April 2023 Meeting Recap

 

It was a full house for the April meeting, with lots of new and old faces!  We had lots to cover, so let's dive right in!

Kawandi Workshop with Vivian

                      

Who:    Vivian Benton & the Pittsburgh Modern Quilt Guild 

What:     Kawandi, a technique of quilting by hand-stitching scraps, and working from the outside of the quilt inward to the center.  Please see below for Vivian's own words!

Where:  Our Millvale meeting place, 608 Farragut St, Pittsburgh, PA 15209

When:    June 25th, 2023 1-5pm

Why:       Our first workshop of 2023, Kawandi is a trending technique in the quilting world.  We're lucky to have Vivian willing to teach us!

How:       Cost is $35, and a supply list will be sent upon registration.  You can bring cash or a check to the June meeting or mail it to Pittsburgh Modern Quilt Guild, PO Box 105, Wexford PA  15090.

Please contact Erin at pghmqg.programs@gmail.com to let her know of your interest or with any questions.

Here is a description in Vivian's own words:

In this four-hour workshop, you’ll create a placemat-size Kawandi. We’ll follow the traditional method, hand stitching using scraps of fabric. To learn the technique, you’ll do this small project to get you started. With Vivian’s step-by-step guidance and lots of hands-on instruction, you’ll be able to complete your project in this workshop.

Vivian will bring to the workshop several completed Kawandis, including projects started from the beginning, further demonstrating how the technique is done along the way.  This is a stress-free workshop with minimal supplies needed. So don’t be afraid to try your hand at this century-old tradition. Vivian is convinced that once you make one, you’ll be hooked.

*A kawandi is a hand-stitched quilt made of scraps, traditionally made by women of the Siddi ethnic group, descendants of early enslaved Africans brought to India’s west coast by the Portuguese in the 16th century.

  January 2023 Meeting Recap

January meeting is a business meeting - recapping the previous year, giving a financial overview and electing a new leadership team.

Please congratulate our 2023 Leadership team:

- President - Mary Gregg

- Vice President, Programs - OPEN

- Vice President, Social Media - Cheralee Stover

- Vice President, Membership - Gail Gausman

- Treasurer - Jen Laverty

Mary's election as President leaves the Program position open. Leadership has decided to hold a special election at the February meeting to fill the position. Any members interested in running for the position, please submit your name and short bio to Judy Kay, Elections Officiate, by January 21st.

Quilt Workshops and Opportunities:

Quilt North is hosting a workshop with Maria Shell, Riffing on Tradition.  This two-part virtual workshop will be held Thursday, January 26 5:30-8:30 pm and Sunday January 29 2-5 pm. Cost for non-members  $70. registration or email quiltnprogram@gmail.com

Three Rivers Quilt Guild is accepting entries for their 2023 show March 30-April 1 at Hollywood Casino at the Meadows, Washington PA.  This year's theme is Drunkard's Path.  The entry deadline is Tuesday, February 21 by mail only.  entry rules    entry form or email threeriversquiltshow@gmail.com

A CMU research team invites marginalized Pittsburgh artists to participate in a virtual immersive gallery research study at the Andy Warhol Museum Pop District.  CMU information

Our next meeting is on Sunday, February 5th in Millvale. We hope to see you there.

September 2016 Meeting Recap

This month, we were sharing the mini quilts we received in the Pennsylvania MQG Mini Swap with the Capital Area MQG (Harrisburg) and also our August blocks for our monthly inspiration challenge.  Members who missed the July meeting brought their earlier blocks, too!

Mini quilts received though #pamqgminiswap

In addition to those projects, the guild was busy prepping for the construction of the 2017 QuiltCon Charity quilt.  You may recall that we were back and forth between ideas based on an Italian artist's works and honoring the characters from Mr. Roger's Neighborhood and the Land of Make Believe.  The workshop where the majority of that construction will take place will be this Saturday, September 24, 2016 at The Quilt Company in Alison Park. Details were provided via Evite.  Please make sure to RSVP and choose which tools you can bring when you respond to the Evite.  Thanks for that!

Inspiration Challenges!

We have had some amazing ice-breaker discussions in the past two months from how do you stay organized to what features you look for in an iron.  They have been super informative and it's always fascinating to hear how our fellow guild members sort their fabric and whether they are steamers or sprayers. ;)

The workshop with Nikki on FMQ is sold out!  Yay!  That workshop is also at the Quilt Company on October 22nd.  Lunch (provided by Sally) will have vegetarian options.

The MQG has been busy with webinars on "no tails binding", a town hall meeting that will be available to listen to if you didn't catch it, sending out requests for quilts, patterns, webinar ideas and potential book projects.  Watch your Inbox for those emails and take a second to check out the free monthly quilt patterns when you log in to their site.  Cheryl likes to make mini versions of them and they look dynamite!

Nikki and Gerry ran the education portion of the meeting, reminding us that the basics of quilting leads to less headaches when it comes to construction, pressing and longarm quilting.  

A few of Gerry's tips:

• Read the directions! 
• Make sure your machine is clean, is calibrated for your project and has fresh needles, etc.
• Have good block hygiene: choose the proper thread, press correctly, measure constantly and keep your thread tails under control.
• You can always use a refresher.  Check out a book or online class for beginners once in awhile to ensure you don't have any bad habits.  

A few of Nikki's tips:

• Do your best.  Providing straight, flat and accurate quilt tops will ensure that your quilt looks its best after quilting.  Longarm quilters can fix lots, but they can't perform miracles.
• Keep your quilts tidy: no loose threads, pet hairs, or wavy/puckered areas.
• Choose batting carefully, discuss it with your longarmer - they may insist on a certain kind.
• Be clear about your expectations regarding budget, designs, time frame, etc.  Work out the details BEFORE shipping the quilt top.
• Each longarmer is different; you are giving them your work.  Before choosing a quilter, get recommendations, look at their work (front AND back) and be certain you are a good fit.

FMQ On Your Domestic Machine Workshop

***UPDATE 09/15/2016 - The workshop is now FULL.  Thank you for your interest!***

Are you ready to add "free motion quilting" to your quilting toolbox? 

Or perhaps you've tried free motion and have questions about anything from batting to technique? 

Join us for a 6-hour workshop led by long arm quilter Nikki Maroon. The workshop will begin with tips for choosing thread and batting, basting, and setting up a domestic sewing machine for free motion quilting. Next we will cover tips for getting started, including demonstrations of many different quilting designs (come with ideas and suggestions!) and plenty of time for you to practice and ask questions. In the final portion of the workshop we will talk about determining a quilting design. Feel free to bring your own quilt tops to join in the discussion and gather ideas! All skill levels are welcome!

*Lunch, including vegetarian options, will be provided.*

Click Here to Register with Eventbrite!