Hurricane Sandy Quilts, part 2

The Modern Quilt Guild has put out the call for quilts and blankets: http://themodernquiltguild.com/2012/11/19/east-coast-sandy-quilt-relief/ for information about how you can help.

Our chapter’ secretary Pam has sent me a link to another site that’s collecting quilts for victims of the disaster. See http://www.quiltviews.com/storm-relief-where-to-send-quilts for more information. 

lori

ACS Quilt, continued

TaMara finished the back this week. Beautiful job! It really makes the quilt a reversible one.

I love how she featured the seventh block.

The label is in the corner.

And now, hopefully, we line up a great longarm quilter to do the quilting!

lori

More on the ACS Quilt

Some members of the Outreach Committee continued work on our Austin Children's Shelter quilt this weekend. This quilt will be sent off in time to be displayed with 45 others at QuiltCon in Austin this February.

TaMara and Stephanie met at Pam’s studio Saturday morning to work on the back of the quilt.

TaMara designed the back around the seventh block.

The quilt top.

Pam designed the label.

I am SO proud of my committee! TaMara, Stephanie, Kathy, Julie, Pam...You ROCK!

lori

Random Sightings

Some neat sites I've come across recently, and one sent from a member. If you come across a site to share, let us know.

An extensive tutorial on photographing your quilt, from choosing the right camera to handling your closeups: http://www.hollyknott.com/stq/index.htm

Flying Geese gone joyfully modern:
http://www.annkelle.com/fabric-sighting-remixed-geese-quilt/

Zendoodling on a quilt:
https://twitter.com/quiltjane/status/268673468940304384/photo/1

Super-easy quilted coasters:
http://www.modabakeshop.com/2012/11/30-minute-gift-simply-colorful-coasters.html

Sew, Mama, Sew gathered together some links to free tutorials for gifts to make for babies:
http://sewmamasew.com/blog2/2012/11/november-14-gifts-for-babies/

Don’t you love calendar tea towels? Such a strange concept. Go see the winners of this year’s design contest at Spoonflower’s. http://www.spoonflower.com/contests/161 Like one? You can buy it in your choice of fabrics. Next contest up: Holiday cocktail napkins. Vote for your favorite.

Lastly, an online fabric shop link from our member Julie: http://www.tennesseequilts.com. Soooooo many Kaffe Fassett fabrics! (my downfall.)

And what did you find today?

lori

QuiltCon Austin Children's Shelter quilt

Pittsburgh Modern Quilt Guild was one of the chapters chosen to make a quilt from the blocks entered in the QuiltCon Block Challenge. Friday, we received the seven blocks that we will turn into a twin-size quilt that will be donated to the Austin Children’s Shelter in Texas after being displayed at QuiltCon in February. This will be one of 46 from guilds across the country.

The outreach committee started working on the quilt on Monday at my house and made quick progress.

The seven blocks we received.

Kathy, busy at the iron.

Pam was in charge of the rotary cutter.

Stephanie checked details on the computer in between time at the machine.

TaMara took down the next block to be worked on.

It's still a work in progress. When we have more photos this weekend I'll post them here.

lori

Give a hand, Give a quilt

So often we hear the call for help in disasters in far away places; now there’s one close to home. Hurricane Sandy has left many Americans homeless and in the cold. Quilters, as usual, are coming forward to blanket them in warmth and love. If you want to help, there are a number of different collection sites to send your quilts to.

Moda Fabrics is collecting quilts and blankets, homemade and store-bought: http://modafabrics.blogspot.com/2012/11/quilts-blankets-asap.html

EQuilter is heading up a drive for 5,000 quilts. Read about it here: http://www.equilter.com/cgi-bin/webc.cgi/quiltrelief.html

Bonnie K. Hunter posted this info on her blog “Quiltville” http://quiltville.blogspot.com/2012/11/more-quilts-for-sandy-survivors.html

If you have some time to make an extra quilt during this, the busiest time of year for a lot of us, or some extra dollars to buy a blanket during the most expensive time of year, give these sites a visit.

lori

Meeting Sunday

Just a reminder — our monthly meeting is this Sunday at 1 p.m. at the Pittsburgh Project. Our business meeting will be followed by show-and-tell and a general sewing session for you to work on any projects you wish to bring.

The Modern Quilt Guild has announced their Winter Fabric Challenge for all the guilds. You can see it here. We will discuss whether we want to participate in this during the meeting.

If you don’t already get the newsletter from The Modern Quilt Guild you can subscribe here.

lori

The Official Definition of "Wonky"

Wonky 9 patch with insertion strips

I have been asked to define the word "wonky" on a few occasions over the past few months. Having heard the word used over the past few years among other modern quilters I inferred it to mean uneven, askew, or something similar- especially with some of my early improvisational blocks. However, I never took the time to look up the word until now.

Wonky Geese WIP

The official definition from dictionary.com is
Wonky (adjective; pronounced [wong-kee]; British slang)
wonkier; wonkiest
1a. shaky; groggy; or unsteady
1b. unreliable; not trustworthy 
2. Slang- stupid; boring; unattractive


There are other similar definitions, including awry and askew. I'm excited to see the progressive use of "wonkier" and "wonkiest." Maybe we need to have a contest to see which modern quilter can create the wonkiest block. That could be fun!!!

Will we see you all on Sunday? Hope so! - Jodi