Souvlaki Workshop with Jenny Haynes of Papper, Sax, Sten

Jenny Haynes of Papper, Sax, Sten will be hosting the Souvlaki Workshop on Saturday, June 27, 2026 from 12:00 to 3:00 pm on Zoom with a Get ready! session on Saturday, June 6, 2026 from 12:00 to 1:00 pm. The class is $65 per member, which includes the two block patterns, PDF templates of the Oval and Long Oval blocks, drawing files (Visio and SVG) for coloring your own version in your drawing program, and access to the recording of the Zoom ‘Get ready!’ session and all class material after the event and for a minimum of six months. Optionally, you may purchase the Oval and Long Oval templates from Sewtopia.

In this class, you will learn how to make the two different Moore Boulders blocks, the smaller/simpler block and the larger block with double curves. We discuss how to use color to create transparency and we’ll use techniques that improve accuracy and build your craftsmanship.

We will cover no-pin curves, partial seams, color play and much more.

In the ‘Get ready!’ session, Jenny will talk you through the pattern for each block. We will also look at tools and techniques for choosing color to optimize transparency. Jenny uses TouchDraw to color in her designs and will do a quick demo of how she uses this drawing app. She will also show analogue ways of playing with color.

‘Oval on Rectangles’ block: For this block, Jenny will demo some straight-piecing tips and show you how to inset an oval shape.

‘Rectangle on Ovals’ block: Jenny will show you how to piece no-pin curves, with the help of my Oval Multiple and Long Oval Multiple DP templates, and how to do an inset rectagle.

There will be tips on how to use other templates to create a similar look using Circles, Ovals or Long Ovals in combination with Squares and Rectangles.

Level: Aimed for intermediate and advanced sewists. But there will be tips on how to make an easier version of either of the two blocks to accommodate confident beginners. A basic quilting knowledge (how to use a rotary cutter and ruler and to sew using an accurate seam allowance, etc.) is assumed and an interest/fascination in precision piecing will certainly help.

Registration for this class ends on May 31, 2026 or when we reach a capacity of 20 students.


  • To pay via PayPal: Use the link at the bottom of the page. There is a $2/class PayPal fee added.
  • To pay via Check or Cash: Mail to NJMQG 41 Watchung Plaza, Montclair, NJ 07042
  • To pay via Zelle: use treasurer@njmqg.com as the account name.

Members: $67 ($65 + $2 PayPal Fee)

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Non-members: $87 ($85 + $2 PayPal Fee)

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Modern Block Sampler Sew Along

Join the NJMQG for The MQG Modern Block Sampler. We will be sewing blocks from The MQG Modern Block Sampler which was released last year featuring quilt blocks designed by fellow MQG members from all over the world. Blocks were designed by Tsitzi Bejarano of the Mexico MQG, Birgitta Jadenfelt an individual member, Madhuri Sapru of the India MQG, Tamara Stunnell of the Melbourne MQG, Irina Timofeeva an individual member, and Emmely Treffers of the Dutch MQG.

The finished block size is 12″x12″ and has a recommended skill level of confident beginner. Sampler quilts are a good way to practice your skills and build new ones along the way.

All participants will be sent an email on the 15th of each month with the instructions for a quilt block. We will sew these blocks at home with our own fabric choices and share our progress along the way. This is not a mystery quilt!

Please sign up to be included in the emails for the sew along!

April 2025 Meeting Recap

Forty-four of us met on Saturday April 26th, in-person, at the First Lutheran Church in Montclair.

Guild Business

  • Board Elections – Nominees will be announced in May and voted into office at the June meeting. The new board will transition prior to the July meeting.
    The positions we’ll be voting for in June are President (2-year term), Vice President, Secretary, and 2 Programs Co-chairs. Unless otherwise noted all terms are 1 year.
  • 2026 Quilt Showcase Committee – we have a few volunteers and are still open for more to join in the fun! All the logistical groundwork laid by the 2023 committee will be available so you don’t have to start from scratch. Sign up here.
  • Name Tag Swap – Contact Ann if you need to be paired.
  • Charity projects – were collected by Kelly. Many thanks to everyone who participated!

MQG Open Call

In partnership with The Dairy Barn Arts Center, the MQG is calling for submissions for an exhibit of modern quilts to be on display September – December 2025.

Submissions are open April 21, 2025 to June 16, 2025. There is no submission fee. Submit here.

  • The entries will be juried by MQG staff. Any MQG member may submit up to 2 quilts to the call.
  • A limit of 1 quilt per maker will be chosen with a final exhibit of approximately 20 quilts.
  • Submitted quilts may be in any modern style and may or may not have been exhibited at QuiltCon in the past.
  • Quilts must have been completed within the last 3 years (2023, 2024, 2025).
  • Quilts must be available to ship to arrive in Athens, Ohio by September 5, 2025.
  • There is no minimum size for quilt submissions, but the maximum size will be 90″ on any side.

Ongoing

  • Mystery Quilt – Step 3 was emailed April 15th. The reveal will be in October.
  • Bee Block Party – 2nd quarter sign ups opened April 15 with an email sent to members.
  • Mini-Quilt “Initial” Challenge – open to all members. Finished quilts are due at the June 21st meeting. (Remember to keep it secret until then – no posting on social media!)
    • The basic parameters are:
      • Make a mini-quilt, Min 12″ Max 24″ per side. (Does not have to be square.)
      • Choose a main color based on the initial of your first name.
      • Choose an inspiration block based on the initial of your last name.
      • Bring your finished mini to the June meeting (wrapped, to maintain anonymity) where we’ll display them all and vote for Viewers Choice. The winner will receive a prize!

Programs

Carolyn McKibben Trunk Show at the May 17th meeting

Kawandi Workshop – was taught by Ellaree Pray after our general meeting April 26th. What fun we had using up our scrappy stashes!

Show & Tell

Thanks for sharing your beautiful work – Ann T. (1), Debby (2), Sue A. (3), Sue M. (4, 5), Wannetta (6), Caroline (7, 8), Cindy (9, 10), Pat (11), Tracy (12, 13), Carol S.(14), Samantha (15), Annette (16), Jackie (17, 18), Ginny (19), Rachel (20), Jennifer(21).

Next Meetings

Saturday May 17, 2025 In-person 11a-1p

  • Trunk show with Carolyn McKibben

Saturday June 21, 2025 In-person 11a-1p

  • Board election
  • Initial Challenge mini-quilts due & vote for Viewers Choice!

Thursday July 17, 2025 Zoom meeting 7-9p

See you in April!

xo,
Kathy