New Year - New Look!

 We're moving!  At least moving our virtual space.

 Please join us over at www.calgarymqg.com for all the fun.  We have a members only section, so you can catch up with others, add meeting dates to your calendars, get Zoom links off of Facebook and see past show and tell!

 See you at https://www.calgarymqg.com/

Holiday Swap 2021

Holiday Swap 2021 - Mug Rug

“A small, fun to create, mini quilt that is mostly there to look pretty on your desk and soak up your drink of choice’s drips and condensation, as well as giving you full-on permission to eat some cookies, since, well, that extra space off to the side of your drink is just THERE for you to use.”  

 It can be as small as a coaster but as big as a placemat.  quote from Erin of Two More Seconds

As you can see, a Mug Rug is not a coaster it's more than that!  The Mug Rug should also be considered “Modern” because it was created in 2010!  This modern day creation is an excuse to play with some scraps, perfect a block, practice free motion quilting, or even binding, but also an excuse to make something small and unique!

• What is a Mug Rug?  A Mug Rug is a mini quilt, which can be used to rest your coffee and that extra cookie you decided you needed.  
• How big should it be?  It can be as small as a coaster or a big as a placemat.  But since we are popping them in the post, perhaps not quite so big? 
• Is it a coaster?  No, it's not a coaster, but you can rest your drink on it.
  

Important info:

• Sign up Oct 21-31
• Partners will be sent out within a couple of days.
• You may share your mug rug on social media, but keep it secret who you are sending to! That part will be a surprise!
• Mug Rugs finished and in the mail  between Nov 24 and Dec 1. 
• Show and tell at December Meeting...take a pic of the mug rug you make and send it to us before it hits the mail

Extras are not expected...remember - postage! But if you want to include something flat...

You can choose if you want to receive Holiday/Winter or General, so you can use it all year! ...Just keep it modern.

Looking for a less bulky binding? The Crafty Quilter 

Looking for Mug Rug ideas?  Here  and Here

Wondering what hashtags to use? #calgarymqg #calgarymqgmugrugswap

We're Back! (Or at least Back-Online)

 Happy Fall Everyone!

Given the level of COVID cases in the province, we're staying on-line for the fall!  We've still got a full line-up of programming and special activities.

At our October 21st meeting, we'll be joined by Melissa Marginet, who'll talk to us about her creative process, ways connect to your creative process and her quilting journey.  Melissa specializes in walking foot quilting, and we're exited to see her work.

We'll also have:

• Updates on our fall programming
• Updates on our end of year exchange
• Updates on renewal and what to expect for next year

Have questions?  You can reach us at calgarymqg@gmail.com.

The "Y" in Yahoo!

  The 2021 Calgary MQG Community Challenge Quilt,  with the signature "YYC" graphic was recently displayed at the Calgary Stampede.  Here's a few pictures from set-up.

What's in a name?

 It's been way too long since we've seen everyone!  While we love catching up with everyone on Zoom, we're also pretty excited about seeing real people and real quilts.  So that we can figure out who everyone is and welcome new members, we're encouraging everyone to bring or create a name tag for our upcoming meetings.

 If you'd like a Calgary MQG logo to incorporate into your name tag, they're available by filling in the form that has been sent to members via email or available on the Members Only Facebook Group. 

Be creative with your name tags!  We'd love to see a variety of shapes and techniques incorporated into the name tags.  Pinterest is a great place to seek inspiration.

Summer Guild Goings On

 

Guild Going's On:

• We will have meetings in July and August, the format (Zoom or outdoors) is being worked on
• Planning for the 2022 QuiltCon Community Quilt is underway! The theme is angles, and the colour palette is below. Send us a note (Calgarymqg@gmail.com) if you'd like to take part
• MiniMod swapping is complete, and projects featuring your swapped squares are due at the July meeting.
• Our June 26th sew day (via Zoom) is a great opportunity to work on your mini mod projects or just hang out. Zoom link has been sent to members.
• We'd like everyone to think about nametags for the fall meetings. Creativity in shape and style is encouraged. Members will be sent a link to get our logo via email
  
• The 2022 QuiltCon Catalog is out!  Link is here:  www.quiltcon.com/catalog   QuiltCon 2022 will be in Phoenix, Arizona from February 16 to 20th, 2022
  
  
  
  

Calgary Mini Mod Swap to support Handmade Collective Awards

Want to feel connected with other quilters and guild mates?

Want to send some brightness and joy? 

Want to support a fantastic initiative?

Basic guidelines:

• Pick your palette and background and sign up by April 25th.
• Receive your swap partners, Foundation Paper Pieced block patterns, and more guidelines by April 29th
• Use Solid fabrics (no grunge, batik, tone on tone, etc)  to make 30 - 2"x2" blocks (unfinished size)
• Keep 6 blocks for yourself and mail your 4 swap partners their 6 blocks - include a nice card or note for your swap partners when you send their blocks  - by May 25th.
• Once you receive your blocks make a small project with them and have that ready for Show and Share at our July meeting. (Pincushions, pouches, thread catchers, mug rugs are all good project ideas.)
• Donate a few dollars to the Handmade Collective Awards (Suggested $3-5. Over $10 and you will receive a tax receipt)
• Note...several of us are signing up 2 or even 3 times!  If you want rainbow, or just more blocks for a bigger project, that's the way to go!

We'll use the hashtags 

#YYCminimod 

#minimodswap

Sign-up link - Calgary MQG Members Only

https://forms.gle/HmDjo5S4sYXHu2tFA

Choose:

Sign up and choose your colour palette.

Donate to the Handmade Collective Awards.   A big thank you to Berene for making this all possible.

Register NOW! April & May Classes

 Registration link for the classes:  https://forms.gle/rsKUGirReNCfxz7F9

April Lecture (April 15th Meeting) - Discovering Glow with Laura Loewen

Tap into Laura's mind about how she pulls fabrics for a quilt project and how she looks at color, value, tone, and texture in order to create quilts that glow. Get to know her and the crazy way her mind works when designing a show quilt, why her fabric philosophy is more, and where she looks to find inspiration. View her virtual trunk show, come with questions for a Q&A discussion, and learn more about her love of quilting.

Following our lecture with Laura, we have a Suprise Guest stopping in with a special announcement!

May 15th Class - $35 cost-  Finding your Flow in FMQ with Christina Cameli

Unlocking the elusive "flow" state in your free-motion quilting brings you calm and confidence. We will start by learning techniques for improvisational organic designs and getting comfortable with them through drawing. Then you will move to your machine, stitching the designs you've become most comfortable with. Some free-motion quilting experience is required.

May Lecture (May 20th Meeting)  Who Gives a Flying FQ About Accuracy with Krista Hennebury

In this live Powerpoint slide show, Krista presents an updated version of her webinar originally produced for the Modern Quilt Guild. In it, she discusses the why and how of cutting, piecing, and pressing accuracy, then follows up with the “but when is it really important?” part. This presentation is chock full of information, myth-busting tips, many detailed photos, notion recommendations, and piecing tricks. We may even get into the side vs open pressing debate!

May 29th Class $35 cost - Speed Date with Improv with Krista Hennebury

Think of this class as speed dating with improvisational piecing techniques that include curves and free-cutting. It will be fast-paced and a lot of fun: several techniques are introduced and demonstrated one after the other with very little time to second guess, stress, or obsess over perfection. Every student will end up with a unique, original improv sampler quilt! The focus here is to explore line, shape, and happenstance in abstract design, so keep things simply graphic by using solid-coloured fabrics in black, white, and one pop of colour. In the afternoon, Krista will share design wall tips to jigsaw the improv elements together, seeking balance and creative design opportunities. Some pre-cutting is required. This Zoom class combines pre-recorded technique videos with live instruction/support from Krista throughout the class.

Quilt Size: without borders, approximately 20" x 20". Fabric required: 1/2 yard black, 1/2 yard white, FQ colour (all solids or reads-as-solids).

Class time: 6.5 hours with 30-minute offline break.

--

“Behind the Seams” with Peter Byrne - December 11.

We’re welcoming Peter Byrne at our December meeting - remember that it’s a week earlier than normal on December 10th. Zoom links will be sent to paid members via email.

Hello quilters, my name is Peter Byrne. I am an international award-winning, published modern quilter and teacher with a deep passion for innovation and design. My strength is maintaining a fresh approach to quilting, with original designs and technical mastery.  

 

My goal is innovation, my passion is creativity and I am thrilled to have opportunities to share new techniques within the quilting community. While attending QuiltCon 2020, my quilt titled ‘Starring You’ won Best in Show and my quilt titled ‘Cityscape” won Best Machine Quilting Frameless.  

 

After 30 years working as a stylist and salon owner, I retired and then had the time to explore new creative outlets. I started making quilts in 2009 and to further my quilting experience, in 2017 I joined the Toronto Modern Quilting Guild and when I walked into that first guild meeting, I had never quilted a quilt.  

 

It was at this time, I became a full-time student of the craft and 2 years later, I designed and made Starring You. I’m very excited to share my quilts, dreams, and ambitions with you and look forward to meeting you at my Trunk Show! 

 

Sincerely, Peter Byrne. 

 

Here are all the places you can find me!  

 

Email: petersquilts@gmail.com   

Instagram @petersquilts & @hoverquilting.  

You can find me on Facebook under Peter Byrne 

I invite you to check out my website at www.peterbquilts.com 

December 2020 Post Card Swap

Our December meeting is usually a bit more social, and it's become tradition to host a swap.  Since we are not meeting in person, we wanted to come up with a small item, that was easy to pop in the mail. We think these postcards fit the bill!

Sarah Ruiz has a great blog post on the subject, and you will find all you need to know about sewing postcards there. 

Members Signup link 

• Sign up to make and receive 1-3 postcards. 
• Choose a theme. Christmas or Anything Goes. 
• Registration closes Oct 31
• Take a photo before mailing so we have it for sharing at the meeting.
• Put in mail by Nov 30

August Zoom Lecture - Teresa Duryea Wong - Third Floor Quilts

 

We're excited to announce Teresa Duryea Wong of Third Floor Quilts will be joining us for our August 20th meeting.  Teresa began her career as a journalist, and now uses her writing and communication skills to share her quilt knowledge.  From this month's talk, you'll walk away with memorable concepts for how to create stunning minimalism in quilts. The art of Frank Stella, Sol Lewit and Agnes Martin, plus architects Maya Lin and Japan's Tadao Ando, will inspire and inform the discussion on how to transfer their best concepts into both quilt design and the quilted line. Two quilters who exude the discipline and focus required to achieve true minimalism will be featured. One with an Eastern aesthetic, Yoshiko Jinzenji, and one with Western roots, Carson Converse. Teresa will explain how each of these artists and architects employ the act of reduction, with color, scale, shape, and line to achieve sublime minimalism.

This lecture is presented in conjunction with the Victoria MQG and Vancouver MQG.  Guild members will receive a Zoom link at no charge; Guest tickets available at http://www.mqgvictoria.com/2020/08/zoom-lecture-teresa-duryea-wong-modern.html

Community Outreach Quilt Challenge - 2021

Things are finally underway for this year's Community Outreach Quilt Challenge - formally known as Quiltcon Charity Quilt Challenge. 

The Calgary MQG Challenge quilt, along with those from the other MQG Guilds and Individual Member Teams will be part of Quiltcon Together Online.

Last week we had a Zoom planning session with 17 members in attendance, and several others wishing they could attend. We had several suggestions put forward and loved many of them. After much discussion, we managed to narrow it down to one. Something we needed to consider this year was not being able to get together and sew, but we have a plan, and it's already being put into action!. 

Theme: Curves 

This year the design focus is on curved piecing. You've probably seen the trend. Calgary MQG has had several workshops on curves, so hopefully, most of our members will be up for the challenge.  If they are not ready for curves, there are some sections that will be straight sewing, so we have them covered too. 

Colour Palette

Each year, along with a theme, The Modern Quilt Guild also puts out a colour palette. We can use solids and/or prints and must use at least 2 of the colours. 

This weekend two of our members masked up and braved a couple of local quilt stores. We were joined by a 3rd guild member who just happened to be shopping!  These are our fabric selections. 

What's next?  

The fabrics are off to be made into kits.  Not long and they will be ready for distribution!

Layered Improv Curves Livestream Workshop - June 20

Hosted by Calgary MQG

About Sherri Lynn Wood

“I believe something as mundane and functional as threading a needle, when engaged intentionally or witnessed within the context of aesthetic experience, can trigger a deeper, embodied understanding of our relationship to both the concept and activity of focus. I see craft—the work of human hands in history—as containing the potential to create, by hand, new relationships inside living human systems, opening up space for personal agency and social change.”

She has been improvising quilts as a creative life practice for 30 years and is considered a master at her craft. Her best selling publication The Improv Handbook for Modern Quilters: A Guide to Creating, Quilting & Living Courageously (Abrams, 2015) provides scores, or frameworks, for flexible patterns and creative exploration, along with practical instruction in stitching techniques and color theory.

• 
  
• Saturday, June 20, 2020
• 9:00 AM  2:00 PM MOUNTAIN DAYLIGHT TIME

Live-streaming from my sewing room to yours….

Discover the freedom and ease of piecing basic improv curves. Learn to improvise dynamic, flowing, patchwork compositions with easy-to-piece , free-style, grid-busting, layered curve units, as featured in The Improv Handbook For Modern Quilters. There are no mistakes here, only discoveries! You'll have a front-row seat to innovative demos, interaction with a small group of other participants during sew times, personal access to Sherri for Q&A, nd all of the fabric in your own studio at your fingertips. Suitable for those new to patchwork improv (and curves), as well as for more experienced improvisers.

BONUS

• Extended open sew session, after the workshop is over. Join other participants for this popular sew time (without instruction) to work on your project, apply new techniques and practice the principles right away, or simply to enjoy sewing in community.
• Free on-demand access to the Livestream recording of the workshop for two weeks following the event.

Hosted by Calgary MQG

• May 21-May 27. Pre-registration for Calgary MQG members. We are able to secure exclusive early-bird pricing for the special price of CAD$80 until May 27th, after which a guild discount of 10% applies to her regular USD$79 price structure. (approx CAD$110)
• May 28 - Registration opens for Canadian MQG members. Email Treasurer for code.
• June 4 - If space available, general registration will open.

For guild membership,  please look at the  Membership page, or contact the Treasurer.

Rockin' Round Robin 2020

Round robins are a fun way to push your creative boundaries. You work with styles and colors that might be a little uncomfortable for you. You get back your project and see that others have made choices you’d never make. You must leave a little of your possessiveness behind because you don’t have a lot of control over the outcome of any of the quilts you work on.

In this swap, each participating quilter will create a starter ROW, BLOCK, or MEDALLION and then will exchange it with other quilters.

Drop-in when you are ready or drop out anytime you feel your quilt is done. The exchange will take place at each monthly meeting of the Calgary MQG.

I found this sentiment from Sherri Lynn Wood to be useful. Think of round-robin quilts as ongoing conversations.  You want to listen to the conversation the quilt is having, and then continue it, adding your own voice.

How It Works:

·         Create a ROW, BLOCK OR MEDALION to exchange with other quilters in this Rockin’ Robin!

·         Pack up your completed ROW, BLOCK or MEDALLION in a bag, box or tote and bring to any meeting.  Exchange your quilt box, bag, or tote for another quilter’s Rockin’ stuff.

·         Take it home and add to the quilt top.

·         Each month you will trade off and exchange for a new box, bag or tote. The exchange will take place at our Calgary MQG meeting on the 3^rd Thursday of each month.

·         Bring your Rockin’ Robin box, bag or tote to the next Calgary MQG meeting and get ready to have fun!

Items for your first exchange:

·         Completed BLOCK, ROW, or MEDALLION in a box, bag or storage tote

·         Additional fabrics, if desired

·         Journal (optional) or a preference sheet.

·         Quilt label for signatures of the quilters -an easy label is made by ironing a piece of muslin to freezer paper

General Guidelines:

·         Prepare a box, bag, tote or even a pillowcase for the project to travel through the rotations — include your name and phone/email address inside.

·         Place your completed BLOCK, ROW or MEDALLION in the bag, box or tote.

·         You can include extra fabric that you would be glad to have included in future rounds., Those who work on your quilt CAN use those pieces or ignore them completely, their choice.

·         As this is a Modern Round Robin, fabrics should have a modern aesthetic, and be 100% quilt-shop quality cotton.

·         The goal is to add about 1 meter of fabric each round, except for the first round you can aim for about 1/2 meter. Buy, take from your stash, and maybe use some of the fabric provided in the box. You can pass leftover scraps along with the quilt. That way they can be used later in the quilt.

·         Add a journal or a few sheets of paper with your personal preferences such as “do not use any cat fabric” or “you can use black if it works” You could even include a few paint colour chips!  But again, your preferences may be ignored. Part of the pleasure here is giving up control. Really!

·         You can start with the first entry and explain how you came up with the idea for your center block or row or explain what your vision for the quilt is. Leave words of encouragement for the next person or wishes you may have for the finished quilt. It’s okay to specify colors you don’t want in your quilt or to say you would prefer all solids. Please, however, be flexible and open to the creator’s inspirational direction.

·         Be sure to add whether you prefer prewashed fabric or not.

·         A participant can leave the swap at any time, whenever she thinks her quilt is done. At this stage, we have not set an end date. Likely after about 5 or 6 rounds, but it could be ongoing if more participants enter after the start, or to allow for people taking breaks.  We will discuss with the participants.

·         A participant may “hold” her quilt to temporarily remove it from rotation.  Useful for vacations

·         Lastly, follow the Golden Rule: do unto other’s quilts as you would have done unto yours.

Helpful Hints:

·         If making a MEDALLION quilt, your MEDALLION should be at least 12 inches; if it is smaller than 12 inches, it will get lost in the rounds and will not be a focal point when your quilt is completed.

·         If you need inspiration, Google “Modern Round Robin quilts” or “Modern Row Robin Quilts” or “Modern Medallion quilts”

·         Not sure where to start? How about using that orphan block that you love but can’t figure out what to do with it?

·         Use your favorite modern technique or block to get creatively inspired.

·         Some design elements you may want to include in your design includes:
-Asymmetry
-Negative space
-Improvisational piecing
-Alternate block structures
-Reinterpretation of traditional blocks

Your responsibilities:

·         If a participant can not attend a guild meeting and has someone's quilt, it would be best if she could have someone bring it to the meeting for her.  Otherwise, she will need to deliver or mail that quilt to the next participant for the following round within 1 week of the meeting.

·         If a participant is not at a guild meeting. Her quilt will not be worked on in the next round.  The quilt will be held by the swap chair.

·         If you don’t finish your next ROW or BLOCK, and this happens to you consistently, you may be asked to drop out. Don’t disappoint yourself or your fellow quilt makers – keep your commitment and make sure to finish your ROW or BLOCK each month…Instead, plan ahead and request a “hold” where your quilt will step out of the rotation.

·         You are working on someone else’s quilt, so be sure to use your very best workmanship. Sometimes we bite off more than we can chew, so if you add a row or a block, and it does not lay flat, or just looks bad . . . take it out and do something less complicated or make something else that looks better. Remember: there are many talented quilters in our guild that would be happy to help with advice on a tricky bit of stitchery – just ask them.

·         Additions should be respectful of the owner's requests and the work of the participants who previously had the quilt. 

·         The Rockin” Robin is NOT blind.  That means you can share on social media, and show at guild meetings.

·         Share with the tags @calgarymqg #calgarymqg #rockinrobinYYC on IG or on the Calgary Modern Quilt Guild Facebook page.

Still Have Questions?

If you have a question or a problem, call or email Philippa. Contact numbers and emails or participants will be provided when you sign up or at your first exchange – or contact us on the Calgary MGQ Facebook page.

December Swap - 2019

We are making reusable grocery bags for our traditional December Swap.
We will be holding our swap at our December 12 meeting, being held at the Uplands location.
Please note: 1 week earlier than usual.  


Bring a bag, take a bag (of the same kind)  Yes, you can make more than 1!

Via a show of hands at the November meeting. we decided to draw for order of choosing the bag you take home.

Please use modern fabrics.

Pattern choices:
michellepatterns $10 usd  LARGE
Besides being super simple to sew, these reusable fabric shopping bags are machine washable, fully lined (reversible), fold up nicely, and are durable.
fabric requirements - 2@ 18" x WOF . One for inside and 1 for outside.
plus fabric for handles.  1x fat quarter not quite enough, but could use 2 different fabrics.

Stitched by Crystal  free Pattern
It is not fully lined so it is lightweight.  French seams make it super sturdy,
fabric requirements -3 fat quarters. 2 for outside, 1 for the partial lining.
 

michellepatterns - large

michellepatterns - large

STITCHED by Crystal

Quilcon Charity Quilt 2020 - Improv words

Have you made a word for the MQG Charity quilt yet?
We've pulled together a few links to help you along your way.

2020 Announcement from the MQG.

This Book "Word Play Quilts" by Toni Ruccici is a fantastic resource for improv letters.

She has a little bit on her blog but Mrs Sew and Sow has written a couple of good posts based on the book.

Here are some bassic methods. 'p', 'd', 'b', 'g', 'o', 'c' and 'q'  Big tip- Start form the centre. http://mrsssewandsow.blogspot.com/2012/06/bee-challenged.html

Letters with a slanting line - 'r', 'h', 'n' 'u', 'm' and 'w'  - http://mrsssewandsow.blogspot.com/2012/06/more-improv-letters.html






The colours - black, white and grey. It doesn't matter which is background and which is the letters. You can do the whole word in one fabric, or make each letter different.  Solids, or prints, but no other colours to be included. Bonus points for text fabric!

Size - Your letters should be 3-5 inches tall.

If you don't have a word yet. check-in on the fb page.
Awesome, Believe, Calm, Confident, Creative, Dream, Epic, Fierce, Love, Kind, Relentless and Unique have been claimed.
To Choose a word - https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScYPGxQIVbLlEi2-mHCuTd1P_JKRkRxKmLy4wUFvaHIRxi0Zw/viewform

Tips for Inprov peicing your letters:
 In order to stay within the size limits, start with some 3/4” and 1.5 “ strips of the word colour fabric. This will help you restrict the size of the words so that you don’t end up with a giant block. 

Do a rough sketch that breaks down the structure of the letter. Start with a section and work your way out. 

Don’t worry– wonky is OK.  Just be sure to have nice 1/4” seam allowances to maintain the integrity of the quilt when washed.