Friday, June 24, 2016

"Not Stopping Until I Finish 49 Heart Blocks"

Debra Barnes didn't want to stop making hearts until she
completed forty-nine heart blocks, and she didn't.
These blocks represent each of the people who
perished in the horrific attack at  Pulse Night Club. 
One of our guild's missions is to provide comfort and support through quilts.  There have been many outreach programs to be proud of as a member of this organization; our quilts have gone from local habitat for Humanity Houses to children in the Ukraine.

The recent tragedy in Orlando has rocked our nation and the modern quilt guild has put needle to fabric try to ease the pain of the victims of the shooting.  Our past president, Danielle Wilkes, stated it eloquently when she said, "I can't articulate my emotions, but I do know that putting a needle in fabric is soothing."

As a result of a call from the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild, many quilters are assembling heart blocks to commemorate those killed and to comfort the victims.  This is the most recent charity project, but Jen Eskridge has been leading Tote Bag initiative and quilts for various charities.

Our charity coordinator, Jen Eskridge, hosted a local sew-in at one of our sponsor's shop, Sew Special, to work on the hearts and the tote project.  Stacy Pyron's store, The Quilt Shop, has also hosted recent sew-in's in order for our members to have dedicated time and instruction to complete projects dedicated to charity.

The next sew-in is on Saturday, July 9 at Joanna's new sewing studio.  Please check the SAMQG Event page for details.  The emphasis will be to assemble, back, quilt, and finish the pulse quilts.


The most recent sew in had members, their children, and even a couple of neices sewing for a cause.  If you are interested in helping our guild with heart charity blocks, please contact Jen Eskridge, our charity chair-woman.

Check out these sites if you are interested in making a quilt for the Orlando Modern Quilt Guild's efforts, please check out the following sources:

The Happy Zombie Love Quilt
Cluck Cluck Sew's Heart Quilt
#Quilts for Pulse Charity Drive by Modern Quilt Guild









Saturday, June 18, 2016

Hand applique for modern quilters



When I explain to people that I am in a quilt guild, I always qualify it by saying, but I am 'cool' quilter.  That translates even into one of the older traditions of quilting, needle-turn or hand applique.

Recently Carolyn Friedlander confirmed the fact that I am part of the cool quilters by writing the book, Savor Each Stitch, that highlights beautiful hand applique using modern design aesthetics. (see picture on right)

I saw crazymomquilts on Instagram (IG) posting about a 'dot your i's" project and decided to develop a hand project that was modern and could keep my hands busy during practices, vacations, guild meetings, and while watching The Bachelor...hey...don't judge!

So I started a new project.  I was inspired by the Aerial Grove quilted (see picture on the right) and the images I surfed on IG.  I love that I am juxtaposing the precision of invisible applique shapes with the imperfection of the "squircle."

I hope the tutorial inspires you and that you show off what you make.  You can follow me on IG, #jessipea, or show me at a meeting.  I can help you with needle turn applique, but I warn you, I am self-taught!

Check out these hashtags on IG to see some cool projects that inspired this one!
I can't wait to see what you make.

#aerialgrove     #squircles     #savoreachstitch



#SQUIRCLES
tutorial by Jessi Lane

I used scraps for this project, but I have been known to purchase fabrics to help my scraps out.

                                              1.  Cut a low volume print to 6.5 x 6.5 inches.
2.  Cut a bright print to about 3 inches square.
3.  Cut your square into a "squircle."
4.  There is not a right way to do this.

5.  Baste with a contrasting thread.  I keep it simple and fast.
6.  Choose a matching thread and I used a thin needle (clover gold eye)
*These superior thread wheels are invaluable to this applique project.
They are available at many of our sponsor stores.

7.  Applique the squircle down.  This is much like a binding stitch.
I just turn the edges of the fabric as I hand stitch.

8.  Tie a knot on the back of your shape when you have
secured all the sides.
9.  Cut all the basting threads off and admire your perfectly imperfect squircle.
9.  Repeat!