Modern Machine Quilting Workshop

We really enjoyed the modern machine quilting workshop given by Christa of christaquilts.com. She shared so many helpful quilting tips, graciously signed all our copies of her book, and even gave us a preview of her brand new book she co-authored with Angela Walters.

Workshop2

Workshop1

We quilt-doodled on a bunch of 10″ square quilt sandwiches with both straight-line quilting and free-motion quilting. It was so much fun! Here are Angela’s samples from the class:

QuiltSandwichesAngela

And thanks, Lindsie, for showing Christa around Boise!

LindsieChrista

 

No March Meeting & Workshop Update

Just a reminder that we will not be having our normal guild meeting this month. Instead we are super excited to have Christa Watson teaching her Modern Machine Quilting with Style all day workshop. You must be registered and have paid to take part in the class. There is still time to enroll in the workshop -but we only have 6 spots left. Pass the word onto friends and family you think might be interested. We guarantee that you will learn a ton – and have fun too!

To enroll in the workshop, please complete this Modern Machine Quilting with Style workshop form, which includes instructions on how to pay ($70 members/$90 non-members). Once payment is received, you will receive a confirmation email that your spot has been secured. If you want to learn more about the class, check out our Modern Machine Quilting with Style Workshop post for more information.

If you’ve already signed up the class, please take note of the following:

  • Venue change: The class has moved to Joann Fabric and Craft – 1085 N Milwaukee St. We will be in the upstairs classroom on the 2nd floor. Just take the elevator that’s located in the back of the store, near the restrooms.
  • Lunch: Lunch will be on your own (about an hour).
  • Class supply list: Print this supply list. Make sure you come prepared!
  • Christa’s new book The Ultimate Guide to Machine Quilting: Long-arm and Sit-down – Learn When, Where, Why, and How to Finish Your Quilts is available for preorder. If you preorder from her website you can pick it up the day of the workshop and Christa can sign it, too. The official release date isn’t until April 5th, so you will be the first to see them!

Fun mini-retreat

What a fun mini-retreat on Saturday! We had many members come together to work on projects, as well as a few guests, which we always love.

 

 

 

 

February 2016 Sew Day – Join Us!

When: Saturday, February 27, 1 – 4 pm
Where: Victory Branch Library, 10664 W Victory Rd, Boise, ID (Forrey Room downstairs) at the corner of Victory and Five Mile – Please note that this is a different location than where we normally meet.

This month we are trying something a little different. How does a mini-retreat sound? Bring a project to work on, a snack to share and everything you need to spend a few hours sewing and chatting. Lindsie is even bringing her design wall, so if you have a project you’ve been wanting to layout or an idea you want to try on the wall, bring it!

As always, we want to see your completed projects and BOM, so bring those to share with the group.

If you have them, it’s always a good idea to bring a power strip and/or small extension cord as well.

By the way, we only have six openings left for Christa Watson’s Modern Machine Quilting with Style class on March 26. If you are interested, sign up here. Find a class description and more information on our post: Modern Machine Quilting with Style – a Workshop by Christa Watson.

Modern Machine Quilting with Style – a Workshop by Christa Watson

Modern Machine Quilting workshop with Christa Watson

We are excited to share with you that we are bringing in modern quilt designer and author Christa Watson for an all-day workshop!

About Christa:

Christa Watson is an award winning quilt maker and author of two machine quilting books. Her designs have been featured in several publications including Make Modern and QuiltCon magazines. She regularly teaches quilting workshops and is teaching at QuiltCon 2016 in Pasadena, CA. You can find Christa on social media @christaquilts or at christaquilts.com.

About the Modern Machine Quilting with Style workshop:

Take your quilts to the next level by adding depth and dimension to your quilts. The secret is learning to let go of perfection by practicing asymmetrical textures that require little to no marking. Gain confidence with walking foot wonders, then move on to free-motion favorites. Students will practice on sample “sandwiches” and may bring in their tops for a discussion of possible quilting ideas. Students should have a basic understanding of their sewing machines and know how to switch between feet easily.

  • When: Saturday, March 26, 2016, 10:00am – 4:30pm
  • Where: NEW LOCATION – Joann Fabric and Craft – 1085 N Milwaukee St. We will be in the upstairs classroom on the 2nd floor. Just take the elevator that’s located in the back of the store, near the restrooms.
  • Cost: $70 for Boise MQG members / $90 for non-members
  • Availability: 22 spots are available, first come first served. Sign-ups are open to Boise MQG members until 2/8/16, and any spots available after then will be open to non-members.
  • Required Supplies: (supply list) Please note that this supply list includes Christa’s book Machine Quilting With Style, available on Amazon for $21 hardcopy or $10 as an e-book.

To enroll in the workshop, please complete this Modern Machine Quilting with Style workshop form, which includes instructions on how to pay. Once payment is received, you will receive a confirmation email that your spot has been secured, along with a class supply list.

Some great totes!

Good food and beautiful totes were on the agenda Saturday. During our annual After-Holiday party 10 members exchanged handmade bags and it was amazing to see how much variety and talent there was. Thanks to everyone who made it so much fun!

Tote Bag Swap
Tote Bag Swap

We also had a few members bring some quilts to share.

After Holiday Party – Join Us!

When: January 23, 2016 | 1-3 p.m.
Where: Boise Public Library, 715 S. Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID (Marion Bingham Room on 3rd floor)

Mark your calendars! The Boise Modern Quilt Guild will be hosting our annual After-Holiday Party on January 23, from 1 to 3 p.m. Saturday’s festivities will include treats, door prizes and our tote swap!

Treats

Please bring a treat to share with the group.

Tote Swap

We are excited to see what kind of totes everyone has made for their swap partner! If you are participating in the tote swap, please bring your completed tote on Saturday to exchange.

Sew and Share

If you were lucky enough to receive a handmade sewn or quilted gift this holiday season, or have a completed project, please bring it on Saturday.

WiP’s & Wishes Challenge

This is your last chance to show us completed WiPs from your list for 2015. We will also announce the winner!

If you want to participate in the 2016 WiPs, just bring $10 and a list with 10 or fewer projects you want to complete this year. Half of the challenge money will go towards the guild; half of the money will be a jackpot prize at the end of the year. Completed projects must be shown at a guild meeting during the “show and share” portion of the meeting. Each completed project earns a ticket towards the jackpot prize. The jackpot prize will be drawn at the last guild meeting of 2016. Use this challenge as a motivator to finish your WiP’s or try something new!! Payment can be made via a check written to the Boise Modern Quilt Guild.

Block of the Month
January also marks the kick-off for our 2016 BOM: the Modern BOM by Alissa Haight Carlton. It was originally published on Sew Mama Sew from July 2011 to June 2012; however, the Boise Modern Quilt Guild is following along from January to December 2016. For the tutorial for the first block, visit our post Block of the Month – 2016. Can’t wait to see your block in February!

See you soon!

Block of the Month – 2016

Our 2016 Block of the Month is the Modern BOM by Alissa Haight Carlton. It was originally published on Sew Mama Sew from July 2011 to June 2012; however, the Boise Modern Quilt Guild is following along from January to December 2016.

Block of the Month 2016
Block of the Month

In this BOM you’ll find:

  • Use of solids
  • Whites and/or grays as neutrals and background/negative space
  • Asymmetry in the design, especially in terms of the negative space
  • Improvisational piecing

Each unfinished block is 12.5″. If you’d like to make all 12 blocks in the same fabrics, here are the fabric requirements that Alissa recommends, noting that you’ll probably have a lot left over, but you’ll have room for mistakes and for improvisational piecing.

  • 2 yards each of 3 different fabrics (solid or print)
  • 3 yards of one background fabric
2016 BOM
Modern BOM – photo by I love to stitch (via Flickr)

Here are the tutorials for each block. Please note that we’re starting block 1 in January, even though the tutorial will refer to the month of July (the original start date).

Block 1 – Jul 2011

Block 2 – Aug 2011

Block 3 – Sep 2011

Block 4 – Oct 2011

Block 5 – Nov 2011

Block 6 – Dec 2011

Block 7 – Jan 2012

Block 8 – Feb 2012

Block 9 – Mar 2012

Block 10 – Apr 2012

Block 11 – May 2012

Block 12 – Jun 2012

Highlights – a wrap-up

2015 Annual Meeting and Sew Day – a Recap

We had a great meeting this month! Being November, we had our annual meeting where we reviewed the previous year, elected board members, talked about the upcoming year, and showed off some of our projects.

Members voted on the 2016 Boise Modern Quilt Guild Board of Directors. The Board will remain the same:

  • President – Christy Foltz-Ahlrichs
  • Vice President – Angela Bowman
  • Secretary –Lindsie Bergevin
  • Treasurer – Lori Wambolt

If you are interested in being a member of the Boise Modern Quilt Guild in 2016, please go to the Boise Modern Quilt Guild Membership page and use the Paypal option to pay your $20 dues online (please note that there is a $1 convenience fee). Or you may mail payment to Lori Wambolt at 5582 E Stageline Dr, Boise ID 83716. Checks should be made payable to Boise Modern Quilt Guild. Please have your dues in by December 15, 2015.

What’s coming up in 2016? We are planning an exciting year: another BOM, more guest speakers from the artist community, a quilting retreat (!) and more. Stay tuned!

Many projects were shared by our members – check them out!

2015 Annual Meeting and Sew Day – Join Us!

When: December 5, 2015, 1-4 p.m.
Where: Boise Public Library, 715 S Capitol Blvd, Boise, ID (Marion Bingham Room on 3rd floor)

Yes, it is that time of year again! Since we are 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 quick! Below is an outline of the meeting as well as some other announcements.

A few changes for your calendar:
We are combining our November and December meetings. Instead of meeting November 28 and December 26, we will meet December 5. Our annual after-holiday party will be January 23 at our regularly scheduled sew day.

Annual swap:
At our January after-holiday party we will exchange totes. We will be emailing members a form to fill out so swap partners can learn a bit more about each other’s likes and dislikes. Check out our Tote Bag Tutorials Pinterest board for inspiration if you are interested in participating. Please get your form filled out by 12/6/15 so we can match you with your swap partner!

Membership position opening:
Lori has done a wonderful job coordinating membership while also being our Treasurer, but the time has come to make membership its own position. This is not an elected position and it really is a lot of fun – you get to learn who our new members are first! This position includes:

  • Help new members and visitors feel welcome at guild meetings and events by introducing yourself and engaging them in conversation.
  • Answer new member and visitor questions regarding guild membership.
  • Send welcome letter to new members.
  • Distribute membership cards and MQG pins at guild meetings.
  • Collect payment and deposit checks from new and renewing members. (Many members now pay on-line via Paypal.)
  • Inform treasurer of new members.
  • Activate new members and remove non-renewing members on the MQG community website.
  • Maintain membership roster on the guild’s shared drive.
  • Maintain a list of benefits for members: local fabric/quilt shop discounts, etc.
  • Encourage guild members to make their own name tags, to be worn at meetings and events.
  • Ensure guild meetings and events have temporary name tags available for members and visitors to wear.
  • Record attendance of members at monthly meetings: ensure all attendees have signed in via the Guild Roster.

Let us know if you are interested ASAP. Duties would start January 2016.

December 5th meeting

Business:

  • Dues: If you are interested in being a member of the Boise Modern Quilt Guild in 2016, we’ll be processing memberships. If you’d like to take care of your membership beforehand, or if you can’t make it to the meeting, please go to the Boise Modern Quilt Guild Membership page and use the Paypal option to pay your $20 dues online. Or you may mail your $20 dues to Lori Wambolt at 5582 E Stageline Dr, Boise ID 83716. Checks should be made payable to Boise Modern Quilt Guild. Please have your dues in by December 15, 2015.
  • Financials: We will review our financial information – where money was spent in 2015 and what we expect our expenses to be in 2016.
  • Voting: We will vote on the Board of Directors. Our Board is currently comprised of: Christy Foltz-Ahlrichs, President; Angela Bowman, Vice President; Lindsie Bergevin, Secretary; Lori Wambolt, Treasurer.
    • 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 (with exception for the founding officers).
      • 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.
      • See Position Descriptions of Board Members for more information.

Fun:

    • Learn about some of the activities that are planned for 2016.
    • As always, bring a project to work on and your modern projects to show off!