May Meeting Workshop Information - Gatherer Crossbody Bag

At our May meeting we will have a fun workshop open to all members! We are going to make the Gatherer Crossbody Bag. The pattern, by Anna Graham of Noodlehead, is a free download from Robert Kaufman. See more info below!





The pattern is free to download at this link -- make sure you check out the list of supplies, which I have also copied below with some notes about what we will have available at the meeting.

Workshop information:
The workshop will be after our May meeting, on Saturday, May 21. The meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. You may arrive early, between 9:00 and 10:00 a.m., if you would like to set up your spot before the meeting. We will finish for the day by 3:00 p.m.

What do I need to do at home?
It is important that you come to the workshop with your fabric and interfacing already cut out. We will be focusing on Assembly rather than Cutting (see page 3 of the pattern). If you plan to make your own piping, please come with it already made as well. Finally, it is a good idea to go ahead and fuse your interfacing to your pieces before you arrive (see Step 1 on page 3)! If you have any questions, please ask Kate.

Pattern information:
We will be offering kits for $3 that will include the piece of leather and button stud mentioned in the list below. Our button studs are silver.

Supply list:
1/2 yard fabric for exterior
1/2 yard fabric for lining
1/2 yard fabric for piping (optional, if making your own)
1 & 1/4 yards fusible woven interfacing (Pellon SF101)
1/3 yard fusible fleece (Pellon 987F)
1 yard 1/2" wide bias tape piping (if not making your own)
2" x 4" scrap of leather, suede or non-fraying faux leather
button stud (8mm size cap is recommended)
(2) 1/2" swivel/lobster claps hardware (optional for attaching strap)

Tools:
Pinking shears
Water soluble pen, chalk pen, or Frixion pen for marking
Leather hole punch (Debbie, Stephanie, and I have some of these, so we will have some around to use if you don't already have one!)
Sewing machine
Small cutting mat
Rotary cutter
Pins, wonderclips, etc.
Iron
Any other tools you like to have with you

See more photos on Anna Graham's blog here or on Carolyn Friedlander's blog here. Carolyn altered the pattern a little, so check out her changes. Anna also has a great tutorial for making your own piping here. Here's a review by A Quilter's Table that has some great pics of her finished bag. Finally, I like to check Instagram for inspiration, so I recommend looking through the following tags: #gatherercrossbodybag, #noodleheadpatterns



Get excited for a great workshop!

April Meeting Highlights

Did you miss the awesome The Cloth Pocket pop up shop this month? Don't fear, Nicole and the lovely ladies from Austin always offer 20% off to MQG members, even online! Simply use the code MQGXOXO at checkout.



Programming Update
In May we will have our Gatherer Crossbody Bag Workshop, which is open to and free for all members. The pattern is free to download at that link -- make sure you check out the list of supplies! We will be offering kits for $3 that will include the piece of leather and button stud mentioned in the pattern. See more photos on Anna Graham's blog here! She also has a great tutorial for making your own piping here. Get excited for a great workshop!

Membership Update
Directories will be available at the May Meeting. Also, please remember that everyone who has registered and paid dues for 2016 has been added to view the HMQG Google Calendar. You do not have to have a gmail account to view it. If you don't, you should have received an invitation to install the calendar. Please use this tool - we think you will find it very useful! We are trying to keep everything up-to-date and will have important details there. It is just one more way we are communicating to you. Let Debbie know if you are having trouble with access to the calendar. grosskopf5@gmail.com

Fundraiser Booth
Please turn in your fundraiser booth items and keep an eye on the Wiki (found on theHouston page of the MQG website) to see new links posted for patterns for new items to make. Don't forget about the Grand Prize at the end of the fundraiser. If you need fabric to make items, Pam will be bringing some each month but your scrap basket can provide treasures too. Grab a piece of fabric and make a ______(YOU fill in the blank).




 


 

More great sew and tell can be found on our Instagram @houstonmqg or search #hmqgsewandtell

Have you missed out on any of the HMQG's Medallion Quilt Along?
You can download the full instructions, from the first block to the March/April additions here! 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.

• April 28, 7 pm - Dinner and drinks at PLONK! (1214 West 43rd)
• May 6, 7, and 8 - Spring Retreat at Deep Woods Retreat Center (details being sent to those attending)
• May 21, 10 am to 3pm - HMQG meeting and Gatherer Crossbody bagworkshop (details above)
• June 18, 10 am to 1 pm - HMQG meeting and That Modern Fabric Shop Pop-up Shop
• June 25, 9 am to 3 pm - Charity Sew-In Day

AND MUCH MORE! Be sure to check our Google Calendar for additional events and details.

Fancy Tiger Crafts - Sailor Top Workshop Saturday 5/30 10am - 3pm CST

Don't forget members! This Saturday we are having our Fancy Tiger Crafts - Sailor Top class. Julia and I (Hilary) will be teaching the class and walking you through everything from choosing a size to finishing seams.

A little about the Sailor Top:

"The Sailor Top pattern is an easy-to-wear & easy-to-sew raglan sleeve top with a sweet gathered neckline. Its a-line shape is never clingy. This wardrobe staple is oh-so-practical for every day wear & looks great in many different fabrics. Go crazy with prints or use a simple chambray. Either way it will be just darling!" -source

A few things to bring tomorrow:

- PREWASHED fabric according to fabric requirements. Largest sizes require 2.5 yds 45" wide or 2 yds 60" wide 

- for cutting your fabric: either (large cutting mat + rotary cutter + optional pattern weights) or (pins + fabric shears) 

-for cutting your pattern: bring a measuring tape to choose pattern size - don't just choose a size based on what size Ready To Wear clothes you buy. If you want to be able to cut another size in the future, bring freezer paper or other tracing paper and a pen or pencil to trace the pattern 

-for constructing the garment: sewing machine, pinking shears, pins, iron/ ironing board, if you happen to have a sewing gauge bring it along, but we can make do with measuring tapes. 

Julia and I are looking forward to this class and can't wait to see how everyone's tops turn out! 

September Swap - Tote Bags

I hope everyone had a great break from sewing.

Our September 2014 swap will be tote bags.  As always, please made it modern with quality fabrics.

Check out these free tote bag tutorials:

Simple & Sweet Tote from Hawthorne Threads Blog

Sweet and Simple Tote

Pleated Tote Tutorial by The Sewing Rabbit

Pleated Tote Bag



Sewyer Bag from Sew Sweetness

Sawyer Bag

Modern Wonky Churn Dash Quilt for Pam

As a guild, we create quilts for our members when they get married or have babies.

Some of our guild members are past that season and we still have a need to create a quilt for them.

It was decided that everyone wanted to make a quilt for Pam.  Pam always helps anyone in need even if they have a deadline coming up sooner than later.  She has helped many members with quilting and quilt design.  She tells people to just start free motion quilting.  You are never going to be able to do it if you just think about it.

Detail of Quilting by Amy

Add caption

The quilt was made using Floating Churn Dash.  

This patten makes a block that is 9 1/2'' so we will need to do a little adding to only 2 of our sides.
You will add:
A 3 1/2" x 9 1/2" strip of background to the right side of your block.
A 3 1/2" x 12 1/2" strip of background to the bottom of your block.

The blocks were wonky pieced and the final quilt measured around 55 x 72.  We asked members to use their favorite modern fabric for the block.  The back (I forgot to take pictures of ) was made with an orange elephant print because Pam loves elephants.  The binding was a scrappy.

July Swap - Mini Quilt Swap

We will have a guest speaker for the July meeting and the mini quilt swap will be held during our lunch break.

The mini quilts should range from 12 inches squared to maybe around 24 inches squared.  If yours is a little bigger or smaller, there will no measuring tapes out for this part of the meeting.  Please use quality quilt shop fabric and the mini should lean towards being more modern.  They don't have to be square!

The mini should be bound or have a facing.

Here is a tutorial from The Silly BooDilly on a super easy way to face a quit.

The Silly Boo Dilly

Here is some inspiration for you from around the web!

It will be bring one, take one.  I actually have raffle tickets this time to make the process run smoother!

Weekly Inspiration

I hope everyone has had a great weekend, and is ready to start something new today. Here are some of the most recent finishes from our awesome guild members! I hope they inspire you!

 

1. Lucky Stars Quilt Along Quilt, 2. We're Better Together Monster Quilt, 3. Swell, 4. Irish chain made with baby clothes scraps finished! I hope she loves it as much as I do., 5. QAYG pillows, 6. Color Me Happy Pillow, 7. color party, 8. 30 Week Wonder Quilt, 9. #JDcolorparty pillow

April Swap - Pillow Fight!

The April Swap will be pillow/cushion covers.

1. PTS 9!, 2. PTS 9, 3. PTS9 back of pillow, 4. PTS9 Pillow Received, 5. fabulous pillow from Kerry, 6. Pillow Talk Swap 9 - Sent, 7. Pillow Swap Talk 9 : Received, 8. Pillow Talk Swap pillow!, 9. Pillow talk swap received!, 10. Pillow talk swap received, 11. Eeek! Stile pillow is done! Thanks again @hehehe922, 12. Oh I just really don't know if I can part with this, 13. Pillow Talk Swap round 10, 14. PTS10 - FInished, 15. Just finished! I didn't want the quilting to detract from the piecing, so I did some in the ditch and echo quilting. Need to get some little goodies together before I send this off on Monday. #pts10 #pillowtalkswap, 16. Pillow Talk Swap 10 finished!

Guidelines:

Size:  16x16, 18x18 or 20x20
Color: Modern Quilting
Challenge: Please place a piece of batting underneath the pillow top.  This allows for the pillow to stand better.

If you choose to make an odd size, please supply the insert.

Tutorials:

Buttoned Up Throw Pillow

Zipper Tutorial

Basic Envelope Pillow Tutorial

Happy Sewing!
Karri

February - Modern Mug Rug Swap!

The results are in and our members voted to do more finished items for swaps!

Since this is not much notice, I thought a modern mug rug swap would be a good idea to get our feet wet.

Orange Scrappy Mug Rug - Quilt As You Go

There is a great blog post from Two More Seconds about what a mug rug is.

For this swap the guideline is smaller than 12 inches by 12 inches but the mug rug does not have to be square.  The general rule is larger than a coaster but smaller than a place mat.  If your mug rug is a bit bigger, thats ok.

This is a great tutorial from Jodi at Pleasant Home for a heart mug rug and its a free pattern on Craftsy.

Mug rug was made with 2 inch squares.

A mug rug is a great way to try a new technique or colors that you normally wouldn't try without making a huge investment of time or money.  I am using mug rugs to practice my free motion skills.

Theme:
Any modern quilting theme!

What is modern quilting?
Since there is a whole debate over modern quilting, I am going to refer to Modern Quilt Guild Blog.

Here is a great tutorial on single fold binding from Carol which is a good size for mug rugs.

This is a post with a whole bunch of mug rug tutorials to get the creative juices flowing.

I am working on a calendar of swaps for the year.  Please contact me if you have any ideas.

Happy Sewing!
Karri

Heather Ross - Briar Rose Debut & Giveaway

During QuiltCon I was lucky enough to get to see Heather Ross's new line - Briar Rose. She let us touch and feel lots of the wonderful fabric during her tutorial. The line debuted on April 8th on her website and will ship from Windham Fabrics in July.  There is a special free quilt design for the collection and it is beautiful and features all the bright colors of the line. If you have seen the cool Washi dress (I saw tons of folks wearing it at Houston Quilt Fest and QuiltCon) then you know the work of Made by Rae who created the Briar Rose quilt pictured above!

Briar Rose Lilac

Briar Rose Meadow

Briar Rose Pink

So now for the giveaway!  I know you just can't wait for July for the fabric.  Leave me a comment saying what you want to make out of a charm pack of this new springy line and it will be hopping its way out to you.  2 winners and the deadline for entry - April 18th.  Thanks Heather!!! 

Charity Sew In April 6 - AHOPE

Last month I received an email from my friend Kerry asking me if I wanted to be part of something special.  I thought I had won a trillion dollars from a far away prince or was being recruited to sell Amway.  Kerry was inviting me to join her Ethiopia Upcyling sewing team.  Ethiopia Upcycling sewing team is a wonderful group of ladies who sew year round making all sorts of items to sell on Etsy to benefit HIV orphans in Ethoipia.  Last year they raised $5000 to benefit AHOPE.

More information about AHOPE can be found here - http://www.ahopeforchildren.org/.

Kerry and I share a fondness about adoption.  Kerry adopted her second child, Tay from Ethiopia and I'm adopted.  We both have girls born in late Spring of 2008 which is how we met.  You can read about Kerry's journey to Ethiopia and how this group got founded.

Scott, Piper, Tay and Kerry

I have been collecting burlap coffee bean bags from roasters around Houston.  Kerry and Megan (who is also involved in Ethiopia Upcycle Sewing Team) sent me bags.

You can read about Megan's adoption journey and life with her kids here:   www.blueberrybuzz.wordpress.com.

Some other sweet adoption blogs are Findingmagnolia.com, motherparadox.blogspot.com, and kevindhendricks.com/abby and you will see why adoption is a tie that binds people together. 

The Houston Modern Quilt Guild has decided to be part of this wonderful team.

A few pictures of last year's projects:

Stockings

Tote Bag

Burlap Coffee Bean Bag

Ideas for the burlap coffee bean bags include yoga mats, bags, pouches, pillows... anything you can imagine and sew.  The only requirement is that the item have burlap incorporated.

I have 16 burlap coffee bean bags.  The HMQG has a charity sew-in scheduled for Saturday, April 6, 2013 to make items to benefit AHOPE and our ongoing efforts to make wheel chair lap quilts for elderly in nursing homes.

Where: St. Martins Episcopal Church
717 Sage, Houston

Time: 10 am until 4 pm

Items due for AHOPE sewing is August 31, 2013.

Helpful Links for Sewing Burlap:
http://www.ellaclaireinspired.com/2012/05/washing-and-cutting-burlap.html

http://paintedfurnitureideas.com/how-to-cut-burlap-so-that-it-wont-unravel/

-Karri

QuiltCon Dance Party!

Becca, Anna and Deirdre

Modern Quilt Guild has just updated their site with photos from the 80s dance party.  I thought you needed to see them and get a good laugh!  They have also posted some photos from the workshops - take a look!

Giveaway Winners - Heather Ross

We have our winners!  What a great way to start the week back from my spring break in Sanibel Island -- giving away two beautiful prizes from the lovely Heather Ross.  We had some snags on my return trip last night with awful traffic so I let my husband be my random number generator.  He is very random, so that worked out great.  I was showing him the article on the ipad while stuck outside of Baton Rouge and he knew all about the Dome home and asked if it was a Bucky original.  He surprises me still after 15 years all the random things he knows.  On to the winners!!

Liz from Fat Chick Quilts and the HMQG and
Emily from Phone Home Designs by E.T. and the Austin Modern Guild! 

Martha Stewart also agrees with us on the subject of Heather Ross.  Here is a delightful review of her new Prints book and some inspired projects! 

Watch out for our next giveaway!!

HMQG Giveaway - Heather Ross

Sandwiching Heather

One of the reasons I went to QuiltCon was to attend lectures.  I really wanted to hear more from my favorite designers.  I love knowing what motivates them and how they fuel their creative process. I spoke with and begged swag from a few of my favorite designers, quilters and other general modern movement gurus that were at QuiltCon and am happy to announce the HMQG After QuiltCon Giveaway!  Heather Ross will be the first inspiration for this new series because she has offered signed & doodled copies of both of her books for us!  We will be giving away one copy each of Weekend Sewing and her new book Prints.  (this one was sold out at QuiltCon before she even got to her Stitch Lab book signing so I can't wait to see it - here are cute candid shots of Heather graciously running out of books )

I really like Heather Ross's sweet & quirky designs so her lecture entitled "My Fabric Design Process,  From Inspiration to Finished Photoshop Files" appealed to me.  I am familiar with Photoshop and thought this was going to be a technical talk.  Heather surprised me when she began her lecture at QuiltCon with an essay about her background and naturalist point of view.  She had an extraordinary childhood roaming around the backwoods of Vermont.  Ross shared themes of families, sense of place and her love of nature.  Then she intertwined these elements into her design process and demonstrated them with samples from her work in Photoshop. She also debuted her new line Briar Rose which will be released April 1st.

The Dome

When she was very young, her parents built a geodome on the top of a mountain where the family lived until deeming the structure a failure.  "The Dome" as it was called was only their home for about a year but it defined her as well as gave her a sense of security and ownership. It was their Dome.  She isn't sure if there was a small fire, structural failure or if they just gave up - but they moved out of the geodome knowing they had tried something special and were brave because of that.  Years later when she went back to the site she was only able to find a monstrous double sink that was too heavy to drag away.  Later, in cool twist she ended up asking the man who bought the old homestead if she could come back and get the sink because she couldn’t forget about it.  She wanted to build her kitchen around it. 

She discussed her time with her extended family.  Her immediate family lived close by her other relatives but they seemed a tiny bit ostracized perhaps because of their geodome.  She described how the other kids had moms in shiny station wagons and dads with well-paying jobs; revealing how she felt a bit different from her cousins.  She came from The Dome – land of unplanned kittens and head lice instead of ballet lessons and excellent public schools.  But she was also clear that it was okay to be different.  Maybe even great.  Maybe even brave!  I grew up with a family that was also a little off and I have grown to embrace those differences so I completely relate to her point of view.

New Home

Heather loves making tents in her bean plants and she talked about different homes and how their sense of place creates security.  The different homes she talked about were very interesting.  There was a neighbor when she was growing up squatting in a tin & plastic shanty and she mentions how his home was built to withstand the elements perhaps better than her uncles’ stone homes that were slowly eroding   There were also lots of interesting photos of the abandoned Catskill home that she and her husband recently purchased to remodel from the ground up.  This is the house that will get the old-worldly sink.

Owl and Pussycat

Next she spoke about her design process. She showed several slides of her fabric and gave examples of how she sometimes takes several designs that she isn’t happy with and mashes them together to make one good one.  She used several examples of her Owl and Pussycat fabric line showing how it evolved over time and edits.  Heather also explains why she has a fondness for these two fairy tale characters - she really likes that the only basis for their friendship is that they like the same food. This makes sense to her and she realizes her own relationship is based on similar characteristics. 

Unicorn Wallpaper

Heather's new book Prints  comes with a DVD of reproducible artwork for more than 50 of her most popular prints. She provides step-by-step instructions for 20 craft projects using the prints—everything from sea turtle stationery to a shower curtain covered with swirling mermaids.  She showed us this cool unicorn wallpaper idea and has more info about it on her blog.  She often mentioned Spoonflower and encouraged her audience to take our ideas, use her as inspiration and just go for it -- print, sew, wallpaper, whatever. 

We also got a sneak peek at her new fabric line - Briar Rose with Windham Fabrics.  It was full of her usual whimsy, charm and fresh spring colors. Heather has generously offered to donate some of her fabric to us for a Giveaway when Briar Rose ships.  

The lecture was incredibly insightful.  It is rare to hear someone speaking so clearly from their heart.  I left the lecture hall feeling really blessed to have been there and brave, like her!

Please comment here for a chance to win either Weekend Sewing  or Prints.   I will pick a random winner for each book on March 17th.  Make sure to follow our blog because there will be 5 more HMQG giveaways coming up. 

Briar Rose