Our October meeting brought us the opportunity to learn about photographing quilts and how to make those pictures Instagram and QuiltCon ready. Just in time to take pictures of the 10 year anniversary mini quilts that are due in November!
Many thanks to Mitch Hopper (and Laura, too!) for a very informative presentation. They’re working on a pdf that will include important quilt photography info and resources, and we’ll share that when it’s ready. In the meantime, you can view a pdf of the slide presentation here.
UPDATED: Here’s the Quilt Photography resources PDF. Thanks Mitch and Laura!
Here are a few important things we learned about photographing quilts:
- Light, light, and more light! Particularly if you’re taking photos indoors, lots of light from many different angles/directions will make a big difference in the quality of your pics. If you’re photographing outdoors, though, a cloudy or overcast day is best.
- Take a bunch of pictures! For every 20 shots, you may get one you will like.
- Edit. Use Photoshop, or any of multiple apps or programs available online (many are free or inexpensive). Mitch says that 99% of your pictures will need to be edited to some degree.
**Just a note that if you are planning to submit any quilts to the QuiltCon show and haven’t already, here is the page with instructions, guidelines and rules for submissions. For more helpful hints, check out the MQG’s recorded webinar Taking Quality Photos for Quilt Show Entry.**
GUILD ANNOUNCEMENTS:
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.
 |
| Heather’s daughter, Julia, showed us the cover of QuiltFolk featuring a photo of her and her quilt! |
MQG news: There’s still time to register for QuiltCon Together 2021, but be aware that member pricing ends November 30th. If you are 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 – so many resources are available for you as a member: webinars, quilt patterns, block studies and more!
QuiltCon Community Outreach Challenge: Blocks are DONE, and the finished top was passed along to member Amy Parker, who generously volunteered to quilt it.
New Sewcials! Open to all CMQG Members: Starting Tuesday, October 20 at 6pm, we will host weekly Sewcials on Zoom. 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 anyone who wants to host is welcome. We’ll meet every other Tuesday night at 6pm, and every other Wednesday (starting October 28) at 1pm. Check your monthly newsletter (the Full Bobbin) for the Zoom link.
CMQG Tenth Anniversary book: We are currently figuring out how much the book will cost to distribute. Books will be ready to order in the next few weeks. Laura McDowell Hopper showed us a demo copy!
New guild-wide sew along: No pressure!!! Sew along if you want or just go check out what others are making. Each month offers a chance to learn something new and figure out what you like (or maybe don’t like) about a technique. The second month’s focus is on stripes and strip piecing, and Month Three is all about flying geese. If you’re sewing along, don’t forget to tag any photos on social media with #BFMSAL. We love what people have been making so far!
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! Use what you learned in this month’s Quilt Photography meeting to take a pic of your mini and upload it by the deadline is this Sunday, November 15, 2020. Check your email inbox for a link to the submission form.
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 are due November 15th and can be any size, and any method. Submit a picture, measurements, and a few words about your block (and your hopes), and be eligible for one of three cash prizes of $250, $150, and $100. Details have been emailed to members – please send any questions to Jenni.
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: It’s almost a new year – who isn’t ready for 2020 to be over already??? It is time to renew your membership for the 2021 calendar year. Head to the Membership page on our website to renew or join as a new member. 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 15, 2:00-5:00, virtual meeting via Zoom: Quilt As You Go + Holiday Swap Demos. A few of our members will demonstrate quick-to-sew gift projects in preparation for the holiday season. These hand-made goodies would make great swap gifts for members who want to participate in the CMQG Holiday Gift Swap, or stitch them up for just about anyone on your holiday list. There will be a demonstration on how to create a quilt as you go (QAYG) fabric panel and then several possible uses for that panel, including a fun pouch, a flashy journal cover and a useful basket/bucket.
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.
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 November 15, 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!