2016 Houston Modern Quilt Guild Medallion Along

Welcome to the March/April installment of the 2016 Houston Modern Quilt Guild Medallion Along! This month, we will be making the second round, which consists of sixteen Depression blocks, each measuring 6” finished, and the third round, consisting of a 1” finished inner border. The Depression block, pictured below, is a fantastic scrap buster, but also works well with Fat Quarters. Each block consists of sixteen half square triangles that are 1 ½” finished (2” unfinished), each with a light half and a dark half. Using your favorite method, you should make a total of 256 HSTs measuring 2”.  Divide these up into sixteen sets of sixteen HSTs, and arrange them as shown below.  Sew each block, using a scant ¼” seam allowance. Once you have your sixteen blocks completed, sew them together into four sections, two having three blocks each, and two having five blocks each.  You should then have two sections each measuring 6 ½” x 18 ½” and two sections measuring 6 ½” x 30 ½”. You should note that as we continue adding rounds, any deviation in your seam allowance can really start to add up!  You should pin each section to your medallion prior to sewing it on, and can take in or let out a seam or two as needed. Don’t forget that our only rule for this QAL is “Make it Your Own” so if you don’t feel you can make all 16 depression blocks, make twelve and use solid cornerstones, or make four and use those as cornerstones with solid pieces of fabric in between.  Or come up with something all your own! Next, sew the two shorter sections to the top and bottom of your medallion. Then sew the two longer sections to the remaining two sides.  At this point your medallion quilt top should measure 30 ½” square. This month we are also adding the third round, a simple 1” finished inner border.  For this, simply cut 2 strips 1 ½” x 30 ½” and 2 strips 1 ½” x 32 ½”.  Sew the two shorter strips to the top and bottom of your medallion, and then sew the two longer strips to either side. At this point your medallion quilt top should measure 32 ½” square.

Here's the latest installation of the Medallion Quilt along progress. We started with the 12" finished center medallion plus February's addition, the Goosing Borders, a free pattern available on Craftsy from Jeli Quilts. The next steps are your depression blocks and border. We can't wait to see what you make, so remember to bring your progress to the next meeting, and tag your photos on Instagram with #hmqgmedallion.

March Meeting Reminder

Our March meeting is this weekend and here are a few reminders so that you know what to do and bring!

Trunk Show and Workshop with Lee Monroe of May Chappell

Trunk Show on Friday, March 18 at 7pm

The Brighton Church, 11925 Southwest Fwy #3, Stafford, TX 77477

This is the same shopping center as Quilters Emporium and Quilt Your Own. Please RSVP and sign up to bring something to share with everyone. The Wine and Cheese Party/Trunk Show are free! It's going to be a great time. The Trunk Show will start at 8:00 p.m., with some additional instruction for those in the workshop from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. Attendance on Friday is not mandatory for participation in the workshop.

Workshop on Saturday, March 19 at 9am

Trini Mendenhall Community Center (1414 Wirt Rd.)

A few spots are still available for the Lee Monroe workshop on the day of our March meeting! See the MQG Forum post and blog for more information about the workshop and the Wine and Cheese Party/Trunk Show the night before, on March 18! Reminder -- we will be doing Georgia's Dresden! Click here to sign up. 

We have opened this workshop up to other guilds in the Houston area, so sign up now to secure your spot! If you have any questions, contact Kate White (kate.a.white@gmail.com).

If you are taking the workshop, you can arrive early at 9:00 a.m. on 3/19 to set up before our meeting starts at 10:00 a.m. The supply list can be found here at Lee's website. 

Happy Birthday!

Mona Keegan March 2

Diama Cortez March 8

Sylvia Weir March 10

Megan Collins March 11

Cheryl Watson March 13

Colleen Marty March 16

Gabriela Castillo March 20

Sarah Ruiz March 26

Christine Schmelebeck March 26

Hilary Jordan March 27

Rebekah Turner March 29

Our first quarterly Birthday Swap will be at our March meeting covering birthdays from January, February, and March. Bring a gift to swap, such as 1 or 2 FQs of modern, quilt shop quality fabric, 1 small handmade item (zipper pouch, pin cushion, mug rug, hot pad, etc.), sewing notions (thread, needles, etc.), a personal size sweet treat. These are just suggestions, feel free to include any item you think a quilter/sewist would enjoy. We will be providing cake!! 

As always do not forget to bring your sew and tell items, and of course your smiling faces! We're looking forward to seeing you on Friday night and Saturday morning!