2021 Two Color Challenge

You will pick two random color cards during our break at the September meeting. Distance members who would like colors should reach out to the guild and we will get colors assigned to you!

From those two colors, you will select fabrics that read primarily of the colors pulled and create a NICU mini quilt (see blog for specifications) for our charity project. 

Parameters: 

• You can combine with up to one additional color of your choice. 
• You may use neutrals, low volumes to even out your color pallet.
• You must follow the guidelines for PICU quilts outlined by the Charity Committee. 
• Challenge quilts are due at the November meeting. (Note: additional PICU quilts will continue to be accepted at our December meeting.)

Bring the quilts to the November meeting. Distance members can email photos to the guild to be included in the drawing. Two winners will be drawn at the November meeting to receive gift certificates.

Here are a few links to some easy patterns to get your creative juices flowing. 

Samelia's Mum

Bonjour Quilts

The Spruce Crafts

Be sure to share your creations on Instagram with #stlmqgpicuchallenge. Have fun and thanks for participating!

-The Swap/Challenge Committee

    Kerry, Kathy, Tess, Candice, Katie and Em 

Meeting #113 (September 12th, 2021)

Our in-person meeting in August was a smashing success! And we'll be back at it again this week - get to see everyone and get to get some awesome quilt photography tips! We will be meeting this Saturday from 10:00am - 12:00pm at the Shrewsbury Center - in the multi-purpose room this week - see the Meeting and Events Tab for more information. With the COVID numbers on the rise still, we will be taking precautions to keep everyone safe and healthy and we will be following the CDC guidelines for wearing masks. All members will be required to wear masks regardless of vaccine status. We will also have theatre seating to ensure that you are able to keep a safe distance.

Just like last month for those who need to play it safe and wish to stay at home, we are still planning on Zooming the meeting so you can still join in! The link and info will be sent to your member email later this week. 

If you weren't with us last month or are new to the guild check out this special blog post to learn more about what to expect at the meeting. 

This meeting will include:

-Welcome & Zoom Courtesy 101

- Guild Business:
  :: Membership Information
  :: Financial Information
  :: Quilting News

- Announcements/Reminders

  :: August Fabric Bundle Raffle - See your email for more details and the link. 

  :: Monthly Skill Builder September 

  :: 4x5 Quarterly Bee Updates

  :: Board Elections

  :: QuiltCon 2022

  :: Guild Merch

  :: 2021 Remaining Monthly Meetings
  :: QuiltCon Community Challenge Quilt

  :: STLMQG Quilt Show 2022

  :: Committee Announcements

  :: Member Updates

- Quilt Photography presentation by Angela Armstrong @todd_studios

- August Skill Builder Prize Winner

- September Bundle Raffle Drawing

- Show & Share

-------------------------- Reminders/Items Due ------------------------------

:: Don't forget to post your pictures of your Quilt Math on IG using the hashtag #stlmqgskillbuilder or email us at stlmqg@gmail.com to be entered to win this month's prize.

:: QuiltCon Community Challenge Quilt Blocks are due at the September or October meeting - or please mail by the 15th of October!

:: Charity quilts deadlines are coming up! CG PICU Baby quilts are due in December & The Veterans Community Project (VCP) quilts are due in November.

Meeting Recap (August 14th, 2021)

Our first meeting in-person back from the pandemic break was this past weekend and we sure think it was a huge hit! We had about 80 folks show up and we appreciate everyone masking up and staying safe. We loved to see everyone and get a chance to catch up on all the things - and we loved too see our some of fellow members online as well for the hybrid version of the meeting. 

Guild Business:

• The board provided some fun giveaways as a thank you to all our members who have stuck with us and even joined new throughout the past 18 months. For members who do not live near, we intend to mail these to you within the next month. For those of you who do not anticipate being at a meeting anytime soon, feel free to let us know if someone else will be picking up on your behalf. There is no rush for you to collect these items. 

• Gail Luther, treasurer touched on the current state of the guild fiancnes - please connect with Gail if you want to learn more.
  
  
• Christine Boyd, our secretary gave a quick update on member numbers. We are currently sitting at about 153! We had quite a few guests attending on Saturday and are pleased to see a few new applications coming in! If you're not a member yet - check out how to join.
  
  
• Our Vice President Em Komiskey covered some of the online happenings coming up, below is a list. 
  
  - Dyeing with Indigo class at Perennial STL!   Saturday August 21st, 10am - 12:30pm Learn More  
  - Spectacular Summer SAL with Quilted Connections June 14th - September 12th with monthly prize Drawings Check it out Here
  - English Paper Piecing a Dresden at Jackman's Fabrics Thursdays September 2nd & 9th, 10am-12pm Learn More

Items Covered:

• August Skill Builder - Quilt Math! Guild vice president Em Komiskey will be sharing all her tips and tricks for how to use those math skills to help you in your quilting projects. Zoom with us Wednesday, August 25th from 7-8pm. Look for your member email and zoom link reminders the night before.
  
  
• Hand Sew *Home* Happy Hour August 31st from 6-9 - we would love to see you!
  
  
• 4x5 Quarterly Bees - Quarterly Block Bees - Round 2 should have wrapped this past weekend with exchanging blocks. Signups for Round 3 will be in your recap email. Make sure to post progress pictures and tag #stlmqg4x5bee on IG
  
  
• Board Elections - President & Secretary Positions are open for next year - they are two year terms and we ask that if you are considering that you please notify Pam Hartig (pmhartig21@sbcglobal.net) by Oct 1st so we can announce the candidates in the October meeting and vote in the November. If you have any questions please feel free to reach out to past or current board members to see if these positions might be a good fit for you.
  
  
• QuiltCon 2022 - Friendly reminder make sure you have booked those hotels and registered for classes and lectures. The Quilt show entries will be open from September 1, 2021 through October 31, 2021. 
  
  
• 
  2021 Remaining Monthly Meetings: We will be meeting at the Shrewsbury City Center's Multipurpose Room for the remainder of 2021. A Zoom option will be available for those unable to attend. 
  NOTE: Our October meeting will be on the 16th - this is NOT the 2nd Saturday of the month. 
  
  
• Guild Merch - your probably saw some of us sporting our MAKE COOL STUFF swag this past weekend - we do have a limited number of extras email us if you're interested in snagging one - we will have these at our next in person meeting for sale.
  
  
  
• Quiltcon Community Challenge
  
  This year's quilt is an interpretation of a map that depicts the racial diversity/integration in the STL metro area.
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Segregation in STL is a deeply rooted issue based on hundreds of years of discriminatory policies and practices. While progress is made every day, it will not be overcome easily and it continues to negatively affect many aspects of our region, including, one could argue, our own guild. We hope members will delve more deeply into this as well as reflect a bit on where their house falls within this quilt and what circumstances have contributed to that as they make their blocks. We hope this ties in with the themes we have heard recently from the SJSA and Color of Connection Quilt including that change starts with the individual and it's time to get comfortable with being uncomfortable. 
  
  
  We intend to make packets of instructions for members to sign out. Each packet will be responsible for 2 blocks. We will have a total of around 85 packets. We started handing this month with an expected return of September or October. 
  
  
• Charity Committee Summer/ Fall Project - we are making small quilts for the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (CG PICU). Our goal is 60 quilts - please check out the blog post for more information about sizes, color schemes and deadlines. Make sure to share your finished quilts on social using #stlmqg, #stlmqgcares, and #stlmqgPICUquilts!
• Vet Quilts - the deadline for these quilts has been pushed back to November so this will allow folks more time to work on these and help reach our goal. Read more here.
  
  
• What is Modern?? Kristy Daum
  
  
  
  
  
  “Modern quilts are primarily functional and inspired by modern design.  Modern quilters work in different styles and define modern quilting in different ways, but several characteristics often appear which may help identify a modern quilt.
  
  These include but are not limited to, the use of bold colors and prints, high contrast and graphic areas of solid color, improvisational piecing, minimalism, expansive negative space, and alternate grid work.
  
  "Modern traditionalism" or the updating of classic quilt designs is also often seen in modern quilting.”  
  
  - Definition for Modern Quilting as found on The Modern Quilt Guild website
  
  Kristy walked us through some examples of some her own modern makes - as well as talking through how Modern Quilting has and is constantly evolving, and how at the heart of it all we are ALL Quilters - there is room for everyone in this craft!

• Fabric Raffle 
  Thanks to another very generous donation from our sponsor Cotton Cuts we had two excited members win some awesome fabric!

Meeting #112 (August 14th, 2021)

Our first IN-PERSON MEETING in 18 months is happening this Saturday from 10:00am - 12:00pm at the Shrewsbury Center - see the Meeting and Events Tab for information. With the COVID numbers on the rise, we will be taking precautions to keep everyone safe and healthy and we will be following the CDC guidelines for wearing masks. All members will be required to wear masks regardless of vaccine status. We will also have theatre seating to ensure that you are able to keep a safe distance.

For those who need to play it safe and wish to stay at home, we are still planning on Zooming the meeting so you can still join in! The link and info will be sent to your member email later this week. 

Note from guild President Lilo:

The board of this guild is very much aware of the ever-changing situation of COVID and we want to be clear that the well-being and safety of our members and their families is our biggest concern as we try to navigate this situation. After careful consideration, we do feel like it is possible to safely meet in person as long as we, as a collective, are conscientious, caring, and respectful of those within our community. With that in mind, masks will be required for all meeting attendees, regardless of vaccination status. This is per CDC recommendations and out of respect for those in our group who are themselves or have loved ones at home that are vulnerable or have not yet been able to be vaccinated. There is a Zoom option for each meeting throughout the remainder of 2021 for those who are unable/choose not to attend in person. 

Thank you for your patience, understanding, and consideration of those around you.
Lilo Whitener-Fey
President, 2021

A few highlights/reminders of the in-person meetings to call out:

• Name Tags - extra helpful with members wearing masks and with all our new members attending. Folks shared some of their creations on Facebook if you are looking for inspiration.
• Free Table - bring some goodies and take some goodies - we will have lots to look through! 
• Fabric Raffle - this is going to remain an online fabric raffle! Please purchase your tickets ahead of time or use the codes and links we will provide to purchase through your phone during the meeting.
• Show and Share - bring those projects to share! Anything you've been saving up to show folks we want to see it! Bring your skill builder projects, your bee blocks, whatever you want to share! 
  

You can read more about what to expect at the in-person meetings on this special blog post. 

This meeting will include:

-Welcome & Zoom Courtesy 101

- Guild Business:
  :: Membership Information
  :: Financial Information
  :: Quilting News

- Announcements/Reminders

  :: Monthly Skill Builder August 

  :: August Fabric Bundle Raffle - See your email for more details and the link. 

  :: 4x5 Quarterly Bee Updates

  :: Board Elections

  :: QuiltCon 2022

  :: Guild Merch

  :: 2021 Remaining Monthly Events
  :: QuiltCon Community Challenge Quilt

  :: Member Updates

- What is Modern Quilting presentation by guild member Kristy Daum

- July Skill Builder Prize Winner

- August Bundle Raffle Drawing

- Show & Share

-------------------------- Reminders/Items Due ------------------------------

:: Don't forget to post your pictures of your Improv Piecing on IG using the hashtag #stlmqgskillbuilder or email us at stlmqg@gmail.com to be entered to win this month's prize.

Meeting Recap (July 10th, 2021)

Talk about hot girl summer! The STLMQG hosted the HOT ladies of the Color of Connections Quilt over zoom to hear all about their mission and connection through quilting. 

Porfiria, Keyana, and Michelle - Color of Connection Quilt Ladies

May of 2020 was a rough time for America. The world was going through a massive pandemic and injustices and racism in America were making global headlines, again. Many people were feeling very unsettled and upset at things going on around them. So one woman, Michelle (GA) reached out on Instagram to check on how a fellow quilter, Porfira (NY) was feeling. One simple question became the springboard for an amazing idea. We connect over our love for quilts - what else can we connect over? They used their love of quilting as a way to open the door to talk. Three women from different parts of the United States with different skin tones, different communities all connecting over their love of quilting and each other. The more that they talked the more they wanted to share that feeling with other people.

As the two ladies talked more they roped in Keyana (OH) into their group decided to work on a pattern for their QAL. They approached a Georgia jewelry maker for help and inspiration, she was thrilled to help and her only request was that the money made from their pattern be donated to a non-profit. As the women began to search for a non-profit that fit their vision, they came to realize that maybe they should start their OWN non-profit. And this is how their non-profit was born. This was a movement. A movement for colorful change through the joy of quilting. 

Their goals were straightforward - they wanted to use the love of quilting to connect folks and give back to their communities through quilt workshops and building a supportive online community. In each of their hometowns, they would host quilting workshops with underprivileged populations. They wanted to teach, empower, and connect the next generation of quilters to share their stories through textile art.

They held their first QAL in February online to help raise awareness for their mission and build that online community and help raise money! Then their first workshop took place in Atlanta Georgia. They taught the young women of Jesse’s House how to not only sew but make their first quilt. Girls who started the day off as grumpy teens rolling their eyes at the idea of quilting - turned into smiling faces thrilled with the exciting feeling of seeing a quilt top come together. They each completed a top that day and longarmers all over the country donated their services have finished up their tops - so they can be delivered back to the girls. They will not only have a beautiful quilt that they themselves made they also now have a whole new set of skills to feel proud of. 

They will be hosting workshops in Ohio and in New York coming up this year. 

These ladies shared a lot about what this experience has taught them - mainly to pursue diversity and love through a shared love of quilting and to remember to have grace for one another. Grace, encouragement, and love are key.

Many folks in the community have donated to help make their workshops possible - if you are interested in donating you can of course buy their pattern, donate, sign up for their newsletter, join their next QAL (coming Feb 2022) and make sure to get out there and talk about it! Sometimes getting out there can be difficult - it can be uncomfortable to confront the hard things going in the world around us as the ladies say - 

"Get comfortable with being uncomfortable!" 

Michelle, @meeshquilts   |   Porfiria, @mrsporfiria   |   Keyana, @collectivequilts

If you're interested in working with fellow guild members to work on similar initiatives here in STL let us know! We would love to give back to the STL community and get more folks involved - email us at stlmqg@gmail.com

Guild Items Covered:

• Around Town Quilt Happenings
   - Perennial is having a weaving class Saturday, July 17th - Check it out >
   - City Sewing Room is having a 12-hour sew-in on July 25th 10a-10p $25 - Learn more >
  
  
• QuiltCon 2022 - The 2022 Catalog is here! Make sure to check it out so that when Registration opens on Aug 4th you are ready to sign up - they fill up fast!
  
  
• In-Person meetings are BACK in August!!! August Saturday 14th 10a-12:30 at the Shrewsbury Center It's been a while we know! If you are new or need a little refresher check out this blog post for some of the things you can expect. We will hear a little from our previous president Kristy Duam about what modern quilting means and mostly we just plan on having a fun time catching up with everyone and seeing all those projects you've been saving up! (we will be following the CDC mask recommendations at that time)
  
  
• Membership up to date? Are you ready to come back in person but aren't a current member - check out this post to read how to join. Dues are half price for the remainder of the year!
  
  
• Remaining Monthly Events  
  August: IN PERSON WELCOME BACK !!! Shrewsbury City Center 10-12:30
  September: In-Person - Quilt Photographer Shrewsbury City Center 10-12:30
  October: Stay Tuned
  November: In-Person - Shrewsbury City Center 10-12:30
  December: In-Person Raffle Shrewsbury City Center 10-12:30
  
  
• Monthly Skill Builder July - Guild member Octavia Pitts will be teaching us Improv Piecing on July 21st from 7-8pm. You can always read more on the Monthly Skill Builder blog. We will also be recording the monthly sessions and sending them out within 48 hours. 
  
  
• QuiltCon Community Quilt Challenge - this year it's all about angles (specifically not 90º ones!) Leila, Laura, and Lilo are heading up the charge and we could use some volunteers. Let us know if you're interested - we will be on a tight timeline to turn this around - so stayed tuned for more information to come!
  
  
• Save the Date for STLMQG Quilt Show 2022 - July 16 – 17, 2022 - Kirkwood Community Center, set up July 15
  
  
• Hand Sew *Home* Happy Hour July 27th, 6-9PM come and go as you please - join us to sew or just to chat!
  
  
• 4x5 Quarterly Bees are underway - your blocks are due at the August Meeting - make sure to post pictures on IG and use the hashtag #stlmqg4x5bee
  
  
• Guild Merch - Thanks to everyone that ordered! When they are ready for pick up we will let you know and you can pick them up from Lilo or at the August meeting if you did not have them shipped. We will also have a limited number of extras for sale at the August meeting if you missed the chance to order online. 

Fabric & Pattern Raffle

We had some gorgeous bright FQ Basics Bundles from Libs Elliot's Dear Diary provided by Cotton Cuts. Winners were Jaymie Norber & Pam Hartig. 

If you want to get beautiful fabric delivered to your door and support a local STLMQG member and fabric shop check out Cotton Cuts and sign up today!

In-Person Meetings: What to Expect

Friends. It's coming! Our first in-person meeting in 18 months (18 months!!) will be August 14, 2021! Are you ready? Yes, No, Maybe, Unsure? It's all good, we have you covered no matter your speed. Here is as much as we can think of to share with you about our meetings when you are ready to join us: 

What Happens to Zoom: Don't worry, for the remainder of 2021 we will still have a Zoom element to the meetings. It may not as interactive, but you will have a window into the action. 

COVID Precautions: We will be following whatever CDC guidelines are in place at the time of the meeting. These are fluid so be sure to check back often.

Meeting Locations and Times are located on the Meeting and Events Tab. Please note: in person meetings are 10:00am - 12:30pm which is an hour longer than when we were exclusively on Zoom. 

At the Meeting:

• General Format: 
• Arrive, Find a Seat, Get the Lay of the Land: This may include signing in, adding things to the free table, displaying blocks, etc. 
• Guild Business, Announcements, Reminders
• Break
• Main Activity
• Show and Share
• Attendance Prizes and Raffle Drawings
• Things to Do:
• Sign In! If you wore a homemade name tag you will also get to pick up a ticket for attendance prizes. 
• Purchase Fabric Raffle Tickets: pet the pretty fabric of the month and buy your tickets. 
• Check Out Library Books: The guild has a robust collection of pattern, design, and technique books. You are welcome to check one out and bring it back to the next meeting!
• Dig into the the Free Table: Add items you no longer need and take anything that looks interesting from the free table! 
• Display your bee blocks and skill builder examples on the wall!
• Bring something for Show and Share! At the end of the meeting anyone is welcome to come on stage and show off your latest make. 
• Meet someone new! Look for folks wearing stickers that let you know they are guests or new members and say hello.
• Things to Bring:
• Check the agenda posted on the blog each Tuesday before the meeting to see if anything from our activities is due.
• Your homemade nametag!
• Library books you checked out the previous month.
• Examples of your skill builder. 
• Projects for Show and Share.
• Items for the free table and a bag to take things home from the free table.
• Anything you need to exchange with fellow members: traveling quilts, bee blocks, longarm projects...
• A big ol' smile!
• A friend! Folks can attend 2 meetings to see if we are a good fit for them. See the How to Join tab for more info. 

Odds and Ends/Further Explanations:

• Name Tags: Make yourself a name tag and wear it to the meeting. When you check in you will be given a ticket and we will draw for attendance prizes at the end of the meeting. It can be embroidered, appliqued, written in fabric pen, sharpie, raspberry jam.... whatever you like! 
• Free Table: This is NOT A TRASH TABLE. Please don't bring anything you wouldn't offer to your neighbor. Feel free to save any really great items for the December raffle. 
• Monthly Fabric Raffle: We will have an online option to purchase tickets up until the evening before the meeting. Tickets will then be available for purchase at the meeting. (Potentially cash only, we are still working on this.)
• Skill Builder: Get an extra ticket to win the monthly prize by bringing your skill builder example to the meeting!!
• December Raffle: Each December our meeting is one big fund raiser/giveaway. In October and November you may start bringing nice items to donate to the raffle in exchange for tickets. You may also purchase tickets at the beginning of the December meeting. We then take time to put our tickets in the bag that corresponds to the items we hope to win. Once all tickets have been distributed, we start pulling out winning tickets!
• Member Announcements: Not on the board or on a committee but have something you want to share? Great! There is always a moment set aside for members to stand up and share announcements. 

Meeting #111 (July 10th, 2021)

Summer is in full swing here in St. Louis and as we prepare to start our in preson meetings back up we thought it would be awesome to use the unique format of Zoom one more time this month to connect up with some amazing ladies in the quilting community. 

If you are interested in joining - See the 'How to Join' tab if you're not a member but would like to join. 

This meeting will include:

- Welcome & Zoom Courtesy 101

- Special Guest Speakers - The Color of Connection Quilt Ladies

We are so pleased to welcome the creators of Color of Connection Quilt, Michelle (@meeshquilts), Porfiria (@mrsporfiria), and Keyana (@collectivequilts)! These three ladies have a goal to teach, empower, and connect the next generation of quilters, particularly in underprivileged populations, to share their stories through textile art. Their quilt a-long in February has brought hundreds of quilters across the world together to make connections, develop friendships, and bask in the glow of quilt creation while also supporting a truly lovely mission. We are so excited to hear from them!

- Guild Business:
  :: Membership Information
  :: Financial Information
  :: Quilting News

- Announcements/Reminders

  :: August In-person Meeting Return 

  :: Monthly Skill Builder July 

  :: July Fabric Bundle Raffle - See your email for more details and the link. 

  :: Committee Updates

  :: Member Updates

- June Skill Builder Prize Winner

- July Bundle Raffle Drawing

- Show & Share (time permitting)

-------------------------- Reminders/Items Due ------------------------------

:: Don't forget to post your pictures of your quilt backing skills using the new tips you learned on IG using the hashtag #stlmqgskillbuilder or email us at stlmqg@gmail.com to be entered to win this month's prize.