The July 23 meeting will be at Julia Davis Park, 700 S. Capitol Blvd. in Boise, 10 a.m. – noon. We’ll gather in a shady area near the Rose Garden. (please note, Zoo Boise is hosting an event that day so parking may be a bit more crowded than normal). What to bring:
a chair or something to sit on, water, sunscreen
additional finished zipper pouches (we’ll plan on filling them that day)
your completed Modern Block of the Month
show and tell!
We’ll also update you on Quilt Camp and the September 10 Quilt Walk. Other updates:
Inaugural MQG Sessions: Have you seen that Modern Quilt Guild is holding a member-only virtual event October 13-16? You can spend the weekend learning from some of the best quilting instructors in the comfort of your own home. For one flat rate of $95 members will have access to over 20 hours of lectures, social gatherings, and more. Every education session is recorded and registered attendees can watch live and replay the recordings on demand for 14 days following the event. Registration will open to MQG members only on July 26th, 2022 at 11 a.m. CDT. Check out the faculty and schedule here: https://www.themodernquiltguild.com/sessions/
QuiltCon is Coming: Registration opens on August 16. MQG is using a virtual waiting room this year to better manage the registration process. Information will be provided prior to registration day about how this process will work. Be sure to check out the QuiltCon Challenges page to learn more about the various technique and fabric challenges for QuiltCon 2023 (and if enough people from BMQG are interested in participating, we’re looking for a couple of volunteers to lead the effort).
Anne joined the Guild last year and brings with her a wealth of quilting and sewing experience, including a certificate in Fiber Arts! Plus she’s an avid reader and involved with lots of other interests.
Anne’s zipper bag
vintage checkerboard
How did you first get involved with Boise Modern Quilt Guild? Anne: We moved to Boise last August. I’ve belonged to quilt guilds in most of the cities I’ve lived in. I find it a great way to make friends!
What’s your first memory of something related to quilting or sewing? Anne: I took the mandatory Home Ec in junior high and made a blouse. And didn’t touched a machine for a long time. In my 30s I lived in the Seattle area, and my best friend said, “Hey there is a quilting class, we should take it.” It was hand quilting so no machine required. I was very skeptical that I would like, but we gave it a go. I loved making my first quilt. Made a second one similar to it, because practice helps me really learn. Bought a sewing machine. And I am still good friends with all of the ladies that were in the class.
What’s your most memorable, or favorite, quilting project? Anne: The most challenging thing I ever did was to get my certificate in Fiber Arts from the University of Washington. It was a year-long program for which you had to apply. After the first few weeks I was sure I wanted to quit, but the professor talked to me about it and explained that being uncomfortable with the program was part of what made you grow in your art, and to stick it out. The program culminated with putting one piece in a gallery show. The piece that I made was an Andy Warhol type of piece with nine versions of a face within a fingerprint. It was hands-down the most complicated thing I have ever done.
How would you describe your quilting design style or aesthetic? Anne: As is true for most of us, I’m sure, it has evolved greatly, and is continuing to evolve. I love free form quilting without rules. I don’t typically make blocks any longer. I love expressions with color and movement. Lots of applique.
What colors, shapes, fabrics do you gravitate to? What do you use most in your designs? Anne: Bright colors, things that contrast. I mostly work in cotton, but I’m open to anything.
Is there someone or something that has influenced your quilting? Anne: More than I could mention.
What might someone be surprised to know about you? Anne: So many things (ha ha)
1. I owned a squirrel monkey when I was a child.
2. I have lived in Chicago; College Station, Texas; Wichita; San Diego; Silverdale, Seattle and Kirkland, Washington; Melbourne and Sydney Australia; Las Vegas; Dallas; and now Boise. No – I am not in the military, I just like new adventures.
3. I owned a quilt shop in Silverdale, Washington. I absolutely loved it, but ended up having to close it.
What do you do when you aren’t quilting? Anne: Moving a lot ha ha. I love to travel. We really enjoy playing board games. We try to get out and explore where we live. I enjoy riding my bike. I have a garden this year. Most of all I love to read and will read between 1-3 books a week.
What are you working on now? Anne: I’m finishing up a 365 block applique quilt. I purchased the kit when I was in Las Vegas with the idea that I’d get it done in a year. As of today, I have 10 blocks left to sew down and then complete the borders.
What’s the project that you always intended to do (quilting or otherwise) but haven’t yet? Anne: In January 2020 I set goals for myself to do two quilts, one to enter and one to just do. I wanted to make a quilt to celebrate my grandmother and make a quilt based on the Beatles song Blackbird. Then of course the pandemic hit, and in spite of being sequestered, I found it very difficult to mentally concentrate on anything for a variety of personal reasons. In spite of making an effort, I did not accomplish either, and I still want to accomplish both.
What’s the longest-lasting UFO in your collection? Anne: I have a few tops that need to be quilted, which is really more of finding someone to do it for me, or find a long arm to do it. I’m not sure what I will do with them, so not in a hurry. Other than the 365 quilt mentioned above, I don’t keep a lot of UFOs. As I’ve moved around a lot, I pretty much only keep around what I think I will really get to.
Do you have a preferred snack or beverage while you’re sewing? If so, what is it? Anne: Hmm, not while sewing, but I love a good Gin and Tonic. I guess I don’t really snack that much.
What do you listen to or watch while you’re sewing? Do you have any recommendations to share? Anne: I’ll often turn on the tv to things I’ve seen before, because I don’t have to pay too much attention. So I’ll watch movies I’ve seen a thousand times. Some favorites while quilting are: Big Chill, Bull Durham, Moonstruck.
I love music, all kinds in particular stuff from the 70s.
I love podcasts. I listen to true crime, science, anything by Malcolm Gladwell, and fun and interesting things. Some favorites: Broken Record (Malcolm Gladwell), Revisionist History (Malcolm Gladwell), Radiolab, S-Town, The Murder Squad
We’re kicking off a Modern Quilting Bee Project! It’s simple to participate, and we think it will be so fun! We’re starting with this 16.5-inch unfinished block.
You’ll need to login as a member of MQG — once logged in, you can follow this path to the pattern: For MQG Members > MQG Journal > Previous Issues > MQG Journal Issue 02 > scroll down the page to find “Issue 02 / Block Study / Barbed” and click on More. If you trouble getting to the pattern, email us for help. (Barbed quilt block by Molly Wardlow; photo by Laura Loewen)
Barbed quilt block by Molly Wardlow (Photos by Laura Loewen)
Millissa is leading our Modern Block of the Month
Millissa (BMQG Secretary) is leading the effort and has chosen a tranquil blue and aqua color theme, you can also throw in a natural off white if you are inspired.
Make your block using these similar colors, using either solids or prints. Don’t worry about finding an exact color match.
You can use the Clearly Perfect Slotted Trimmers ruler, or something like it for quickly making a batch of Half Square Triangles (HSTs). Or, check out this tutorial if you want to brush up on tips for making HSTs.
Bring your completed block to the July 23 meeting.
Eventually, the completed quilt will be part of our Get ‘er Done quilts and gifted to a community organization.
Zipper Pouches
Anne’s zipper bag
A giant thanks to everyone who joined us for making zipper pouches! We collected 31 completed pouches by the end of the meeting – and we know there are more out there being stitched up. The pouches will be filled with personal care items, including items from Jill Shelton Wagers, DMD and Hilton Garden Inn at Pioneer Crossing, and donated to two local organizations: Faces of Hope Victim Center and Community Outreach Behavioral Services (COBS). We especially appreciated the tips and tutorial from Apryl and Cathy R.
If you’re working on a pouch, plan to turn it in by the July 23 meeting. You can follow this simple tutorial by Noodelhead (or if you have an equally simple pouch pattern, you’re welcome to make that). If members are interested in continuing the project, we can add it to our ongoing community giving activities.
Show & Tell
Marilyn was in the Member Spotlight, and brought a collection that illustrated her journey as a quilter. She made her first quilt for her doll’s bed, and not knowing any different, she cleverly used dryer lint as batting. After that, there was no stopping Marilyn! She admitted that she “love(s) weird backs” and Elizabeth Hartman designs.
Marilyn in the Member Spotlight
Marilyn in the Member Spotlight
Marilyn in the Member Spotlight
Marilyn in the Member Spotlight
Marilyn in the Member Spotlight
Marilyn in the Member Spotlight
Marilyn in the Member Spotlight
Cassie’s quilt top
Cassie showed the quilt top she finished during Friday night Club Mod get togethers. There are so. many. HSTs. She’s also leading girls at her church to make fabric bracelets using this fabric and paper version and this fabric-wrapped cord version.
Darla showed a purse that’s part of the Sew Powerful purse project. The purses are sent to Zambian girls to use for carrying feminine hygiene supplies, thus allowing them to stay in school all month. Find the pattern here. A group of friends will send a package of purses at the end of October, and if you’d like to make a purse, simply get it to Darla, Jeri or Cathy R. by the October meeting.
Get ‘er Done quilts: If you’re helping make quilts to share in our community, Anna Y. reminded us that throw or twin bed sizes would be especially appreciated by some organizations, though smaller baby quilts will also be accepted. Need batting? The Guild recently purchased a supply for this very purpose. Send us a note to let us know what you need!;
