• June 2018 Meeting Recap

    June 11, 2018

    We had a fantastic meeting as always  and one of our most favorite meetings is when we have a big reveal. This month, we did our bag swap exchange and found out who had stitched up something beautiful and useful for us. The choices for this swap were to make either a tote bag or a zipper pouch for our recipient. So many lovely things were made.

    Thanks to everyone who participated!

    Next, we had an informational talk from Kathy about what she has learned recently on quilt preservation and storage. There was so much information shared and Kathy provided a print out with lots of valuable facts and advice so that our work can last for generations to come. Such a wonderful sharing of what is important to us all. Here is a photo of a quilt that Kathy saved from motor oil and years of stains.

    Onward with our meeting and discussions about upcoming workshops. We are excited to have our own Karen Foster come and teach us Improv Abstraction Log Cabin on August 25. There still are a few spots left! Don’t miss out on this fantastic class.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/BegUpnkFSDL/?taken-by=capitolaquilter

    In December, we are so excited to be having Denyse Schmidt come to teach advanced improv to our guild. This gives us a chance to delve even deeper into what improv skills we already have and to learn from Denyse, who is one of the founders of what inspired the MQG and introduced quilting to a new generation of quilters with a fresh voice. There is already a wait list for this workshop, but if you still would like to add your name, please contact us. sbamqg@gmail.com

    And, of course, as always, we had a wonderful show and tell.

    https://www.instagram.com/p/Bjq4mMdDnP9/?taken-by=sbamqg

    Our next meeting is JULY 10, the SECOND Tuesday of the month, and a sew day will follow on the 14th in our usual location at the community foundation in Aptos.

     

     

     

     

     

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  • Tote & Zipper Pouch Swap – Ideas and Links

    April 11, 2018

    Hi Swappers! Are you guys ready to get into all things tote-ish and zipper-y? Ok! Let’s get straight to it.

    Tote bags are fun and quick to make and can be used in so many ways. Bring your lunch, go to the library with one, reuse them over and over for groceries. Tote bags also make great gifts and you can make one in an afternoon.

    BASIC LINED TOTE

    Here is a link to a simple and easy reversible lined tote and a great place to start if you haven’t made a tote before. This blog post is great because you learn how to ‘box’ the bottom of the tote (which means to create a squared off bottom) and also has a link to a zipper pouch. You use two coordinating fabrics and off you go, no special hardware or anything needed.

    I really can’t go any further with this post without letting you know about the treasure trove of information and creative inspiration that is Anna Graham of Noodlehead. Her website is rich with tutorials and patterns and information on different areas of sewing, but is heavily focused on bag-making. The Summer Madras Tote pattern is a great tote bag that has pockets and is a bit roomier to stow away your things for a day at the beach or would also make a great diaper bag for a new mom. Take a long look at her site and find wonderful information on Bags, wallets and zips. Another great resource is her informational page. She also has many for purchase bag patterns available locally and online. Truly, you cannot go wrong with her well-written patterns. She even sells leather straps and bag hardware! (For those of you making zipper pouches, she also has tutorials on those!)

    Another great bag-making blogger is Sara Lawson from Sew Sweetness. This website has really nice picture-heavy sections on very specific areas of sewing bags such as setting rivets, magnetic closures, putting in piping, sewing with vinyl and an important section on selecting interfacing. She also has an online shop with bag-making supplies including thin cork, which is all the rage lately in making bags.

    For those of you making zipper pouches, it’s time to get familiar with your zipper foot. The Seasoned Homemaker has a great intro to the zipper foot and at the end of her post, there is a link to her free Craftsy class on zippers. Go have a look! Your fear of putting in zippers will be a thing of the past. She also has a Box Pouch tutorial you can check out.

    The Sewing Chick has a great tutorial for a zipper pouch that covers great finishing details such as zipper tabs, getting your lining to fit well and has a nice patchwork option. This post wins for fantastic pictures, and makes clear all the different steps in making a small, zippered item.

    So, if you can make a quilt, then you can make a tote or a zipper pouch. We know you can! Bag or pouch swap will be at the June meeting and we cannot wait to see what you all make!

     

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  • March 2018 Meeting Recap

    March 19, 2018

    HI all,

    We had a fantastic March meeting with lots of exciting discussion surrounding those of us who attended Quiltcon as well as the PVQA quilt show.

    We had many of our guild attend Quiltcon and talked about how we had represented our guild. We had made a fabulous improv Orange Peel quilt which was there amongst many other guilds who had designed and constructed a quiltj that would be donated to their own community in charity. Here it is:

    This gorgeous quilt will make its way to a family who was directly affected by the Napa/Sonoma wildfire. We are thrilled to be able to give directly in this way and reminds us of the importance of service to others and how what we make can truly offer comfort and warmth.

    We announced our newest swap! We are excited to host a tote bag/zipper pouch swap. It’s not too late to join – next month’s meeting there will still be an opportunity to join in on the fun. If you’ve never made a tote bag or a zipper pouch don’t fret or dispair! Next month there will be a separate blog post with LOTS of links to the many free tutorials and free patterns for making a tote. We promise – it’s fun and simple. Your desire to make something that your swap partner may enjoy is the only requirement. It’s going to be fun so please join in! We know you can do it! Wouldn’t you like to receive something like this?

    Tamlin was the winner of our “Block of the Every Other Month

    Renee designed a quilt block that is featured in the Modern Quilt Guild ‘s Block Study in February. It’s a gorgeous block and makes up into a fabulous quilt. Here is hers:

    We’re so proud of you Renee!

    And, as always, we had a great Sew ‘n Tell with lots of fabulous quilts:

    View this post on Instagram

    An original quilt pattern from Alicea! #sbamqg

    A post shared by SBAMQG (@sbamqg) on

    View this post on Instagram

    Another quilt at tonight’s meeting #sbamqg

    A post shared by SBAMQG (@sbamqg) on

    And please remember, we are still taking sign-ups for our Mel Beach workshop!

    We hope to see you at our next meeting which is April 3rd at 6:30.

     

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  • #SBAMQGWIPITGOOD & Make it Modern Challenges

    June 21, 2017

    We have so many fun and exciting challenges going on this year at SBAMQG that I wanted to write up a quick blog post to tell you about them so you have somewhere to reference all the fun!

    #SBAMQGWIPITGOOD 

    At the beginning of the year members were encouraged to post on Instagram photos of works in progress (WIPs) that they planned to complete by the December 2017 Guild Meeting and to update us when their quilts were completed with both posts using #SBAMQGWIPITGOOD. Fast forward 6 months and we have had new member join at each meeting (we’re so popular and we love it!) and now we want to open up a new opportunity. Missed your opportunity at the beginning of the year? Want to start the challenge now? Here are the guidelines:

    • Post up to 3 WIPs by July 18, 2017 using #SBAMQGWIPITGOOD
    • WIPs are considered anything from a pile of fabric with good intentions to a finished, but unquilted top
    • Post pictures of your finished work using the hashtag throughout the year (no progress shots using the hashtag, please)
    • For every WIP finished by November 30, 2017 you’ll be entered to win a fabulous Quilty Celebrity prize

    Here are some clues as to what this delightful prize might be:

    • The Quilty Celebrity equivalent of Indiana Jones’ fedora (or Don Johnson’s jacket, I am not letting that go and you cannot make me)
    • Bigger than a seam ripper
    • Currently decorating my sewing studio
    • NEW CLUE: Red and white and aqua blue all over

    Make it Modern 

    Our next challenge will be to take one of the traditional quilt blocks pictured below and recreate it using modern quilting elements. Finished quilts can be any size.

    Some examples of modern quilting elements include, but are not limited to:

    • Use of bold colors and prints
    • High contrast and graphic areas of solid colors
    • Improvisational piecing
    • Minimalism
    • Expansive negative space AKA expensive negative space for those quilt-by-check gals
    • Alternate grid work

    Guidelines: Quilts must be finished by the December meeting and will be displayed at the 2018 PVQA Quilt Show. All quilts must be submitted with a 4” wide hanging sleeve stitched to the back. Quilts should be labeled using the official PQVA label. All quilts must be finished (quilted and bound); no tops or partially finished quilts will be allowed to hang. No more than two entries per member.

    **Edit: The Morning Star Block is also known as the Weather Vane Block.

    We always enjoy the quilts our members make, but are especially excited to see the WIPs you finish this year and the challenge quilts you dream and stitch up!

    See you all at the next meeting!

    Chelsea

     

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  • November 2015 Meeting Recap

    November 7, 2015

    The SBAMQG thanks Hart’s Fabrics for hosting another terrific meeting this week!

    Business included the latest information on our Maria Shell workshop, which is happening this Saturday. We are expecting to have a great day learning all of Maria’s secrets. Lynne reminded us that the deadline for annual membership dues is approaching so please watch for your Paypal invoice, which will be sent out soon. We also talked about a few big things that will be happening at our December meeting. First, we will be doing our annual fabric gift swap. If you want to participate in this fun activity, please show up with a wrapped package containing one yard of fabric to swap. You can bring a one yard cut or any combination of cuts that equals one yard. Second, refreshments will be potluck style, so please bring something to share, keeping neatness in mind out of respect for our host shop. Third, we will be holding the election for new officers for 2016. Several people were nominated tonight for positions on the board but, if you are interested in running for a spot, please let the current board know by November 30, so we can get your name on the ballot before our December 1st meeting.

    The highlight of tonight’s meeting was the big reveal of our small challenge quilts. In September, participants blindly selected a fat quarter from one bag and a slip of paper containing a modern quilting design concept from another bag. The challenge was to make a small quilt to demonstrate one or more of the design features that are often found in modern quilting. Our talented members came up with some creative solutions to the challenge and we had a blast viewing them. We hope to show them off in public in the near future. Here is a look at our proud quilters:

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    22582203350_8086506b8d_z22744159726_df500cdddd_z

    22744229986_569fee3b38_z22744297616_d0800dc709_z

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    22781404431_686bd77cc9_z22149067523_c681b9a65e_z

    Of course we had a few lovelies in our regular Sew and Tell, including a Fibonacci finish and this awesome log cabin:

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    Come see us in December!

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    (photo credit Karen Foster)

     

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