Highlights from September 2017 Meeting

Quilt show wisdom from our guest:

Quilt Judge
Irene Grimes

This past Saturday, September 9th, GMQG had opportunity to welcome a special guest from North Carolina, Ms. Irene Grimes whose presentation was on "Quilt Show Wisdom" from a Quilt Judge point of view. I think we can all agree, her message was both insightful and inspirational along with good practical advice.

Irene is an award-winning quilter and paper piecing pattern designer. Her patterns can be found on her website at Patchwork & Pastry. In addition to her love of quilting, Irene is pursuing her certification with the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ). It is her expertise as a quilt judge that our discussion focused on this past Saturday.

In her presentation, she provided fuel for thought when entering a quilt show as well as the judge's perspective when judging an individual quilt entry in a show.  I liked how she started:

• Do not be intimidated -- Enter your quilt in a show
• You gain invaluable critique that can be both positive and negative (judges comments can be productive and constructive for improvement in technique)
• Select the best category for your quilt entry
• In each show, the categories vary so important to find the best category fit for your entry: is it modern, traditional, improvisational, etc.
• The wrong category can mean not winning
• If possible, learn who will be judging the show
• Knowing their expertise will provide understanding to comments on your quilt entry
• What is important to them in judging a piece? is it the fabric color, creativity, the binding being the same width on both sides or can the front be narrower and back wider etc.
• Analyze what is your motivation for entering a quilt show:
• Enjoyment
• Publicity 
• Income
• And, have thick-skin

One of Irene's favorite parts in her quilt judging experience has been those opportunities to shadow a more seasoned judge. Her observation as well as listening to their process in judging a quilt was invaluable.

Of course, Irene has adapted her own process of judging a quilt. Here are a few of her checklist items:

• First impressions:
• Does the quilt hold her attention for 3 seconds or longer - striking composition
• Fabric and color combinations 
• Is it well thought out
• Is it original design (or from a kit)
• Technique:
• Reviewing the quilt binding - Feeling the entire perimeter of the quilt to see if the fold is to the edge
• Scanning the surface of the quilt for the fabric piecing - 
• Are the corners squared, no points cut off, straight edges or wobbly edges
• Overall sewing techniques
• Quilting - 
• Was it hand or machine quilted
• If long-arm used, was it hand-guided or computerized
• Title of the Quilt entry - and in some cases the written overview about the quilt piece

As she concluded, Irene showed us several of her quilts, pinpointing on some, "what not to do" and the reasons why.  And, for those who brought quilts, it was interesting to hear Irene's comments with her judge's hat on.

Overall, I think Irene's presentation addressed to each of us, that the art and science of quiltmaking is still very present.  

We hope you will come again, Irene.  Thank you.

Recognitions:

Congratulations Cheryl Brickey and Paige Alexander on their new book Modern Plus Sign Quilts.

It's coming March 2018. You can pre-order on Amazon or purchase from Bernina Sewing Center when it arrives.

It is a tremendous feat....so kudos to them both.  And, as Leslie White mentioned, there will be a book signing at Bernina Sewing Center.... so stay tuned!!!!



Congratulations to Valorie Kasten who has a quilt on tour with Hoffman Fabrics 2017 Traveling Show. Impressive!!!

And, Carol Alperin, has a quilt accepted into the September MQX Quilt Festival in Springfield, IL. We wish you the BEST!

Announcements:

1. We had a great group in attendance Saturday. Nancy deJong reported we had a total of 35 consisting of 30 members, 2 new members and 3 guests (welcome!). In addition, Paige Alexander updated us on the GMQG financials.
2. Cindy Lammon provided several organizations to us where we can donate a quilt for the Harvey Hurricane victims. Here are their respective URL's to learn about their quilt drives: The Quilt Haus , Art Gallery Fabrics and The Linus Connection
3. Cindy Lammon, Paige Alexander and Nancy deJong are our nominating committee for this year's Board election. According to our Bylaws, they will report the new slate of officers at the October 14th meeting. Then, as a group, we will vote in November.
4. Sandy Helsel will be attending the Houston International Quilt Festival in November. Please contact her if you would like to find a quilt item. 
5. Cindy's October Sew-In Day is upcoming on Friday, October 20th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 
   
   Bernina Sewing Center. It is a relaxed, informal sewing time with lots of opportunity to visit. You come can choose to bring your lunch or order with the group. For those attending, Cindy asks that you purchase a 1/2 yd of fabric at Bernina to contribute to the grand drawing where one lucky person wins it all!!!

Upcoming Quilt Shows & Events:

1. Western North Carolina Quilters Guild is hosting Pepper Cory for a lecture/workshop on "the Art of Real Scrap Quilting" September 21-22. The cost is $35. Contact Sarah Bookspan for more information.
2. Aunt Het Quilt Show, October 7-8, 2017 hosted by Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild. 
3. Asheville Quilt Guild has their 35th Quilt Show coming up September 29th - October 1st.
4. Quilts on Parade Quilt Show, November 3rd & 4th, 2017 hosted by Upcountry Quilters Guild. 
5. Cobblestone Quilt Guild is hosting a workshop for "Introduction to Quilt Judging". It will by taught by certified judges Lorraine Covington & Kate Eelkema of the National Association of Certified Quilt Judging on November 10th and 11th.
6. Save the Date: NC Quilt Symposium 2018 is going to be held at University of North Carolina - Asheville May 31, June 1-3. 
7. MQG items to note:

• Quilt entries and registration are now open for QuiltCon 2018 coming up February 22-25th. 
• Two QuiltCon 2018 Challenges this year are both due by November 30, 2017:
• Michael Miller - Our Yard Fabric Challenge, and
• American Patchwork & Quilting Flying Geese
• Mini Swap - Sign up begins September 20th. due in Feb 2018 
• "Fresh Quilting", the MQG show is airing on our local PBS channel on Fridays at 6 am and noon

Modern Skill Builder - Block of the Month (BOM):

GREAT job GMQG.....you delivered abundantly with  the August Block of the Month --Improv Stripes. Does this not look like a table of "Possibilities".  Thank you to all who contributed this month.
   

Block name: Improv Stripes Block

Designer: Debbie of A Quilter's Table

Block size: no defined size, any width and height

September Block of the Month

This month Cheryl Brickey has selected a pattern with Half Square Triangles (HST) to challenge us. Below are the information, video link and pattern notes to get you started:

Block name: Aztec Block + Instruction overview video

Designer: Art Gallery Fabrics

Block size: 15 1/2" x 18 1/2"

Skills this block builds: Interesting technique for HSTs  

Fabrics/Colors: Dark blue and Yellow

Pattern Notes: 

This pattern contains an error. Please read through these edits for a successful block.

1. When making the HST, draw the diagonal line on the yellow 10" sq and press seams towards the blue fabric.
2. When cutting the HST in half then half again, your cut lines will be at 4 3/4" and then 2 3/8".
3. Do NOT cut all 4 of your HST according to Diagram 3. Follow the following cutting diagram attached.

Philanthropy:

As Cindy and Faye mentioned, we have seen over these past few weeks, the storm devastation in Texas and Florida. So, the call out this month is to send quilts to the organizations listed in the announcements above who are collecting quilts for these areas.

And did you count, we had seven (7) quilts for the GHS and Julie Valentine Center this month. You can see them in the Show & Share below.  They are literally a visual delight. We know they were sewn with a lot of love and given with hope of great blessing.

Show & Share

Elise Dunbar- challenging her skills with March BOM. They look great! We will stay tuned to see more.

Bonnie Cunningham - bringing in the Fall season with a beautiful maple leaf table runner

Darleen Sanford- Wonky improv log cabin quilt for Charity

Sandy Helsel- she appropriately named her quilt "Emerging Roads"

Didi Salvatierra - tranformed GMQG August's BOM (right) into a beautiful quilt for Charity (left)

Dagmar Theodore- brought to life an Elizabeth Hartman pattern named "Dogs in Sweaters"

Susan Rink - had 3 children quilts that were in the "just about done" phase- now completed she is donating all to Charity

Carol Alperin- (Left) Flannel quilt for Charity and (Right) Kimberly Einmo star pattern

Nancy deJong-(Left) her batik quilt for sister (Center) A++ on her Schlep Bag & (Right) her Meadow Mist Mystery Quilt 

(Left): Faye Jones and her sister, Cindy Clifton, completed quilt for a wedding gift  (Right) Faye's Boho Baby Quilt

Faye Jones - Is it a quilt or work of art? Faye named it "the Gossips"

Cindy Lammon: Charity quilt using a pattern from Cluck Cluck Sew called Strip'n Flip

Next Month:

Come join us for October's Round Robin Piecing Extravaganza where you will see actual demonstrations of "accurate" quarter inch piecing, paper piecing and more. We hope you will Save-the-Date for Saturday, October 14th from 1pm - 3pm at:

Bernina Sewing Center

2310 East North Street, Suite A

Greenville, SC 29607

864-235-5031

From a Quilt Judge Point of View - Saturday, September 9th

Greenville Modern Quilt Guild
Special guest this month
Irene Grimes
Quilter & Quilt Judge

1. Are you looking to improve your quilt skills and techniques?
2. Are you thinking about entering a quilt show?
3. Are you interested in becoming a future quilt show judge?

Then, our upcoming program is just for you!!

GMQG has the privilege of welcoming Ms. Irene Grimes this Saturday as our featured speaker.

Irene brings to us her love of quilting and expertise as a quilt judge with the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ).

How did that love of quilting start? In 2011, after watching a couple of friends quilt.  This led her to discover Paper Piecing which led her to start designing patterns. Today, her patterns can be found on her website Patchwork & Pastry.  


Irene enjoys sharing her quilting knowledge in workshops here in the U.S. and in Europe. She is the recipient of numerous awards with patterns published in Quiltmaker's 100.

Irene is a veteran of the United States Army and currently resides in Fayetteville/Hope Mills area of NC which she affectionately has nicknamed "Smalltown U.S.A."

Program Highlight and "Demo" Judging: 

This Saturday, Irene is going to share her quilting story as well as bring to us an additional element....the judges perspective.

As she speaks about the judging criteria, she has a special request of you.

• If you would like some feedback on how one of your quilts may be viewed by a judge, please bring it to the meeting. Time permitting, Irene will 'demo-judge' for us.

President's Note from Cindy Lammon:

I hope you have had a great month. As you know our August Block of the Month (BOM) is Improv Stripes Block. This one is very quick and easy. And, fun to pair fabric colors and patterns. Above are a few I have already made.

I would like to extend a challenge to each of you. I'd love to see us get more blocks this month than what we've received in the past few months. I think it is do-able!!!

We also invite each of you to bring quilts for our guest speaker's discussion in addition to your Show & Share and Philanthropy quilt projects.

Our Saturday programs are about enjoyment of quilting, so come join us this Saturday afternoon from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at:

Bernina Sewing Center

2310 East North Street, Suite A

Greenville, SC 29607

864-235-5031

Highlights from August 2017 Meeting

Flying Birds: Open to Interpretation & Imagination

This years GMQG's annual quilt challenge was inspired by a pattern called "Birds in the Air" from Nicole Neblett's blog Mama Love Quilts.

Our challenge was to interpret the pattern with a modern twist. As you know, there were few required criteria for this challenge, so that we could be guided by our imagination. 

......Drum roll, please.....

Here are the results.....We had eight (8) members who joined in the challenge and as you can tell there are no two alike.

Eight members submitted their interpretation of "Birds in the Air" for the Annual Quilt Challenge

Left to Right  Valerie Fitzgerald and Valorie Kasten

Left to Right:  Sandy Helsel and Carol Alperin

Left to Right:  Cindy Lammon and Faye Jones (3rd Place Winner)

Left to Right:  Cheryl Brickey (1st Place Winner) and Paige Alexander (2nd Place Winner)

The design, the colors and the quilting detail were all wonderful to see up close. The hard part was voting. We all had opportunity to vote on our favorites. We thank each of you for your participation in the fun. And, this year's challenge winners were: Cheryl Brickey, Paige Alexander and Faye Jones. They received gift certificates to our favorite store, Bernina Sewing Center. Congratulations!!!

It was good to see each of you this past Saturday. Paige Alexander reported we had 27 in attendance with 24 members and 3 guests.

GMQG celebrated last month our 2nd year as part of the national Modern Quilt Guild (MQG) organization.

Announcements

• Anderson Area Quilt Show - A Celebration of Quilts is next weekend August 18th & 19th
• Aunt Het Quilt Show, October 7-8, 2017 has a new category for modern quilts. The hosts of the show, Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild, has invited GMQG members to consider entering quilts in this category. The registration form and deadline for the show is September 1, 2017.  For those that enter the show, Faye Jones has volunteered to take our quilts to the show as well as bring them back.
• Asheville Quilt Guild has their 35th Quilt Show coming up September 29th - October 1st.
• Foothills Piecemakers Quilt Guild is hosting Liz Florom for a workshop on using your scraps on Friday, September 8th from 9am - 3pm. The fee is $45. For registration form, email Cindy Lammon at cindy@hyacinthquiltdesigns.com
• MQG items to note:
• Quilt entries and registration are now open for QuiltCon 2018 coming up February 22-25th
• For the upcoming QuiltCon, there will be a webinar on August 31st regarding Jurying and Judging information
• MQG- QuiltCon 2018: Check out the two challenges both with deadlines November 30, 2017:
• Michael Miller - Our Yard Fabric Challenge. 
• American Patchwork & Quilting Flying Geese. 
• In addition, individuals can sign up for the QuiltCon Charity Quilt 
• Other news:
• Be looking for Paige Alexander's quilt to be featured on MQG Quilt of the Month. It should be posted soon.  Congratulations, Paige.
• QuiltCon Magazine is currently accepting submissions for both quilt patterns and articles. 
• "Fresh Quilting", the MQG show is airing on our local PBS channel on Fridays at 6 am and noon
• Cobblestone Quilt Guild is hosting a workshop for "Introduction to Quilt Judging". It will by taught by certified judges Lorraine Covington & Kate Eelkema of the National Association of Certified Quilt Judging on November 10th and 11th. 

Modern Skill Builder - Block of the Month (BOM)

Whimsical stripes.....fun, fun, fun.... 

Cheryl's August Block of the Month is just that Improv Stripes.  Here is the information:

Block name: Improv Stripes Block

Designer: Debbie of A Quilter's Table

Block size: no defined size, any width and height

Skills this block builds: improvisational piecing

Fabrics/Colors: Any fabrics, any colors

As Cheryl described to us, this pattern is so versatile that creativity is limitless.

Cindy Lammon liked the pattern, so she tested it out this week to bring and show us her version of Improv Stripes. First, she cut and sewed improv stripe squares, then cut them in varying bandwidths, stacked them to make vertical stripes. 

Cindy Lammon- Improv stripe charity quilt

Look at July BOM results!!!!!! 

July's Block name: Modern Beauty Block

Designer: Alyssa of Pile O'Fabric

Thank you to our particpants. 

Philanthropy

We had a total of four (4) quilts submitted this month for GHS and Julie Valentine Center. I think we all secretly would love to be a recipient of one of these quilts, so what a neat blessing and hug they will be to the kids coming out of distraught situations.  

Show & Share

Darlene Sanford - a cheerful, spry quilt for charity

Didi Salvatierra - Zippy-do-dah quilt inspired by things in the garden

Didi Salvatierra - Left: Improv quilt using fabric with Words  Right: Table runner for Henderson County Open Studio Tour

Debbie Graves: Rainbow heart quilt for a friend's child in France

Lynne Harrill:  Two quilt projects "in the works" for the upcoming Asheville Quilt Show using fabrics she dyed

Michele Blake- Transformed GMQG's Block of the Month (April/May) into the stunning Star quilt on the left for charity 

Johnnie McKenzie- beautiful art series of quilt squares utilizing Fibonacci Sequence 

Johnnie McKenzie - Left: Vibrant baby's room wall hanging using Log Cabin pattern  Right: Blue Flower using batik fabric

Paige Alexander: Christmas pillow with family member hands & their initial  Right: MQG September Quilt of the Month
*Note:  Zipper tutorial Paige used for pillow

Christina Strickland - did her version of Cheryl Brickey's pattern called "State of Being" 

Cindy Lammon:  Left: vibrant triangles quilt for Charity   Right: Quilt using her stash of Bonnie & Camille fabrics

Next Month

We look forward to hosting Miriam and Emily Coffey. These ladies are modern quilters bringing their knowledge and creativity to us. We hope you will Save-the-Date and join us on Saturday, September 9th from 1pm - 3pm at:

Bernina Sewing Center

2310 East North Street, Suite A

Greenville, SC 29607

864-235-5031

Come see the Birds in the Air -- August 12th

Yes, that's right we hope to have Birds in the Air all around Bernina Sewing Center because.......

This Saturday, August 12th is the day to bring your "Birds in the Air" Challenge Reveal quilting projects. 

GMQG Challenge this year was a pattern called "Birds in the Air" shown on Nicole Neblett's blog called Mama Love Quilts.

You still have a few days to prepare and create your imaginative interpretation with this quilt pattern.

As a reminder, here are the criteria for this year's prize-winning challenge:

• Quilt size - not to exceed 36" on one side
• Pattern name: Birds in the Air
• Use at least three (3) of the 8 elements in modern quilt design listed below:
• bright/graphic color palette
• negative space
• minimalism
• no borders
• improvisational piecing
• alternate grid work
• asymmetry
• exaggerated scale

This will be a fun time for all whether participating in the challenge or not. We hope you will come to enjoy the creativity of this annual event.

We also invite each of you to bring your quilt and sewing projects because we plan to enjoy seeing your Show & Share, Philanthropy projects and Block of the Month.

August is a hot month, so join us for a cool afternoon this Saturday, August 12th from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm at:

Bernina Sewing Center

2310 East North Street, Suite A

Greenville, SC 29607

864-235-5031

See you soon.....

Highlights from July 2017 Meeting

Cheryl Brickey's, new seminar, Subtracting for Minimalism, was inspirational this past Saturday, as well as, fun to watch as she walked us through her step by step process of how to remove quilt composition elements for a minimalist quilt design.

Some of the classic quilt blocks (like Ohio Star (shown above), Log Cabin, Pinwheel Pop), she applied her technique and amazingly by removing parts of the whole, the quilt pattern took on a new refinement, that yes, was more minimalistic, but at the same time unique with a contemporary flair.

Cheryl Brickey (left) walking us through her process and (right) Her quilt called State of Being was featured in MQG 2016

Interestingly, for each of her examples, your eye completes the design of what should be there, while at the same time, appreciating the new design for what is not there!

Thank you Cheryl for your preparation, discussion and showing us how to apply the minimalist technique with or without software. We all walked away with invaluable information and thoughts of possibilities ;-)

August Challenge - Coming Next Month

It's not to late to get started.....Here are the criteria for this year's prize-winning challenge:

• Quilt size - not to exceed 36" on one side
• Pattern name: Birds in the Air
• Use at least three (3) of the 8 elements in modern quilt design listed below:
• bright/graphic color palette
• negative space
• minimalism
• no borders
• improvisational piecing
• alternate grid work
• asymmetry
• exaggerated scale
• Note: the interpretation of this pattern is "open" to your imagination!!!!!

Show & Share

Did you notice? Each person who showed their quilting project(s) this month added a "unique factor" to their project. I like that....it's those personal elements that make each quilt -- one of a kind.

Michele Blake - Baby quilt from Jaybird Quilts using Tiny Dancer Pattern

Ruth Freyer- Two quilts for charity (left) Vibrant patchwork colors and (right) Bjorn Bear pattern by Elizabeth Hartman

Teri Krugman - her final project from a Jane Sassaman workshop

Faye Jones - two charity quilts (left) Flamingos with spiral quilting (right) Vibrant squares & dots using ruler quilting

Johnny McKenzie - (left) Eclispe wall hanging (center) Earthquake shifting plates (right) Fun pillows using solids

Cheryl Brickey - Arrow Point Path 

Philanthropy

Faye Jone's report of how GMQG Comfort quilts make a difference in children's lives is always so meaningful and touching.  But, as she mentioned this time, even the staff are touched as they watch the children pick out a quilt to hug and hold on too.

As we enter into the second half of 2017, Faye thanks each of you for your dedication to the success of our Comfort Quilts for Children. She will have four (4) quilts to take to GHS in July.

Also, for those who would like to sew the GMQG label on their charity quilt, Faye and Cindy will have the labels available at each of our meetings for your convenience to pick up.

Modern Skill Builder - Block of the Month (BOM)

The results of June's BOM called Herringbone by designer Alissa Haight Carlton of Handmade by Alissa for Sew Mama Sew.

We had a couple of participants who did a wonderful job in recreating this bold and graphic design.

Thank you.

July's Block name: Modern Beauty Block

Designer: Alyssa of Pile O'Fabric

Block size: 12 1/2" x 12 1/2" unfinished, (12" x 12" finished)

Skills this block builds: Modern machine applique

Fabrics/Colors: Same colors as in the Pile O'Fabric tutorial, you can use solids, prints, or a mixture of both:


Background - low volume

• Fabric A - yellow
• Fabric B1 - dark blue
• Fabric B2 - pink 
• Fabric C - lighter pink than B2

Applique: You may use any applique stitch you would like to stitch down the applique shapes: straight stitch, zigzag, satin, blanket, etc...

Additional items to note:

• What a fantastic turnout for July.....with 41 total attending!!! It was also great to welcome our five (5) guests. Thank you Paige for your update report to us.

• Sew-In with Cindy Lammon at:  Bernina Sewing Center - Friday, July 14th from 10:00a.m. - 4:00pm. If you have any questions, please email Cindy @ cindy@hyacinthquiltdesigns.com
  

• Check-out Bernina Sewing Center July calendar for sewing and quilting classes. 
• Aunt Het Quilt Show, October 7-8, 2017 has a new category for modern quilts. The hosts of the show, Nimble Thimble Quilt Guild, has invited GMQG members to consider entering quilts in this category. 
• The registration form and deadline for the show is September 1, 2017. 
• For those that enter the show, Faye Jones has volunteered to take our quilts to the show as well as bring them back.
• MQG- QuiltCon East 2018:  Check out the two challenges both with deadlines November 30, 2017: 
• Michael Miller - Our Yard Fabric Challenge. 
• American Patchwork & Quilting Flying Geese. 
• Cindy Lammon shared with us the opportunity to participate with Bernina Sewing Center in "Global Journey" a special formed group of 20 quilters from the USA and other countries who will be visiting Greenville next May 25, 2018. The goal of the group is to experience the uniqueness of the area through local residents and quilters like ourselves. Here is the website to learn more about this program called Friendship Force Western North Carolina. We will keep you posted as this event nears next year.
• Cobblestone Quilt Guild is hosting a workshop for "Introduction to Quilt Judging". Below is the information to learn more of the details of the workshop. It will by taught by certified judges Lorraine Covington & Kate Eelkema of the National Association of Certified Quilt Judging on November 10th and 11th.   See below for more information: 

We hope you continue to enjoy your summer and be inspired by the adventures and outings you take. Go ahead and save-the-date for next month's meeting on August 12th.

We look forward to seeing you at:

Bernina Sewing Center

2310 East North Street, Suite A

Greenville, SC 29607

864-235-5031