The Modern Quilt Guild defines modern quilts as ones that are primarily functional and inspired by modern design. Modern quilters work in different styles and define modern quilting in different ways, but several characteristics often appear which may help identify a modern quilt. These include, but are not limited to: the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternate grid work. “Modern traditionalism” or the updating of classic quilt designs is also often seen in modern quilting.

The following posts show examples of modern quilting from our members and other modern quilters.

Posts from the ‘Modern Quilting’ category


Dec
2022

Member Spotlight: Linda Jolly

categories: Improv Quilting, Member Spotlight, Members, Modern Quilting
Linda’s scrappy plus quilt we saw her working on at Quilt Camp one August
Linda J’s hand dyed fabrics
Linda
Linda Jolly
Linda J’s transparency quilt
Linda J.’s mini for Deb
Linda
Linda
Linda’s bag made from her hand stamped fabrics
Linda pressing seams
Linda Jolly
Linda
Linda J’s improv
Linda

How did you first get involved with Boise Modern Quilt Guild?
Linda: I got involved in the Boise Modern Quilt Guild after some of my friends went to the first QuiltCon. It sounded like so much fun I immediately planned on going the following year so of course I had to join the Boise Modern Quilt Guild first.

What’s your first memory of something related to quilting or sewing?
Linda: My Mom taught me how to sew and do other needle crafts. She was always sewing something. I started embroidering first, and then sewing clothes and quilting.

What’s your most memorable, or favorite, quilting project?
Linda: My favorite quilting project is whatever I am currently working on. Right now it is improv and I’m having so much fun!

What colors, shapes, fabrics do you gravitate to? What do you use most in your designs?
Linda: I love all fabric and colors but green is my fav and I like to make mostly simple designs.

Is there someone or something that has influenced your quilting?
Linda: Instagram has had a big influence on me the last couple of years. So many amazing quilters out there. Before that though it was the Sisters quilt show and taking classes from some great teachers there. My daughter lives in Bend so that makes it easy.

What might someone be surprised to know about you?
Linda: I would say that half of my stash was/is gifted or thrifted.

What do you do when you aren’t quilting?
Linda: When not sewing or long arming you can find me in the garden (flower or veg), walking, attending yoga classes, reading, going to happy hour with friends, cooking, and all the other stuff one must do, but that always comes last!

What’s the longest-lasting UFO in your collection?
Linda: I don’t have many UFO’s. Once I start a quilt I have to finish it. I do have some other projects that are mostly done like a couple of bags and small quilts that need special binding that are all patiently waiting for me to get back to them.

Do you have a preferred snack or beverage while you’re sewing? If so, what is it?
Linda: I like to drink tea when I am sewing unless it is after 4pm and then I might switch to wine. I mostly like it quiet so no recommendations on watching or listening to something from me. I usually don’t sew for more that a couple of hours at a time unless I go on a quilt retreat.

 

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Nov
2022

Dec. 3 Meeting & Guest Speaker Tara Faughnan

categories: Events, Modern Quilting, Monthly Meetings
  Mark your calendars for our annual business meeting and featured guest speaker Tara Faughnan!

WHEN: Saturday, Dec. 3, 10:15 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. (Please note start time; the library opens at 10:00 a.m., and we’ll allow a few minutes for everyone to settle into the meeting room.)

WHERE: Library! at Bown Crossing, Martie Brennan Multipurpose Room, 2153 E. Riverwalk Dr., Boise, ID 83706

Here’s what is planned:
  • Annual business meeting: We’ll be electing officers (see details below), looking back at 2022, announcing our annual holiday swap, and getting a sneak peek of what’s in store for 2023.
  • Guest lecture: Then we’ll have a chance to hear from Tara Faughnan on Color and Design. Drawing on 20 years of experience in quilting and textile design, Tara will share some of her approaches to the creative process, and discuss the importance of value, proportion and color when designing a quilt. Tara will join us via Zoom on the library’s large screen, and we’ll follow her presentation with time for Q&A. Check her out on Instagram or Pinterest.
About the Annual Business Meeting:

As a non-profit we are required to hold an annual meeting to take care of a few quick — but important — items of business. We promise to make the business part go quickly! Here’s what we’ll cover:

  • Dues: Dues remain at $20/year; renew or join by December 8. You have two payment options: 1) go to the Boise Modern Quilt Guild Membership page and use the PayPal to pay online, or 2) mail a check to Shelly Harshman, 1196 W Bear Track Drive, Meridian, ID 83642. Please make checks payable to Boise Modern Quilt Guild. (You can also bring a check to our Dec. 3 meeting)
  • Year in Review: We’ll review our financial information, how this last year went, and make some announcements for next year’s guild events.
  • Voting: We have a couple of upcoming changes to our Board of Directors:
    • President: Lindsie Bergevin is stepping down after three years of service (a huge thanks to Lindsie for everything she’s done for BMQG!!). Current nomination: Darla Christiansen
    • Vice President: Current nomination: Marilyn Shake (position formerly held by Darla)
    • Secretary and Treasurer: Current nominations (respectively): Millissa Masters and Kathy Stockton, both currently serving in these positions.
    • Additionally, Shelly Harshman remains as an appointed, non-voting board member overseeing Membership.
    • If you’d like to know more, see the Position Descriptions of Board Members page on our website.
    • A few rules about the vote:
      • At the meeting any member in good standing may nominate another person to the board with the second of another member.
      • To be qualified as an elected officer, a member must be in good standing, and have been active in the Guild for at least one year.
      • Renewing and new members are allowed to vote.
      • A member does not have to be present to be on the ballot, but you must be at the meeting to vote.
Hope to see you there!
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Aug
2022

Gather Your Quilts for Sept. 10 Quilt Walk!

categories: Events, Modern Quilting, Quilt Show

Gather up those quilts you’ve been making and get ready to show them off at the Sept. 10 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. 10; 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 used for floating take out

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.

The Central Washington MQG 2020 outdoor quilt show. Photo: Michelle Bartholomew
The Central Washington MQG 2020 outdoor quilt show. Photo: Michelle Bartholomew
Central Washington MQG 2020 outdoor quilt show. Photo: Michelle Bartholomew
click to enlarge Quilt Walk map

Questions? Send us a note at boisemqg@gmail.com. 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.

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May
2022

Member Spotlight: Marilyn Shake

categories: Improv Quilting, Member Spotlight, Members, Modern Quilting

Marilyn is a prolific quilter and enthusiastic member of our Guild. Be sure to scroll down for photos of Marilyn’s handiwork.

How did you first get involved with Boise Modern Quilt Guild?
Marilyn: My good friend Laura Pukstas suggested we attend a meeting and join. I usually do what Laura suggests so I joined. I’m very happy that I did because I have met so many interesting people.

What’s your first memory of something related to quilting or sewing?
Marilyn: When I was in the 6th grade, I received a Barbie doll and a canopy bed for her. I decided she needed a new bedspread and canopy topper so I got on the bus in Waterloo, Iowa and rode it to J.C. Penney to buy some fabric. I had never used a sewing machine but how hard could it be. My dad helped me with the threading and away I went. When it was time to add “puffiness” to the quilt I didn’t know what to use so I went downstairs to the dryer and cleaned out the dryer lint for the batting. I still have the quilt the topper, and canopy bed.

What’s your most memorable, or favorite, quilting project?
Marilyn: When I was in high school my mother suggested we make a quilt out of the leftover fabric from dresses I had made. My mother sewed up the whole quilt and had the ladies at church tie the quilt. There were a few blocks leftover that I recently made into 2 table runners for my daughters. Both of my daughters love the quilt that my mom made.

How would you describe your quilting design style or aesthetic?
Marilyn: Whatever I find interesting at the moment. I do like a challenge, it’s hard for me to make the same block over and over again; sampler quilts are a favorite.

What colors, shapes, fabrics do you gravitate to? What do you use most in your designs?
Marilyn: I love bright colors, blues and greens, oranges and reds, nothing drab. Tula Pink and Elizabeth Hartman fabrics are my favorites. I enjoy using Kona when it comes to solids.

Is there someone or something that has influenced your quilting?
Marilyn: My dear friend Laura has had a definite impact on my choices – she pushes me to try new things.

What might someone be surprised to know about you?
Marilyn: I enjoy putting weird fabric on the back of quilts – skeletons on the back of a floral for example.

What do you do when you aren’t quilting?
Marilyn: I might be taking a nap or having a glass of wine.

What are you working on now?
Marilyn: Currently I’m working on Moda Blockheads every Wednesday, a row-by-row quilt using Bonnie and Camille patterns, finishing a quilt top that contains hand embroidered blocks from the 1930s, to name a few.

What’s the project that you always intended to do (quilting or otherwise) but haven’t yet?
Marilyn: I want to make a double wedding ring using new technology. Still hopeful.

What’s the longest-lasting UFO in your collection?
Marilyn: My oldest UFO is about 30 years old. It’s made from mostly JoAnn’s fabrics before I knew about real quilt shops.

Do you have a preferred snack or beverage while you’re sewing? If so, what is it?
Marilyn: I always have a mug of water by my side, I snack on something crunchy like pretzels or crackers, Starburst jelly beans, a glass of wine…

What do you listen to or watch while you’re sewing? Do you have any recommendations to share?
Marilyn: I have a tv in my studio so I turn it on – HGTV, Lifetime, Hallmark, anything mindless. Sometimes I put on an old movie. I recently had on True Lies, and The Tourist.

Marilyn Quilt Back
Marilyn’s jelly roll quilt
Marilyn Pig Quilt
Marilyn’s skull
Marilyn Quilt 1
Marilyn’s quilt inspired by Denyse Schmidt
Marilyn Shake
Marilyn Quilt 4
Marilyn Shake
Marilyn’s scrap quilt
Marilyn and Lindsie sporting the BMQG shirts
Marilyn’s whimsical Halloween quilt
Jeri’s mini made by Marilyn
The back of Marilyn’s quilt
Marilyn’s quilt
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Apr
2022

April Meeting Recap

categories: Community Projects, Modern Quilting, Monthly Meetings

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 boisemqg@gmail.com. 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 H’s mini rounds
Marilyn’s scrap quilt
Dawn’s vintage scotties
donation quilt finished by Betsy & Linda J
Karen F’s quilt featured at the main library lobby
Darla’s house quilt of birthday blocks
Apryl’s scrappy twine
Karen F’s temperature quilt
Betsy
Deb’s orphan block quilt
Deb’s Y seams (why?)
  • 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.
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Apr
2022

Get ‘er Done! Quilts find homes in the community

categories: Community Projects, Improv Quilting, Modern Quilting

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.

One of Marilyn’s get er done quilts
Our first Get ‘er Done completed quilt!
get er done quilts
One of Marilyn’s get er done quilts
Millissa showing the leaders & enders project that started at Quilting Day Camp
quilts delivered to St. Luke’s Foundation
Gwen & Cathy with two hexi quilt tops

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
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Mar
2022

March Meeting Recap

categories: Members, Modern Quilting, Monthly Meetings, Sew Days

A big shout out to Angela Bowman at Sewfinity for hosting our meeting! We got a behind-the-scenes look at Angela’s creative quilt process, as well as her booming business, which specializes in solid fabrics and a carefully curated line of patterns and notions. Thanks Angela!

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • April 23 Trunk Show and Sew Day: Join us at the Boise Main Library, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. in the William F. Hayes Memorial Auditorium (same location as our February meeting). We will be treated to a trunk show of modern-looking antique quilts from Lindsay Crouch of Ripley Clark antiques. There will also be time for show and tell as well as sewing, if you want to bring a project to work on.
  • May 21 Yard Sale: While you’re spring cleaning, consider what you might want to sell at a quilty yard sale. In lieu of a monthly meeting, we’ll join the East End Neighborhood Association for their annual sale (thanks to Lindsie’s friend for allowing us to use her front lawn on Warm Springs Boulevard!). All sale participants are asked to contribute 10% of the day’s earnings to the Warm Springs Historic. Plan to bring everything you need: table, chair, pricing info, change, snacks, etc. You can sell fabric, notions, completed quilts, craft items, books … whatever needs to find a new home. Watch for more details and sign up information coming next month!
  • Member Roster: If you’re interested in sharing your contact information with other members, we’re creating a share-able roster to be updated this spring. Watch for information on how to be listed.
  • Giving Back: Thanks to everyone for helping make quilts that are delivered to deserving organizations in our community! Anna and Jeri volunteered to help with deliveries (thank you!!) and we had a big stack of quilts turned in. Check out the Get ‘Er Done table at our next meeting to find fabric and blocks. You can assemble just the top, finish the quilting, or bring your own Get ‘Er Done quilt in progress and someone else can pick up the next step.
Millissa’s own design and pattern
Shelly’s paint chip mini quilt made by Angela
Karen’s art from scrap
Shelly’s flower quilt top
Cassie cutting hundreds of HSTs
Lindsie and Angela in the Sewfinity back room
Angela showing how she uses a color wheel to build fabric bundles
Lynne’s scarf from a knit-along
Carol’s Frank Lloyd Wright window quilt
Ginny’s Jennifer Sampou table runner
Jeri’s fabric bowl
Elizabeth’s J Sampou quilt
Deb’s paint chip challenge mini quilt
get er done quilts
One of Marilyn’s get er done quilts
Karen’s free form pieces Hilde Morin designs
Linda A brought her friend Marion
Carol’s jelly roll quilt from Tula fabrics

SHOW and TELL

  • In addition to quilting, Lynne is a talented knitter and make this scarf as part of a knit-along.
  • Marilyn brought a stack of finished Get ‘er Done quilts and preprinted BMQG labels. If you need a label for one of the Get ‘er Done quilts you’re working on, pick one up at the next meeting.
  • Elizabeth finished a colorful Jennifer Sampou quilt.
  • Millissa showed a little sewing kit she designed and made (including the pattern!), inspired by a bakery takeout box; she also showed us how she’s taken to the art of Korean fabric wrapping. Pojagi is a piece of cloth where the seams are sewn allowing the fabric to be used for gift wrapping, transporting items, fashion, and home decor. The word refers both to the craft and to the cloth itself.
  • Fay is working with her church quilt group to make quilts using the Pineapple Quilt Block Foundation Paper blocks we received in last summer’s Sew Day swag bags. If you aren’t using yours, consider passing the pattern along to Fay for this project.
  • Carol A. completed a bright and cheerful rug from Tula Pink jelly roll fabric.
  • Deb recieved her paint chip challenge mini quilt, made by Linda J.
  • Carol made two Frank Lloyd Wright-inspired window quilts, which hang on either side of her fireplace at home, using the Jackie Robinson “Quilts in the Tradition of Frank Lloyd Wright“ book.
  • Karen’s organic, free-form quilts were made following Hilde Morin techniques; Karen managed two bonus pieces from her scraps!
  • Shelly showed her spring bloom quilt and received her paint chip mini quilt from Angela.
  • Jeri created a large fabric bowl.
  • Ginny showed a table runner using Jennifer Sampou’s sky fabric and pattern from the “Ombre Quilt” book.
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Mar
2022

Paint Chip Challenge Mini-Swap

categories: Events, Improv Quilting, Modern Quilting, Monthly Meetings, Swaps

We revealed the results of our Paint Chip Challenge and mini quilt swap at our February meeting. The results were pretty amazing!

Jeri’s mini made by Marilyn
Marilyn’s mini made by Nany E.. made for
Shelly’s creation for Nancy E
Linda A. made for Lindsie
Linda A.’s mini made by Ginny
Nancy S. made this for Delanie
Darla made this for Laura P.
Laura made for Karen
Laura N.’s mini made by Jeriura
Linda J.’s mini for Deb
Deb’s quilt for Linda J.
Cassie made for Gwen
Elizabeth made for Cassie
Betsy made for Elizabeth
Cathy R. made this for Betsy
Apryl made this for Cathy R
Apryl’s new mini was made by Millissa and delivered by Shelly
Gwen made this pair for Millissa

 

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Mar
2022

February Meeting Recap

categories: Improv Quilting, Modern Quilting, Monthly Meetings

We had a full and fun meeting, with lots of show & tell and swaps. Watch for a separate post soon dedicated to just our Paint Chip Challenge Swap.

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Club Mod 2022: This year, we’re using Club Mod to focus on finishing Unfinished Projects (UFOs), and appreciate Cassie for the refresh idea! Join us at 7p.m. on Zoom on the second Friday of each month. Work on the UFO of your choice, or just join us for some socialization to go with your sewing. Want to get serious about it? Complete this optional UFO Challenge Commitment form.
  • March 26 Meeting: We’ll meet at Sewfinity in Meridian, owned by BMQG member Angela Bowman. Angela recently won a prestigious Judges’ Award at the QuiltCon Quilt show for her quilt “Chloe,” and will share a bit about herself and her work. In addition to Angela’s presentation, we’ll show some of the quilts featured in the show at QuiltCon and then, of course, make time for shopping.
  • May Yard Sale: While you’re spring cleaning, consider what you might want to sell at a quilty yard sale. Watch for details on location and date. We’ll ask you to contribute a $5 flat fee for space (the proceeds will go to a local non-profit—if you’ve got a suggestion for the board to consider, let us know!), and from there you can sell fabric, notions, completed quilts, craft items, books …. whatever needs to find a new home.
  • Membership Dues: If you haven’t yet paid your 2022 dues, please do so soon. We’re updating our roster of current members, and renewing your membership means you’ll get emails and updates about events and activities this year.

SHOW & TELL

Karen’s blue & yellows
Karen’s MQG swap
Linda J’s transparency quilt
Linda J’s improv
Linda J’s hand dyed fabrics
Elizabeth’s finished bag
Carol’s giant scrappy
Betsy’s UFO countdown
Jeri’s quilt kit from MN
Gwen’s transparency quilt
Nancy S sweater bears quilt
Lindsie’s handwork
Jeri’s temp quilt key
Nancy E’s Birch dogs
Nancy E’s scrappy Birch

 

  • Linda J. showed a quilt made of her hand-dyed indigo fabrics; she also created a black and white quilt as part of a modern improv class with Carole Lyles Shaw – this started out as 24“ pinwheels that were cut up and put back together
  • Gwen and Linda J. made transparency quilts by Modern Quilt Studio
  • Karen F. participated in a MQG Mini-Swap and received this small quilt from England; she also made lots of blue and yellow small quilts from her stash and leftovers from another swap
  • Elizabeth finished a ByAnnie.com Project Bag from our last retreat, which she said was easier than expected
  • Carol quilted her large scrappy, striped quilt on her domestic machine
  • Betsy set a goal of finishing one UFO per month, and a small redwork piece is her latest
  • Linda A. took some blocks from the Get ‘er Done stack last summer, and brought back the impressive finished product
  • Fay is working with her church quilt group to make quilts using the Pineapple Quilt Block Foundation Paper blocks we received in last summer’s Sew Day swag bags. If you aren’t using yours, consider passing the pattern along to Fay for this project.
  • Jeri finished her 2021 temperature quilt, which includes a key about temperature ranges; she also showed a quilt of brights with black frames that she purchased in Minnesota while traveling this winter
  • Nancy S. made a quilt using adorable fabric with “sweater bears” that her husband loves to use as his TV quilt
  • Nancy E. finished two quilts using our beloved Birch fabric
  • Lindsie showed off some hand stitching in progress from a QuiltCon class.

100 DAY PROJECT
Darla and Jeri were inspired by Sarah Ruiz’s presentation at QuiltCon about 100 day projects. Sarah’s approach is to pick your own timeframe (maybe 5 days or 30 days are better for you), and then decide your own rules. Anything goes, whether it’s sewing one seam a day (Darla’s goal toward finishing some UFOs) or putting two pieces together every day (Jeri’s plan for a neglected project) — you get to make the rules and change them if you need to. Marilyn has joined in and if you are interested, you’ll find lots of #100dayproject inspiration on social media.

GIVING BACK / GET ‘ER DONE
Deb and Lindsie completed two small quilt tops that were passed along to Marilyn for quiltiling. There are still plenty of orphan blocks that could be assembled into tops, so please check out the Get ‘er Done table at our next meeting. You can assemble just the top, finish the quilting, or bring your own Get ‘er Done quilt in progress and someone else can pick up the next step.

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Feb
2022

Member Spotlight: Shelly Harshman

categories: Member Spotlight, Members, Modern Quilting

Our resident Sister of the Hex Shelly Harshman is in the Member Spotlight. She’s a long-serving member of the BMQG board, where she oversees all things Membership related. Shelly is quick-humored, and an accomplished quilter with a terrific eye for color.

by Shelly
Shelly EPP
Shelly
Shelly Harshman
Shelly
Piper, Shelly and Amy
Shelly
Shelly’s rainbow quilt

How did you first get involved with Boise Modern Quilt Guild?
Shelly: I was looking for a smaller, more modern group to join. When I did a Google search, I was impressed with the colorful logo and the information about this group. I came to a meeting, and felt really welcome.

What’s your first memory of something related to quilting or sewing?
Shelly: My mom paid me to make summer shorts for my little sisters when I was around 12. I sewed all my skirts and blouses and dresses while I was in school. My mom was always sewing, and it’s been a part of my life as long as I can remember.

What’s your most memorable, or favorite, quilting project?
Shelly: My sisters and I made hexi quilts together. That will probably always be my favorite project. Sisters of the Hex rule!!

How would you describe your quilting design style or aesthetic?
Shelly: I love color, and trying something new. A pattern is just a place to start.

What colors, shapes, fabrics do you gravitate to? What do you use most in your designs?
Shelly: I love bright jewel tones, and super scrappy quilts – loads of surprising details to find. Curved blocks are a current favorite. I love a quilt pattern that you have to look at for a while to figure out how they put it together. I’m always up for a challenge.

Is there someone or something that has influenced your quilting?
Shelly: My mom was always sewing, but she’s not a quilter. I thought everybody had matching clothes and pajamas for their dolls. I learned my sewing skills from her. My Grandma Spencer was a quilter and I have wonderful memories of her hand quilting on wooden frames on the covered back patio at her home. Sadly, she passed away before I caught the quilting bug.

What might someone be surprised to know about you?
Shelly: Hmmm…. I’ve kissed the Blarney Stone and I drive a Mini Cooper.

What do you do when you aren’t quilting?
Shelly: I don’t understand the question.

What are you working on now?
Shelly: I’m free motion quilting the backlog of quilt tops that are hanging in my closet. I use my home machine to quilt them. I try to always have something to plan, something to piece, and something to quilt, and some handwork. I received a Featherweight for Christmas this year, and I’ve been loving piecing on it!

What’s the project that you always intended to do (quilting or otherwise) but haven’t yet?
Shelly: I want to make the La Passacaglia quilt. So far, I have a nice big pinterest board with ideas, and have ordered the book and papers.

What’s the longest-lasting UFO in your collection?
Shelly: I’m currently pretty caught up – I have quilt tops that need to be quilted, but the oldest is probably only a couple of years old. Covid has given me more time to work on projects.

Do you have a preferred snack or beverage while you’re sewing? If so, what is it?
Shelly: Dr. Pepper and peanut m&m’s.

What do you listen to or watch while you’re sewing? Do you have any recommendations to share?
Shelly: I love audiobooks and music. Movies on the iPad distract me unless it’s something I’ve seen a bunch of times. Mysteries and Clive Cussler adventures are favorites.

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