makes your business special or different than others in your industry? 

Most of my involvement with quilts has been philanthropic and related to my personal collection. I started my business in response to a variety of quilt-related requests from the community, and the business is my vehicle for responding to these requests. Much of the work is appraising and photographing completed quilts, both new and old, but I have worked with clients on a variety of projects.

How long have you been doing this? 

Three years. I have collected quilts for 25 years. I also have a creative background, which includes study at Rhode Island School of Design, School of Visual Arts in New York (BFA in Photography 1988), International Center of Photography and New York University (MA in Studio Art and Photography 1991). 

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

If I do not have an answer, knowing where to find it or who to ask is key. 

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

Modern quilting, of course – geometric pieced quilts – and I see a lot of interest in certain kinds of antique and vintage quilts, especially improvisational design and mid-century modern. According to friends who went to Houston this year, handwork is making a big comeback. I think it may have something to do with being portable, something you can pull out of your bag on an airplane. 

What’s the strangest thing a customer has ever asked you? 

People have a lot of questions about their quilts, and they are usually very good questions. One request I receive fairly often is to appraise quilts from photos, but I must see the quilts in person to appraise them. People also ask if I am interested in buying when I am in the process of evaluating a quilt for an appraisal, but I will not engage in trade transactions when appraising. Oh, and Sam Hunter (of Hunters Design Studio) will appreciate this…I sometimes get asked to provide free “ballpark” valuations on quilts. In those situations, I offer verbal assessments with a per hour fee. 

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

In January I will be offering a webinar about quilt history with Quilters Newsletter. If it goes well, there may be a series of webinars. A new book will be available in April, possibly sooner. It will be a coffee table book about my New York Beauty quilt collection, published by Quiltmania in France. I am also working with another publisher on a potential series of pattern books using antique and vintage quilts from my collection as inspiration. 

In addition to the special exhibits I am planning at QuiltCon and Pour l’Amour du Fil in 2015, I will be the featured guest at the Airing of the Quilts in Milwaukie in March, and will exhibit 1970s quilts at the Benton County Museum in Philomath, Oregon during 2015 Quilt County from August to October.  

"Rick Rack Tiles" will be part of Bill's special exhibit at QuiltCon.

Why do you like being a business member of PMQG? 

It is a simple way to support the guild and its members. I enjoy being a beacon for information about quilts, quilt history and the quilt marketplace. I also love meeting guild members who approach me with questions and queries. PMQG is an impressive organization, full of talent and creativity. Offering something unique to the guild makes me happy. 

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

Antiques dealer during the rainy season, and Plein Air landscape painter in the non-rainy season. 

Business Info

Bill Volckening Quilts
1220 NW 119th Place
Portland, OR 97229
Phone: 503-327-3202
Web site: www.billvolckening.com

Will Panty Raid for Charity!

Panty Raid Quilt Raffle

PMQG is really excited to participate in an event organized by our very own Sam Hunter of Hunter's Design Studio!  One of our small groups has been making a quilt (a pattern of Sam's called Star Stuff) that they plan to raffle off at our January 15th PMQG meeting.

This is no ordinary raffle though! The proceeds are going to one of PMQG's 2014 Charities: Raphael House, a shelter for women and children escaping from domestic violence. And the proceeds aren't money, they are underwear! Used clothing might be fine when you are in need, but new underclothes are nice to have, whatever your situation.

To participate in the raffle (PMQG members only) and have a chance to take this lovely quilt home, bring new underwear (women or children's sizes) to our January meeting. Please think of picking some up when you are out doing your Holiday shopping!

Update with specific needs from the Raphael House website:

Clothing:
Due to space restrictions, we cannot accept any used clothing.

• Women’s underwear and bras (new) - all sizes for women and teens, especially underwear sizes L-XXL
• Children’s good, clean, casual clothing - especially boys sizes 5 to 16
• Children’s underwear and socks (new) - all sizes

December 2014 Meeting Announcements

Here are the full announcements from the December Meeting. Slide show may take a moment to load.

Review: Kaleidograph, a fun design tool

We have an interesting little package today that has design fun written all over it. The Kaleidograph is a simple sack of colorful cards with shapes cut out but when you stack and flip the cards then slide them into the holder fun things start to happen.

The kit comes with several solid cards and then a bunch of cut outs in different colors front and back.

Here's a few little designs I played with but the possibilities are endless! Quilt block inspiration here you come! 

This kit is a circle and there is a hexagon kit too, visit their website to play with a virtual toy at  - there is even a community to share the patterns you make. 

This would be great for kids too! 

Try one out at our next sew day and win one at the guild meeting tomorrow! 

Thanks to Kaleidograph Design and Red hen books and toys  for sending us the giveaways! 

DIY Holiday Magazine

Are you the kind of crafter that dabbles? You might sew and knit and make jewelry? Well then F&W Media has a magazine for you. The premier issue of DIY Holiday is out with 25 projects to satisfy all your crafting impulses. 

This magazine has super cute projects to make and give for sewing, quilting, jewelry making, knitting and crochet.

There is even a super cute retro quilt by our own Michelle Freedman! 

Win one of three copies at our holiday meeting on Thursday, December 11—just in time to make some holiday gifts for yourself or others! 

Good Luck! 

Kelly

PMQG Secretary

December Meeting Reminder

You could win this beauty on Thursday!

It's party time, people! Celebrate the end of the year with your quilting friends. We'll have a potluck, holiday sale, a fundraising raffle, and fancy door prizes. Plus the holiday swap, and the final results of our 2014 Medallion Along! 

PMQG member Elizabeth Hartman will also present her new book, Patchwork City. (She'll be signing copies at Modern Domestic before the meeting!) 

When:

Thursday, December 11

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:

• Holiday Sale: members will be selling fabric bundles, craft books, felted items, soap, pincushions, jewelry, and more. 
• Potluck Yumminess (see below)
• Raffle Quilts: we'll raffle the medallion pictured above and one of our group Monaluna quilts (so gorgeous!). Proceeds benefit the guild. Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20. (PMQG members only, please.)
• Holiday Swap
• Excellent giveaways
• Post-meeting socializing at the Radio Room

Don’t forget to bring:

• Potluck item to share: last name A-M, bring a savory dish; last name N-Z, sweet dish
• Beer or wine if you want (it's BYOB)
• Your finished medallion quilt for display
• Three skirt hangers to hang up your medallion
• Holiday Swap gift if you're participating. It can be wrapped or not, but don't forget to include your name and your partner's name! Also if there's leftover fabric, return it to your partner. 
• Any quilts or new toiletries or household goods for Raphael House
• Money for raffle quilts, the holiday sale, and/or 2015 membership
• 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
Modern Domestic will offer PMQG members 20% off their purchase of fabric and notions on Thursday, plus 25% off Elizabeth  Hartman patterns. Kona Solids will be $6.50/yard (instead of $8.50) limited to 1/2 yard cuts or greater. Kona FQ’s will be $1.75 each, instead of $2.50. Modern Domestic will be open until 7 p.m. on Thursday, so stop by before the meeting! 1408 NE Alberta St.

We hope to see you on Thursday!

An Improv Charity Project

We didn't have a charity sew this month, but we do have a fun little project if you want something quick and easy to work on in between larger Holiday projects! If you'd like to participate, please create a 12.5 inch block, improv style, out of bright fabrics. Bring it back to our December 11th Guild Meeting/Holiday Party at St. Andrew, or our December 14th Charity Sew at Modern Domestic.

Here's a fun block Cath made:

 

 And four of them together:

 

Holiday Party & Swap and Sell Info

Get ready to party at our December meeting! Every year PMQG has a Holiday Party instead of a regular meeting in December. On tap: lots of mingling, a potluck, Show and Tell, our annual Holiday Swap, a Swap and Sell, Quilt Raffles, and a presentation from Elizabeth Hartman on her new book, Patchwork City!

When: Thursday, December 11th, 2014 (second Thursday), 7-9 pm
Where: St Andrew Church, 806 NE Alberta St.
What to Bring: A potluck item (see below), beer or wine for yourself, Show and Tell, your swap item, and lots of cash for the Swap and Sell as well as for the quilt raffles!

For the Potluck, please bring:

If your last name starts with A-M: Something Savory
If your last name starts with N-Z: Something Sweet


Swap and Sell:

Our Swap and Sell is for our members to sell their handmade items (or swap them!) with each other. If you are interested in having a half table, please email the guild at portlandmodernquiltguild @ gmail .com to reserve space. Space is limited! If you only have one or two items, you may put them on the community table with your name and price listed, no need to email to reserve space.

Holiday Swap:

If you are participating in the Holiday Swap and picked up a swap baggie of fabric at our November meeting, bring the swap item you created back in December! You may wrap your swap or leave it unwrapped, but please be sure to put your name and your swap partner's name on it! If there is a significant amount of fabric left over, be sure to return that to your partner as well.

Membership:

2015 Membership opened at our November meeting. You may pay for 2015 Membership online or at the Holiday party or any other meeting.


Quilt Raffles:

We will be raffling a couple of quilts that we made as a guild this year! Quilt raffle tickets are $5 each, or Buy 4, Get 1 Free (5 for $20). What quilts might you win? The Guild Medallion Quilt and one of the Monaluna Quilts will up for grabs!

The Holiday Party is sure to be a blast, hope to see you there!

2015 Membership Now Open!

Membership for 2015 opened at our November meeting. You may pay for membership online, at our December 11th Holiday Meeting/Party, or at any guild meeting or event.

Become a member of PMQG! 

PMQG Membership for 2015 is now open!
Membership Options:

• 2014  pro-rated membership from now through the end of 2014 is $25
• 2014 pro-rated + 2015 membership is available now for $60
• 2015 membership will remain at $40

You may pay for membership at any guild meeting. Membership for 2015 will be $40 if paid by cash or check. There is a small service fee when paying by card online. Cards are also accepted at meetings, or you may pay by check or cash without a service fee at any guild meeting or other guild event. If you would like to become a member at a meeting, you do not need to click the link below.
Click on the link if you would like to pay online with a credit or debit card, or if you are sending a check. There is no need to fill out the form if you are planning on paying at a meeting.
2015 PMQG Membership Application
You may pay online by debit or credit card and your membership card will be sent to you. Paying online includes a small service fee. After completing the application you will see the link to pay via Square Marketplace.
You may also pay by check, please click the link above to submit your application and then mail your check in to:

Portland Modern Quilt Guild
P.O. Box 6431
Portland, OR 97228

 

Members enjoy discounts at local and online vendors, special pricing on guild events, and the satisfaction of supporting this wonderful organization. We include links to member blogs on the left hand side of our page, opportunities for swaps, challenges, meet-ups, sew days and more!

PMQG members receive discounts from these sponsors:

Bolt Fabric Boutique--10% off purchases Fabric Depot--25% off purchases at Fabric during the entire weekend of Open Sew Days (must pick up coupon at Special Orders desk and be prepared to show PMQG card)

Joann Fabrics (registration required here)--10% off purchases

Just Quilting--20% off per hour when you rent a long arm machine to do your own quilting

Modern Domestic--10% off purchases (machines and frame quilting excluded) Sometimes Crafter Longarm Quilting--30% off long arm services

 New Business Memberships/Sponsorships for 2015

•      We now have 4 different levels of business sponsors and members so that we can fit the needs of our various sponsor types, and sizes of their companies •      Also, with this plan we can have more than the business members of the previous years (had a waiting list for business members last year, it was a popular program!)  •      None of these will include a single, personal membership, if business members plan on attend meetings and events they can purchase a regular membership separately  •      All business members and sponsors will still be listed on the Sponsor page of the guild blog
Friendship Star Business Sponsorship
•Business Sponsors donate items for meetings and special events •Listed on the Sponsor page of our blog

•The guild is happy to share Business Sponsor donations via social media

Flying Geese Business Member

•      For Long Arm businesses 
•      $60 per year 
•      Business listed on blog sidebar 
•      Business name given out by guild when we are asked for suggestions for long arm quilters 
•      Business may post to the guild FB wall (business blog/website links, sales, etc). 
•      Responsible for quilting 2 or more charity quilts per year for the guild. When quilt is finished, long armer can show the quilt at show and tell and have the opportunity to share about their business then.

Log Cabin Business Member

•      Quilt related business (non-long armer) 
•      $100 per year 
•      Business listed on blog sidebar 
•      Business name given out by guild when we are asked for suggestions for that particular business (fabric store, etc). 
•      Business may post to the guild FB wall (business blog/website links, sales, etc). 
•      Responsible for helping guild out with giveaway items at least twice a year—door prizes for meetings (around 4-6 donated items/prize packs in the range of $5-$10 each for each of 2 meetings) and/or goodie bag or door prize items for retreats in an equivalent amount. 
•      May have their own table to sell products at the Holiday Swap and Sell.

Dresden Plate Business Member

•      Quilt related business (non-long armer) 
•      $200 per year
•      Business listed on blog sidebar 
•      Business name given out by guild when we are asked for suggestions for that particular business (fabric store, etc). 
•      Business may post to the guild FB wall (business blog/website links, sales, etc). 
•      Responsible for helping guild out with giveaway items at least twice a year—door prizes for meetings (around 4-6 donated items/prize packs in the range of $5-$10 each for each of 2 meetings) and/or goodie bag or door prize items for retreats in an equivalent amount. 
•      May have their own table to sell products at the Holiday Swap and Sell. 
•      Makes a 10 minute presentation on their business at a meeting during the year. 


Click on the link if you would like to pay for a business sponsorship pay online with a credit or debit card, or if you are sending a check. If you are planning on paying at a meeting, there is no need to fill out this form.

2015 Business Member Application

Paying online includes a small service fee. After completing the application you will see the link to pay via Square Marketplace.

November Announcements

Here are the full announcement slides from the November meeting. Slides may take a minute to load.

Queen of the UFOs Program

Here's a fun new program for 2015 that Sam Hunter is going to run! Do you have unfinished projects hanging around and want a little encouragement to finish them? This one is for you!

 

Pay $10 and register up to 10 UFO projects you’d like to finish in 2015. Every month you will heck in your completed UFOs with Sam.

Each completed project that’s shown at Show and Tell earns a ticket for a drawing. Half of the money earned goes to the guild, and the other half is for a cash prize!.

The prize winner will be drawn in December 2015 from the completed tickets earned throughout the year by showing your preregistered finished projects at Show and Tell

If half our members sign up, the prize could be $500!

As a fun bonus, all participants will receive a special UFO sassy button from Sam!
 

To participate, click on the link below and print out the Registration Form. Fill it out and bring it in to Sam in December or January with cash or check to PMQG

Queen of the UFO Registration Form Link

Business Member Spotlight: Just Quilting

Thanks to Nancy Stovall's Just Quilting for being our business member for November! Nancy's here to tell us a little more about her longarm quilting business. 

The view from Nancy's studio



What makes your business special or different than others in your industry?
My education is in textiles, but my calling is quilting! I do this full-time, so whether your quilt is modern or traditional, new or vintage, big or small, I’ll make sure that the quilting I do is just right for your quilt.


How long have you been doing this?
I’ve been sewing since I was 8 years old, but I blame quilting on my mother-in-law, who got me started with a block-of-the-month project. I first rented time on a longarm machine in 1996 and started quilting full time in 2009. I’ve never looked back.

What’s the most important thing you’ve had to learn to do your job well?
There’s a balance between developing good technique and artistic expression. I look at each quilt as a collaboration between the piecer and myself. There are literal and figurative layers in a quilt; if I understand the story of the quilt, I'll know how best to quilt it.

What do you see as a significant aesthetic trend right now? 
One color trend I’m seeing is toward turqoise and red combinations, but I’m definitely seeing more modern quilt tops coming my way. New quilters love the aesthetic, and many traditional quilters are excited by the colors and patterns that are showing up (and showing off) in modern quilts. One of my customers is 87 years old, and she’s nuts about Tula Pink!

What’s the strangest thing a customer has ever asked you? 
A couple of years ago I was asked to quilt some experimental fabric for a military application. That’s all I can say!

Any new products or services you’d like to mention? 
I’m super excited to announce my longarm rental program! If you’ve ever wanted the longarm studio experience, you can rent time on “Manny.” A true longarm, this great free-motion machine has a 20-inch throat space and will accomodate quilts up to 12 feet wide. I’m giving PMQG members a discounted rate! 


Why do you like being a business member of PMQG? 
I love being a member, period. I’m constantly being inspired by the amazing creativity and sharing among this community. But being a business member gives me additional opportunities to introduce more people to longarm quilting. It’s my contribution.  

If you couldn’t work in the quilting/sewing world, what would your dream job be?
Lately it seems that if I’m not quilting, I’m taking pictures. Sometimes I’m taking pictures of quilting . . . but I love to travel, so if I had to give up quilting I’d probably be doing travel photography. Traveling to quilt shows? Yeah, that’d work.




Business Info: 
Just Quilting
2738 SE 15th Ave. 
Portland, OR 97202

503.234.0403
justquiltingpdx.com
facebook.com/justquilting

Book Review: Quilt Essential

Quilt Essential By: Erin Burke Harris C&T Publishing Stash Books 2013

Hello All! Secretary Kelly here with another book review! This time it is all quilting! I go to the library a lot and check out all the quilt books they have (I hope I'm not the only one!) and I was lucky enough to snag this book for three weeks—but it was not long enough, because this is a go-to resource for all things quilty. Yep, it is an essential. 

All the photos are gorgeous and inspiring, a must for a good craft book! But digging a little deeper you'll discover answers to all your quilting questions. What is on-point setting all about, how do I care for fabric, what is a quilt sandwich, what are the differences in batting, how do I calculate yardage for borders and sashing? All answers lie within these pages.

The other thing I really liked about this book by Erin Burke Harris (who blogs at House on Hill Road) is that she interviews quilters who have a voice in the modern quilting community. Rita Hodge, Anna Maria Horner, and Blair Stocker are just a few who share their their journeys as makers. 

This book is for both brand-new and seasoned quilters, as it gives a fresh perspective on all the techniques we use in one handy guide. It just hard not to be inspired and learn something new flipping through the pages.

A big thanks to C&T publishing for sending us a copy to giveaway at the November meeting! I know anyone who takes this home will find a front-and-center space on the shelf for it.

November Meeting Reminder

Ann Marie Cowley's quilt based on the carpet at PDX

Ever wonder how the beautiful fabrics we work with are produced? Join us for the guild meeting next week and find out! PMQG member Teresa Coates, who worked at Robert Kaufman fabrics, will give us a behind-the-scenes look at the world of fabric manufacturing.

We'll also be taking memberships for 2015, if you want to get that out of the way!  Membership is $40 for individuals. We accept cash checks, and credit cards (note--there's a small charge for using a card). 

Thursday, November 20

7:00 p.m.
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:

• Elections for 2015 officers (You can—and should!— still nominate yourself!) 
• Sign up for 2015 membership 
• Excellent giveaways, including A Quilters Mixology and other fun stuff
• Post-meeting socializing at the Radio Room 

Don’t forget to bring:

• Your Holiday Swap fabric. We'll have extra baggies if you didn't get one last time. 
• Charity donations (new toiletries and household goods) and/or quilts for Raphael House. We'll be accepting these through January, but if you want the shelter to receive your donations before Christmas, bring them now! 
• A mug for coffee or tea
• 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

Modern Domestic will offer PMQG members 20% off their purchase of fabric and notions on Thursday. They'll also be open until 7 p.m., so stop by before the meeting! 1408 NE Alberta St.

We hope to see you on Thursday!

PMQG Retreat

PMQG Retreat--February 2015

The retreat is now sold out. Please scroll to the bottom to add your name to the waitlist so you can scoop up a spot if there is a cancellation.

We're happy to announce our second ever PMQG sewing retreat! Read on for details about our winter retreat in the beautiful Columbia River Gorge and how to register.

Sign-ups for this retreat will open on Monday, November 10th, 2014 at 10 am.

When: Friday, February 27th, 2015 from 3 pm through Sunday, March 1st, 3 pm
Where: Menucha Retreat and Conference Center
38711 E Historic Columbia River Hwy, Corbett, OR 97019
Map of Grounds 
Menucha's FB Page

We will be in Wright Hall which has an assortment of regular beds and bunk beds.


Cost:

• $170 for two night's stay plus 6 meals (Friday night Dinner, Saturday all meals, and Sunday Breakfast and Lunch.) Sample Menus
• If you require a special diet such as gluten free, vegetarian, dairy free, or other, there is a $12 additional fee for the weekend ($182 for the weekend with special needs meals)
• If you would like bedding and towels provided for you, there is an additional $10 fee. Linens are not provided in the building we are in, so you must bring your own sleeping bag/bed linens and towels. 

source

 What to bring: Clothes and toiletries, bedding/sleeping bags and pillows, bath towels (unless you would rather pay the $10 bedding/towel fee to have that provided for you), sewing machines, projects, rulers etc. An iron if you really like yours and would like to share. Hiking shoes if you wish to partake in the wild outdoors. Snacks for late night and alcohol if you like (alcohol not allowed in dining room or in public areas when other guests are present).

*Other things we decided would be useful after our first retreat: Lights, as the space we sew in can be a bit dim in some areas. If you have an Ottlight or desk light to light your sewing space, please bring it. Also, the guild has some extension cords, but please bring your own extension cords and power strips

An additional list provided by Menucha

source

Schedule: When we're not eating or sleeping, we'll probably be sewing! Most of the time we will have Open Sew but we also will have an optional Workshop, Charity Sew, and possibly some group projects. Schedules will be e-mailed out to participants as the retreat date approaches.

The Fine Print:
There are 30 spots available for the weekend. Registration will open Monday, November 10th at 10:00 am.

Payment can be made with check (at a meeting or mailed to our PO Box) or online with debit/credit via Square with a small fee added on (approximately 2.75%).  Payment must be received by the guild within 3 weeks of signing up via the form below.

Refund Policy: Full refunds will only be given if your spot is able to be re-sold.

If the 30 spots are not filled with PMQG members by January 27th, we will open up registration to local individual MQG members and other MQGs in the area. *FYI, the last retreat did sell out in 7 days.

There was a small problem with the form earlier. If you signed up on the retreat registration form between 10 and 10:30 am on 11/10  I DO NOT have your information. Please email me at PMQGEvents@gmail.com if you signed up during that time period to confirm if you need to fill the form out again.

The retreat is now sold out. Please fill out this form to add your name to the waitlist so you can scoop up a spot if there is a cancellation.