Our First Member Sewing Challenge

At the last meeting, we introduced and prepped for our very first Member Sewing Challenge.  For this challenge, each member was asked to bring a fat quarter of small scale print modern fabric.  Participating members were broken down into 2 groups for the challenge, 6 in each group.  Fabric was then cut into strips, 3 x 18 inches, and shared with the other group members resulting in each member having a strip of their own fabric as well as a strip from each of the other members in their group.  Here's what each member ended up with:

Group 1's Fabric Strips

Group 2's Fabric Strips

Here's the challenge portion:

·       Each member will use the fabric strips to make a project of their choice (mini quilt, pillow, table decoration, bag, etc….the ideas are limitless!!!).

·       The finished project can measure no larger than 24 inches x 24 inches.

·       All member fabrics must be represented/visible on the front/outside of the project but they can also be used elsewhere.

·       A solid fabric must also be integrated into the front/outside of the project.

·       Fabric may be added to complete the project; however the main/focus fabrics must be the member strips and the solid.

·       Completed projects should be brought to the February meeting.

We are so excited to see what our members create! 

CAMQG Schedule of Events

Here is an overview of the next few months' activities.  Please make sure to note dates, times, locations, and how to RSVP.

Holiday Gathering and Potluck

• Sunday December 9, 6:30 p.m. at Meg's House
• Please RSVP using the e-vite that will be sent out.
• When you RSVP please list what food item you will be bringing to share.
• Meg will provide all paper products and non-alcoholic beverages.
•  We will also be having a Sewing Goodies White Elephant Gift Exchange!
• Search your stash for any sewing related items that someone may be able to put to good use....add some festive wrapping and join the party!

January Sewing Day - Hexies 2 Ways

• Saturday, January 12, 9 a.m.-Complete at Quiltmakers Cottage, 1034 East Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, PA  17033
• Jill will be showing us how to hand stitch hexi blocks using a cardboard template while Lois will be teaching us a machine piecing method using fabric cut from a hex ruler.
• Please respond to this email to reserve your spot.....We only have 4 spots left!!!
• A detailed supply list will be emailed shortly to those who have reserved spots.

February Meeting

• Details on date and location to be announced shortly.  We are in the process of securing a more central location for meetings.  We will still continue to utilize both Smile Spinners and Quiltmakers Cottage for sewing days when scheduled.  Information will be sent out via email and our blog.

If you have any questions, please contact us!

Wishing you happy stitching!

Meg and Jill

Sew-In Saturday #1: Improv Piecing Workshop

This Saturday the CAMQG had the pleasure of gathering at Smile Spinners Quilt Shop in Marysville for our first sewing day.  Don't they have a gorgeous work space?

 

I (Jill) got the chance to lead the group, sharing a bit about improv piecing.  I brought along this little improv sampler quilt I'd made up to show examples of improv blocks.

 We all got to the sewing then, everyone of made such wonderful blocks.  

Even better, we all had fun doing it!

Alora with Fall tones

Lois' purples and Sigrid's brights

Erica's wonderful Amy Butler prints

Mary's Log Cabins

Meghann's bright fall colors

Nancy's Bold Brights

If you're interested in getting in on fun sewing days with us, we welcome new membership at every skill level.  We'd love to have you!

Workshop Update and November Meeting Items

We had 7 people in attendance at our improv piecing workshop this past Saturday!  It was a great morning of learning, sewing, and socializing!  Thanks to Jill Stemple for teaching and thanks to Smile Spinners for hosting!  Jill will be posting photos to our blog soon.

Our next meeting will be on Thursday, November 15th (see details below).  We will have three main activities for the evening:  1) project sharing time, for new projects in progress or finished since the September meeting  2) a presentation on Modern Quilting and 3) the introduction and preparation for our very first Member Sewing Challenge activity.  Each member attending (who wants to participate) is asked to bring a fat quarter (18 x 22 inch piece) of modern, small scale print fabric, a rotary cutter, small mat, and ruler.  We'll announce the challenge specifics the night of the meeting.

Thursday, November 15, 2012, 7 p.m.:  Meeting

• Quiltmaker's Cottage, 1034 East Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, PA  17033
• Please bring one project for sharing, complete or in progress.
• bring a fat quarter (18 x 22 inch piece) of modern, small scale print fabric, a rotary cutter, small mat, and ruler.

PLEASE RSVP FOR THE NOVEMBER MEETING BY TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 13TH....We need to know how many people will be there and will be participating in the Member Sewing Challenge activity.

We are definitely excited about our next meeting.  Hope to see you there!

Wishing you happy stitching!
Meg and Jill

CAMQG Meeting Reminder

Thursday, September 27, 2012, 7 p.m.:  Meeting

• Quiltmaker's Cottage, 1034 East Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, PA  17033
• Please bring 1-2 projects for sharing, one complete project and one in progress.  We hope to include this project sharing segment at each meeting!
• Please also feel free to bring any books, patterns, or other quilting or sewing tidbits that you would like to share.
• Beth, the owner of Quiltmaker's Cottage, will make sure that the shop is open early, by 6:30 p.m. for us to shop before the meeting.  Let's say thanks to one of our local quilt shops for donating the location and time for our meeting!
• PLEASE RSVP FOR FOR THIS MEETING VIA AN EMAIL RESPONSE BACK TO US.  WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A GOOD IDEA OF HOW MANY WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE.  capitalareamqg@gmail.com

CAMQG Fall Schedule

We apologize for the delay in getting this information out to everyone but we hit a few bumps in the scheduling road when trying to coordinate dates, events, and locations.  Since we are a young organization and are starting from scratch, our fall schedule seems to be pieced together, but it seems only fitting!.  As we grow, we will be more consistent with scheduling events .  Please bear with us as we plan and grow our group!

Here is our schedule for the next three months:

Thursday, September 27, 2012, 7 p.m.:  Meeting

• Quiltmaker's Cottage, 1034 East Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, PA  17033
• Please bring 1-2 projects for sharing, one complete project and one in progress.  We hope to include this project sharing segment at each meeting!
• Please also feel free to bring any books, patterns, or other quilting or sewing tidbits that you would like to share.
• Beth, the owner of Quiltmaker's Cottage, will make sure that the shop is open early, by 6:30 p.m. for us to shop before the meeting.  Let's say thanks to one of our local quilt shops for donating the location and time for our meeting!
• PLEASE RSVP FOR FOR THIS MEETING VIA AN EMAIL RESPONSE BACK TO US.  WE WOULD LIKE TO HAVE A GOOD IDEA OF HOW MANY WILL BE IN ATTENDANCE.

Saturday, October 20, 2012, 9 a.m.-12 p.m.:  Sewing Workshop:  Improv Piecing

• Smile Spinners, 1975 Valley Road, Marysville, PA  17053
• Our club's own Jill Stemple will be leading this workshop on improvisational piecing.  She will be teaching us how to make an improv pieced block and then using this to make a pillow or tote.  More information, including materials list, will be sent shortly.  A separate email will call for current members to sign-up for this event as space will be limited.
• Smile spinners will be open until 2 p.m. for shopping.   Let's say thanks to one of our local quilt shops for donating the location and time for our workshop!

Thursday, November 15, 2012, 7 p.m.:  Meeting

• Quiltmaker's Cottage, 1034 East Chocolate Avenue, Hershey, PA  17033
• Please bring 1-2 projects for sharing, complete or in progress.
• More information on the specifics of this meeting will come closer to the date.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email.  More information will be sent out as details are finalized.  We look forward to seeing everyone on the 27th!

Wishing you happy stitching!

Meg and Jill

2 Days Until Our Organizational Meeting!

Only 2 days until our organizational meeting for the Capital Area Modern Quilt Guild!  Please join us Thursday, August 16th, at 7 p.m. at the Fredricksen Library in Camp Hill.  We will be meeting in the community room on the bottom floor (stairs and an elevator are located at the back of the library).

If you are unable to attend this meeting but are interested in being a part of the group, please contact us to be added to the email list or make sure to check our blog for information about upcoming gatherings!

Wishing you happy stitching!
Meg and Jill

Don't be fooled by the "Quilt Guild" in our name...

The Capital Area Modern Quilt Guild is an inclusive group of people who sew, no matter what your end project!  Whether it be quilts, handbags, home dec, or garments, for art or personal use, if you love to create with fabric and a needle and thread, then CAMQG is for you!  Don't let our name fool you, although we love quilting, we love creating with fabric even more!  Our goal is to learn, share, sew, and give back.  So whether you have been sewing for years or are just starting out, please join us at our organizational meeting on Thursday, August 16th at 7 p.m. (see previous post for details) and help us to make the group into a sewing community!

Wishing you happy stitching!
Meg and Jill

Organizational Meeting August 16th, 7 p.m.

We are pleased to announce the organizational meeting of the Capital Area Modern Quilt Guild will be held on Thursday, August 16, at 7 p.m. in the Ruggaber Community Room (lower level) at the Fredricksen Library*, 100 N 19th Street, Camp Hill, PA, 17011.  All who are interested in becoming a part of this newly formed guild are welcome!  Please contact us at capitalareamqg@gmail.com to RSVP for the meeting or for more information.


Wishing you happy stitching!
Meg and Jill
*The Fredricksen Library is not sponsoring or endorsing this program or any goods or services offered.

Calling All Modern Quilters and Sewists!

Welcome to the Capital Area Modern Quilt Guild branch of The Modern Quilt Guild!

We are a newly formed branch of The MQG and are looking for members from the capital/Harrisburg Metro area (Harrisburg/Hershey/West Shore).  Our goal is to form a group of both new and experienced modern quilters and sewists to come together on a regular basis to learn, share, sew, and give back.  We will be holding our organizational meeting mid August (more information will follow shortly).

If you are interested in joining or for more information, please feel free to leave a comment or email us at capitalareamqg@gmail.com.  To find out more about modern quilting or what The Modern Quilt Guild is all about, please visit www.themodernquiltguild.com.

Wishing you happy stitching!
Meg