August 2016 Minutes

August 4, meeting convened at 2:00 PM at the Garcia Center for the Arts, San Bernardino, CA

Welcome: Laura West Kong, President

Communications Report: Justin Mandell and Megann Mills described the website, iemodernquiltguild.com. If you sign up for the BLOG, then you will be notified via email whenever a new blog post is created. To sign up follow these steps:

1. Visit the website www.iemodernquiltguild.com or look to the right where it says Subscribe to IEMQG Blog
2. Enter email address in “Subscribe to IEMQG blog” box
3. Check your email for confirmation message. Follow directions in email message to confirm subscription.

We also have Instagram and  Twitter accounts. You can follow us on Instagram here or on Twitter here. If you want to post pictures on Instagram for IEMQG use the #iemqg hash tag. We have plenty of new followers. Laura Greene reported that the newsletter will be kept simple for the rest of the year. You will get it emailed each month. If you aren’t getting the newsletter, check with Pat Klossen to make sure we have the correct address. Newsletters can also be found on the website.

Programs Report: Michele Nichols reminded members to bring their Kona Silver challenge quilt next month, September. The October meeting program will be Leah Baker, LAMQG member who has worked for Alexander Henry. She will talk about how “modern” has contributed to her quilting. The November meeting program will be member demos. We will have stations set up around the room and rotate to each. Let Michele know if you have a skill you would like to share. The December program is the Christmas party. Let the Board members know if you have any ideas.

Sue Stone/Needle in a Fabric Stash Program: The Needle in a Fabric Stash is the only 100% “Modern” shop south of Los Angeles. Their store is in Temecula.

Sue shared her quilts, her aspects of modern quilting, and how they compare with traditional quilting. She shared her Fibonacci quilt and how the rectangle blocks change. She described how she made the line drawing for the quilting on the quilt. She compared a traditional basket pattern with a modern basket quilt. She explained how she uses improvisation to make her quilts modern.

Susan shared how the future of modern quilts is determined by the fabrics that are available. For example, larger scale designs lend themselves to larger pieces in a quilt. Sue describe several lines of fabric that she enjoys. Art Gallery (new Coastline series), Cotton and Steel (inspired by their travels), Deer Stella (woodlands), Tula Pink ( new Slow and Steady line with snails), Hoffman batiks (bright, little geometrics), Allison Glass (new modern batik), and  (low volume prints). Sue shared her denim quilt, her paper pieced “envelop” quilt, and her “plus” quilt. Finally she shared new books, Growing Up Modern, Strip Saavy, Beyond Neutrals, and Simply Retro.

Break (30 minute): People made more purchases at the Needle in a Fabric Stash Pop-up Store.

Modern Quiltology 101: Intro to Improv and Block Lotto: Improv at 9: Laura West Kong presented a comparison of improvisational quilting to improvisational acting. She stated that it doesn’t need to be scary, and you can break free. You can be open-minded, creative, and that improv actually has rules. The first rule of improv is to say say YES AND. Agree with what’s been stated (or sewn) without judgement and add to it. Other tips for improv include: Be random. Think positively. Don’t over-think it and be spontaneous. Embrace the awkward to add drama. Members bring completed Improv at 9 blocks to the September meeting to enter the Block Lotto, one entry per block. Winner takes all the blocks.

Show and Tell: Some of the women who shared were Cindy Scott, Gayle Bennett, Cindy Chrisler, Judee Koda, Donna Gaston, Dotti Garcia, Nancy, and Michele Nichols.

Treasurer’s Report: Gayle reported that we have $865 in the bank. Next month we will have bylaws and a budget.

Membership Report: Laura West Kong reported that we had 26 members, 1 new member and 10 visitors in attendance.

Door Prizes: Cindy Chrisler won a flash drive. Claire Flannery won a book. Debbie Lepper won fabrics. Laura Green won a book. Sasha Saylor won fabrics.

Issues: Laura West Kong will bring membership cards and pins at the next meeting. The MQG has 2 challenges each year and they give you fabric when you sign up. Laura has a fat quarter bundle to the first person who wants to participate.

Adjournment: 4:00