Upcoming Challenge for August 2013

We went over our next few challenges last night since summer is quickly approaching :) Remember these are optional and you are not required to do them, however you'll receive points if you do :)

LOW VOLUME QUILT CHALLENGE RULES:

• Low volume fabrics are considered to be "quiet" fabrics, and are mostly white, paler shades and/or graphic prints combined with whites and neutrals.
• You can use a traditional pattern, your favorite patter, or design your own.
• The quilt must be at least 45" by 45" or larger.
• Reveal at the October FWMQG meeting on October 17, 2013.
• You will receive 5 points for completing this challenge by the October meeting. 

Modern quilter and Moda fabric designer Malka Dubrawsky provides a description of low volume quilting and fabric selection on her blog. She also wrote a more detailed article in Quilting Arts that is available free as an online ebook and can be downloaded at Quiltingdaily.com The ebook title is: Traditional and Modern Quilting: Designs and Techniques for Quilt Designs.

If you are unfamiliar with low volume quilts, here are some examples for further explanation and inspiration:

Link 1, Link 2, Link 3, Link 4, Link 5, Link 6, Link 7.

Also check out the Low Volume QAL on flickr for inspiration and ideas.

Upcoming Challenge for June 2013

We went over our next few challenges last night since summer is quickly approaching :) Remember these are optional and you are not required to do them, however you'll receive points if you do :)

NEGATIVE SPACE QUILT CHALLENGE RULES:

Definition of "negative space" from the Modern Quilt Guild Website: "Negative space is the unoccupied area that surrounds the objects, shapes or forms in a composition. Negative space can be within a block itself as well as the space surrounding the block. It flows in, around and between our quilt blocks. Negative space is a powerful design tool as it gives definition to our composition. Sometimes the negative space in a composition also forms a design element that becomes part of the composition. Sometimes the negative space in a composition also forms a design element that becomes part of the composition."

"In addition to defining shapes in a quilt, negative space can be used to create movement, emphasis and interest in a quilt design. Negative space can simplify or unclutter a design and at the same time draw attention to the focal point of a quilt. It can also give the eye a place to rest in an intricate design."

Taken from the following blog post:

The Modern Quilt Guild 

• Quilt design incorporates a significant use of negative space which organizes the composition of the quilt.
• The quilt must be at least 45" by 45" or larger.
• Reveal is the August FWMQG meeting on August 15, 2013
• You will receive 5 points for completing this challenge by the August meeting.

If you are unfamiliar with how to use negative space in your quilts, here are some examples for further explanation and inspiration: 

Link 1, Link 2, Link 3 and Link 4

Let's have fun with the upcoming challenges and I can't wait to see what you create!!!

~January~

BOM

April's BOM is brought to you by the fabulous Faith of FReSH Lemons. This is part of her Solstice Stars Series and we thought it was perfect for our BOM.

It was a really fun block and went together super fast. Please click HERE for her tutorial and more pictures of the process. 

**Make sure to cut accurately** 

I cut and sewed very carefully with a scant 1/4" seam and ended up 1/8" short on one side. Jenn did the same thing (scant 1/4" seam) and ended up 1/8" larger :) 

Please note, all seams are 1/4". This block has been resized from the original. Final block size 12.5" unfinished.

Step 1. Cut your fabric:

Pattern Piece

Center                   Cut 1         4-1/4" x 4-1/4"

Strips                     Cut 3         5-1/4" x 1-5/8"

Short Strip A         Cut 1         4-1/4" x 1-5/8"

Short Strip B         Cut 1         1-5/8" x 1-5/8"

Block Corners       Cut 4         4-5/8" x 4-5/8" 

Star Points            Cut 4         3-3/4" x 3-3/4"

HST Background   Cut 2         3-3/4" x 3-3/4"

Take all of your 3-3/4" x 3-3/4" squares for star points and the HST background and cut them diagonally into half square triangles.

Step 2. Sew the strips around the 4-1/4" x 4 1/4" center square. Layout your strips around your center square.

Take your shorter strip (Short Strip A, 4-1/4" x 1-5/8") and sew to the bottom of the center square.

Continue to sew on the left and top strips, as you would a log cabin block.

For the final side, sew the 1-5/8" x 1-5/8" square to the end of the remaining side strip. Then sew the final side strip to the block, making sure you align the matching fabric seams. (Check the tutorial for pics of this process)

At this poing your center square should measure 6-1/4" x 6-1/4". 

Step 3. Layout the rest of the block pieces.

Step 4. Sew together the top left and lower right points. Take your corner square and gently press the block in half and then in half again the other direction, so you can see the center of the block. You could also make a mark using a water soluble pen.

Step 5. Place one of your HSTs right sides together with the corner square. Align your point to the center line you marked. Sew together. Make sure you are sewing alone the long side of the HST, and not the short side which you are probably used to doing. (Check the tutorial for more pics)

Step 6. Repeat with the other HST. Repeat for the other corner.

Step 7. Now we will make the top right and lower left corners. First repeat the previous steps and sew on your HSTs to the corner squares. 

Step 8. Take your background HSTs and sew them to the sides of the star point section. 

Step 9. Repeat for the other side.

Step 10. Sew on the corners of the block to the center. Sew the top left and lower right to the center.

Step 11. Sew the remaining top right and lower left to the block. Square your block to 12.5" x 12.5" if necessary.

I hope you guys have as much fun as I did putting this block together. Can't wait to see your blocks!!! :)

YWCA Charity Nap Mat Challenge April 2013

CHALLENGE RULES and REQUIREMENTS for YWCA CHARITY NAP MATS:

• Quilted Nap Mats should measure anywhere between 24X36", 24X48" or 36X48". 
• Fabrics should be kid appropriate, but can be scrappy and any pattern or block of your choice. Think bright and cheerful when choosing your fabrics. Remember there are boys as well, so blues, robots, rockets & planes etc...
• MAIN REQUIREMENT- Due to the wash and wear on these mats, all nap mats must be machine pieced, machine quilted and machine bound.
• No hand appliqué, beading, ties or anything that could be a choking hazard.
• YWCA has requested at least 30 mats. You will receive 15 points for the 1st mat. If you want to make additional mats (which would be greatly appreciated :) you will get 10 points for a 2nd mat and 5 points for a 3rd mat. 
• Points will not be awarded for more than three mats, but you are welcome to make as many as you want.
• Nap Mats are due at the June 2013 meeting on June 20, 2013.

Need some inspiration check out the links below. 

Link 1

Link 2

Link3

Link 4

 You guys are awesome and very generous, so let's make these little ones feel loved :)

April Agenda

Remember we are meeting at our temp. location at the 

Workroom - Located at 2814 Race St. FTW 76111.

Agenda - April 2013

6:30 Call To Order - Gayla

Guest Introductions - Gayla

Treasurer's Report - Connie

Membership Report - Jenn

Twister Presentation/Demo - Sharon

Wonky Challenge Reveal - Gayla

New Challenge - Gayla

Break

March BOM Reaveal

April BOM - Jenn/January

Gail Demo - Gail

Announcements - Gayla

Door Prizes - Jenn

Show and Share

Adjourn

Come a little earlier to chat with your friends!!! :)

Can't wait to see you tonight!!

Madrona Challenge

We had a great time doing the Madrona Road Challenge!!! If you missed the first post about the challenge check it out here. We want to thank Michael Miller, Violet Craft and the National MQG for making this challenge possible. Everyone received the same fabric and you had to make a quilt in any size. I love challenges where everyone starts out with the same thing. We didn't get any duplicates. Everyone's quilts were uniquely their own. It really pushed people to try new things and we were all so pleased with the results. We are anxiously awaiting the next challenge! Hint Hint :)

Thanks again to all who particpated!!!

March's Meeting

I wish everyone could have made it to our March meeting!! It really was a great one!! There is a lot to cover so get ready :)

 We played  a game "Do you think this is Modern?" We showed pictures of quilts that were at QuiltCon and then broke into groups to discuss why we thought it was or wasn't modern. It was a great game to get people talking and everyone had very interesting opinions. We will definitely have more games in the future :)

We are having a HAND SEW HAPPY HOUR at Mad Tosh on 4/7 from 12-5pm. Bring Binding, EPP, Crocheting or Knitting. It should be a lot of fun and you can do some shopping while your there :)

If you signed up (we still have 6 spots open. Email us if you want to join.) for the Mug Rug Swap with the Las Vegas MQG be sure to bring it to the May meeting. Style: Modern 

Size: 5" Minimum Width - 9" Maximum Length

We will swap them and have them by our June meeting. 

Pop over here to check out April's BOM.  It's a great stash buster and goes together pretty quickly. I love seeing everyone's blocks. Don't forget if you can't make it to the meeting to post your block on our Flickr page by midnight on Wednesday before our meeting.

I also want to remind everyone about our WONKY Paint Chip Challenge that is due on April 18th. I have been pulling fabrics and have made a nice little bundle. I just need to find the prefect pattern now. Here are the Wonky Rules just in case you lost yours :) Everyone should have received a paint chip from Gayla. If you weren't at the last two meeting you can go pick one up at your local hardware store.

Use at least 2 of the colors on the paint chip in your project.

Add up to 3 additional colors as accent colors.

Select one Category:

Quilt or Wall hanging (any size is acceptable)

Home Dec

Purse or Tote (any size is acceptable)

Use a "WONKY" design somewhere in the project (i.e. wonky stars, houses, string quilts, log cabins or make up your own "wonky")

You will receive 5 point for completing this challenge by the April meeting.

Last but not least we met for the final time at Creative Collective's Current Home. It will reopen in May and we will have the address available for you. Our next meeting will be held at The Work Room - 2814 Race Street Fort Worth, TX 76111.

You have been so patient so without further adieu here are the beautiful quilts!!

Sharon never fails to bring beautifully bright quilts and

brought this paper pieced mini.

Mindy showed us this sweet baby quilt and it reminds me of spring with all the flowers :)

Lisa brought this beautiful quilt. I love the pattern, it looks so vintage. 

Sarah showed this cute lap quilt. The little white squares make the whole quilt pop. She also has some really sweet embroidery in the middle of each square. 

Jonquele brought this beautiful equilateral triangle quilt. The colors are amazing!! 

Camille pulled a Jenn and brought not one, not two, but three quilts!! She brought this fun twister quilt. Love the colors as well!!

She showed us her Jelly Roll Quilt and told us about how unlucky she is with Jelly Rolls haha. It's not funny, but it is the way she tells it :)

Then she showed this beauty. She really pumped them out this month. 

Elizabeth brought two great lap quilts. She really seemed inspired by arrows!! I love the white space with the pops of colors. 

The colors in this one remind me of Easter and Spring. I love this pattern!!

Nancy showed us this lovely quilt. Look at all the squares!!! She did a beautiful job lining them all up.

She also tried to get away without showing us this great quilt that she's working on.  Great job Nancy!

The wonderful Gail teaches this class at the Berry Patch. As you can see there are a ton of different patterns and techniques in this quilt. 

Mary showed off this great pink mini that reminded me of Valentine's Day.

She also showed off this Don't Give A Hoot Quilt. Great appliqué Mary!!

Linda brought this pretty butterfly & dragonfly quilt. I love the placement of the blocks and it's so colorful.

Laurie showed off this pretty flower quilt.

Look at this amazing quilt. 

It's so striking and looks very complex. 

Last but not least Jenn showed off her quilting mojo with this ombre pinwheel quilt. Again it looks like Easter - Love it!!

A pretty Kaleidoscope quilt. I love the many designs you see in this quilt pattern. 

And this sweet square quilt. Love the pops of blue!!

Thank You Ladies for bringing in your beautiful quilts for us to enjoy!! I can't wait to see you at our temporary location next month.  Have a great day!!