NJMQG 2015 Sampler Bee Block Swap

2015NJMQGblockswaplogo

It’s time to unveil our Bee Block program for 2015! This year will be a bit different – instead of a swap that runs the entire year, this program will take place three times in 2015. We’re so excited to tell you all about it, so here are the details:

HIVES
– Each Bee Hive consists of no more than 6 quilters.
– There will be as many hives as needed to accommodate those who would like to participate.
– Stella will be the “Queen Bee” for all hives – if you have any questions, concerns, or issues, please contact her before the quarter ends.

BLOCKS
– You’ll have 3 months to make a quilt block for each quilter in your hive (+ 1 for yourself if you choose).
It is important that you make your blocks following these guidelines so they will be usable when piecing a quilt.
– Select a quilt block that is within your skill level.
– Use fresh, modern, new, quilt shop quality fabric for your blocks.
– Everyone uses their own fabric stash to create the blocks and no one can request certain fabrics or designers.
– Take the time and effort to construct your blocks well and use a ¼ inch seam allowance (unless your pattern dictates otherwise). Anything less will likely fall apart. Blocks that are too large or too small, even by a 1/4″ are sometimes not usable. You may choose to make a test block before constructing the blocks for your hive to ensure that the block will size correctly. A simple block well-constructed is always better received than a complicated block that is falling apart from poor construction.
– The block should measure 12.5 inches square when complete.
– Please only use neutral colored thread.
– You’ll make 6 of that same square in each of your hive members’ chosen color palettes. (Like this set of Granny Square Quilt Blocks!)

6 Granny Squares

TIMELINE
– The first quarter in 2015 will run from March – May.
– Sign-ups will take place from Feb 3 – Feb 27.
– Once sign ups close, you’ll receive the names of the quilters in your hive as well as their color palettes and any additional information provided on March 1st.
– Finished squares for this quarter can be distributed early but are due at the May guild meeting.
At this time, you are only committing to 1 quarter – sign-ups for future quarters will happen as the current quarter ends.
– The following quarters will run from June – Aug and Sept – Nov. You do not have to participate in all quarters to play along. Sign-ups for the next quarters will happen later in the year – watch this space for the announcement.
– Plan ahead! The quarter goes by very quickly. Please don’t wait until the last minute to start your blocks. This is a commitment and by signing up we expect you to follow through with that commitment. Sometimes things happen, so if you have an unforeseen emergency, please contact your Stella ASAP!

No matter how many quarters you participate in, you should have the beginnings of an amazing sampler quilt like this one:

SamplerQuilt

Ok, that’s great, but how do I sign up?? Easy! Complete the form below. You’ll receive a confirmation that your sign-up was received. Last day for sign-ups is February 27th. Hope you’ll join us!

Sign ups are now closed. See you for the next round in May!

February Swap: Mini Quilts!

NJMQG Mini QuiltCan you believe it is February already? We can’t, but February means an NJMQG swap and this month we’re excited to be swapping Mini Quilts! There have been a ton of mini quilt swaps happening on Instagram and we thought we’d join the fun, too!

Not a ton of rules for this swap, but here are some guidelines to help you:
– Quilts should be no smaller than 16” and no bigger than 24” on a side
– We encourage you to try a technique, color, or shape you’ve never tried before
– Don’t forget to label your quilt so the recipient knows who made it
– If you bring one to our next meeting on Thursday, February 26 (at 7PM at Rock Paper Scissors), you get to take one home!

Check out our Pinterest board for inspiration.

If you have any questions or concerns, leave a comment and we’ll address them!

January Virtual meeting announcements

Hi everyone! I hope you’re sewing at home with the guild on this snowy Saturday. Check Instagram (@njmqg) and Facebook for pictures of what members are working on, and be sure to tag your images with our hashtag #njmqgopensnow. We’ll be having giveaways each hour, so stay tuned!

Here is the part of the meeting where I usually stand and talk.

—Our next meeting will be Thursday, February 26 (one week later than we usually have it, make note!) at 7PM at Rock Paper Scissors. We will be having a mini quilt swap! Quilts should be no smaller than 16” and no bigger than 24” on a side, and we encourage you to try a technique, color, or shape you’ve never tried before. If you bring one to the meeting, you get to take one home.

—Our March meeting is Thursday, March 19.

—Aleeda is organizing a retreat at Cross Roads retreat center the weekend of March 20-22. We’ll have a separate blog post with more information for those who want to sign up. This sewing weekend is always a hit and a great chance to learn from each other.

—On May 1 and 2 we will be hosting Heather Jones for a lecture (Friday) and workshop (Saturday). Check out her website oliveandollie.com and her Instagram feed instagram.com/heatherjonesstudio for more about her and her quilts. We’ll have registration information for the workshop soon. Priority will be given to NJMQG members for the 20 available spots.

— Stella has a fun new bee concept for our members. It will be done in smaller groups on a quarterly basis– no more yearly commitment. More details on this soon.

—Our home base Rock Paper Scissors is featured in the latest issue of Generation Q magazine! Beth has ordered extra issues, which will be available at the store in the days and weeks to come.

— Did you know that there are TONS of free modern quilt patterns and webinars that are accessible to members on the MQG’s website? Check them out here. https://community.themodernquiltguild.com/resources

Quiltcon starts February 17! Keep an eye out for news and pictures. Members Betsy Vinegrad and Melanie Tuazon both have quilts in the show, and Beth Rowan will be doing her substrate demo at the convention center in Austin.

—A note from a neighboring guild: “The Brownstone Quilter’s Guild will be running a trip to the AQS show in Lancaster, Pa. on Saturday, March 14, 2015.    The cost of the trip is $60.00 and includes the bus fare, entrance to the quilt show and a tip for the bus driver.    We will be making a stop prior to the convention center at a mall about 15 minutes outside of our destination.   This is at a hotel that has over 50 vendors presenting their wares and goods.   Our members enjoy this stop which usually lasts about an hour.  They have a dealer who specializes in Featherweight machines. If you or any members of your respective guilds are interested in taking the trip please send a check in the amount of $60.00 made out to the BROWNSTONE QUILTERS GUILD to my home address before February 20th.    Be sure to include your cell phone number on the check.     The bus will be at the parking lot of the Armenian Presbyterian Church located at 140 Forest Avenue,  Paramus, 07463  at 7:15AM for a departure time of 7:30AM.    Park to the right side of the parking lot.  We should be back in Paramus at about 7:00PM” Email njmqginfo@gmail.com for the address. (For privacy’s sake I didn’t want to post someone’s home address on our public site.)

— Finally, a huge THANK YOU to everyone who contributed time and effort to our beautiful Quiltcon charity quilt. Check out pictures here: https://njmqg.com/2015/01/09/our-finished-quiltcon-charity-quilt/ . Did you see that we were featured in the MQG’s global newsletter? Such an honor.

 

Do you have an announcement or event you’d like to mention? Please do so in the comments.