January 2017 Meeting : General Meeting

If you only make it to one meeting this year, this is a good one to shoot for.  We will be voting on the by-laws, swapping scraps, electing officers

and getting member feedback for programming this year.

Cross your fingers that the QuiltCon quilt will also be ready for its big reveal!

*Members bringing scraps get first choice, of course.

*Don't forget that we will also be having a January sew day independent of the general meeting.

Since it's a fresh, new year - a blank slate - why not assess those UFOs you have and bring them to the meeting?  Get some input from your quilty friends and find some motivation to get it done or get rid of it!  (Sometimes, finished IS better than perfect.) We will be running a UFO Finish Along in 2017 to keep you motivated. We will log your UFOs at this next meeting and as you finish them throughout the year you will get a ticket for each one to enter in an end of year prize drawing. UFOs must be at least partially started for this event. 

See you January 8th at 1pm at the Pittsburgh Project!

December Meeting Recap

December's Inspiration Challenge Blocks

Pittsburgh Modern Quilt Guild members enjoyed a day of sewing and camaraderie this past Saturday at The Quilt Company in Hampton Township. A brief business meeting was held in the afternoon to discuss the following items:

• We will be running a UFO Finish Along in 2017! Rummage around in your sewing space and scrounge up all those UFOs (Unfinished Objects) that you keep meaning to finish and bring them with you to the January 8th meeting. Are you working on the Inspiration Challenge blocks? Hey! That counts! We will log your UFOs and as you finish them throughout the year you will get a ticket for each one to enter in an end of year prize drawing. UFOs must be at least partially started for this event. 

• Monthly Sew Days will begin in 2017! The first one is scheduled for Saturday, January 21st from 12-5 at Carnegie Library Allegheny branch on the North side. An eVite will go out to secure your seat as space is limited. These are free events, but please do not sign up if you are not able to attend so others can join in on the fun. Keep an eye on the Meeting Dates and Events page on this blog for future sew day dates!

• The Upcycled Clothing Challenge is going on now. See this post for all the deets. The finished minis are due at the FEBRUARY meeting and not January (as accidentally stated previously). February. For sure. 

• Leadership nominations were due at this meeting. We will be voting on the 2017 leadership positions at the January 8th meeting. 

• By-laws updates coming soon. Voting on minor proposed changes to by by-laws will also happen at the January 8th meeting. Keep an eye on your inbox for a copy of the proposed changes soon.

After the business portion of meeting we all enjoyed show and tell and some door prize drawings. Thank you very much to Sally, Sandy, Robert Kaufman fabrics, and Sew Many Creations for the items donated for this month's prize drawings! 

Diane's FIRST quilt for herself! What!

Diana's cool sampler quilt

B showing off her version of the Snow Covered Trees block and generally looking like a bad ass.

Anna's cool string quilt

Thanks to everyone who came out and assisted with the clean up! Happy Holidays and we will see you all in January (look for the meeting announcement to be up soon)!

PghMQG

December 2016 Meeting : Sew Day at The Quilt Company

This meeting announcement is a quickie so you can get back to perusing the internet for sales all while sitting on your couch in your jammies.

First, the December meeting is this Saturday (12/3) form 9am-4pm at The Quilt Company in Allison Park.  An eVite went out in November with the details and you can RSVP straight from there.  Check you trash and spam folders, just in case.  The December meeting will be held at 1pm if you want to stop by for that.   

Second, because the Quilt Company is on the smallish side, we are holding the vote for the by-law changes until the January General Meeting.  We usually have a great turn out for that meeting and we'll be back at the Pittsburgh Project where we can accommodate everyone.

Third, don't forget about our newest thing- the Upcycled Clothing Challenge!  Those mini quilts will be due in February.  You can get more info on the challenge here.

Four, if you have been consistently making your Inspiration Challenge blocks from the beginning, you should be half done!  Congratulations!  Take a minute to reflect n where you began, where you thought you would be and where you are.  Here is the original post.

Five, we are going to be voting on new officers in January.  Consider taking on a bigger role within the guild.  Talk to any current officer or Pam.

November 2016 Meeting Recap

Let's get right to it, shall we?  Lots of ground to cover this month!  

New Challenge!

We are unveiling a new challenge this month for our members, the Upcycled Clothing Challenge! This is an exciting opportunity to see what you can do with nontraditional materials and do a small part to keep usable items from ending up in landfills at the same time. The challenge is to make one miniquilt for which the top has been constructed entirely from material that has been salvaged from previously used clothing. Bonus points for also using upcycled backing, binding, and batting! (Note: there will not actually be points awarded.) 

You can find the clothing for this challenge in a multitude of places: your closet, flea markets, thrift stores, yard sales, that shirt you keep nagging your husband to throw away, etc!

The finished minis will be due at the February meeting and should be 24" square or smaller (however, the mini does not need to be square). The finished pieces will hang at Spool for the month of February where they will be voted on by the public (a hanging sleeve is not necessary). The winner will win a $50 gift card and mad street cred. 

Please check out the hashtag #makedoquilt for some inspiration and use #pghmqgucc to tag your progress so we can all see it!

We can't wait to see what everyone comes up with!

PghMQG

November 2016 Meeting: Quilt As You Go

Quilt as you go... There are several reasons why you might want to give this a try.  Maybe you don't have a long arm machine.  Perhaps you want to control every aspect of your quilting.  Rounding up orphan blocks and creating something is both useful as well as psychologically beneficial.  It could also be that you just want to add an additional skill to your quilting bag of tricks.

At the November meeting you'll be experimenting with two methods for QAYG - joining pre-quilted blocks and quilting while you also piece.  There are MANY methods to QAYG.  We are just going to cover these techniques with a few tricks to customize them for yourself.  I am linking the handout in case you would like to get creative!  Click here for the November handout.

We WILL need our machines and notions!  Don't bring irons, the guild will set up a few stations.


For QAYG, you will need the following supplies.

Joining Pre-Quilted Blocks:

At least 2 pre-quilted blocks (do not trim them!)
Strips at least 1" wide and the length of your blocks to use as sashing


Ticker Tape Method:

Square piece of muslin or background fabric
Square pieces of batting larger than the muslin
Square piece of backing larger than the batting
Assorted scraps


Here is the handout for the seasonal table runner and templates:

Tutorial
Templates

October 2016 Meeting Recap

This month's Inspiration Challenge winner -  Congratulations Amanda!

The QuiltCon Charity quilt top is almost done!  Zsofia handed it off to Lauren at the meeting.  Thank you to everyone who created blocks and/or participated in the sew day.  We're going to be right on target for the QuiltCon submission deadline!

Don't forget the FMQ workshop at the Quilt Company with Nikki is October 22nd.  Click here for the details.

We are proceeding with the planning for the March 2017 retreat.  You should have recently received an email survey asking about your interest.  Please respond so we can get a clear picture of numbers.  The retreat will be March 24-26, 2017.

September's #pghmqgic

The December sew day will not be at the Pittsburgh Project this year.  We are finalizing the location and date.  Stay tuned for updates!

The January 2017 meeting will be our annual General Meeting as well as elections for new officers.  If you are interested in being an officer, speak to any of the current members in those positions to get an idea of the duties.  Also, if you aren't able to attend regularly, try to make the January meeting.  The 2017 focus will be discussed and we value all input.

The Inspiration Challenge blocks keep getting better and better!  This month included a tongue-in-cheek reference to the Liberty Bridge woes, solving a kimono conundrum and recent trips.  Sound intriguing?  Well, come out to the November meeting and take a look for yourself!  You can find all of the info on the Inspiration Challenge by clicking here.

Show and Tell

The MQG (Modern Quilt Guild) held a town hall webinar and is also inaugurating a MQG mini swap.    There is so much going on over there!  Click here to get more information on the upcoming television show, QuiltCon 2017, a new book and how to submit your own ideas!

Trapunto applique

The topic in October was applique.  Discussions included machine versus hand applique, raw edge versus turned under, and the new style of reverse-applique of Alabama Chanin and Alison Glass.  There were samples of different decorative stitches that could be used on your basic machine.  In addition to the handout and points covered, members were asked to air their own problems, and victories to help everyone in the group.  Solutions for sticky needles, using water-soluble thread for trapunto applique and a few throwbacks to previous meetings were shared.  A great number of JoAnn fabrics' handouts on interfacing weights were shared to the delight of some.  Templates for using in a holiday table runner were forgotten at the copier store, but WILL make it into the November announcement . :)  Some of the tips shared by the group were added to the handout and appear in a separate color.  Thank you to everyone for sharing!

Click here for the Applique handout.

The notes on the measurements for the QAYG blocks were also removed from the handout and will be in the November meeting announcement.

October 2016 Meeting: Applique

The October meeting is less than a week away!  The topic will be applique, but before we get to that, let's get a few reminders out of the way.

~The FMQ workshop is October 22nd.  See you there!

~The QuiltCon Charity Quilt sew day was a success!  As of today, Zsofia is ready to hand off the top for the next step of the construction.

Ok, writing about myself in the third person feels weird, so I am just going to write normally.

I wanted to do something different with applique.  I am also going to be going over quilt-as-you-go methods in November, and I wanted to get back to doing a project during the meetings.  I came up with this plan.  In October, I have created a pattern that I will share with you and the several ways I think you can use it for holiday, or geometric-inspired blocks.  (You can use these blocks or your own orphan blocks in the QAYG meeting in November.)  I am going to cover applique methods, what has worked for me and what has not.  I am also going to go over the tools specific to applique, like interfacing, threads and templates.  Because applique is not limited to quilting, we will also go over combining different weight fabrics.  You can use this information in the many handbag and wallet patterns that are out there, or to enhance your inspiration challenge blocks!  Because I have really been enjoying the way we all share our own experiences in the icebreakers, PLEASE feel free to bring questions and stories about what has and has not worked for you.  Finally, I will show you some examples from social media of creative examples of applique methods.  I have a few photos that we will discuss and how to approach turning them into applique designs.  To be clear, you will work on the applique between the October and November meetings.   

At the end of the class, you will receive guidelines to prep and quilt your applique blocks (or an orphan block) to be ready to use in the quilt-as-you-go meeting in November.  We WILL be sewing in November.  If you are going to be at the FMQ workshop, this would be a perfect chance to get those stray blocks, or your applique design block, all quilted up for November.  If you aren't going to the workshop, that's cool, too!  You'll be able to easily get it done between the meetings.  You do not have to do any blocks before hand to do the QAYG.  We will cover 4 methods, and you will still be able to participate.  Stay tuned!                  -Cheralee

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!

September 2016 Meeting: Basics 101 and Preparing Your Quilt for the Quilter

   Can you feel the crisp air?  No?  How about the leaves changing?  Hmm... You know that pumpkin spice-everything has hit the shelves, right?  Yes?  Yay! It's almost fall!


For the September 11th meeting, here's a brief recap of what you should bring:

• #Pamqgminiswap is over so please bring what your partner sent you.  You don't have to bring the extras - the mini is fine! ;)

• The QuiltCon quilt blocks are due!  If you took packets, please make sure you bring them to THIS meeting.

• August's Inspiration Challenge blocks are due.  We can't wait to see them!

• Dues need paid asap.  If you did not renew by September 1st, the mother ship (MQG) will be removing you from the roster.  

Also, the Eventbrite email went out to all members for Nikki's FMQ workshop.  The link cannot be added to the blog, so dig into your trash or spam email folders.  We are opening it to non-members on September 15th and space is limited.

There will be a sewing day for the QuiltCon quilt later in September.  THAT email went out a bit ago via eVite, so again, look for it and respond aye or nay.


Our program leaders sent me these notes, so be ready! ;)

Nikki

Thinking about sending your quilt out to a long arm quilter? Learn a few tips and tricks to make the quilter's job a bit easier and your finished quilt even more spectacular!

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

“Quilt Construction Tips”

With Gerry Benton

As a quilter, I’m always looking for ways to improve my quilting skills.

Come join me at the September meeting to review the following:

1. Methods for measuring/cutting patterns.

2. Reading pattern directions before starting project.

3. Accurate ¼”  piecing ( template and paper piecing)

4. Threads I use for piecing

5. Machine set up  and maintenance(thread /bobbin  tension and cleaning)

6. Completing block  pressing

7. Bring your questions about quilt construction.

August 2016 Meeting Recap

There was SO much going on in July!  We had QuiltCon charity blocks, Inspiration Challenge blocks, our mini swap with the Capital Area Modern Quilt Guild and more.  Let's start with some updates, shall we?

August 2016 Meeting: Pattern Design and Manual Drafting

It's time for the August meeting!  Before we leap into the details of another great talk given by B, here are some reminders...

~The meeting will take place August 14 (the second Sunday).

~Bring your #pamqgminiswap projects so we can see them before they are sent off. They should be mailed and received by Labor Day!

~If you have the QuiltCon charity block done, go ahead and bring it back.  Maybe pick up another?  They aren't due until September.

~Have you paid your dues yet?  They were due in July.

~This is the first month for the PghMQG Inspiration Challenge.  Bring your block to be entered into the first drawing.
~Also, Pole2Polls will be having a workshop on Aug 20th from 10-2pm if you want to check it out! 

~Are you making pillowcases for Quilters Corner?  They will be collected at the August meeting.  Don't forget!

***************************************************************************************************************

Have you ever wanted to…

         …make a particular quilt but couldn’t find a pattern for it?

         …translate a quilt image from a magazine, an online resource or even from your 
            brain into a usable sewing pattern?

         …enlarge or reduce a quilt pattern to suit your preferences?

If your answer is “yes” to any of the above questions, then this lesson is for you! Now let’s learn how to identify the underlying composition of common quilt patterns and how to confidently draft them with ease and accuracy.

Topics we will cover include:

Drafting tools – An explanation of common drafting tools and how to use them

Pattern Formation – A study of the geometry behind various patchwork patterns

Pattern Drafting – A lesson on drafting patterns at a variety of scales to suit our requirements

Template Making – A guide for making fabric cutting templates

 Tools that would be good to bring to the meeting if you have them include:

• Calculator
• Colored pencils, markers or crayons
• Compass                                                
• Eraser
• Mechanical Pencil
• Ruler
• Transparent tape
• Paper-cutting scissors

July 2016 Meeting Recap

During the lazy hot days of summer, everything tends to slow down.  That can include quilting.  Whether it's because you don't want to wrestle a huge amount of batting, cotton or flannel when it's 100 degrees outside or it's because you don't want to be tied to your machine when the great outdoors beckon - you may find yourself wanting a quick, portable and low-pressure form of making come summertime.  That's where embroidery or hand piecing comes in.

QuiltCon Charity Quilt 2017 - Paolo Scirpa

The QuiltCon Charity Quilt committee has come up with a plan!  If you recall from the June recap, there were a handful of ideas percolating and a decision has been made.  After meeting, the group chose a Paolo Scirpa-inspired design.  Paolo uses the circle, square and 60 degree triangle with light and mirrors to simulate infinite art.  Many of the Italian artist's works use repetition and three-dimensional factors.

Here are the results for a quick search of his art. 


At the July meeting, a block from the outer portion of the quilt was available to look at.  Here's a sneak peek from Instagram.  (What's really cool is that there is a bunch of textures, too - Essex linen, chambray, denim!)

Hey @pghmqg - here's the sample block for the background for the #quiltconcharityquilt .

A photo posted by Lauren Jonkman (@ljonkman) on Jul 4, 2016 at 11:50am PDT

One of the things we wanted to avoid was an abundance of fabric left over, like we had with The Bridge Quilt.  The small packets of blue fabrics that could be picked up in July are just enough to finish your block.  We did not purchase any additional yardage if there are hiccups in your assembly. Also, if you take a packet, we definitely need a block made.  Take a couple, there are a ton to make.  ;) 

If you did take a packet, the blocks are due at the September meeting.  If you haven't picked up any, packets will be available at the August meeting.

Here are the instructions for the blue background block.    It is an improv technique, but Lauren has clearly pointed out little hints to make things cohesive from block to block, like stitch length and trimming.  Don't hesitate to ask if you have any questions!

Pittsburgh Modern Quilt Guild Inspiration Challenge

Here at the PghMQG, we aren't afraid to throw around a hashtag.  This latest one, though, might be the one for you.

The inspiration challenge is a new monthly series of opportunities for you to stretch outside of your comfort zone.  Each month you create a block inspired by the season unfolding around you.  There are no rules, no guidelines, no limits.  Whatever you make is your own masterpiece.  Try a fabric or color that you have never dared to use.  Make a tiny block or make it oversized.  It is truly up to you.  It's okay to stay within your skill set, but you are encouraged to try a new technique here and there.  Loosen up and let the passing months be your compass...

Not only will these 12 blocks combine to make a potential quilt top, we have lined up some prizes along the way.  Each month when you show your block at show and tell, you will be entered in a drawing for goodies.  For those intrepid souls who make a finished quilt from all twelve blocks, a grand prize drawing will take place with a really special reward at the end.

Here is the link to a worksheet to help you narrow down your options...

Ask yourself these questions:

What are some of my favorite things about the month of _____________?

What is my inspiration point for this month?

What are the color combinations/design elements that I want to explore this month?

Do I want to place any restrictions on myself this month?

 

What are some techniques I want to explore this month?

Of course, if you post a photo on Instagram, use the #pghmqgic tag.  You don't have to just use it on IG, though.  Add it to a Twitter post or throw that baby onto a Facebook picture.  We'll find it.  :)

July 2016 Meeting: Handwork

Because of the holiday weekend, don't forget that the July meeting is on 07/10/2016.  We will be joined by Kori Turner Goodhart from Olive Grace Studios.  The topic is handwork.  In addition to discussing hand quilting and current trends in hand stitching, Kori has created a sampler just for PghMQG members!  Here is the message she sent to share with you.

Hello PghMQG, I just want to start by saying I am so excited to meet you all and want to give you a big THANK YOU for having me come to your home and teach you some embroidery!  Embroidery is my passion.  When Cheralee gave me the idea of an embroidery sampler I was SO excited.  Honestly I have wanted to do this for so long.  I have been stitching since I was a little girl and many summers I was laid up with hip issues and my mom would encourage me to make an alphabet sampler with my name, age and date on it.  I thought wow how cool I get to make a sampler at age 34!  What a way to record our summer.  I don’t know about you but I love to pick flowers out of the garden and use my recycling to house my pretty flowers. Anyway, if you google of Pinterest Embroidery Sampler a lot of images will come up of cross stitch and embroidery samplers from the 1800’s.  I designed this to be up to date and modern but in my sketching style!  I hope you love it as much as I do.  This is what I will be working on over the holiday weekend! I wish you all a Happy 4th of July and I hope you enjoy your family and friends. Look forward to meeting you! Fondly, Kori

Here are some examples of Kori's work.  She has been featured internationally, too!

In addition to the presentation, we are collecting blocks.  Please bring any #quiltsforpulse blocks you have and the charity branch blocks that were first available at the May sew-in.


Now to the exciting part!

The kits are $15 each and included a pre-traced design and the supplies listed.  Cash or card is accepted.  If you will be purchasing a kit, email Kori or Cheralee to make sure enough are brought.  The design is only available as part of the kit.  Micron pens will be available to purchase from Kori and she will have a selection of hoops to purchase as well.  A limited number of pens and hoops will be available through the guild to borrow for the meeting, too.  If you would like your name and city to be traced by Kori so the font matches, please let her know to have that done prior to the meeting.

Kori will also have a small retail collection with her patterns and other goodies.  Feel free to shop and support her!

June 2016 Meeting Recap

It's been an eventful couple of weeks.  In an effort to make sure that this recap didn't end up as long as a George R R Martin novel, a few things were given their own posts.

The guild is participating in #quiltsforpulse.  The Orlando Modern Quilt Guild put out a call for blocks or finished quilts.  You can find that post and all of the information needed here.  Bring blocks to the July meeting or send them to us by mid-July at the latest.

QuiltConEast registration is right around the corner.  If you are thinking of going, don't hesitate.  It sounds like there will be several members going this year and we even have a member who will be volunteering behind-the-scenes.  Get the 411 on that right here.  Member pre-registration starts June 25th.

Okay!  Onto the meeting recap!

Registering For QuiltCon

A photo posted by The MQG (@themqg) on Apr 26, 2016 at 10:47am PDT

Okay, people.  Before we delve in to the awesomeness known as the June meeting recap, we have to talk.  I have one word - 2 syllables - for you.

QUILTCON

*Duh-duh-DUH*

If you are a modern quilter or a fan of modern quilter or a spouse, parent, bff of a modern quilter, you need to know about QuiltCon.

QuiltConEast will be the first time that the QuiltCon event takes place on the east coast.  From February 23-26, 2017, thousands of quilters will descend upon Savannah, GA to meet, learn, share and celebrate the modern quilting movement.  Anyone is welcome to attend QCE and there are cash prizes for the majority of the categories for judging.

http://www.quiltconeast.com/ <-----Click here for all of the details.

You may want to check out what our members said about previous QuiltCon experiences here.

Here's what you MUST do to ensure that you can jump right into registration!

• Make sure that your membership information is up to date and accurate.
• MAKE SURE YOU CAN LOG IN TO THE MODERN QUILT GUILD SITE.
• Make sure you are a registered member of the Pittsburgh Modern Quilt Guild by June 20, 2016.
• Look through the course guide and have a list of what lectures, workshops and activities you want to participate in,  Make sure you have some backups, just in case.  
• Make sure your computer has pretty good internet connection.  This is no time for dial-up. 

"MQG Members will be able to access Member Pre-Registration through the MQG Community website as well as through an email that will be sent to them on June 25, 2016. Members will need to register with the email address that receives their MQG newsletters. Members will not need to use any special discount codes; discounts will be applied automatically.

MQG member pricing will end November 30, 2016. All MQG member registration thereafter will be at full price.

You must be a member BEFORE you register. We will not provide pro-active discounts to people who become members after they register."  -QuiltConEast