During our November meeting, Bill Keller showed us how to create simple Quilt As You Go (QAYG) panels using scrap fabric and batting. He talked about how you can curate your fabric choices to achieve a specific look, or just grab scraps at random. (Bill likes to make these panels after finishing a project in order to use up the extra scraps on his cutting table and to serve as a reminder of the project just completed.) You can use QAYG panels to create all kinds of sewn objects, from bags and pouches, to journal covers, drink cozies, and other accessories. For more QAYG inspiration, watch Svetlana Sotak’s mesmorizing video of making a scrappy patchwork panel.
After the Quilt As You Go demo, we split into smaller groups and rotated through three different project demos. Each of these projects would make great gifts for the upcoming holidays (or anytime), and all can be made with QAYG panels. Make them for your friends or family, or for your Holiday Gift Swap partner. For more Quilt As You Go project ideas, check out our Pinterest inspiration board.
Emily Lang demonstrated the Hour Basket, an open fabric container with boxed corners, that is quick to stitch up. Previously available for free, the pattern is now being offered in a variety of sizes (eight patterns for one) for $5. The pattern’s author, Kelly of Kelby Sews, is offering an exclusive 20% discount for our guild with code CHICAGOMQG.
Julia Bryant showed us how to create a custom journal (or notebook) cover. Here are her instructions for how to make your own version.
Bill Keller walked us through the making of a simple fold over pouch — no zipper required. Get his tutorial here.
Before the main program, we had a special surprise presentation of gifts to last year’s Chicago MQG board. Thanks to the generous contributions of so many of you, a few of our members were able to purchase curated fabric bundles as a “thank you” to the previous board for their hard work and dedication. This was a moving presentation and a celebration of our unique and exceptional creative community. Thank you to Sarah S., Holly, and Sarah E. for making this happen!
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| This beautiful fabric bundle was selected specifically for former Chicago MQG Board President Laura McDowell Hopper. |
GUILD ANNOUNCEMENTS:
New Charity Pods!: Interested in joining a small group to create quilts for charity? Ellen Pomes is organizing charity pods in order to connect with others and to make quilts to donate. We are researching charity recipient options, and will have more info on that soon. The guild has fabric available for tops and backing, and we may have batting to contribute as well. Contact Ellen if you’d like to be part of a pod.
Show and Tell: You can now upload your show and tell pictures to each month’s Facebook album and we’ll create a slide show to present during our meeting’s “show and tell” time. You’re welcome to share in real time during the meeting, but if it makes it easier for you, please use our album! If you don’t use Facebook, you can email pictures to Julia. Please upload or email photos by the day before the meeting.
MQG news: Member pricing for QuiltCon Together 2021 ends November 30th. Also, if you’re planning to attend the virtual event and want to connect with others from the guild, you might want to join our Chicago MQG QuiltCon Together Facebook group.
Speaking of QuiltCon, quilt submission entries are due November 30th. The photo submission requirements are different from years past, so make sure to review the rules for entry if you plan to submit a quilt (or two!) to the show.
Be sure to check out the national Modern Quilt Guild site and take advantage of the many resources available to you as a member: webinars, quilt patterns, block studies and more!
QuiltCon Community Outreach Challenge: The quilting (by Amy Parker) is complete, and the quilt is now being bound by Natalie Holz. Next, it will be photographed and submitted to QuiltCon Together 2021.
New Sewcials! Open to all CMQG Members: Weekly Sewcials on Zoom are every other Tuesday evening and Wednesday afternoon. These unstructured sew-ins are for members who want to hang out, catch up, sew a little (or do any craft, really) and meet other members. Jenni Grover will host them as we begin, but we’d love to have others volunteer to host as well. The next Tuesday Sewcial is December 1 at 6pm, and the next Wednesday Sewcial is November 25 at 1pm. Check your monthly newsletter (the Full Bobbin) for the Zoom link.
CMQG Tenth Anniversary book: Book orders coming soon!
New guild-wide sew along: If you’re participating in the Big Fun Mystery Sew Along, you can find the Month Three instructions here. Month Three is all about flying geese with four different methods for making them. Whether you’re making a sampler, a medallion, or just trying some new techniques, tag your pics on social media with #BFMSAL. We love seeing what people are making!
Modern Quilt Bee: Follow along with the progress of the #chimodbee on Instagram. And please reach out if you’d like to be part of a future bee!
Anniversary Mini Quilt Challenge: We’re getting ready for a fun virtual quilt show at our December meeting, and we want to include your mini celebrating the Chicago MQG’s 10 year anniversary! Photos of finished quilts were due November 15th, the day of our meeting.
Virtual Block Party: Brewer Sewing has offered to support our guild and we are excited to partner with them. We are hosting an annual virtual block party – a celebration of our members. Any member can submit a block that signifies your hopes for the new year. Blocks were due November 15th, the day of our meeting. Look for an announcement about the winning blocks soon!
Star Stitches: We hope you’re enjoying this way of recognizing members for achievements and triumphs both large and small — not just quilting related. Each month you can submit your friends’ achievements (or your own) for announcement and celebration at the upcoming meeting. Look for a link in each month’s member newsletter.
Membership Renewal: Head to the Membership page on our website to renew or join as a new member for the 2021 calendar year. Guests are always welcome to attend a first meeting for free (or for a $10 fee if we’re hosting a paid guest speaker); the second meeting is $5.
UPCOMING EVENTS:
Sunday, November 22, 9:00-5:00, virtual meeting via Zoom: Virtual Retreat. We have made the difficult decision to cancel our in-person Fall Retreat this year, but hope you will join us instead for a day of sewing and community via Zoom. You can pop in and out, sew with us, chat, and share your recent finishes. All crafts are welcome!
Sunday, December 13, 2:00-5:00, virtual meeting via Zoom: Holiday Gift Swap and Social. Join us for some festive social time — we’ve got some fun ideas in the works! We’ll also share a slide show of the finished #ChicagoMQG10yearmini quilts, and hope to see a Show and Tell of the Holiday Gift Swap makes (inspired by the November meeting demos).
Sunday, January 17, 2:00-5:00, virtual meeting via Zoom: Annual Member Mini Trunk Show. Coordinated by member Holly Harper, this “favorite” meeting for many members allows us to learn more about (and be inspired by) our peers. A varied group of members will give a brief glimpse into their world of sewing and their history as quilters.
Sunday, February 28, 2:00-5:00, virtual meeting via Zoom: Make Do. Ideas and inspiration for substitutions, sourcing hard-to-find items, mending, shortcuts, etc.
Use and follow our guild hashtags!
#chicagomqg
#chicagomqglecture
#chicagomqgshowandtell
#chicagomqgdingdingding
#BFMSAL
#chimodbee
#chicagomqg10yearmini
All meetings are 2-5 pm on the third Sunday of the month, unless otherwise noted.
This month’s meeting is on December 13, via Zoom. (Look for a link in our member newsletter, the Full Bobbin.)
Meeting location:
Rush Oak Park Hospital
Centennial Room
520 S. Maple Ave Oak Park, Il 60304
A list of our meetings can be found here.
Not a member, but would like to be? Click the button below to join our Guild!
We hope to see you there!