Work in Progress Wednesday

Every Wednesday we share a work in progress from a COMQG member. Today is the Strawberry Churn quilt which will be donated to Camp Erin, a children's grief camp. 

Here's the Strawberry Churn quilt top so far.

In January, kits and block sewing instructions were passed out to guild members. Over the next couple of months, blocks were collected and sewn together into a quilt top. The Churn Dash blocks finish at 12 inches. The finished quilt will be 5 x 5 blocks, for a size of 60 inches by 60 inches. We will piece a backing and quilt it in the next couple of months, and we will be donating the quilt in July. We hope the quilt brings comfort and warmth to a camper.

The churn dash block we made was based on a tutorial similar to this one from Katy at I'm a Ginger Monkey.

Members share their space

Welcome to the series where we share members' sewing space. Featured today is Kristin's studio space. Enjoy!

My studio space starts with the built in desk and cutting station that was actually built for our previous house.  We took it with us when we moved and it was great to have this built in storage that I already knew how to fill!  I also like the raised cutting area to reduce back strain.

I also tend to surround myself with the work of friends and artists I love.  My collections inspire me every day.  I have a tall chest of drawers that I use for storing thread and other craft supplies. 

My sewing space is all portable and has been rearranged several times in the 2.5 years we have lived in this house.  I like that my tables are easy to transport to other activities and to rearrange for various things I might do in the studio.

 

My sewing table is a Sew Ezi table that allows my machine to sit down at a proper height for me.  I can switch out machines with inserts that fit each one.  I also love my exercise ball chair- a tip from Shannon P.  My ironing board has an extra-large surface created by Erin B.’s boys and makes ironing large cuts of fabric a breeze

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My quilting fabric has always been stored in an armoire, but has spilled out into the closet over time.  I keep the most used fabrics close at hand in here.  I also have drawers for miscellaneous items.  My embroidery thread storage can be glimpsed on top of the armoire and it looks like a mess, but is actually organized by color on embroidery hoops.  I have enough thread to last several lifetimes!

I have a regular sized closet where I store lots of fabric, plus other craft supplies like yarn.  It’s a big mess right now, but I use the hanging canvas shelf units for some items and others are in plastic bins stacked below.  I also am lucky enough to have a secret closet behind the real closet where I keep my batting, finished quilts, extra bins of fabric and other craft supplies, etc.

I had to go back to some old photos to show my design walls properly.  This is the first studio space where I’ve had room for design walls and I find that they are absolutely necessary.  I have two 4’ x 6’ sheets of insulation board that I covered with batting.  I am somewhat sorry there’s a door between them as it’s hard to work on projects larger than 4’ wide, but I tend to work small, so it’s fine most of the time. Since the insulation board comes in 4’ x 8’ sheets, I cut 2’ off the end of each one and used one for the inspiration board over my desk (covered with canvas) and another one is a portable design board covered with batting.  It’s very useful for classes and retreats.

One thing that you don’t see in my studio is my collection of quilting books.  I do have several shelves of books, but they didn’t fit in this room. They are at a room at the other end of the hall.  

QuiltCon Announcement!

QuiltCon will be in Austin, Texas, February 19th to 22nd, 2015. We are so excited! We will be there in one year!

A few of us from COMQG are planning on attending. QuiltCon is a modern quilting conference. There are workshops with really talented instructors, lectures from some very inspiring quilters, an enormous juried quilt show showcasing modern quilting, and really cool vendors. Quilters and non-quilters alike gather together to appreciate modern quilting. Workshops and lectures will be announced in May, and as Modern Quilt Guild members through COMQG, we are eligible to register ahead of the public. Registration is in June. Click here for the link to the important dates for QuiltCon.  

As if you need more convincing about how awesome it will be, but check out our QuiltCon recap post from 2013 to see all the fun we had!

Will we see you there? 

Members Share Their Space

Welcome to the blog series where COMQG members share their sewing space. Today is Susan's turn. Here's her space! Enjoy!

I finally picked up my sewing room enough to take a few pictures! 

My story:   About 5 years ago, I reinvented a room in my house, taking out two walls which surrounded my son's bedroom, an old unused wood stove and some misc. flooring.  With the transformation, I now have lots of cupboards (put together by ME!) from Ikea, a rustic wood floor which was hiding under the carpet, my laundry room and extra storage, and my SEWING SPACE!

My cutting table and design wall

       

A couple of my sewing trinket collections on my shelves---the three Owl pincushions watch over me (representing my 3 children!) and 3 vintage thread holders.

My favorite glass front shelving units---I have two of these, one for fabric, the other for knitting stuff, family photos, etc.

My sewing machine area  (with lots of "stuff" in the background!). A baker's cart filled with my UFO's and projects in progress (an idea shared by Valori or Jean Wells in a magazine)

I also use lots of old suitcases for storage, you can kind of see these on the floor in one of the photos.

It is wonderful to be able to just leave everything up and available!  As you can see, I collect lots of things---I love old button cards, old zippers, old linens, etc. etc.

Work in progress Wednesday: Throwback Edition

Every wednesday we share works in progress by COMQG members. Here's one from a couple of years ago. Enjoy!

Crys Kyle at Quiltworks taught us a class based on the Metropolis Block in Elizabeth Hartman's book Modern Patchwork. Elizabeth's book had just come out and Crys really liked this pattern and was excited to show us all. We were all able to complete one block in the meeting time, and just look at how great they all look!

Tuesday Meeting Recap: Thanks for a great meeting!

Meeting Notes.
--Our member cards have arrived and were handed out to those who were there.  We will have them at the next meeting if you didn't get yours.

 --The votes for a new secretary are in.  Susan M. is our new secretary!

 --Ohio Star challenge quilts are due March 1. Bring your completed quilt or a photo of the completed quilt to the meeting March 4th.  If you cannot make it please email a photo of the finished quilt to comqg@hotmail.com by March 1st.

  --Charity quilt updates
           Strawberry Churn for Camp Erin: Lindsey is putting it together now
           Ronald McDonald: Kayla will have packets at the next meeting, due May 1
           Fabric postcards for Wish Upon a Card: due April 15

--Michael Miller fabric challenge:  If you want to take part in this, please respond to the email.
   Michael Miller is generously donating fabric for this challenge.  We will order and distribute this fabric to challenge participants as a guild.

--Modern Metallic Challenge: If you want to take part in this, please respond to the email.
The exhibit is called Modern Metallic and will be shown at the Quilt Knit Stitch show in Portland this fall. This challenge includes all Pacific Northwest Modern Quilt Guilds. Online applications are open from April 4th to May 2nd. If you would like to make a quilt to apply for this exhibit, Robert Kaufman has offered to provide challenge participants with three fat quarters for their challenge quilts. We will order and distribute this fabric to challenge participants as a guild. Please contact Lindsey if you have any questions at all.
                   Please read all the information about entering your quilt for the show here:
                           http://callforentriespnwmodernquilts.com/
Each guild member who participates in the challenge will be required to submit your application for for the show, including submitting photos of their quilt. If your quilt is selected for the show, you will need to send your quilt to the organization's office in Houston by July 8th for it to be displayed in the show in Portland.

 

 

 

Show and Tell:

 

 

Kristin, Lindsey, and Susan shared their quilts from SewDown, check out more about it in the SewDown blog post.



Christy made this awesome bag

Kristin shared her Riley Blake Challenge quilt

Katy shared her Ohio Star Challenge quilt

Tamra shared her Ohio Star Challenge quilt

Christy made this, which may be a pillow soon

Katy shared her quilt inspired by the book, The Dog Stars. 

Meeting Reminder

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UPDATE: The Modern Quilt Guild announced our new fabric challenge. We will also be discussing sign ups for this challenge at the meeting.
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It's that time again! It's the third Tuesday so we're meeting at Stitchin' Post on Tuesday from 5pm to 8pm.

Bring a project to work on (there's plenty of table space for machines and projects), and some show and tell if you have it. Or just bring yourself and come join us!

We'll do the business portion at 6pm. On the agenda:
--our member cards have arrived! Get yours at the meeting.
--the votes for a new secretary are due Tuesday morning and we will announce the position at the meeting.
--Ohio Star challenge quilts are due March 1. Bring your completed quilt or a photo of the completed quilt to the meeting March 4th.
--upcoming sew days
--charity quilt updates (Strawberry Churn for Camp Erin, a house quilt for Ronald McDonald, and fabric postcards for Wish Upon a Card)
--Show and tell including projects from the Portland SewDown last weekend
--We have another challenge opportunity for members! The exhibit is called Modern Metallic and will be shown at the Quilt Knit Stitch show in Portland this fall. This challenge includes all Pacific Northwest Modern Quilt Guilds. Online applications are open from April 4th to May 2nd. If you would like to make a quilt to apply for this exhibit, Robert Kaufman has offered to provide challenge participants with three fat quarters for their challenge quilts. We will order and distribute this fabric to challenge participants as a guild. Please contact Lindsey if you have any questions at all, or if you would like to participate in the challenge (or sign up at the meeting).

Please read all the information about entering your quilt for the show here:
http://callforentriespnwmodernquilts.com/

Each guild member who participates in the challenge will be required to submit your application for for the show, including submitting photos of their quilt. If your quilt is selected for the show, you will need to send your quilt to the organization's office in Houston by July 8th for it to be displayed in the show in Portland.

The quilting cotton fabric from the sponsor, Robert Kaufman is at the following links. As a guild we will choose three fabrics to use.

Quilters Tussah Metallic Colors: Sand, Ash, Silver

http://www.robertkaufman.com/fabrics/quilters_tussah_metallic/?fabrics&basics

Quilters Linen Metallic Colors: Sand, Bone, Ash, Grey

http://www.robertkaufman.com/fabrics/quilters_linen_metallic/?fabrics&basics

Quilters Burlap Metallic Colors: Natural, Shadow, Steel

http://www.robertkaufman.com/fabrics/quilters_burlap/