June Meeting Recap

We welcomed a number of new guests last Saturday and we're excited to have you join us.

Laura started our meeting with a rundown of some national MQG news. 

MQG is presenting a Panel on Quilt Show Judging & Jurying —next Thursday June 11 at 9 pm. Registration is required, click here to sign up.

QuiltCon West (2016 Pasadena) registration is coming on June 25. The course catalog is already posted. MQG will probably email a link like they did last time. If you're wanting to attend a popular course, be ready precisely when registration opens.

Retreat 2016 Planning starts now! The Franciscan has offered the weekend of 4/15 to share with the New Hampshire Modern Quilt Guild or the last weekend of April using only the dining room space. Laura is unable to attend next year and is looking for a retreat coordinator. Is this you??

The Gathering Exhibit Update included more explanation from Diane regarding the email she sent last week.

• Our show is not "juried". The national MQG is giving their opinions on what they consider "modern" but this is not the final word. We will be looking at featuring many aspects of modern quilting and know that everything exists in a spectrum. We all have a handful of quilts that fit on that scale and we'd like to see them.

• Kate Sussman, the promoter of The Gathering, is excited to cross-educate the modern and traditional quilters and thinks one of the best ways is to "Tell Your Story". She believes that stories will resonate beyond labels. No word limit!

• New submission deadline is Sept. 15.

• Judy has offered a pet-free, child-free spare bedroom to store quilts. Drop off final quilts will be at the October meeting. Requests for exceptions to this are to go to Mary - The Queen of Exceptions

Our August meeting will feature three submission stations - Laura and Mary will have a photography setup; Diane will help with "stories" and Peg will have a computer to complete the submission process.

Mary will be ordering t-shirts and aprons with our new SMQG logo on them to wear at the exhibit. You can choose either. There will be about 6 aprons to share if that is your preference. If you prefer the t-shirt and haven't already done so, contact Mary with your t-shirt size. They will be American Apparel shirts (similar to Patchwork Threads) and sizing information is here (note says it runs small). The guild funds will be paying this expense.

Kali, our charity chair, spoke about the MQG Charity Quilt Challenge 2016 - Improv with Intent. (see color palette below) Of the many ways to interpret this, the ideas tossed out were:

• Send some New England Winter to Pasadena, creating a wintry improv background with a red barn and cardinal

• Floating Squares, a la Sherri Lynn Wood

• Improv Stripes

The winning vote went to the winter scene. Kali will draw up a sketch to start us off. We'll be sewing collaboratively next month at the Stratham Library. We have the space until 3pm if folks want to stay and sew later. (Note: Meeting date is July 11, rescheduled for holiday)

Everyone should bring 1-2 fat quarters in this color scheme (monochromatics, please, don't introduce other colors). Click the link above to see the solid color names for different manufacturers). We'll need a bulk of the neutrals and icy blue with only a small number of red, yellow and black.

And then there was "Show and Tell". Alison showed this colorful, quilt as you go, trying desperately to bust my scrap bin beauty. 

Sue Ann showed her take on Tumbling Blocks entitled, "Blocks In Space". (sci-fi voice encouraged)

Barb showed off some Greek Cross lottery blocks.

Jane had a gorgeous Churn Dash quilt made from Carolyn Friedlander's Botanica collection.

Kali modeled this stunner in teal linen - Simplicity 2444. So flattering!

She also completed her Majestic Mountain quilt top in black and white prints paired with bright solids.

Paula had her Marsala challenge apron. 

Colleen needed some instant gratification and whipped up this quick baby blanket top.

Judy is nearly finished with a challenge piece using Anna Maria Horner fabric. Despite the troubles that the cone flowers gave her, it looks fantastic.

Nancy made a scrappy Rainbow Spool quilt top. Looks like her gorgeous garden pictures. So colorful!

Joanne brought in a Fifty Shades of Grey block. They certainly have added up. I'm excited to start sewing them together.

Mary was hand quilting her Lizzy House star quilt. Adding some gorgeous detail.

Caitlin, a new transplant from North Carolina and former Spoonflower employee, showed her Hexie quilt with yummy Liberty center.

The two months of Greek Cross Lottery blocks went to Mary Lee (thanks Nancy!).

Next month's block lottery will be "Little Vines" by Oh Fransson! Templates were handed out. The background should be white/reads as white; vines should be black/dark grey and leaves should be scrappy. (Oh Fransson!'s website is being reconstructed. If you missed the template, contact Mary.)

The vine blocks looked quite daunting until Stephanie shared here bias tape applique magic tricks! Some Clover bias tape maker tools, a glue stick and you're ready to go! She emailed a list of tutorials, and materials to the guild group email. If you missed it, let us know and we'll resend.