PEIMQG May 2017 Meeting

Heather J. opened the meeting by welcoming 17 of our members. We briefly discussed the recent Krista Hennebury trunk show and workshops, and everyone agreed that we had lots of fun and we all enjoyed the experience.

We discussed the possibility of hosting Paul Leger for a Trunkshow in October, so stay tuned for more details as things are confirmed.

First item of business had Helen accepting some charity blocks on Dianne's behalf. Great job everyone, these are looking great!

And on the topic of Charity quilts, Liz discussed the PEIMQG taking part in the QuiltCon 2018 Charity Quilt Challenge. The color palette this year is really fun and bright. We have decided to go ahead with this project, and have assembled a team to complete the quilt in the coming months.

Cathy discussed hosting a Mystery Quilt-Along, which the group was very excited about. Some details discussed can be found here. But, if you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask. Fabric requirements will be released in July and the first clue will be released September 1st.

Next up for program,Heather J. demonstrated some English Paper Piecing. She showed us her hexagon units from her "Technicolor Galaxy" project. And shared her technique for perfect applique'd circles using dryer sheets. 

She also shared her technique for making this adorable 3-D block, a tutorial for which can be found here.

Carol showed us some EPP pieces that she and Catherine M. have been working on. "Water Lillies" by Monet is their inspiration. Can't wait to see this project progress, it is going to be stunning.

Carol also shared her larger hexagon pieces as well, Sew much fun.

For the June's program Lucinda has a fun project in mind, if you would like to participate bring an old t-shirt and some scissors with you to the meeting.

Round Robin - We only have 2 more rounds to go!!! For this round we are making another L-shaped border( Top OR Bottom and either side) Minimum width: 5.5" unfinished but as large as 8" unfinished. This should give everyone lots of room to come up with something fun and creative!!!

April's Queen Bee Helen received the following Log-Cabin blocks, They are so teeny, tiny!!

May's Queen Bee Roberta, has a different Log Cabin for us. Love the rich neutral tones. All her fabrics have been provided and pre-cut, please make 2 blocks.

Next month Heather C. is our Queen Bee.

Show and Share:

First for Show and Share, Heather J asked if anyone had completed projects from the Krista Hennebury workshops. Here are Janice's, Heather J's and Linda's "Speed Date with Improv" quilts:

Lucinda had a newly constructed purse, and 2 smaller versions to share with us.

Gail shared her strip quilt with us. It's almost done, Just binding left and then it is on it's way to her son.

Here is the back. Love the ticket stubs! Beautiful Quilting.

Gail also had this bright Canada's 150th quilt to show us. It features a beautiful panel. 

Maritza brought in her completed charity quilt featuring the denim squares she has been working on. Great job getting it completed!!!

Here is the back:

Here's Carol showing us her English Paper Piecing:

Linda brought in her charity quilt top too, it looks awesome with the striped sashing!!

Roberta shared her completed "Fractured Cabins" quilt. She used Ombre fabrics and the effect is striking.

Here is the back which shows the quilting.

She also shared her completed "Moon Dance" quilt. I love the bright colors and the asymmetric layout.

Heather C. was very happy to share her very First completed project - "Summer Moon". It looks fantastic Heather, keep it up!!!

Cathy shared her " Add A Twist" quilt. Which was recently published on the ModaBakeshop here:

This alternate version of "Add a Twist" is being donated to one of our chosen charities this year.

Lastly Liz had her completed "Pluses and Crosses" quilt to share. Her version plays with scale and looks fantastic.  

Here is the back as well, love the use of those orphan blocks:

Great meeting everyone, Hope to see you at the next one!!

The following Events are planned for the West Royalty Community Room, Sobeys, 39 Babineau Avenue, Charlottetown.  Save the dates.

June 10th:                  PEIMQG Sew-In  (9 am-4 pm)

June 22nd:                 PEIMQG Monthly Meeting: (7-9 pm)

July 8th:                    PEIMQG Sew-In  (9 am-4 pm)

July 27th:                  PEIMQG Monthly Meeting: (7-9 pm) 

PEIMQG Mystery Quilt-Along

With the Round Robin challenge winding down, Liz and I have discussed ideas for the upcoming PEIMQG challenge. I have designed a block featuring different elements and techniques that could be assembled in a Traditional or Modern quilt layout.

The block can be broken down into different steps, to be completed on a monthly basis. We thought it would be fun to host an online Quilt-along, with sponsors offering prizes to anyone keeping up and posting their progress online.

We have decided that the Mystery Quilt-Along challenge will begin September 1st (with Fabric requirements being released in July) and running until the end of May. The great thing about this project is that you will be using your fabric, and the deadlines are self- imposed. If you don't keep up, that's okay.  Try to catch up for the next month. This means nobody is waiting for their blocks to return, and if you can't make it to the monthly meeting...no worries, just post your picture progress to the blog and you are still eligible for a prize. Yea! Easy, right??

This Mystery Quilt-Along will be posted online until July 15th 2018, and made available to the online community, so please let all your friends know that they can participate as well (and be eligible for prizes). It's going to be lots of fun and I can't wait to see everyone's completed quilts!!!

The instructions will be given in 4 different layout options: Make just 1 block for a 24" piece, OR make 4 blocks for a 2 x 2 layout, OR 9 blocks for a 3 x 3 layout. The modern version will have one set of instructions that you can feel free to customize as you see fit.

I designed the block to be a skill building exercise, perfect for newbie quilters wanting to learn some techniques that will help them become more confident sewers. For our more experienced quilters, I hope you will follow along as we will demonstrate different techniques for accomplishing completed units. Who knows, you may discover a new favorite way to make a familiar unit.

The tutorials (Clues) will be revealed on the blog, on the 1st day of every month, beginning in September, (with fabric requirements and possible color palettes being released in July.) You will have until the last day of the month to post your progress online. The Clues are no longer available on the blog. They will be made available on Craftsy for a minimal fee.

***For the PEIMQG members - Liz, Heather or Cathy will be in attendance at the Sew-In's to help anyone with the techniques. But please don't be intimidated ... there is nothing too complicated and it is meant to be fun.

If you have any questions please don't hesitate to ask in the comments below.

PEIMQG Guest Blogger May 2017

 I am so pleased to introduce this month's guest blogger Alyce Blyth . Alyce has a wonderful blog featuring lots of tutorials and Quilt-Alongs .
 She hosts the "Bee Hive" a fantastic resource for modern quilt blocks too, I know the PEIMQG has chosen some of our Queen Bee blocks from her Bee Hive.
Alyce currently lives in Australia but has started her quilting journey in Japan. I think it would be very interesting to be a quilter experiencing 2 very different countries and cultures.

Alyce is also the author of "DIY Block Design" a fantastic resource for anyone wanting to design and create their own quilt blocks. Be sure to check out her blog:

http://www.blossomheartquilts.com/

 Q&A:

1. What do you love about  (Modern) quilting?

I love the colours and contrast that is usually found in modern quilting. I want to be able to clearly see the shapes used in a quilt, and that is what sets modern quilting apart from traditional quilting to me. I also love the way that modern quilters have a different and unique way of looking at quilt design, and that they see it more as a way of expressing a love for design.

2. Where do you draw inspiration?

I find most of my inspiration in the geometric designs around my everyday life, whether it’s a fence, a shop sign, or a manhole cover!

       3. What are you currently working on? (Can we have a sneak peek?)

My quilty to-do list is never ending! But I think my favourite project at the moment is my Girt By Sea - https://modernmakersretreat.wordpress.com/private-girt-by-sea/ - quilt

4. Solids or Prints?

Prints. That almost look like solids!

5. Precuts or Stash?

Both have a place in my quilting! Fat quarters for a little bit of a certain colour or print just in case. Yardage for stashing super special prints, backgrounds, bindings and backings.

6. Favorite Tool/Trick you can’t live without?

My Clover finger presser. I do a lot of foundation paper piecing, and it’s perfect for pressing the fabric open and flat without needing to add so much heat to the paper templates.

7. What’s your Favorite Blog and/or Designer?

Picking just one is hard! I do have a bit of a fondness for Jayne at Twiggy and Opal - twiggyandopal.blogspot.com - though. Her colours and designs are spot on, and her photos are beautiful too.

8. What’s one thing we should know about you?

My name isn’t pronounced as “Alice”, it’s more like “Ah-lease”!

Thank You so much Alyce for being our guest blogger this month. 

PEIMQG May 2017 Sew- In

Happy Mother's Day! I hope everyone is enjoying their families. It has been a beautiful sunny weekend here in Prince Edward Island, and I'm sure that people are enjoying time spent outdoors in their flowers and gardens. We did have a few members attend the Sew-In this month, Six of us came together to spend a few hours relaxing, sewing, cutting and having fun chatting together.

After having spent the previous weekend with Krista Hennebury learning workshops, It's no surprise that half of us were  working on our " Variegated Threads" projects:

Janice was assembling her spools. Love her vintage featherweight and her blocks are looking great!

Lucinda was also working on her Variegated Threads. Here are some of them all laid out. Love the color combinations...

Here's Lucinda's fun, new lunch bag.

Cathy was also working on her Variegated Threads project, while she was online with her Mom, the internet connection wasn't great but Her Mom had fun sewing along with the PEIMQG gang via Skype.

Here is Linda's completed "Variegated Threads" Top. It looks so good, I can't wait to get mine finished.

Linda was working on these Denim Charity blocks, which are 10" unfinished. Love the scrappy colors/fabrics. These blocks would look awesome with solid sashing between them. Really let them shine!

Jean was working away on binding her "Black Beauty" quilt.

Roberta was busy cutting and kitting up her Queen Bee Blocks for the May Meeting. Can't wait to start making her blocks.

We had a lot of fun getting together to sew and socialize. Hope to see everyone at the meeting coming up...

The following Events are planned for the West Royalty Community Room, Sobeys, 39 Babineau Avenue, Charlottetown.  Save the dates.

May 25th:                   PEIMQG Monthly Meeting: (7-9 pm)

June 10th:                  PEIMQG Sew-In  (9 am-4 pm)

June 22nd:                 PEIMQG Monthly Meeting: (7-9 pm)

July 8th:                    PEIMQG Sew-In  (9 am-4 pm)

Krista Hennebury Trunkshow and Workshops

The PEIMQG had the honor of hosting Guest Speaker and Teacher Krista Hennebury these past few days as she made a tour of the Maritimes. First up we spent a fun Thursday evening getting to know Krista and learning about her views on Modern Quilting and her personal influences and inspiration. All who attended the Trunkshow were treated to a visual feast of some of her work. Her fun and fearless approach to Improv piecing is fresh and exciting, without being intimidating. Her simple quilting let's the strong graphic elements of her work truly shine. Here are some of the amazing quilts Krista shared with us during her Trunk show.

The PEIMQG also had the opportunity to host 2 workshops with Krista Hennebury as well.
Saturday we worked on the Modern Traditional "Variegated Threads". Krista was able to demonstrate her technique for wonky piano keys, with lots of tips and advice to help us form the improv components needed for the thread of our spools. We had lots of beautiful color combinations.

  

After lunch, we assembled the units required to make the spools, and finished some of our blocks. Here is our group sharing the results of our hard work. These blocks are so pretty. Can't wait to see how these progress over the coming weeks. Great job Everyone!

Sunday - Day 2 was our "Speed Date with Improv" workshop and we were promised a fun, freeing, fast-paced day of Improv piecing. Krista did NOT disappoint. We were all encouraged to relax and just enjoy cutting without rulers and not stressing about perfection. There ARE NO mistakes with Improv piecing and I think everyone had fun sewing with no rules. I am amazed how awesome everyone's work turned out. They all look fantastic. Please check back with us in coming months to see the finished quilts. I will try to encourage the members to show them all together. Here is the results of our Speed Dating. I think we all got to go home with a winner!!

I'd like to thank Krista Hennebury for joining us these last few days, I know I speak for everyone when I say what an excellent job you did speaking and instructing us while you were here. We hope to have you back with us in PEI in the future, and we'll be keeping in touch with her on her blog and instagram too.