Posts Tagged ‘modern quilts’


Apr
2023

March meeting recap

categories: Community Projects, Member Spotlight, Monthly Meetings, Sew Days

We had a fun and super productive meeting! Thanks to everyone who worked on making drawstring backpacks! Here’s a recap of our day:

Drawstring backpacks & zipper pouches: We had 20 finished drawstring backpacks (wow!) by the end of the meeting. Nicely done all! We still have a few pre-cut packs ready to sew (thanks Anna for cutting and Marilyn for fabric!), and if you’d like one or two of these pre-cuts before the next meeting, please send a note to [email protected]. We’ll bring more cording to the April meeting for those who have backpacks in the works. And, we are looking for some more zipper pouches that will hold sustainable period packs. These items will all be gifted to Faces of Hope Victim Center.

Community Giving: We received a treasure trove of finished quilts for donating (thank you Carol M. and Marilyn for your generosity), plus others ready for  quilting — and yahoo! our amazing long arm quilters Linda A. and Jamie volunteered to quilt them. Mary brought a completed whole-cloth quilt, which was snatched up for binding. Thanks everyone for helping out!  (notes about backing: if passing a quilt to a long arm quilter, please make your quilt back 3-4 inches bigger than the front on all four sides; this extra fabric allows the quilt to be attached to the long arm rollers)

Scaled Triangles & Leader/Ender: Our Modern Quilt Bee is well underway, with nine blocks already completed. We’re looking for more blocks (see attached instructions). And as Marilyn says, any red, orange, or pink will work! Marilyn also brought pre-cut scrappy fabrics for a simple leader ender quilt. If you took some home to sew, bring them back next month. Ultimately, both quilts will be donated to a local organization.

April 22 Meeting Faces Collage: Our own Cathy R. will lead us in making whimsical collage portrait mini quilts. No sewing machine needed; just bring scraps to share, scissors and glue sticks (watch your email for details). We’ll be at the Library at Cole & Ustick (7557 W Ustick Rd, Boise) 10:30 a.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Thanks to Linda Armstrong for her wonderful show & tell! What a variety of beautiful and charming pieces she shared. If you haven’t already, be sure to check out her member spotlight. And, to see photos from everyone’s show & tell, keep an eye on our Facebook and Instagram feeds.

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Sep
2022

Quilt Walk recap & fall updates

categories: Community Projects, Events, Quilt Show, Quilt Walk

Quilt Walk: Thanks to everyone who came out to the inaugural Quilt Walk in the park. It was so fun to show off our quilts of all sizes and styles in an informal setting! And we had fun inviting passersby to vote for People’s Choice. There were 48 quilts on display, and more than 130 people cast votes; Lynne’s Bar Quilt was the winner. It was great way to connect with the community and share our love for quilting.

Zipper Pouches: We delivered nearly 40 pouches to the Faces of Hope Victim Center and Community Outreach Behavioral Services (COBS), all filled with personal hygiene items like soap, toothpaste, tampons, etc. And, we have more than 30 more ready to fill. Thank you all for your generous response in making these beautiful pouches! Watch for details on what’s next.

Be sure to mark your calendar for these upcoming quilty events:

Sep. 18: Final day of the Stephen Towns: Declaration & Resistance exhibit at Boise Art Museum. His work draws visual inspiration from medieval altarpieces, nineteenth-century photography, Dutch wax print fabrics, and from African American story quilts.

Sep. 30 – Oct 1: Treasures of the Valley Quilt Show from Boise Basin Quilt Guild at Expo Idaho, 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. each day.

Oct. 13-16: MQG Sessions is a member-only virtual event. 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.

Oct. 22: Boise MQG monthly meeting; 10:15 a.m. We will be meeting at the downtown Boise Library! Marion Bingham Room for a Sew Day and show and tell. There will be plenty of space to sew, iron and cut, so feel free to bring a project to work on.

Dec. 3: Boise MQG Annual Meeting, 10:15 a.m. (no meeting in November)

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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.

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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 [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.
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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.

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

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

 

  • 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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Aug
2021

August Meeting Recap

categories: Community Projects, Improv Quilting, Member Spotlight, Members, Modern Quilting, Monthly Meetings

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!

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Aug
2021

Modern Quilts to Line the Boise Greenbelt on Sept. 11

categories: Quilt Show
Central Washington Modern Quilt Guild
The Central Washington Modern Quilt Guild hosted a similar event last year. (Photo by Michelle Bartholomew)

The Boise Modern Quilt Guild will hold a Modern Quilt Walk on Sept. 11 from 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. in Ann Morrison Park. Quilts will be displayed on a stretch of grass on the south side of the river, between the Pioneer Footbridge and Old Timer Shelter.

The Quilt Walk is a fun and informal way to share the art of modern quilting in an easily accessible location during the same weekend as Art in the Park. Members of the Boise MQG and Nampa MQG will be displaying their quilts. If you are interested in displaying your quilts at the event, please contact us for more information. The Quilt Walk is free and open to the public, and passersby will be invited to vote for a People’s Choice quilt.

Modern quilts are primarily functional and inspired by modern design. They might feature bold, playful or unusual arrangements; they may or may not have uniform blocks of repeated patterns. Several characteristics that may help identify a modern quilt include:

  • The use of bold colors and prints
  • High contrast and graphic areas of solid color
  • Improvisational piecing, which involves sewing fabric together without always cutting to precise measurements
  • Minimalism—spareness and simplicity of design
  • Expansive negative space, known as white space or background of any color, to create contrast and allow a certain design element to stand out
  • Asymmetrical and alternate grid work, or simply arranging a quilt in an unconventional or unexpected manner
  • Modern traditionalism or the updating of classic quilt designs by using design techniques like color, scale, symmetry, and grid placement to modernize the design

The Boise Modern Quilt Guild is an affiliate member of the Modern Quilt Guild, Inc., and a non-profit organization with more than 40 members. Established in 2010, the BMQG’s mission 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 using modern quilting skills. More information is available on our About page.