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


May
2021

Modern Moment: Improv Piecing

categories: Modern Quilting, Monthly Meetings

Have you ever wondered if your quilt was “modern” or “modern enough”? Well, you’re not alone. To help demystify the topic, we’re taking a few moments at the start of each meeting to talk about characteristics that help define a modern quilt. At our May meeting, members shared their improv quilts and we looked at a few other examples.

Above, some examples from our own:

  • The BMQG’s Get ‘er Done community quilt – sewn together by Millissa Masters – features blues, yellows and a pop of red, put together improv-style
  • Karen Flavey participated in a workshop with Cindy Grisdela to create these lovely pink curves
  • Lynne Crawford shared two of her improv quilts in bold solids
  • Darla Christiansen made 2.5″ scrappy blocks for a rainbow effect
  • Delanie Edmunds showed us her take on an improv t-shirt quilt

You can find an impressive array of examples made by other people by visiting the Modern Quilt Guild’s gallery.

  • Comments Off on Modern Moment: Improv Piecing

May
2021

May 2021 Guild Meeting recap

categories: Community Projects, Modern Quilting, Monthly Meetings

Coming up

  • June 11 Club Mod: Join us for the next Friday night sew party at Club Mod, June 11, 7-9 p.m. on Zoom. Sew on your projects, chair dance at your machine, and maybe win a prize!
  • June 26 In-Person Meeting: We’re planning on meeting outdoors and in person.

Want to join the fun? Send us a note at [email protected] and we’ll make sure you have the details. We have more fun events planned for this year. Be sure to join our guild so you can participate in our upcoming activities and be the first to know about them!

Giving back

  • Get ‘Er Done: Our first project is nearly complete! Let us know if you are willing to make and sew binding — the quilt is 64“ x 64“ (and a big THANK YOU to Millissa, Cathy R. and Darla for working on this quilt). Get ’er Done is our clearinghouse to facilitate quilts going from start to finish before giving them to community organizations that can use the quilts. 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.
  • Sisters of the Hex: If you have completed hexi flowers, send us a note at [email protected] . We’ve started sewing them to the background squares and can’t wait to add yours.

Show and tell + Quilt label discussion

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

  • Deb Stoner finished her Tetons Quilt, which will be a lovely wedding gift. She used the Mod Mountains Pattern ; and, Deb made her own custom label to match the quilt design
  • Fay Hikida finished her red and white Creatin’ in the Sticks quilt from a birthday block exchange
  • Get custom iron-on labels like Cassie’s from Mad Modern Graphics
  • Try the technique that involves stamping labels shown here
  • Or try printing your computer-design label onto fabric ironed on to freezer paper, explained in this tutorial
  • Customize iron-on, write-on labels with stencils, like these
  • Include the year you made (or finished) the quilt
  • Use archival or permanent ink like a Pigma pen to write on the corner hanging sleeve
  • This Bonnie Hunter technique involves sewing a simple label into the corner
  • Try pre-writing your label message, then use a lightbox or window to trace it onto the fabric
  • Comments Off on May 2021 Guild Meeting recap

Apr
2021

April 2021 Guild Meeting Recap

categories: Community Projects, Events, Modern Quilting, Monthly Meetings

We had another great meeting this month, starting with a few announcements:

  • May 7 Club Mod: Join us for Friday night sewing at Club Mod, May 7, 7-9 p.m. on Zoom. Then, pencil in the second Friday night of the month for upcoming Club Mod sewing parties. Sew on your projects, chair dance at your machine, and maybe win a prize!
  • May 22 In-person Meeting: We’re planning on meeting outdoors and in person beginning in May. Plan on wearing a mask and social distancing, and watch for more info on locations, including availability of tables, electricity or covered pavilions.  (We have more fun events planned for this year that are still in the early stages.)

Be sure to join our guild so you can participate in our upcoming activities and be the first to know about them!)

Giving Back

  • Get ‘Er Done Projects: This is the place to facilitate quilts going from start to finish, and then find them a new home in the community. Thanks to Millissa Masters for taking on our first project — a batch of bee blocks she’s artfully assembled into a completed 64″ x 64″ quilt top. Cathy Rogers is donating batting, and if you’re interested in quilting or binding, let us know!
  • Sisters of the Hex: We are so thrilled with everyone’s response to help sew hexies! They’ll become part of a memorial quilt for past member Denise Arellano. If you need more hexi-making supplies, send us a note at [email protected]. Bring any completed hexi flowers to our May 22 meeting (did we mention it’s in person?).

Show and Tell

We had some great shares this month! Here’s a sampling of the patterns and resources mentioned.

Guest Artist Rebecca Klundt

Our meeting featured artist Rebecca Klundt, whose work is so inspired and so quilt-like in its construction we couldn’t help but be wowed. If you missed it, check out her work on Instagram @rebeccaklundt or at rebeccaklundt.com .

 

Modern Moment: High Contrast & Graphic Areas of Solid Color

Have you ever wondered if your quilt was “modern” or “modern enough”? Well, you’re not alone. To help demystify the topic, we’re taking a few moments at the start of each meeting to talk about characteristics that help define a modern quilt. This week we looked at quilts that feature high contrast & graphic areas of solid color, like these:

You can browse through plenty more examples of modern quilts in the MQG photo gallery.

  • Comments Off on April 2021 Guild Meeting Recap

Mar
2021

March 2021 Guild Meeting Recap

categories: Community Projects, Events, Modern Quilting, Monthly Meetings

Spring has arrived and we’re giddy about the sun, and what’s ahead for the BMQG. Our March meeting was full of information and updates. Here’s a recap of what happened:

Announcements

  • April 9 Club Mod: Join us for the launch party of Friday night sewing at Club Mod, April 9, 7-9 p.m. on Zoom. Then, pencil in the second Friday night of the month for upcoming Club Mod sewing parties. Sew on your projects, chair dance at your machine, and maybe win a prize!
  • April 24 Meeting & Guest Artist: Next month we’ll hear from artist Rebecca Klundt, who creates quilt-like work with reclaimed wood. We’ll meet again on Zoom; plan for an abbreviated show and tell so that we have plenty of time for Q&A with Rebecca.
  • May 22 In-person Meeting: We’re planning on meeting outdoors and in person beginning in May. Plan on wearing a mask and social distancing, and watch for more info on locations, including availability of tables, electricity or covered pavilions.

We have a couple more fun events planned for this year that are still in the early stages. Be sure to join our guild so you can participate in our upcoming activities and be the first to know about them!

Modern Moment: Use of Bold Colors and Prints

  • Have you ever wondered if your quilt was “modern” or “modern enough”? Well, you’re not alone. To help demystify the topic, we’re taking a few moments at each meeting to talk about characteristics that help define modern quilting. This week we looked at quilts that use bold colors and prints. Watch for more on this topic soon!

Giving Back

  • Get ‘Er Done: We’re keen to share our quilting with others in need, while helping members finish projects. At future meetings, we’ll take time for Get ‘Er Done Projects — a virtual or actual table to facilitate quilts going from start to finish. 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. From there, we’ll provide a list of organizations on our website that can use the quilts.
  • Sisters of the Hex: You’re invited to help sew hexies that will become a memorial project for past member Denise Arellano. Find out more here.

Show and Tell

We had some great shares this month for our Show and Tell portion of the meeting. Here are some of the patterns and resources mentioned that you might find helpful.

  • Comments Off on March 2021 Guild Meeting Recap

Mar
2021

Sisters of the Hex

categories: Community Projects, Modern Quilting, Monthly Meetings

You’re invited to help make a quilt in memory of our friend Denise Arellano. We were devastated when Denise took her life in August 2020, but we treasure the bonds created over good food, conversation, and of course, quilting! Denise was drawn to making hexies, jump started after seeing the amazing giant quilt made by BMQG member Shelly Harshman and her sisters … who Denise dubbed “Sisters of the Hex.” From there, Denise made hundreds of hexi forms and collected the fabric to cover them. Now we’re inviting you to join the sisterhood in making Denise’s hexi collection complete. The final product will be gifted to her beloved and any leftover hexi blocks will be sewn together into additional quilt tops which we’ll finish and donate to a local charity.

HOW YOU CAN PARTICIPATE

  • Pick up your packet of hexi-making supplies. (email us at [email protected] for location details)
    • March 28 (Sunday), 2-3 pm. or March 30 (Tuesday), 7-8 pm.
    • You can also get packets by contacting us at [email protected]
  • Hexi-making supply kit: Your packet includes English Paper Piecing (EPP) forms and fabric supplies to make 4 hexi flowers. Feel free to swap out fabric of your own choosing if you like! There are also 1-2 pre-made hexies in your kit, which you can use as an example and to incorporate into your flowers.
  • Make the hexi flowers: each flower is made up of 6 hexi petals + 1 hexi center in a contrasting color. Stitch the individual hexi first, then stitch them to each other. (Below, examples of completed hexi flowers and what completed blocks might look like. Photo credit: SameliasMum.com used by permission.)
  • Return: Please remove the papers from the hexies and press the flowers well; or, if you prefer, leave the papers in and we’ll remove them later. (Please feel free to keep the papers for future EPP projects or recycle them!) Bring your completed hexi flowers to the May BMQG meeting. The flowers will be handed off for machine stitching to background fabric, making 6.5-inch unfinished squares. Depending on how the project progresses, there may be an opportunity to help machine sew blocks together at the August BMQ Quilting Day Camp.

HEXI TUTORIALS TO CHECK OUT
https://www.redhandledscissors.com/2013/06/27/tutorial-english-paper-piecing-hexies-part-1/
https://www.redhandledscissors.com/2013/07/17/tutorial-english-paper-piecing-hexies-part-2/
https://weallsew.com/how-to-sew-english-paper-pieced-hexagons/ (links to a variety of techniques)

Thanks ever so much for your help! Please let us know if you have questions.

Mar
2021

BMQG Quilt to Benefit Ronald McDonald Charities

categories: Community Projects, Modern Quilting

Check out this beauty of a quilt! We’re so excited to contribute it to this month’s 2nd Annual Red Shoes Shindig fundraising auction, benefitting the Ronald McDonald House Charities (RMHC) of Idaho. An online auction is open March 9-18, with virtual watch parties happening March 11. It all supports RMHC’s mission of keeping families together and near the medical care their children need.

You might have worked on the quilt a few years ago, when BMQG members help to designed and sew it. The quilting was done by Laura Pukstas (thanks, Laura, your quilting is amazing!). It was all part of a QuiltCon challenge to local guilds. National MQG gave us just a handful of guidelines: to work collaboratively to create completed quilts, use a predetermined color palette, and use an alternate grid work design. The end result showcases our members’ impressive talents, if we do say so ourselves.

You can get in on the virtual Red Shoes Shindig! There are plenty of options to host a watch party with  friends, coworkers or family. Get ready to kick up your heels, boots, or sneakers and enjoy a safe evening of food, fun, and fundraising. For more information, visit rmhcidaho.org/redshoe/.

  • Comments Off on BMQG Quilt to Benefit Ronald McDonald Charities

Feb
2021

January 2021 Sew Day recap

categories: Modern Quilting, Sew Days

We had a wonderful meeting via Zoom at the end of January where we shared our recent makes. The following resources or patterns were mentioned as part of the show and tell:

We also showed off the fabric postcard swap as part of our After Holiday Party annual swap tradition. They all turned out so well! Here are a few of the post cards shared. If you don’t see yours here, nudge your partner to email us a pic and we’ll add it to this gallery!

 

  • Comments Off on January 2021 Sew Day recap

May
2019

May 2019 Sew Day

categories: Modern Quilting, Sew Days

Our members brought lots of fun finished projects to share with the group this month!

  • Angela
  • Angela’s quilt hanging at library
  • Apryl
  • Christy
  • Lacey
  • Nancy
  • Cathy
  • Comments Off on May 2019 Sew Day