Fall Retreat Recap

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Thanks to everyone who attended the fall retreat at Camp Huston last weekend. The highlight of the retreat, for me, was the time we got to spend together. I had the opportunity to get to know some of you better and reconnect with those of you I haven’t seen for a while.

In addition, Camp Huston is in a beautiful setting and some of our members took advantage of the trails right outside our door. Several members expressed how much they appreciated uninterrupted time for sewing and quilting, away from the responsibilities of everyday life. Island Quilter’s mobile quilt store was very popular, we’re very happy they could join us.

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A special thanks goes out to the amazing companies who donated items for our swag bags and giveaways!

Pacific Fabrics for the bags themselves and the books

Stash Books for the pencils, static-cling cleaners, and temporary tattoos

Aurifil for the 5-spool thread packs, charts, and swag bags

Riley Blake for the charm packs

Circa 15 for the Bobbin Buddies, Aurifil thread, patterns, and fabric bundles

Quiltworks Northwest for the Design Software trial, Bernina luggage tags and pencils, and the needle pocket guide

Quilting Mayhem for the 10% off coupons and the cup with fat quarters

Martingale for the 2 autographed books

Keepsake Cottage for the $25 gift card

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Thank you so much to those of you who volunteered and pitched in to clean up. I hope to see you at the next retreat!

Christa P

*pictures courtesy of Debbie and Christa. Visit our guild facebook page for more.

SeaSLABBOM for September

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September Block Adaptation Slab

The slab for September is an improv adaptation of a traditional block of your choice, choose as simple or complex a block as you want. Now that we have practiced piecing a variety of improvisational shapes and techniques, you’ll have all of the skills you need to tackle any block. The goal of this slab is to get you thinking about how your chosen block is constructed and how to adapt it in your own improvisational way.

The improv block adaptation slab needs to be approximately 30″ x 30″.

September 2016 Meeting Reminder

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Now that we are marching through September, have you noticed the changes? Less natural light for quilting, warm beverage consumption is increasing, and traffic is worse. At least we don’t have to sweat when there’s a quilt on our lap. We will gather together next Wednesday, September, 14th, 7:00 pm at Greenwood Senior Center.  (Note: Ellen is looking for a few established SeaMQG members to come up for interrogation for good-natured fun during the new member introductions!)

Please bring the following:

  • A modern fat quarter for a fun game we will play
  • Your finished Improv Giving Committee block(s)
  • Show and Tell quilt project
  • September Birthday? Your turn to bring snacks

This month’s meeting will contain the following agenda items:

  • MQG Town Hall
  • A game
  • #SeaSLABBOM block
  • Last chance to pick up Michael Miller Challenge fabric if you signed up for the challenge and haven’t contacted Ellen to make alternative arrangements)
  • Return Me + You pillowcases
  • Show and Tell

September Dates to Remember:

Sunday, September 11th – Quality Sewing & Vacuum Sew-in

Thursday, September 15th – Last Day to sign up for Lottery for Michelle Wilkie’s Workshop on October 16th.

Saturday, September 24th – QuiltWorks Northwest Sew-in

Our Guild Library

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Just a reminder, our guild library is open for business! Kelly R, our librarian, will be bringing the books to every meeting for check in / check out. We have a fantastic collection of Lucky Spool sewing books to start with.

Please see Kelly’s spreadsheet for full details on the books available, including links to descriptions and more. Members who would like to check out a book should email Kelly directly (see spreadsheet) to reserve and arrange pickup at the next meeting. Books may be checked out in one month increments.

If you have other modern quilting books you’d like to donate to our library, please let Kelly know about that as well.

Happy reading!

Let’s design quilts with Michelle Wilkie

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Thanks to our wonderful member Louise, we will be having a free workshop with Michelle Wilkie next month. Michelle is a prolific quilt designer and one of the original members of the Quilt Design a Day group on Facebook. She will be spending a whole day with us to get our creative design juices flowing, including both a full-day workshop and an evening lecture. The workshop is limited to 20 participants but the lecture is open to all. Again, both of these are free to our Seattle MQG members! Read on for all the details and to request a spot in the workshop.

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Abstract Trio by Michelle Wilkie

Workshop Information:
Modern Quilt Design: Every Day Inspiration
This class will illustrate and step you through how to create a modern quilt design using inspiration from everyday things around you. Once you have a design, skills to turn that design into reality will be shared. You will take home at least two designs and one block.

When: Sunday October 16th, 2016 10am – 5pm
Where: McMenamins Anderson School, Thorndike Room, Bothell WA
Cost: Free to Seattle MQG members only
Sign up: Please fill out this form by Thursday September 15th 2016 to be entered in a drawing for available class slots. We will draw names to fill the class on the 16th. Should any spots remain after the 16th, they will be assigned on a first-come first-served basis.

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Daughters Love by Michelle Wilkie

Lecture Information:
The Skill of Quilt Design
Quilt design, like most creative activities, is not second nature to most people. There are several facets to consider when designing, such as how to see and find inspiration, how to take an initial design and edit it, finding your own style, and taking it from an idea to reality. Join Michelle as she shares what she has discovered in her journey of quilt design. She will discuss where she finds inspiration, the importance of visualizing your ideas and how that translates into her quilts.
When: Sunday October 16th, 2016 6:30-7:30pm
Where: McMenamins Anderson School, Thorndike Room, Bothell WA
Cost: Free to Seattle MQG members only
Sign up: not necessary but make sure you add event this to your calendar!

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Phased Circles by Michelle Wilkie

About Michelle:
Michelle Wilkie has a love for modern quilting and design, which allows her to incorporate both her art and STEM backgrounds. She has taught classes of various topics for over 15 years to various audiences (kids, undergraduates to adults). In 2014, she taught a series of Modern Blocks classes for Spoonflower.

Michelle is a regular contributor to Sew Mama Sew and Love Patchwork & Quilting Magazine. In conjunction, with Sew Mama Sew she provided a series of tutorials on (quilt) Design to Reality. Michelle has also won 3 recent design competitions: the Winning Entry : Designer’s Choice Award on Threadbias & Penguin+ Fish; Winner of Jungle Ave Quilt design Competition (Sara Lawson @ Sew Sweetness, Quilt Now) and February Block of the Month, Cloud 9 Cirrus Solids.

You can follow Michelle’s creative work on her blog and instagram.

Retreat Updates: Registration and Sign-ups

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Hello Everyone! We have a few updates since our retreat is a little more than 2 weeks away.

Registration

Since we are 5 attendees short of the minimum number required by our agreement with Camp Huston, we have decided to open up the registration to non-members. We would rather open the registration to your quilty friends and family members than cover the cost with guild funds. What this means is:

  • Registration is now open to both members and non-members so please consider inviting your non-member friends and family members to join the fun
  • The last day of registration for everyone is Thursday, September 1
  • Register at this link

Sign-ups

Please continue to sign up to contribute snacks or community items. Thanks again to everyone who has already signed up! 

Full details on the retreat can be found on our original retreat blog post here.

Christa P.

Secret Sewing Swap

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The time has come to sign up for our Annual Secret Sewing Swap!

To sign up and participate in this exciting swap simply leave your name and email address on the Secret Sewing Swap thread on the MQG community site (open to current Seattle Modern Quilt Guild members only, thank you).  Then, you will receive an email invitation from drawnames.com to join the SMQG Secret Sewing Swap.  Follow the instructions in the email to join the group and fill out your wish list no later than Tuesday, September 6th.  On September 7th the swap partners will be drawn automatically and your partner information will be emailed to you.

Please fill out your wish list with helpful information such as: favorite colors, hated colors, patterns you love, your favorite fabric designers, favorite book, or any information you feel might help someone create something you will love.  However, don’t be so specific that your partner has no freedom to create. Also, include your social media info (instagram, flicker, blog) to allow for easy partner stalking.

Your swap item MUST be quilted and in a MODERN style.  The field is open for you to create (mini quilts, zipper pouches, mug rugs, pin cushions, tote, pouches, etc) and it MUST be at the October 12th guild meeting.  If you can not attend the October meeting please make arrangements with another person to get your swap item to the meeting (and pick up your swap item for you).

A few things to consider:
1. This is a secret swap so sneak peeks (or even full views) on social media are fun but don’t tag your partner! Be sure to use the hashtag #seamswap.
2. This is an excellent time to stretch your skills and try something new.
3. Have fun!