Greetings! We did not have an in person guild meeting this month to do COVID-19 Pandemic. Instead we held our first virtual meeting. It was a bit of a challenge technically speaking, but in the end it was a success and we had 44 people attend.

Guild Business

New members name tag swap will be happening between Laura, Betsy and Elaine. We look forward to viewing your creativeness, when they are ready.

The name tag from the Modern Quilt Guild that is included with your dues will be printed out by the board and distributed at a future meeting.

Our birthday bag of fat quarters will be ready for our March birthday members (and most likely our April birthday members) in May or the next time we have an in person member meeting.

There was discussion to having between meetings virtual Sew-ins, Quilt-a-longs, etc. which the guild is interesting in participating in. We will post about such opportunities in the near future.

Due to such a great response to the Notan exercise we participated in at the February meeting, V.P. Kathy has donated a copy of the book to our library for members to check out.

Quiltcon Recap

Betsy shared a little bit about her experience at Quiltcon this year where she took second place for her entry “Turn Ahead” in the Small Quilts category.

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We have decide we will be donating our Quiltcon Charity quilt to a women’s shelter. With left over blocks and material from this quilt, we would like to make accompanying pillow cases and a tote bag. We will be looking for volunteers to take on this project.

MQG Modern Classics Challenge

This year being the 10th anniversary of the Modern Quilt Guild, they have put forth a challenge for members to remake a classic pattern from their resources section in the designated color palette. Selected quilts will be hung at Quiltcon 2021.

See MQG’s website for complete details.

Programs

Unfortunately due to social distancing and shelter in place regulations, we will be modifying our scheduled line up.

Block Lotto

We ask you to hold on to your plus blocks and go forward and make your Wonky Churn Dash. The guidelines for the churn dash are:

• Use white for the background
• Use bright modern colors/fabric for the churn dash
• Finished block 14’ x 14’ which includes ¼ seam allowance
• Due at May meeting

You can use this tutorial on YouTube from Missouri Star Quilt Company.

UFO Challenge for March Submissions

And the winner, Aburey! She showed us her UFO live during the meeting. She won the Range Backpack pattern from Noodlehead.

April’s UFO challenge pick is #1 for those choosing random order.

Otherwise pick a project, make progress, then share your progress to be eligible for next month’s prize drawing. And what is the prize you ask?

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This beautiful necklace is from The Quilt Spot. Check out their full line of sewing inspired jewelry online by clicking on the link.

Calendar Update

• Janet’s workshop in March has been canceled.
• Debbie Grifka workshop is postponed.
• We hope to still do our ‘pod’ swap in May. We are working on details for that.
• We also had some Show & Tell, but it was live, so no photos.

Stayed tuned for details for next month’s meeting. Keep on quilting and be healthy!

Jennifer-Secretary

Welcome to February! The groundhog didn’t see his shadow this year and I think he got it right.

Guild Business

We had a light meeting this month with 28 in attendance. Many of course had made their way to Houston for Quiltcon.

A ‘Welcome!’ letter was sent out to those members completed the registration process. It contains the new password to the members only section of the website. If you are paid up and did not receive the letter let us know.

Start Bringing your $1 bills!

Starting in March will begin holding meeting raffles with chances to win cool quilting prizes! You won’t want to miss out on the action.

MQGQ – Modern Classics Challenge

“The MQG is going back in time to re-release some of our favorite patterns of the month and we are inviting you to join in for a chance to have a quilt included in a special exhibit for QuiltCon 2021 in Atlanta!“

Visit themoderquiltguild.com for complete details on how to participate.

Workshop Recap

On January 25 we had member led workshops by Betsy Vinegard and Sue Erdreich. Betsy taught paper piecing using the pattern “My First Alphabet” from Diane Bohn at fromblakpages.com

Sue provided a class on color theory and improv piecing.

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Notan Exercise

Based on the Black and White issue of Curated Quilts Magazine, Kathy led us in an exercise doing Notan.

Programs

First up, UFO challenges progress makers for the month of February.

And the raffle winner for this months UFO challenge was Terri!

Next month for the March meeting you are to work on UFO #9!

Or pick any UFO, work on it and show us your progress to be eligible for the drawing!

Other Reminders for March Meeting

Block Lotto Blocks due! If you need a copy of the directions, email programs.

We will be having a member led workshop on Saturday, March 28th making the ‘Not Your Basic Blue Bag’ with Janet VanTreurun.

Programs for 2020

A complete listing of the balance of the years speakers was passed out during the meeting. Copies will be available at the March meeting. Or keep an eye on the calendar on the website. The overview is:

• April – Debbie Grifka
• June Carol Lyles Shaw
• August – Merrie Ford
• October – Annabel Wrigley

Show and Tell

Debby Coats with her paper pieced block and Swedish star.

Jeanine Bowen with ‘All Stars’

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Margy with star quilt sample

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Debby Siccardi with baby hexie pillow.

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Sallie with her Mystery Quilt.

Rachel with Ice Dyed Napkins.

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Ameri with Meadowland.

See you next month!

Jennifer – Secretary

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2020. We started off the year with a very busy guild meeting, filled with activities, new challenges and plenty of show and tell.

But first, let me take care of a little business. There were two omissions from the November recap.

First, was the missing picture of Jackie Laba’s show and tell quilt.

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Second, the identity of this quilt maker is Karen who worked on it at retreat. Thank you Caroline Hayes for filling me in.

Now onto our January recap.

Guild Business

We had a total of 46 in attendance, 2 being new members that night. Welcome Betsy Fabricant and Beth Schoedler. We also had a guest, Candice Chaleff, friend of Diane Fama.

Betsy brought the raffle quilt from Empire Quilters Guild. She is selling tickets contact her if interested.

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Sarah talked to us about setting up an opportunity to sew for 25 Million Stitches. They will be doing an installation and are looking for submissions. For details on the project click on the link above. If you would be interested in participating with Sarah, contact her directly.

We thanked Terri & Barbara on the efforts for providing our holiday feast.

We also thanked Carol Mann for her November meeting presentation.

Fourth quarter financials have been posted to the website under the members only section.

Membership Update

The welcome letter will go out February 1st with the new password for the members only section. Your standing with MQG will also be final.

Aleeda, from the Diversity & Inclusion Committee of MQG provided us with an update on their recent discussion.

Programs

Next was the main activity of the evening, Finishing Demos!

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The teachers were very knowledgeable and I think everyone learned something.

After break we got back our post cards from our swap with Cambridge Modern Quilt Guild.

We also heard from our teachers for their upcoming workshops this Saturday, January 25th.

Betsy will be teaching paper piecing with letters and Sue will be doing Color Theory and Improv.

There is still space available in both workshops. Please sign up and join in!

New Programs for 2020

UFO Challenge 2020 – It is time to reach for those forgotten treasures and get busy on them. Download a copy of the UFO Challenge 2020 Form and start sharing your progress on Instagram at #2020UFOChallengeNJMQG.

Your goal for each month is to make progress (cutting, piecing, sandwiching, quilting, binding) on what ever project you have assigned to that number. However, we will decide what order you go in. For the month of January you are to work on #4.

Bring your finished projects to the February meeting for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate to Sew Jersey. (If you can not attend the meeting in February, please email a picture of your finished project with your name to programs@njmqg.com to be entered into the drawing).

Block Lotto – Every other month we will be putting out a block pattern. You will make one or many and bring them to the meeting they are due. You will receive one ticket for each block you make. Depending on the number of blocks will determine the number of drawings. Winners will receive a maximum number of blocks to make a twin size quilt.

**When the pattern has been uploaded to the website you will be notified.

Full Year Calendar for Programs will be coming in February.

“Ask The Quild” was informative as always.

Show and Tell

Dawn with 2 UFO finishes.

Mary Jane with a Mystery Quilt finish.

Betsy Fabricant with the inspiration piece and her interpretation.

Jackie with her Mystery quilt finish and her appliqued knots from the Whole Circle Studio workshop with some beautiful graffiti quilting.

Siobhan with Houses and Civil War.

Siobhan with front and back (or is it back and front) of her reversible batik beach.

Samantha with green and white log cabin and airplane quilt.

Betsy with Square Spaces.

Pam with Bandanas.

See you next month!

Jennifer – Secretary