Upcoming Schedule

The CAMQG is excited to be growing and we'd love to have you join us.  Here's what's coming up in the next few months.

February Meeting

• Tuesday, February 19th, 6:30 socializing/set-up, 6:45 meeting
• Midtown Scholar Bookstore
• Meeting Agenda Items:
  • Introductions and Show and Tell
  • What is Modern Quilting? Presentation
  • Member Challenge Project Presentation and Voting
  • Guild Activities Discussion and Planning
  • Gathering of the Guilds, Saturday, February 23rd
  • AQS Lancaster Show, March 13-16
  • April UFO Sewing Day, Saturday, April 20th, at Smile Spinners, space for 15 attendees
  • Member Quilt Show (call for planning committee)

March Meeting

• Tuesday, March 19th, 6:30 socializing/set-up, 6:45 meeting
• Midtown Scholar Bookstore
• Tenative Meeting Agenda Items: 
• Introductions and Show and Tell
• Online Resources for the Modern Quilter Presentation
• Fabric Printing Video 
• Member Quilt Show discussion 
• Discussion and planning for growth

April UFO Sewing Day

• Saturday, April 20th, 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Smile Spinners, Marysville
• Time to work on and hopefully complete some of those unfinished projects!

New members are always welcome!  Please RSVP to allow for set up.

Hexagons Two Ways

Last weekend our guild had the chance to gather for our second sewing day workshop at Quiltmakers Cottage in Hershey, thanks to Beth and her gracious staff.

Lois led the group in learning a machine piecing technique, using a butterfly seam. 

And I (Jill) got to share my love of traditional English Paper Piecing.

An all around fun day of hexies!  Our next sewing day will be in April and we're planning free sewing and social time, hopefully a good opportunity for everyone to catch up on their WIPs.   Exact dates will be up soon with our spring schedule, so be sure to check back!


 

Hexies 2 Ways Workshop...Only 2 Spots Left

We still have 2 spots left for the Hexies 2 Ways Workshop on Saturday, January 12th beginning at 9 a.m. at Quiltmaker's Cottage in Hershey.  Please read below for complete information on the event and please RSVP via email ASAP (by this Saturday the 5th) to secure your spot for this awesome workshop!

Hexies 2 Ways Workshop

Presented by our very own Jill Stemple and Lois Bruno

Jill will be teaching the hand piecing method while Lois will be showing us how to machine piece hexi blocks.

Lois will be providing pre-cut hexagon packets (enough for 2 blocks) for the machine portion for $2.  Jill will be providing paper piecing kits for $5 which will include the paper foundations (115 hexagons, 35 half hexagons) and a template for cutting the hexagons for the hand piecing process.  Please bring $7.00 (exact change) to the workshop so that we can reimburse Jill and Lois for the kits.


Along with the funds for the kits, each participant will need to bring the following to the workshop:

Machine Piecing supplies:
        Sewing machine
        Basic Sewing supplies
        Neutral thread
        Good/comfortable seam ripper (This is used in the construction process. It's not that I am certain you will make mistakes.)

Paper Piecing Supplies:
       Fabric- great way to use up scraps, but FQs or yardage is also fine
       Basting thread- basically any thread, cheap and old is fine, it won't stay in the blocks
       Hand Quilting Thread in neutral or matching color
       Hand sewing needle
       Pencil
       Fabric Scissors

Beth will have hexi rulers for sale ($8.95) at the shop the day of the workshop.  These would be used to cut the hexies for machine piecing (Lois's method).  If you are looking to continue this method, this would be a great time to pick up the tool.

Looking forward to a great sewing day!  Any questions, please don't hesitate to ask.


Meg, Jill, and Lois

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