Charitable and other projects that give back to the community.

Posts from the ‘Community Projects’ category

Yard Sale Recap & June Preview

Thanks to everyone who participated (or just shopped) at our Yard Sale last weekend! Our fabric scraps, half-completed projects and a whole lot of other things went to new homes. It was such fun, and we had a lot of interest from shoppers about the guild. We anticipate seeing a few new faces in coming months.

Mark your calendars for our June 25 meeting!

We’ll be sewing zipper pouches to donate to two local organizations: Faces of Hope Victim Center and Community Outreach Behavioral Services (COBS). We’re asking you to help make the pouches following this simple tutorial by Noodelhead (or if you have an equally simple pouch pattern, you’re welcome to make that), and then we’ll fill the pouches with personal care items, donated by local businesses. The Noodlehead medium pouch (check here for cutting info) is a versatile size and perfect for our inserts.

BMQ is supplying zippers and interfacing — and we need you to bring your fabric and your quilty selves to help make it all come together. Our goal is to make 30-40 pouches in this initial effort. If members are interested in continuing the project, we can add it to our ongoing community giving activities.

Sewing Yard Sale Coming May 21

The Boise Modern Quilt Guild presents a Yard Sale of Sewing Stuff! Come shop from local quilters’ fabric, sewing supplies, handmade gifts and more on Saturday, May 21, 9am-3pm at 1104 Warm Springs Ave., Boise (corner of Warm Springs and Walnut).

The sale will be during the annual Warm Springs Yard Sale event, so you can shop for other treasures afterward! Please be courteous to neighborhood parking needs and park along side streets.

(Also note, the yard sale replaces our monthly meeting.)

April Meeting Recap

A giant thanks to special guest Lindsay Crouch of RipleyClark.com for sharing some of her vintage quilts. Watch for a separate post soon with photos and tips about caring for old quilts. We were also excited to welcome new members to our meeting! Here’s what else:

  • Watch your email for details about the May 21 BMQG quilty yard sale (early sign up here if you know you’ll be there) and how to participate in the Modern Bee Block Project, using a block design featured in the Modern Quilt Guild’s Modern Monthly newsletter.
  • BMQG is purchasing quilt batting to use in the Get ‘er Done quilts. If you need any for the Get ’Er Done project you’re working on, please contact us at [email protected]. And if you haven’t already, check out this story on our blog to see where our Get ‘Er Done quilts have gone. Thanks to Marilyn Shake for providing quilt labels for our projects! If you are doing the binding step on a Get ’Er Done quilt, be sure to pick up one at the next meeting you can attend, so you can include it in the binding along the back bottom edge.

Show & Tell

  • Karen F. brought her 2021 Temperature Quilt, complete with a label and backed with fabric aptly named “Weather Report.” Another of Karen’s stunning quilts is also on display at the Main Library front desk.
  • Betsy showed two Get ‘Er Done quilts: a sweet pastel baby quilt, and a black & red quilt that was a joint effort between Betsy and Linda J.
  • During spring break car trips, Apryl passed the time by twisting fabric scraps into handmade rope, which eventually turned into a cheerful fabric bowl. You can find plenty of tutorials online, here’s one.
  • Deb made a block to give Y seams a try, and then wondered why …. she also completed an orphan block quilt from the Get ‘Er Done pile.
  • Marilyn spent part of her 100 Day Project plowing through her scraps to make Jen Kingwell’s Bonnie Lass quilt from the Quilt Lovely book.
  • Dawn came to her first meeting and shared the vintage scotty dog quilt created by her great grandmother. Dawn inherited the quilt top, later adding a border and backing, hand basting it for stability. Now she’s ready to find vintage fabric from the quilt’s origin era and hand quilt to finish the entire piece. We can’t wait to watch this quilt as it progresses!
  • Darla shared her recent house quilt finish, made with birthday blocks from quilty friends.
  • Karen H. also joined us for her first time, and shared a photo of a recent quilt finish she gifted, plus she showed us two charming round pieces. Each uses fusible appliqué and is machine quilted, and was made based on an article from the Spring 2022 issue of Art Quilting Studio, detailing how to make fabric bowls.

Get ‘er Done! Quilts find homes in the community

As part of our mission, the Boise Modern Quilt Guild provides opportunities for giving back to the community through the use of modern quilting skills. And as usual, our members jump in to help, and participate in making Get ‘er Done quilts — so named because the seeds of these quilts are often extra blocks or neglected projects that simply need a little attention and TLC to get done.

The Get ‘er Done project is a continuation of other community efforts. Since 2021, at least 10 BMQG quilts have found homes with local families and organizations. A huge thanks to everyone who’s helped stitch these together, and for folks who help deliver the quilts! Here’s a recap of where the quilts have gone.

Where Quilts Went

  • Blue/red/yellow improv blocks: St. Luke’s Foundation
  • Three Sisters of the Hex quilts (Denise Arellano memorial): Dave Arellano, Arellano family friend & daughter, and Denise’s sibling
  • Gray/multi leader-ender project from 2021 day camp: Christmas gifts for seniors
  • Pink/green from Gwen-Darla-Jeri-Cathy R.: Christmas gifts for seniors
  • Second gray/multi leader-ender from 2021 day camp: St. Lukes Foundation
  • Three kid quilts from Marilyn: St. Lukes Foundation

August Meeting Recap

It was great being in the park for our August meeting and thanks to everyone for finding their way to a new location. A special welcome to new members, and thanks to Lynne Crawford for stepping into the Member Spotlight! We loved seeing Lynne’s quilts and other handiwork.

Announcements & Upcoming Events

  • Sept. 11 Quilt Walk: Gather up those quilts you’ve been making and get ready to show them off at our inaugural Modern Quilt Walk in the park on Sept. 11. The Quilt Walk is an informal way to share the art of modern quilting in an easily accessible location — and to capitalize on greenbelt foot traffic expected at Art in the Park that same weekend.
    • If you’re thinking about participating, let us know by completing this form.
    • We’re celebrating modern quilting — and other handiwork (whatever you’re making and proud of!). Our quilts will be front and center, but you’re also welcome to bring other items (e.g., bags, works in progress) that show the range of things we all make.
    • Read more here and watch your email for additional details as we get closer.
  • Club Mod: We’ll take a break for September as we’ll be on the eve of the Quilt Walk (see more below), and then you’re invited to join the Friday night sew party at Club Mod, October 8, 7-9 p.m. on Zoom. Sew on your projects, chair dance at your machine, and maybe win a prize!

Show and tell
Possibly the favorite part of our meeting….? Here’s a sampling of what we shared (scroll down for details):

  • Delanie designed and worked on this Baby Birch Quilt at the July Quilting Day Camp.
  • Millissa spearheaded a leader-ender project that we could all sew on during the Day Camp. She created a design that uses scraps to make a modern, vibrant quilt.
  • Jeri showed her Center Point quilt by Elise Lea for Robert Kaufman. She also assembled orphan blocks from Artisans for Hope and Darla pieced the back. It’s off to Gwen for quilting and will eventually be returned to Artisans to sell.
  • Apryl is in a mood for minis! She’s making fabric collage postcards (aiming for 100) and the Hamilton mini is for her daughter.
  • Gwen had a few bits of stripes and polka dot fabrics that she’s turned into a bright and cheery quilt.
  • Cathy R. quilted the three (three!) Sisters of the Hex quilts. Thanks in advance to Betsy, Cassie and Lindsie for finishing the binding.
  • Ginny showed off her giant log cabin Ray Quilt by Carolyn Friedlander.
  • Kathy S. made this donuts-and-coffee themed quilt for her husband.
  • Betsy showed off her very scrappy, very beautiful Japanese X block. You can find tutorials and patterns on Pinterest, and here’s just one example of what you’ll find.
  • Nancy S. showed her Bee Sweet pattern with bear fabric from Hobby Lobby
  • Fay made a Christmas quilt with the bundle of winnings from July’s Day Camp raffle
  • Linda is getting ready for fall with Bats and Boos, a mystery quilt from the FatQuarter Shop.
  • Lindsie shared the 2022 Quilter’s Planner that she helped design again this year. You can check out the customizable planner made just for quilters at QuiltersPlanner.com (and a tip from Lindsie: pre-sales end Tuesday, Aug. 31, so if you get your order in today, you’ll get the clip-in bookmarks bundle for free).

Hope you see you at the Quilt Walk on Sept. 11!

Gather Your Quilts for Sept. 11 Quilt Walk!

Gather up those quilts you’ve been making and get ready to show them off at the Sept. 11 Modern Quilt Walk in the park. The Quilt Walk is an informal way to share the art of modern quilting in an easily accessible location — and to capitalize on greenbelt foot traffic expected at Art in the Park that same weekend. Members, watch your email for a sign up form and details (and if you’re not a member yet, but want to display your modern quilts, please join us as a member!).

It’s Simple: We’ll spread our quilts out on the lawn, bring our own chairs and snacks, and BMQG will have a couple of information tables. It’s an opportunity to talk with people about your craft and artistry. Here’s a glimpse at how the Central Washington MQG hosted a similar event last year. (photos: Michelle Bartholomew)

When: Saturday, Sept. 11; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Where: Adjacent to the Boise Greenbelt in Ann Morrison Park; we’ll display on a stretch of grass between the footbridge and Old Timer Shelter

Who: Anyone in the Boise MQG is welcome to participate and display quilts, no registration fee. We’ve also invited the Nampa MQG to participate.

Questions? Send us a note at [email protected]. We hope you’ll join us!

The mission of the Boise MQG is to develop and encourage the art of modern quilting; encourage new quilters and other fiber artists from all backgrounds to explore modern quilting; offer educational opportunities; and support “charity” or other works that provide back to the community through the use of modern quilting skills.

Modern quilt walk coming Sept. 11!

It’s official! We’re confirmed for a Modern Quilt Walk in Ann Morrison Park on Sept 11. The Quilt Walk is an informal way to share the art of modern quilting in an easily accessible location — and to capitalize on greenbelt foot traffic expected at Art in the Park that same weekend. Here’s a glimpse at how the Central Washington MQG hosted a similar event last year. (photos: Michelle Bartholomew)

More details will be forthcoming, but here’s what to know for now:

It’s Simple: We’ll spread our quilts out on the lawn, bring our own chairs and snacks, and BMQG will have a couple of information tables. It’s an opportunity to talk with people about your craft and artistry.

When: Saturday, Sept. 11; 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.

Where: Adjacent to the Boise Greenbelt in Ann Morrison Park (on the south side of the Boise River); we’ll display on a stretch of grass between the footbridge and Old Timer Shelter

Who: Anyone in the Boise MQG is welcome to participate and display quilts, no registration fee. We’ve also invited the Nampa MQG to participate.

Questions? Send us a note at [email protected]. We hope you’ll join us!

 

The mission of the Boise MQG is to develop and encourage the art of modern quilting; encourage new quilters and other fiber artists from all backgrounds to explore modern quilting; offer educational opportunities; and support “charity” or other works that provide back to the community through the use of modern quilting skills.

June 2021 Meeting Recap

Our first in-person meeting in more than a year was a welcome change to Zoom! Here’s a look at what happened:

Announcements & Upcoming Events

  • Summer Club Mod: We’ll take a break for July, and then you’re invited to join the Friday night sew party at Club Mod, August 13, 7-9 p.m. on Zoom. Sew on your projects, chair dance at your machine, and maybe win a prize!
  • July 24 Summer Quilting Day Camp: Fewer than 10 spots remain open for our all-day Quilting Camp. We’ll start with morning treats (first things first!) and then a few fun activities throughout the day and lots of raffle prizes. Plus, an impressive collection of quilting swag for each registrant, and a few surprises. Lunch included, and feel free to bring something for the snack table. Sign up by filling out this form.
  • Sisters of the Hex: We’ll sew hexi blocks together at the July 24 day camp to make two quilts. A few folks will plan to dedicate their time to sewing on this project and you’re invited to help out as the quilt tops take shape.
  • Get ‘Er Done: Our first project is complete (a big THANK YOU to Millissa, Cathy R., Gwen and Darla for working on this quilt). More scraps and orphan blocks were shared at the meeting, so stay tuned for more ways to participate in our effort to get quilts from start to finish before giving them to community organizations. So, if you’re only interested in making quilt tops, this is the place to let others know, and they can take it to the next step or to the finish. Check out this list on our website for local organizations you can donate them to.
  • MQG Challenges: If you’re up for a July project to benefit a good cause, check out this MQG Make-a-Difference challenge. The theme is TREES, the submission deadline is July 21, and quilt entry fees will benefit Trees for the Future, whose mission is to end hunger and poverty by training farmers to regenerate their land. Are you interested in organizing this (or future efforts) for BMQG to participate in a national MQG challenge? Let us know! send a note to [email protected] . Here are a few other challenges you might want to check out:
  • QuiltCon2022: Presented by The Modern Quilt Guild, QuiltCon is the largest modern quilting show of its kind. Each year, thousands of attendees come to see hundreds of modern quilts on display, including a juried quilt show with entries from MQG members around the world. The five-day event includes live lectures, panels, tours, workshops, and a vendor hall filled with the latest and greatest tools and supplies, and social events. The QuiltCon catalog is out now, and registration opens Aug. 4.

Show and tell
Possibly the favorite part of our meeting….? Here’s a sampling of what we shared:

  • Lynne showed her Gees Bend quilts, both from kits
  • Elizabeth brought a Halloween-themed quilt and another from a Quilt Crossing kit
  • Delanie might be new to quilting but she knocked it out of the ballpark with a modern take on a t-shirt quilt
  • Kathy showed gingham quilts pieced from an assortment of fabric types, all provided by a friend
  • Linda made the Ray Quilt, an oversized log cabin with big stitch handwork as part of a Quilt-Along with Carolyn Friedlander; and finished a small quilt in neutrals and earth colors

Hope you see you at Quilting Day Camp on July 24!

Last call: Sisters of the Hex

If you happen to have hexis for the Sisters of the Hex project, please turn them in at our June 26 guild meeting (or by June 30 if you can’t make it that day). After we get your hexi flowers, those will be sewn to gray background squares (we already have nearly 200!!) and then plan to assemble blocks at the July 24 Quilting Day Camp.  If you have extra hexis or can’t get them turned in by then, no worries! We can easily use them for future community donation quilts.

Thank you everyone who’s had a part in this. Here’s what is next for Sisters of the Hex:
  • Two quilts – We have enough blocks to make 2 quilts.
  • Assemble tops – we’ll plan to sew blocks together at the July 24 Boise Modern Quilt Guild Day Camp. A few of us plan to devote the day to sew blocks together, and if you’re there, you’re invited to chip in!
  • Finishing – Cathy Rogers has volunteered for quilting, Betsy Johnson volunteered to bind, Sewfinity donated a bolt (a bolt!) of fabric for backing, and Jeri Wood has volunteered to make a label. And, we’ll have a card available that anyone who contributed can sign, and these will be given with the quilts.

Sign Up for the July 24 Quilting Day Camp

Join us for our annual summer gathering of no-host modern quilting. We’re going al fresco and sewing outdoors!  Members, sign up by submitting the form you received by email. The retreat is limited to 40 attendees. Member registration ends June 18; non-member registration begins June 19

When: July 24, 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. (We’re starting early to beat the heat! You’re welcome to arrive as early as 7:30 a.m.)

Where: LDS church at 3200 Cassia St., Boise 83705 (We’ll meet at the picnic shelter at the rear of the church lot, so drive around back for parking and meeting.)

Cost: $40 per Boise MQG member | $65 non-members

  • Morning treats (baked goods, coffee, juice) and catered lunch is provided.
  • Those fabulous collections of swag are back! Plus, an expanded raffle ($1/ticket), so bring your cash and hope to win. Contributions to the swag and raffle come from the likes of Sewfinity, Quilt Crossing, Roost Books, Kitchen Table Quilting, QuiltCon, Cotton and Joy, Alison Glass, Pen and Paper Patterns, Aurifil, FreeSpirit Fabrics and more!
  • We will plan to be outdoors under a large picnic shelter.
  • This will be a “no-host” retreat, meaning that everyone brings their own sewing machines, necessary tools and projects to work on.
  • We’ll bring Sisters of the Hex supplies and see where the project stands.
  • The Get ‘er Done table will be set up. Find or bring fabric and scraps, orphan blocks and unfinished projects (at any stage).

We hope you’ll join us!