Meeting Recap (June 12th, 2021)

Our first informal gathering at the park last month was a smashing success even if it was a bit chilly and dreary! It was so much fun seeing everyone's faces and quilts! Be sure to check your member emails for the link to the photos of everyone's quilts!

Guild Business:

• Christine Boyd, our secretary, gave us a brief overview of our membership numbers.  We continue to grow and we couldn't be more excited to have new members - we are currently sitting at 149 strong! Not a member yet? Anyone interested should check out how to join.
  
  
• Our Vice President Em Komiskey covered some of the online happenings coming up, below is a list. 
  
  - The MQG is sewing this season to make a difference!  Tree theme to benefit Trees for the Future Submissions open July 1-21, MQG Member voiting August 4-9 MQG Make a Difference Challenge 
  - Spectacular Summer SAL with Quilted Connections June 14th - September 12th with monthly prize Drawings Check it out Here
  - Heyde Sewing Grand Re-opening Learn More Here June 19th 9am-4pm

Items Covered:

• Infromal Park Gathering- June 27th at Tower Grove Park 10am - Quilt Photographer, Free Table, Homeless Vet Quilt Collection Point, Swap/Challenge Switch Opportunity
  
  
  
  
  
  
• The Color of Connections Quilt Ladies @ the July Meeting will be speaking at our July Meeting as a reminder. These ladies are working to create a nonprofit that connects the modern quilting community, across all colors, ages, genders, and backgrounds. Through this non-profit they will be hosting quilting workshops with vulnerable youth of all colors to sew, foster relationships abd meaningful connection, and also teach self-efficacy and creativity. Learn more on their mission on their site.
  
  
• 4x5 Quarterly Bees - Quarterly Block Bees - Round 2 is underway - you should have chosen your block pattern and should be picking fabrics. Make sure to post progress pictures and tag #stlmqg4x5bee on IG
  
  
• 'Get to Know You'- Challenge and Swap - these are due June 27th - make sure to tag your photos online for a chance to win a prize - #stlmqgswapchallenge
  
  
• 2021 Remaining Monthly Events  
  July: Zoom w/ Color of Connection Quilt Ladies
  August: IN PERSON WELCOME BACK !!! Shrewsbury City Center 10-12:30
  (we will be following the CDC mask recommendations at that time)
  September: In Person - Quilt Photographer Shrewsbury City Center 10-12:30
  October: Working on informal sew-ins
  November: In Person - Shrewsbury City Center 10-12:30
  December: In Person Raffle Shrewsbury City Center 10-12:30
  
  
• Monthly Skill Builder June - Guild president Lilo Whitener-Fey will be helping teach members her tips for working on backing fabrics - matching up patterns and easy single seam piecing. Zoom with us Wednesday, June 23rd from 7-8pm. Look for your member email and zoom link reminders the night before.
  
  
• Guild Discounts
  - Jackman's - STLMQG members get 10% off at Jackmans on all non-sale items by showing their MQG membership card. Directions on how to get this card are on the member drive and the link will be in the member email.
  - Modish Quilter Annual Magazine - members get 20% off subscriptions - code in email.
  
  
• Quiltcon 2022 will be held in Phoenix, AZ Feb 16-20, 2022 Check their site for information and important dates. Members can check the Facebook group to chat about about meetups and room sharing. 
  
  
• 
  Guild Merch - we are so excited to be able to offer up T-shirts and Tote bags reminding folks to MAKE COOL STUFF - these shirts and totes sales are open to everyone and we think they would make some great gifts for the creatives in your life. Online shop will be open from June 15th - 29th. Check out the online store and buy yours now!
  
  
  
• Charity Committee Summer/ Fall Project - we will be 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.
  
  
• Products Worth the Money
  We broke out into chat rooms with members to discuss quilting notions and items we thought were really helpful in the quilting process and total worth the money -
  
  Quilting Items with Cords
  - AccuQuilt GO! Big Electric Fabric Cutter Starter Set
  - Steamfast iron
  - Reliable irons / Reliable Velocity 230IR
  - Oliso Mini Project Iron
  - and many more check out the resource document in your email!
  

Rulers & Template

- Stripology XL
- Clearly Perfect Slotted Trimmer
- Bonnie K Hunter's Essential Triangle Tool
- Companion Angle Triangle Ruler

- and many more check out the resource document in your email! 

 

Kitchen Sink

- Hera Marker
- Supreme Slider Free Motion Quilting Supplies
- Wonder Clips
- Wool Pressing Mat

- and many more check out the resource document in your email!

• Hand Sew *Home* Happy Hour June 29th 6-9 - we would love to see you there!
  
  
  
  
  
• Fabric Raffle 
  Thanks to another very generous donation from our sponsor Cotton Cuts Barb Phelps & Marie Hill won fat quarter bundles of the new Tula Pink fabric!

Fall 2021 STLMQG Charity Project

The STLMQG Charity Committee is happy to announce a second charity project for 2021. We will be making small quilts for the Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (CG PICU). The CG PICU provides respiratory and heart flow management for critically ill children as well as those recovering from complex heart procedures and organ transplants. These quilts are the sense of home most parents need in the most trying times while their child is recovering at Cardinal Glennon.

The CG PICU was brought to our attention by a member of the Charity Committee whose own daughter spent time there after having open-heart surgery when she was just 2.5 months old. Her daughter was lovingly given a quilt to use while she was there. When she reached out to see if the hospital needed more quilts since the one her daughter used looked a bit worn, they said YES!

Here's everything you need to know about the project: 

• Quilts must be new, handmade, and washable. They should be machine quilted (no ties) and preferably bound by machine for maximum durability. 
• Quilt Size: 36” x 36” (for babies and little kids) or 36" x 48" (for big kids). Please try to stay close to these dimensions. 
• Color Scheme and Fabrics: The quilts are for all kids, not just babies. Please pick fabrics that are appropriate for children, including but not limited to pastels, bright colors, and fun prints. Cotton and flannel are both okay. No rag quilts. 
• Deadline: December Meeting. Quilts can be dropped off at in-person meetings or coordinate with another STLMQG member. 
• Goal: 60 quilts 
• A small quilt should be quick to sew, and you can use any square pattern you have. Blocks that FINISH at 3” square (12 blocks x 12 blocks = 144 total), 4” square (9 blocks x 9 blocks = 81 total), 6” square (6 blocks x 6 blocks = 36 total), 9” square (4 blocks x 4 blocks = 16 total), 12” square (3 blocks x 3 blocks = 9 total), or 18” square (2 blocks x 2 blocks = 4 total) can all be easily used for this quilt. You could also try blocks that finish at odd sizes and add a border or even try some improv! With block-based quilts, you can make your assembly even faster by using web piecing (see January 2021 Monthly Skill Builder) to put the top together. Here are a few pattern ideas to get you started: 
https://www.coralandco.com/free-baby-quilt-patterns-to-sew.html 
https://wren-collective.com/free-pattern/free-baby-quilt-patterns-20-of-my-favorites/


Kitchen Table Quilting did a year's worth of free giant block patterns that finish at 36" square, perfect for the PICU quilts. You can find them all in her shop: https://kitchen-table-quilting.myshopify.com/collections/freebies.

Thank you for your efforts! We look forward to seeing (and receiving) your beautiful quilts. And be sure to share your finished quilts on social media using #stlmqg, #stlmqgcares, and #stlmqgPICUquilts. 

-Your 2021 STLMQG Charity Committee: Jessica Schunke (Chair), Gayle Larson, Kathy Mattingly, Krista Robbins, Gina Shelley, and Nichole Witushynsky

Meeting #110 (June 12th, 2021)

Quilting can definatly be an expensive hobby. So we're curious - what products have you bought over the years that you swear by and feel were worth every penny you paid? Want to see what our members have to say? 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

Scour those sewing rooms and be prepared with an item in each of the following categories and be prepared to chat in our breakout rooms about why you think it's worth the money:

1.    Quilting items with cords (machines, irons, cutters, bobbin winders, etc.)

2.    Rulers/templates

3.    Kitchen sink (books, notions, mats, threads, patterns, etc.)

- Guild Business:
  :: Membership Information
  :: Financial Information

- Announcements/Reminders

  :: Monthly Skill Builder June 

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

  :: Informal Park Gatherings - Sunday June 27th, Tower Grove 

  :: Color of Connections Quilters Presentation July

  :: Remaining 2021 Meeting Plans

  :: Guild T-shirts

  :: 4x5 Bee Updates

  :: Get to Know You Challenge & Swap  

  :: Committee Updates

  :: Member Updates

  :: STLMQG Quilt Show July 2022

  :: MQG Quiltcon

- May Skill Builder Prize Winner

- June Bundle Raffle Drawing

- Show & Share (time permitting)

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

:: Don't forget to be working on your Challenge and Swap 'Get to Know You" pieces they are due at the end of the month and post your pictures on IG using the hashtag #stlmqgswapchallenge or email us at stlmqg@gmail.com to be entered one of two prizes being drawn at the July meeting.

Meeting Recap (April 10th, 2021)

Spring with all it's bright happy colors is here! And what great timing to hear from a color master herself - Tara Faughnan. She joined our meeting this past Saturday to talk all about her quilting journey and some of the things that have brought her to where she is today. 

Tara Faughnan - From Cardboard to Instagram

Tara started out by showing us her first ever quilt - one that she created using cardboard templates to cut her fabric. After quickly chatting with her local quilt shop ladies (thank goodness for them) she was introduced to a rotary cutter, rulers and cutting mats and off to the races she went! She was mostly self taught from books and old quilting magazines her mother had given her and she really started out with a focus on design and technique. 

As she played she started to see how different colors and values could create different effects in her quilts - she would use binoculars backwards to stand and look at a quilt to see everything from 'afar' so she could see how the different pieces of the quilt were interacting. "Color gets all the credit, but value does all the work." She may not have known then the words for what she was exploring but she continued to try different things and explore in her quilts. 

While processing the loss of a dear friend and making a 'grief quilt' Tara says she was inspired by her late friend to use ALL THE COLOR, and found she could do so by pairing colors with neutrals and believes this was a turning point for her that changed everything.

As she continued to make quilts she played around with breaking 'rules' with value and color with interruptive patterning. She began to see that you could create visual points of calm with low contrast colors and sections and points of interest with sections of high contrast.

Tara likes to focus on scale and believes that often what really makes a quilt modern can simply be the scale at which a block is created. Often by taking a 'traditional block' and bumping up the scale once can create a very modern look. Also one color palette can look so different from one pattern block to the next and it's this area that Tara loves to play. 

And play it is. Solids can be serious so make sure to use color palettes that make you happy she suggested. She also stressed not to worry so much about making 'bad' quilts - just keep going, play and you will find your way. 

"Be fearless and make ugly quilts!" - Tara

Guild Items Covered:

• No May Meeting - Since we have Tara teaching Workshops in May - there will be no regular monthly meeting.
  
  
• Informal Park Gatherings - We have missed our members so much and we decided to start doing some informal Park Gatherings!
    - We will have a quilt photographer to help you get those beautiful quilt pics.
    - The free table will be back so bring some goodies and take some goodies
    - Chairty Vet Quilt turn in Spot
    - Swap Spot
    - Share Quilts, Stories & Fist Bumps (hugs have to stay virtual for now)
  
  Kirkwood Park Saturday May 8th, 10am - 12pm.
  Tower Grove Park Sunday June 27th at 10am - 12pm.
  
  It's come and go as you please but we look forward to seeing you!
  
  
• 4x5 Quarterly Bees Round 2- Our first round of Quarterly Block Bees is wrapping up and round two is now open! It's a great chance to get know your fellow guild members so don't hesitate to join the fun. Check your member email for the link to sign up.
  
  
• Monthly Skill Builder - We love the way that Zoom is allowing us to have some personal one-on-one time with folks and share our skills with each other. We announced that this month's new skill will be making digital quilt mockups. While not a technical 'sewing' skill making mockups can always help you plan for your quilts and making them digitally can be a fun way to explore lots of possibilities and try things you might not have thought of before. We will be learning from the guild secretary and graphic designer Christine Boyd on April 21st from 7-8pm. You can always read more on the Monthly Skill Builder blog. As always if you would be willing to teach a skill please let us know! We have a list of skills or if you have something special to share we would love to hear from you. We will also be recording the monthly sessions and sending them out within 48 hours. 
  
  
• Quilt Alongs - 
  - Fairy Garden Quilt @cozycolorquilts 
  - Nightingale Quilt  @loandbeholdstitchery
  - Connector Quilt   @homemadeemilyjane
  - Sunshowers Quilt   @megancollins_a
  - Pacific Sun Quilt   @xoxsew
  
  
• Save the Date for STLMQG Quilt Show 2022 - July 16 – 17, 2022 - Kirkwood Community Center, set up July 15
  
  
• Hand Sew *Home* Happy Hour April 27th 6-9PM come and go as you please - join us to sew or just to chat!
  
  
• Charity Quilt Due to COVID, the construction on the tiny homes is unfortunately running way behind, so we're going to move our deadline back to NOVEMBER. Hopefully, this will allow more people to join in to ensure we reach our goal. We are trying to make 30 Twin XLs and you can learn more on the blog post if you're interested in participating.

Fabric & Pattern Raffle

This month was an exciting giveway - Tara donated two of her patterns to go with two solid bundles provided by Cotton Cuts. Winners were Dottie Vaughn & Heather Dye. 

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!

Meeting #109 (April 10th, 2021)

The trees are in bloom, we are hearing those lawn mowers fire up and we are excited to see all the positive news about vaccines which can hopefully get us closer to meeting together back in person! Saturday we have the fabulous Tara Faughnan chatting with us - she's known for her use of solids in her modern quilts and the STLMQG is happy to have her. 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 Speaker - Tara Faughnan - From Cardboard to Instagram

In place of a traditional trunk show Tara will be chatting with us in the meeting. Here is a little bit about Tara. 

"I draw inspiration from the simple bold geometry of antique quilts, the gorgeous bright colors from textiles around the world, and freedom and spontaneity found in unconventional and improvisationally pieced quilts.  When I look at my current work, I see all 3 of these aspects represented.  I like to use simple geometry, complex color interaction and find the line the exists somewhere between harmony and discordance."

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

- Announcements/Reminders

  :: Infromal Park Gatherings 

  :: Monthly Skill Builder April 

  :: Tara Faughnan Workshops

  :: Get to Know You Challenge and Swap

  :: 4x5 Quarterly Bees

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

  :: Committee Updates

  :: Member Updates

- March Skill Builder Prize Winner

- April Bundle Raffle Drawing

- Show & Share (time permitting)

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

:: Don't forget to post your pictures of your foundation paper 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 (March 13th, 2021)

You know why quilters hate to spring forward? We hate to lose an hour of quilting time! Spring is in the air and March is national quilting month - and this month in our monthly meeting we were talking scraps! Our programming committee put on a great presentation full of ideas on how to help you prevent, manage, storage and organization, projects and donation ideas. 

Guild Business:

• Gail Luther, our treasurer, started off with an update of the guild financials. We are paid up with the Modern Quilt Guild and for those interested there will be copies of the financial documents on the member drive.
• Christine Boyd, our secretary, gave us a brief overview of our membership numbers. We are currently sitting at 146 members with 2 new members joined since our last meeting. We are so excited to see our guild growing even in these covid times. Not a member yet? Anyone interested should check out how to join.
• Our Vice President Em Komiskey covered some of the online happenings coming up, below is a list. 
  
  #sewthescrapoutofmarch Tea and Brie IG 
  Summer Sampler Sew Along Swim Bike Quilt 
  

Items Covered:

• 4x5 Quarterly Bees - Quarterly Block Bees - your patterns should be picked! Make sure to email if you have questions and when you have your blocks please post them online and tag #stlmqg4x5bee
  
  
• Monthly Skill Builder - Ever wonder how to do foundation paper piecing?? Well here is your chance to learn - Leila Gardunia will be teaching Foundation Paper Piecing on March 24th from 7-8pm. Prep materials and patterns will be linked in your member emails.
  
  
• The Color of Connections Quilt Ladies will be speaking at our July Meeting as a reminder. These ladies are working to create a nonprofit that connects the modern quilting community, across all colors, ages, genders, and backgrounds. Through this non-profit they will be hosting quilting workshops with vulnerable youth of all colors to sew, foster relationships abd meaningful connection, and also teach self-efficacy and creativity. Learn more on their mission on their site.
  
  
• Tara Faughnan will be speaking April! 
  She will be presenting on From Cardboard to Instagram. As a known master of the modern solid quilts she uses simple geometry, complex color interaction and find the line the exists somewhere between harmony and discordance in her quilts. We are so lucky to hear from her in our April meeting.
  
  
• 
  Tara's Workshop Signups Coming March 18th at 8pm so make sure to check your email! Spots are limited - you will sign up for your top choices and we will email out what you get into along with an invoice. 
  
  Classes:
  Lone Star - Sat. May 1st
  Big Stich Hand Stitch - Sun. May 2nd
  
  $50/class, cancelation policy applies read more about the workshops here.
  
  
• Committee Announcements
  - Get to Know You Challenge and Swap was announced - you will fill out the google form sent to your member email and get to know one of your fellow guild members and then make a mini 12-24" quilt for them inspired by their answers. The deadline to signup is March 20th and your quilts will be due June 27th.
   
  - Jessica Schunke, chair of the charity committee, gave us a quick update on the charity quilts for vets. The deadline is still April 30th but we may see an extension, we will be working on sending out a list of all the longarm quilters that have offered services for finishing these charity quilts.
  
  
• Getting Scrappy
  
  Scrap Prevention
  - Don't Overbuy
  - Make an After Quilt
  - Make a Pillow Case for your quilt
  - Set aside 15-20 mins a day to sort 
  
  Scrap Management
  - 6 Drawers Organization
     • Red + Pink
     • Orange + Yellow
     • Blue + Green
     • Purple + White
     • Black + Grey
     • Brown + Neutral
  
  Scrap Projects
  - Improv Block
  - Fabric Postcards
  - EPP
  - Hexies
  - String Blocks
  - Lip Balm Holder
  - Luggage Tags
  - Collages
  - Crumb Quilts
  
  Batting Scraps
  - Don't forget to save these and Zig-Zag stitch together into larger pieces for use in quilts
  - Cut into smaller square for make-up pads
  - Dusters / Mops
  - Pillow Stuffing
  
  Elimination
  Find local places to donate your scraps 
  
  The full powerpoint & resources have been shared on the member drive - links in your email.
  
  
• Hand Sew *Home* Happy Hour March 30th 6-9 - we would love to see you there!
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Fabric Raffle 
  Thanks to another very generous donation from our sponsor Cotton Cuts Robyn Passig was the winner of both Kaffe Fassett fat quarter bundles!

Meeting #108 (March 13th, 2021)

Are you swimming in scraps? Saturday we are going to help you out! Come hear tips for managing, organizing and putting your scraps to use.  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

If you have a scrappy project or a scrap storage hack that you love - please grab them to share with #STLMQG members in our breakout rooms.

Things we're going to cover - 

  :: Scrap Prevention

  :: Scrap Management

  :: Scrap Organization

  :: Organizing Tips

  :: Scrappy Projects

  :: Elimination

  :: Donations

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

- Announcements/Reminders

  :: Monthly Skill Builder March 

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

  :: Tara Faughnan Presentation & Workshop Details

  :: Swap/Challenge Committee Announcement

  :: Committee Updates

  :: Member Updates

- February Skill Builder Prize Winner

- March Bundle Raffle Drawing

- Show & Share (time permitting)

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

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