Here we are in March already, 2020 is certainly in full swing. How are we doing with the plans we started the year with? It took me until well into February to get back into my sewing room! I like to start the year off with some charity quilting and along with finishes on two quilts that were in the works I managed three quilt tops that have backing, batting and yes even the binding ready and waiting. Thanks to the batting scraps my fellow quilters have been saving for me I also dropped off three beds to the West End Animal Shelter. When I put together the beds, I’ve been using them as an opportunity to practice my free motion quilting. We know how our pets love to ‘fluff’ their cushions, and this often results in all the stuffing pushed to the sides and very little between them and the floor. I’ve found that attaching a layer of batting to one side of the cushion helps keep the padding in place. The shelter staff is always happy to receive more beds.
We hope you are planning to join us for the March 7th meeting which will be an interactive event as our own Elizabeth Eastmond teaches us English Paper Piecing using hand stitching. There is a materials list on the guild website, see the Upcoming March 2020 Meeting Blog post, and Elizabeth has prepared kits for us for the additional materials needed. The kits are available with a $3.00 fee at the meeting.
April is our Challenge meeting. This year’s theme is Urban and the requirements are that your piece measures no larger than 24 inches square, that you use a minimum of the swatch of Classic Blue sold fabric supplied by the guild and describe how your piece represents the Urban theme. There is also a great blog posting on the website that includes an inspirational slideshow. Challenges were a new experience for me when I became involved in our original Friends of the MQG group, and then our guild. And they are a challenge for me for sure! Personally, my designs are not usually originals as I have often either adapted a pattern or taken my inspiration from a design that I can imagine using fabrics that fit my theme. I urge everyone to give the challenge a go. Linda Rasmussen will join us as she curates the pieces. Her insight and positive feedback are always informative and encouraging. You don’t need to have any fear of negative critique! Linda’s approach is positive reassurance and inspiration. As a NACQJ certified quilt judge I encourage everyone to take advantage of her expertise.
Please be sure to follow the IEMQG on Facebook and Instagram. If you haven’t joined either social media platform just ask at the meeting and we’re happy to help you connect.
Happy Quilting!
Gayle
Inland Empire Modern Quilt Guild 
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