Monday, December 29, 2014

New Year!

Christmas is done for another year! Now what! What do you plan on getting done this next year? I have been doing a lot of thinking about that lately. This year I made most of the Christmas presents that I gave. Next year I would like to make everything. So have to put some thinking into what those gifts will be and get started! The really big elephant in the room that I keep trying to avoid is the queen sized quilt that I promised over two years ago. I am finding that I like to make smaller things. I like to experiment and play with new techniques.  So I continue to avoid the queen sized quilt! BUT, it has to get done. That is a major goal this year! So, this week get the sewing/craft room put back together and GET STARTED!

Will you help keep me honest? Check up on me periodically and see how I am doing!

Now! What do you plan on doing this year? Comment below and we all can help each other stick to our goals!

Wednesday, November 19, 2014

Diagonal Backing for your quilts

At this week's Sit 'n Sew, a lap quilt's backing was made using the diagonal backing calculator at Calculator

The width of the top was just a little wider than the backing fabric. Using the calculator and following the construction process provided on the page, less backing fabric was needed.
 
Thanks Johanna Frohm!!!

Wednesday, November 12, 2014

Contribute

Would love some ideas as to what information you would like to read about! Also would love any submissions that you would like published on the blog. If you send it to me electrically at marleneperry@yahoo.com  I will place it on the blog.

Help!
Marlene

Monday, November 3, 2014

Irons

One of the Yahoo quilt groups I am on started talking about which irons they liked best. Great discussion, what is your choice?

Saturday, October 4, 2014

What fun!

Went to Lowe's today to get my paint chips for the quilt challenge. My sister went with me and helped. I brought home 42 paint chips, what fun! Words like poetic, Mark Twain, catwalk and Moroccan, you would never even guess the colors! Now the tough part, have to narrow the 42 to 3 or maybe 4 (if I add my maiden name). Whew!

Marlene

Wednesday, October 1, 2014

Challenge Quilt

I just put the new directions for the Challenge Quilt under that tab above. Don't forget to read the post below also! Also notice if you want to know when there is a new post on the blog, put your email address in the space provided in the upper right corner of the blog.

Happy Quilting!

Birch Run - Quilters Showcase

Hope you had a chance to see the Quilts Showcase in Birch Run the weekend of September 26. A number of our members had quilts there. PLUS quite a few of them were winners. Below is a list of winners.



Applique
1st place - "Seeing Red 2", Carol Bornsheuer
2nd place - "Basket Quilt", Debra Trischler
3rd place - "Flower Bouquet", Gretchen Rodammer
Viewers Choice - "Snowman Fun", Linda Boman
Crazy Quilt
1st place - "My Crazy Days", Erika Joerke
Viewers Choice - "My Crazy Days", Erika Joerke
Hand Quilted
1st place - "Springtime", Gretchen  Rodammer
2nd place - "Whole Cloth", Sherry Telling
3rd place - "Colorado Springs", Laura Patterson
Viewers Choice - "Whole Cloth", Sherry Telling
Machine Quilted
1st place - "A Whisper of Spring", Kathy Mallory
2nd place - "Playing With Solids", Robyn House Guettler
Viewers Choice - "A Whisper of Spring", Kathy Mallory
Mixed Technique
1st place - "Red Dresden Plate", Carol Bornsheuer
2nd place - "Poppy Garden", Diane Lytle
3rd place - Sue Has a Crush On Kaffe", Carol Bornsheuer
Viewers Choice - "Traditional", Joyce Jones
Modern Design
1st place - "Christmas Fibonacci", Debra Badour
2nd place - "Orange Peel", Leslie Peterson
Viewers Choice - "Christmas Fibonacci", Debra Badour
Other
1st place - "Luggage Set", Nancy Jankowski
2nd place - "Butterfly Dreams", Theresa Weaver
Viewers Choice - "Round Robbin", Robyn House Guettler
Pieced
1st place - "Wheels & Gears", Linda McGibbon
2nd place - "We Find The Defendant Quilty", Laura Patterson
3rd place - "Kaleidoscope Dream", Debra Badour
Viewers Choice - "Amazon Star", Gerald Brauer
Wall Hanging
1st place - "Cherry Kisses", Linda McGibbon
2nd place - "Star Burst", Gerald Brauer
3rd place - "Lady Slipper", Beverly Baumgart
Viewers Choice - "Star Burst", Gerald Brauer
Best of Show (chosen from all quilts who have a 1st place award)
Wheels & Gears", Linda McGibbon
Judges Personal Award
"We Find The Defendant Quilty", Laura Patterson


 LOOK AT ALL THE FAMILIAR NAMES!

Wednesday, August 27, 2014

New Quilt Year

So many new and exciting things to do this year. We will have our round robin, mystery quilt, all new programs, challenge quilt and of course our quilt show. We certainly will stay busy!

Don't forget our new location.Looking forward to seeing everyone!


Wednesday, August 13, 2014

September Meeting - Beginning of our new year! 2014-2015

Our first meeting this year is September 9th at 7 pm at our new location. St. John's  Episcopal Church, 405 N Saginaw Rd., Midland MI at the corner of N Saginaw Rd and W. St. Andrews. 
Check Google Maps for directions.  Please note we are in our new location! 

Remember to bring what you have been working on this summer. We would love to see it all.

Monday, June 23, 2014

2014 Quilt Show

 "Pass the Tiara - Tour Michigan with Us"

Over 500 people attended our 2014 “Pass the Tiara – Tour Michigan with Us” quilt show between April 25-27. The show highlighted quilts by our featured quilter, Nancy Stanley, and our members' small to large quilts of various styles, challenge quilts, round robins, mystery and innovative quilts.

Viewers voted on their favorites in eight categories. First, second and third places are shown in the following photos.

2014 Viewers Choice
2014 Viewers Choice

Wednesday, May 14, 2014


The Saginaw Art Museum

Saginaw Art Museum seeks entries for a juried Art Quilt Exhibition. All artists currently residing in Michigan are encouraged to enter original handmade art quilts. The show will be juried by Janna Getzin who has been part of the Great Lakes Bay Region's quilting community for 33 years. Accepted entries will be displayed at the Saginaw Art Museum from July 16 - September 6. Cash prizes will be awarded to first, second, and third places. 
Deadline for entry: June 23
 
Questions? 
Call the Saginaw Art Museum at 989-754-2491 
or email staff@saginawartmuseum.org

Sunday, April 27, 2014

Quilt Show

Well, today is the last day of the quilt show! What a fantastic group of quilts. So beautiful and so varied. That is what I love about the show, the quilts are so different. I get so many ideas just from walking through the exhibit. Also fun to hear the comments from the people attending. There are pictures on facebook, the Midland County Historical Society has a nice selection Facebook - Midland County Historical Society.
Also many of the members have pictures.

Monday, April 21, 2014

Opportunity for the summer!


Don't forget our Quilt show this weekend (see previous post)! I can't wait!!

Roschelle is asking for our help again this coming summer.


I want to repeat the challenge I gave quilters last summer.  I will bring in fat quarters and I want a 13" block returned in the Fall from each person who takes a fat quarter. They will need to supplement the fat quarter I give them with their own stash.
I also need UPC codes from Hobbs batting labels.  I would like a drive for Hobbs UPC codes from our members, many of whom use Hobbs. There will be a prize for anyone who can bring in the most UPC codes.

I will be bringing in the fat quarters at the May meeting. Roschelle sends quilts to various rescue groups that help senior animals. The groups than raffle or auction the quilts to have the money to take care of more  animals. Roschelle has been mentioned several times by ASQ (American Quilters Society) for her work.


Wednesday, April 2, 2014

Directions to and information about the 2014 Quilt Show


Information about our 2014 Quilt Show


OK folks this is the magic post! Comment below and you will get a prize!! See you at the April Meeting

Thursday, February 13, 2014

Quilt Facing Instructions

This was demonstrated at the guild meeting this week. Here are the written instructions!

Cut 4 strips   2 1/2 inches: 2 for the width and 2 for the length.

Fold over 1/4 inch hem on one long side of each strip.

Choose 2 opposite sides of the quilt. On the front of the quilt lay the facing strips, right sides together and raw edges even.

With a 1/4 seam, sew the short end, the long side and the short end. Use a single diagonal stitch at the corners.

Cut 2 inches off the remaining two strips.

Lay strips on the remaining sides. Right sides together, raw edges even. Stitch a 1/4 seam.

Press the sides out and stay stitch close to the edge. Also do this along the first two sides (you will only be able to do a partial stay stitch on these)

Clip the corners on a diagonal.

Now turn the whole shebang to the back. Push out the corners to make a sharp point. Iron well.

Slip stitch facing to the back of the quilt.


Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Red Work Embroidery Class - Not too Late!




It’s not too late to sign up for
Friends - A Red Work Embroidery Class taught by Leslie Peterson:
10 AM to 2 PM     Saturday, February 15, 2014
At Chapel Lane Presbyterian Church on Jefferson in Midland. 
This is a class that anyone, any skill level can enjoy.  In this class you will learn twelve stitches, how to attach beading, thread types and uses and needle techniques to make a very finished and professional piece.  You will, also, learn how to color tint your fabric in three ways, all of which will be permanent and washable.  A kit will be provided for this class.
Cost:  $20 per student for a four hour class + Kit:  $15 per student = $35