Quilt Guilds

A Challenge It Is!

| Cindy Anderson

I belong to the national Modern Quilt Guild as well as the Madison Modern Quilt Guild. For the past three years the Modern Quilt Guild has held a members fabric challenge. This would be the first year I had the opportunity to participate. Fabrics for this year’s challenge were provided by Michael Miller. A bulk shipment of fabric was received by the local modern quilt guilds and then distributed to the members. How awesome to have the privilege to receive FREE fabric. I can’t think of any quilters that would want to turn it down.

The fabric line for this year was Petal Pinwheels. The rules of the challenge were pretty simple. Create anything you want, provided it is quilted, using all or some of the fabric pieces received. Solids from other manufacturers could be added to the project but no prints. Additional yardage of the Petal Pinwheels could be purchased at your own expense.

To be eligible for the prizes a photo(s) of your item had to be posted in the Modern Quilt Guild Forum. The deadline for posting your photo was July 25, 2014. Three lucky winners would be chosen by early August. To recognize their achievement each winner would receive a year of free fabric.

The Madison Modern Quilt Guild received and distributed six fat eights to its eligible members. I consider myself to be lucky to be one of those participating. The real challenge was deciding what to create. Originally I used the fabrics to make a simple but pretty table topper. Although I was pleased with the outcome I wasn’t quite sure it was putting my best foot forward. I set the project aside for a while to ponder its fate. After much contemplation I arrived at the conclusion that my project needed a bit of tweaking.

The best way I know to make improvements is to lay my project on my cutting table, grab my rotary cutter and begin zipping away. Some people wouldn’t have the heart, even though they might not like what they see, to subject something they had made to such drastic measures. Instead they might give it away or hide it in their UFO (unfinished objects) box. As far as I am concerned, if I don’t like my project’s current status I have nothing to lose by changing it. Zipping my rotary cutter through the fabrics and seams is the best way I know to accomplish an improved outcome. Besides, I tend to like free form quilting better anyway.

I labored at deconstructing my original creation until I was satisfied with the pieces. Then I set about re-assembling the various segments into a new design. The rehabilitation process was slow but fruitful. What eventually transpired was a brand new wall hanging.

Watching the flower, as I prefer to call it, unfold was pure joy. I was so totally pleased with its appearance and so very thankful that I had made the decision to press on towards perfection. I chose to surround my new blossom with a solid border fashioned from fabric I had on hand. Having fabric in my stash that complimented my project was a bonus.

After quilting my refashioned creation, on my long-arm quilt machine, adding binding and a label I declared my project finished. I paused a moment to step back and admire my wall hanging. A big smile washed over my face. This was one project I was proud to say I had made.

Not much time was wasted taking photos and uploading them to the Modern Quilt Guild website. There was no way I was going to miss out on the opportunity to gain recognition as well as compete for one of the three prizes. Although I certainly would love to win, in my heart I already consider myself triumphant. I have a brand new wall hanging to add to my collection.

Now the big reveal…..I present to you

F L O W E R S   I N   T H E   G A R D E N

An Original Design Sewn and Quilted by Cindy Anderson

Using Michael Miller Petal Pinwheels Fabric

July, 2014

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MMQG

| Cindy Anderson

Quilt Guilds

I’m very fortunate to live in an area where quilt guilds are plentiful.  Quilt Guilds are a great place to meet fellow enthusiasts.  Not all quilters or Quilt Guilds, for that matter, are alike.  Theoretically one could divide Guilds into at least two categories, traditional and modern.  In my opinion, Traditionalists tend to use more structure in their expressions of art.  They follow a prescribed set of rules that determine the exact size and shape of their creations.  Modernists, on the other hand, tend to think more outside the box.  Their creations are less structured, more free-flowing.

Madison Modern Quilt Guild

I belong to three Guilds; two Modern and one Traditional.  Today’s focus will be on the Madison Modern Quilt Guild.  I joined the Guild back in September of last year.  My oldest daughter was the driving force behind the discovery.  She is definitely a modern quilter.  She thrives in the area of free-form quilting.  Constructing a quilt with perfectly aligned blocks and points would drive her bonkers.

Growing, Growing, Growing

As its name would suggest, the Madison Modern Quilt Guild meets in Madison, Wisconsin.  Their meetings are held at the Sequoia Library on the last Wednesday of each month.  What began as a groups of friends gathering together has mushroomed into an ever-growing body of women.  At any given meeting it’s not unusual for five or more new faces to appear.  While not all participants are modern quilters by practice, I believe they have a desire to learn and grow in that direction.

A Quilt Exhibit

The Madison Modern Quilt Guild is currently exhibiting quilts at the Alicia Ashman Library in Madison.  The exhibit is their very first.  You can observe their collective display from now until June 30, 2013.  If you follow the above link you will see a photo of a quilt being hung in place.  That quilt just happens to be one that I recently machine quilted (I couldn’t resist putting a little plug in for my business).  Also included in the show is my Spinning Wheels quilt pictured below

Spinning Wheels
Spinning Wheels

as well as the quilts shown in this slideshow.

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If you have the opportunity to visit the library before June 30, 2013 I’m sure you will be delighted with the wonderful display.

That’s All Folks!

This brings to a close another edition of my Friday Favorites.  Come on back next Friday for another visit.

Time for Another Blog Hop!

| Cindy Anderson

Welcome!

Welcome to In A Stitch Quilting!  As my name suggests I offer quilting services.  I use an Ansley 26 Tin Lizzie long arm quilt machine.  I would be more than happy to quilt your next project.  You may drop me a line by leaving a comment on this blog or by emailing me at cindy (at) inastitchquilting.com for further information.

In the Beginning

I entered the world of blogging in 2010 when my husband’s cancer returned.  Through that blog I chronicled our journey from discovery, through radiation and beyond.  While the blog is still up and running I typically only post when we have updates to share.  This blog has been active since May 2012.  I started this blog as a way of promoting my business and as a platform to share my love for quilting.  As you browse through my blog you will find pictures and stories of my projects and quilts. Stay long enough and you may even meet my sweet little puppy, Sadie.

I am currently participating in Freshly Pieced’s WIP Wednesday and A Lovely Year of Finishes.  Friday’s are set aside for “favorites.”  Favorite notions, shops, fabrics, food, etc. What falls in and around those days varies.  I have great ambitions to join a variety of other challenges and activities.  Nothing more can be added to my schedule though until I finish my last quilt for the Hurricane Sandy Project.  If you are curious about the first three quilts I have finished for that effort search my categories for postings.

I am a member of three quilt guilds.  There’s the Rock Valley Quilters Guild, the Rock River Modern Quilt Guild and the Madison Modern Quilt Guild.  I hold the positions of treasurer and public relations at the Madison Modern Quilt Guild.

Now that you’ve learned a little bit about me it’s time to get this ball rolling.  Time to learn what’s going on.  Here we go . . .

Beat the Winter Blues

Michelle at Quilting Gallery has a serious case of spring-fever.  To add a spark of excitement to these long days of winter she’s organized another blog hop.  I could use a bit of excitement as well so I have decided to join in on the fun.

Last time I participated in her blog hop I made two adorable Hold Anything Bags by Dancing Crane Designs.  I purchased the pattern from Mill House Quilts in Waunakee.  While the bags were a huge success I thought it might be boring to offer the same type of item.  So this time around I’ve decided to do something different.  Just like with December’s prize this one is hand-made as well.

Garden Party Runner

One very lucky winner will receive a hand-made table topper.  The pattern I chose was the “Garden Party Runner” by Mary Cain of Cain Creations in Sun Prairie, WI.  I’ve tried without success to locate an internet address for her pattern.  If you are interested in obtaining a copy for yourself you might try contacting Mill House Quilts through their website.  They have a wonderful supply of fabric, and patterns as well as notions.

The pattern normally produces a 14″ wide x 38″ long adorable, super simple table runner.  The first time I used the pattern I followed the instructions exactly as they were printed.  Being a rebel who likes to do things her own way I decided this time to change things up a bit.

Modifications

  1. To start, I’ve made this one a table topper with measurements of 20 1/2″ wide x 27″ long.

  2. Next I changed the dimensions of the piping accent. I thought the piping on my first project was too narrow.  The pattern instructions don’t really tell you how wide to cut the piping strips so I guessed.  Obviously I guessed wrong because they were barely visible under the binding.  I was very unhappy with the appearance so I remove it.  The piping on this new table topper is 1/2″ wide.

  3. The third change I made was the order in which the components were assembled.  The pattern tells you to sew on the piping before you quilt.  With the piping already attached it made it difficult to quilt.  The only way to quilt underneath the piping was to pin it out-of-the-way.  That seemed a bit odd.

This time I added a row of stitching 1/4″ from the edge to stabilize the seams.  Next I quilted the table topper.  Once the quilting was complete I added the piping on all four sides.  I was so much happier doing it that way.  The outcome was much more pleasing.

So What Does it Look Like?

Are you curious what it looks like?  Well I won’t make you wait any longer.  Time to reveal this blog hop’s prize.

As you can see I used the  Metropolitan Fair charm pack for the body of the table topper.  You can find a link to the fabric here:  Barbara Brackman’s Metropolitan Fair .  The piping was made out of Berry Blue Spirit of the Fair and the binding and backing are Charlotte Russe Chocolate Old Curiosity.  Sandwiched between the fabric layers is a layer of Warm & Natural batting.

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So what do you think?

How Do I Register?

* * * * *  U P D A T E  * * * * *

THE GIVE-AWAY IS NOW CLOSED!

Now I suppose you are wondering how to register.  Well, here’s the deal.  You have two opportunities to win.  For your first chance all you have to do is leave a comment.  To earn a second chance at winning start following my blog then post a second comment telling me that you did.  If you are already a follower tell me so in a second comment.

You may register for my table topper until Midnight (CST) on Thursday, March 14, 2013.  One very lucky winner will be chosen by Random.Org and announced on Friday, March 15th.  If for any reason the winner does not respond within the allotted time a second name will be chosen.

Get Registered!

So what are you waiting for?  Get ready to participate in Quilting Gallery’s Beat the Winter Blues Blog Hop Party.

 Blog Hop Party with Give-Aways

Register to win my table topper then slide on over to Quilting Gallery and get connected to the other wonderful participating bloggers. Who knows?  You just might be lucky!