We had a very well attended January meeting. What a great way to begin the new year! Our president, Candy Scott started the meeting off with some important announcements. She was followed by an introduction to our 2023 Block of the Month program by member, TriciaWilliams. Next we saw many fantastic show and share items from our talented members. Program Vice President’s Laura Green and Jennifer Boling wrapped it up with a fun, informative, and interactive workshop on modern wedges. Following the workshop they announced our first challenge of 2023 – the Modern Wedge Challenge!
Did you miss the meeting? Do you need a brief review? Then read on because we’re have all the details right here!
Announcements
2023 Membership dues are now due. The cost is $45 and includes one book of Opportunity Quilt raffle tickets. Go to Members’ Corner for more information.
Sign-ups have started for our 2023 Retreat, November 6-9th at Vina de Lestonnac. Total cost is $410, and includes four nights and all meals. Deposit of $100 required. Go to Members’Corner for more information.
Drop-in Sew: on Zoom. Link goes out the Sunday before. January 9th and 23rd, 7 – 9pm.
Saturday, February 4th Meeting: Guest speaker Carolina Oneto
Saturday March 4th Meeting: 2022 BOM Reveal. Have at least a quilt top to show.
Sunday June 4rd Meeting: Guest Speaker, Veruschka Zarate of Pride and Joy Quilting
Saturday, July 1st Meeting: Wedge Challenge Reveal
Fabric of a Nation Exhibit at Skirball Cultural Center now through March 12, 2023. Click here for more Info
2023 Block of the Month
Guild member Tricia Williams kicked off our program with Half Square Triangles (HST’s). This year each block will be made with 16 same-sized HST’s. This modern take on a sampler quilt was designed by Omaha Modern Quilt Guild Member, Stephanie Jacobson and is used with her permission. Members will need a total of 192 same-sized HST’s. The size of the finished quilt will depend on the size of the HST’s each member chooses to make, and whether or not sashing is used. There are plenty of ways to make HST’s and we will share some of them on the Block of the Month page here. Check out the page for all the details, some inspiration, and some helpful tutorials.
Modern Wedge Challenge
Put on your thinking caps and your Machingers and join our 2023 quilt challenge, “Wedges”. Grab your 9°, 10°, 15°, 45° or whatever size wedge you have and create! We will show off our quilts at the July 2023 meeting. For the rules and other helpful information, check out our our 2023 Challenge page.
Show and Share
Our talent members had quilt a variety of work to impress us with!
Our July meeting featured our Roundabout Quilt Challenge Reveal (below), and, Wow! What talented members we have. Do you have a Favorite? They’re all fantastic!
We have lots of upcoming opportunities to engage with our great membership. Save these important dates and join us!
Next General Meeting August 6th, 2 pm, Arlington Library 9556 Magnolia Ave, Riverside. We will have a SAQA Trunk Show. Don’t miss this opportunity to see dozens of wonderful mini art quilts. While we’re enjoying their beauty we’ll take time to discuss techniques used and what makes them successful.
QuiltCon Community ChallengeQuilt. We need your help making our 2023 QuiltCon Quilt. We have scheduled three sewing days at Lake Mathews Community Center. Be sure to save these dates, August 10th, September 21st, and October 15th from 10 am to 3 pm. Learn all about this great opportunity here.
It’s never too late to make a Sew Powerful Purse. You can give your finished purse to Laura Green before August 4th or you can deliver it yourself. Get all the details at www.sewpowerful.org
Don’t miss our Retreat November 7th – 10th at Vina De Lestonnac: $100 reserves your spot. Total cost is $410 for four nights, meals included. More information in Members’ Corner.
Drop in and Sew: On Zoom. Links go out the Sunday before July 11th and 25th 7pm to 9pm. More information in Members’ Corner.
Global Quilt Connection Sampler Platter: Save the dates for this free on-line event Saturday and Sunday, June 30th and 31st, 12 to 3 pm PST.
Orphan Block Reveal. Did you adopt an orphan block or two at our May meeting? If so, get ready to show us how you repurposed it at our November 5th meeting.
Show and Share
Check out our fantastic July Show and Share items. If you have quilts to share, please email a photo to iemodernquiltguild@gmail.com. If you’re planning to attend our meeting in person, be sure to bring your show and share items along.
The reveal was definitely worth the wait! Below are the challenge entries – which one was your favorite?
Entry 1 – Ginger
I have a fascination with Churn Dash blocks and with Marcia Derse fabric (This quilt features “Art History 101” and “Treasure Hunt”) I met Marcia at the Pacific Northwest Modern Quilt Show in Portland. I created my own pattern, which we often do with Modern Quilts. I’ve used Marcia Derse fabric in a number of quilts and was curious how it would function as the background fabric. This quilt is called “Curiosity.” I love having it on the wall in my office. It’s a constant source of pleasure for me.
Entry 2 – Sharon
I did the challenge!!! This was a great way to wrap up Lynn’s series on modern quilting. The top is 47″ by 41″ a little smaller for me.
Entry 3 – Debi
Untitled;24.5″ x 24.5″
Entry 4 – Michele
I wanted to play with scale. The churn dash blocks are 1-1/2 and 2 inches. The entire piece is only 9″x9”.
Entry 5 – Elizabeth
I merged and rotated two churn dash blocks, and after I finished the stitching, I sat and studied it. I really liked where the deep blue and the aqua merged in the middle retaining something of themselves. The colors also blended by giving a little of their color to the other, making a new hue. Yep, I thought, reflecting on our recent thirty-second wedding anniversary, this little bit of a quilt is just like marriage, so I stitched in the number of years from our recent anniversary in the quilting. Thanks to the Guild for motivating us with this challenge!
Entry 6 – Patti
“Cool Bright Churn dash“
Mini Quilt 22” x 19.5”
I started by making the smallest churn dash I could (1.5” finished) and then increased my HST’s by .25 inch each I used a cool bright color palette and started by making the smallest churn dash I could at 1.5”. Then increased the block size by 3/4 inch each time up to 6 inches. I improvised an alternative layout, and finished it off with modern channel quilting and a scrappy binding.
Entry 7 – Lynn
I had lots of ideas, but each one looked forced to me, and the rigidity of the block just couldn’t be tamed to my satisfaction.
So, I embraced the perfectly symmetrical block, made it with minimal contrast, matched part of the block to the background so it would not stand out in a blaring way, and tumbled them in the sand, like treasured shells or rocks you might find carried in by the tides.
Entry 8 – Laura
“My Matcha” Three sizes of churn dash. Yes, the arrows are the churn dash block. I tried to make them irregularly placed and they are.
Entry 9 – Laura
“Chopsticks” Alternate Grid with negative space 48×48”
Entry 10 – Barbara
Block Section of “Hot Mess”.
Entry 11 – Anny
I did an alternative grid. I used a Windham Fabric Pattern – the pattern name is “Legends” by Wendy Sheppard. Fabrics are from my stash.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ENTERED – YOU ARE A TALENTED & CREATIVE BUNCH!
And the guild favorite is…….
Elizabeth!!!!!
Here are a few bonus photos of her beautiful quilt:
Corner turned up, showing the back.Detail of words quilted in.
Announcements
MEET & EAT – The next Meet & Eat is scheduled for Saturday, October 16, 2021. We’ll be meeting from 9 am – 1 pm. Bring your lunch, a chair, show and shares and join your quilty friends at the SSgt. Salvador J. LaraCasa Blanca Library.
NOMINATION COMMITTEE – This year’s nomination committee consists of Laura Greene, Patti Reyes and Carlene Drake. If you are interested in any Board positions (President, VP Programs, VP Communications, Treasurer, or Secretary), please contact them. Voting will take place during the November meeting.
If you’d rather serve on a committee (Membership, Social Media, Hospitality, Block Lotto, Fundraising, Charity, Opportunity Quilt or Facilities), please let any of the committee members know of your interest!
QUILTCON 2022 COMMUNITY OUTREACH QUILT CHALLENGE – Triangles are now DUE! Please mail to Patti (email her at iemodernquiltguild@gmail.com) or bring to the October Meet & Eat. We need your help with naming our quilt!!! A few buzz words to help are: Angles? Hive? Bee? Citrus? Hexies? Any and all suggestions are welcomed.
We are collecting donations for the longarm quilting. Any amount is appreciated. Pay via PayPal to iemodernquiltguild@gmail.com – please indicate “Quiltcon Quilting” in the description or you may bring to our October Meet & Eat. Thank you!!
SAVE THE DATE – Our Christmas party will be held in person at the Lake Mathews Community Room from 11 am – 3 pm on Saturday, December 4th. Additional details to follow soon.
***REMINDER: Our meeting time has been changed to 10 – 11 am as the Sampler Platter will occur later in the afternoon.***
Our featured program for October will be the Churn Dash Challenge reveal! You still have time to participate as your quilt does not need to be completely finished – having your quilt top completed only is sufficient! This is your opportunity to work with an alternate grid and/or other elements of a modern quilt! All that’s needed to participate is a photo of your quilt top or finished quilt. All entries are due by the Wednesday before the October meeting. Send a photo to Laura at the guild’s email address, iemodernquiltguild@gmail.com.
We will be voting on our favorite churn dash quilt and we have a very nice gift for the winner. We are ‘sew’ looking forward to seeing all your creative creations!
As a reminder, the Sampler Platter will be from , from 12 – 3, zoom (hence time change above), email with Zoom link and PDF file for presentations will be sent prior to meeting. Sampler Platter continues Sunday, October 3, from 12 – 3 as well. The Sampler Platter is 15-minute lessons by well known quilt instructors from around the world. Attend as many as you like courtesy of the IEMQG. We encourage your feedback; please contact any board member! Enjoy!!
Thanks to everyone who entered our 2021 Inland Empire Modern Quilt Guild Challenge. The theme for our quilt challenge was Sounds & Voices, the only requirement was a size restriction of the longest side measuring 24 inches. We hope you enjoy taking another look at these wonderful and thought provoking quilts!
A year after my dad passed (15 years ago now) I was up in the local mountains on a quilt retreat. One morning there was a magnificent blanket of snow. Walking around outside, I remember the calm I felt when I stopped to take in the beauty. The silence, stillness and peace enveloped me. This is a memory I revisit from time to time.
Quilt Title: Speech Acts for a Dying World: in memory of the 500,000 dead from Covid-19 Quilter: Elizabeth Eastmond Dimensions: 19″ high by 20″ wide
This quilt began at QuiltCon, one year ago and was finished for this challenge. While the original design was square, I reduced the visual frame to 19″ high by 20″ wide: 19 for Covid-19, and 20 for the year 2020. A restorative walk on the beach, with its crashing waves, cries of gulls, and floating random human conversations, brought to mind Peter Gizzi’s poem with its allusions to a year’s time (“hunter overhead / bear at the pole”) and the constant “sound of names / parade of names” of those who have died.
Quilt Title: Sound of Silence Quilter: Debi Gardner Dimensions: 9″ x 16″
My first ideas for this challenge all seemed so filled with angst regarding political unrest, debates regarding Covid, first amendment rights, etc., I decided I needed quiet and healing vibes. My Zen garden is quiet, peaceful, and calming.
Quilt Title: Voices for Equity Awareness Quilter: Laura Greene Dimensions: 24″ x 24″
I created this YinYang quilt because I value individual differences. The end of my 38 year teaching career lead to embracing solitude in my sewing room during Covid times. This brought to the front of my mind the importance of human resources. My life has been enriched by the diversity of my students. Last February I listened to my 7th graders who participate in sexual awareness lessons. In the summer I watched the protests for Black Lives Matter. I want to keep listening to viewpoints of others who have had different experiences that made them the way they are. We are so lucky to live in southern California where the variety of human behavior enriches our lives.
Quilt Title: Giving Voice to the River (Original Design) Quilter: Lynn Hanna Dimensions: 29” x 39”
In 2017, New Zealand granted legal personhood to the Whanganui River. By giving voice to the River our perception changes. Instead of us being a master of the River, treating it as an object to be altered and consumed, we are now part of the River. The River is a family member to be cherished, respected, and protected. The Maori Iei says, “I am the river, the river is me.”
Quilt Title: Sounds of Silence Quilter: Pat Klassen Dimensions: 20” x 22”
I went through an empty park while I was on a walk. I was struck by the absence of children playing. I felt the empty swings were the most poignant symbol of the lockdown, standing still and silent while the other playground equipment was blocked off by yellow caution tape. It was all so quiet… So sadly quiet.
Quilt Title: Then Sings My Soul Quilter: Barbara Mathews Dimensions: 19-1/2″ x 15-1/2″
During this pandemic isolation, two things came to mind for this challenge. I have about 13 bird feeders of various kinds and about 40 very large trees on my property, consequently, I hear a LOT of bird sounds throughout the day. It amazes me how many variations in the songs and the volume I hear at different times. It’s been very comforting. The “voices” I hear are from my fabrics. I challenged myself a few years ago, to first and foremost use the fabric in my stash. I save all my selvages and this piece reminds me of fabrics used in other projects. Features selvages, raw-edge applique, and thread painting.
VIEWER’S CHOICE WINNER!! Congrats, Patti!
Quilt Title: Listen to Your Art Quilter: Patti Reyes Dimensions: Slightly less than 24”x 24”
In light of our divided politics I wanted to make a quilt that would remind me to check my opinions and be more of a listener. I really tried to incorporate what I’ve learned as a guild member including Lynn Hanna’s presentations on “what makes a modern quilt”. I used bold modern solid colors, negative space and a non-traditional layout. Also I used a science/engineering element, a sound frequency wave, as my subject matter to represent the theme, Sounds and Voices. I used the color wheel from Simone Bradford’s lecture to arrange my colors so that they would really pop. Finally, I was inspired by Sandra Johnson to add embroidery and big stitch quilting. I used only materials from my stash. I had so much fun and I appreciate the guild making this opportunity for me to challenge myself. Features hand embroidery and big stitch quilting.
More Meeting Details
We continued with Lynn Hanna’s ‘What is a Modern Quilt?’ series, Part 4. Lynn showed examples of improvisation quilts. Looking forward to Lynn’s minimalism presentation next month!
Amanda, Director of Partnerships for the MQG, gave a brief tutorial tour of the website. She recapped all the resources on the MQG website that are available to members.
Announcements
MEET & EAT: We have a Meet & Eat scheduled for March 20, 2021. We’ll be meeting from 11 am to 3 pm. Bring your lunch and join in with friends at Shamel Park, Riverside. It is just off the 91 freeway (Arlington Exit). The address is 3650 Arlington Ave, Riverside, California. Please remember to bring your Valentine’s Block Lotto Block. We hope you can join us!
ALTERNATE BLOCK QUILT TOP CHALLENGE: This challenge will run from April through July. Details to follow next month.
DROP-IN SEW:
Please join us for some sewing and socializing! We have recently begun a Mod Denim interest group during Drop-In Sew via a break out room for any members interested. After Sandra Johnson’s presentation last month, we all seem to have denim fever! Future interest groups include: Alternate Grid Blocks, Color Study and Minimalism. We’ll keep you posted and feel free to let Laura Greene know of other ideas for interest groups.
As the deadline for submitting your Sounds & Voices challenge quilt is quickly approaching, we wanted to provide all the challenge details again (even if it is a tiny bit early) so that you can get going on your creative creation.
Think about highlighting a sound, a voice, a political statement, or a COVID related quilt: What have you heard or felt in the past 11 months of isolation? Is it a life-long issue that repeats? Is it a new idea? Is it a singular noise or group of audible expressions? Is it musical or shrill? How will you display sounds or voices in a visual quilt? This is your opportunity to to be as abstract or literal as you’d like. The only requirement is that the quilt is no larger than 24” on any one side – so easy, right?
Email a good-quality picture of your challenge quilt to: iemodernquiltguild@gmail.com no later than Saturday, February 27th. Please have your email subject line read “2021 Quilt Challenge”, so we can easily identify it.
Please include:
• Quilt Name/Title • Dimensions • Quilter’s full name • Origin of quilt design (original design, variation on an existing block, pattern, etc.) • A few details about what you want to say about it. This might include some construction details or things you struggled over, or things at which you were successful. It might also include what prompted you to make it, or who it is for. Pretend you are standing in front of us at our Guild Meetings, and give us the quilt’s biography. We’d love to hear it!
Thank you in advance for your entry. We are SEW looking forward to seeing what you create on March 6th!
Inland Empire Modern Quilt Guild 
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