Modern Quilting Group
The MODley Crew meets on a rotating schedule: September 26 and November 7, 2017; and January 16, February 27,
April 10 and May 22, 2018. Everyone is welcome as a participant or as a spectator. You don't have to sign up or attend every month. Drop ins are encouraged.
April 10 and May 22, 2018. Everyone is welcome as a participant or as a spectator. You don't have to sign up or attend every month. Drop ins are encouraged.
May 22
Thanks to Laurie for closing out our season with her informative presentation on machine quilting -- more than you can imagine about needles, threads, batting, gloves, posture. We are fortunate to have this local expert in our midst!
In case you missed it, here is the link to the Schmetz Color Code Chart. Lots of other good reading on this website.
Thanks to Laurie for closing out our season with her informative presentation on machine quilting -- more than you can imagine about needles, threads, batting, gloves, posture. We are fortunate to have this local expert in our midst!
In case you missed it, here is the link to the Schmetz Color Code Chart. Lots of other good reading on this website.
February 27
Several of our members tried their hands at building an illusion quilt under Barb's guidance while others looked at ways of using layer cakes to make donation quilts. Here are the instructions for those who still want to give it a try.
Several of our members tried their hands at building an illusion quilt under Barb's guidance while others looked at ways of using layer cakes to make donation quilts. Here are the instructions for those who still want to give it a try.
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Please note: Printed instructions will not be supplied at the class. Participants can access them online or bring their own copy for the tutorial.
Extra fabric strips will be available.
Extra fabric strips will be available.
Notes from January 16 Session on Alternate Grids
Alternate grid work is a modern quilting design element that is used frequently by modern quilters. It is often one of the easiest design elements to experiment and explore modern quilt making with. Modern quilters often “break the grid”. Alternate grid work is a tool to help showcase modern quilting design fundamentals such as negative space, no borders, minimalism, asymmetry, modern traditionalism and exaggerated scale.
Alternate grid work in modern quilt making refers to quilts that don’t follow the traditional block format of many quilts. The majority (but not all) of traditional quilt styles follow a predictable grid structure. It’s important to note that some modern quilts DO follow traditional quilt grid work and some traditional quilts do NOT follow traditional quilt grid work.
Traditional Grid Work Examples:
Alternate Grid Work Examples:
Note:
Are you really into grids? Here’s some great reading:
Grids for Graphic Designers:
The Designer’s Guide to Grid Theory
Modern Quilt Blog Aug 25, 2014
Alternate grid work is a modern quilting design element that is used frequently by modern quilters. It is often one of the easiest design elements to experiment and explore modern quilt making with. Modern quilters often “break the grid”. Alternate grid work is a tool to help showcase modern quilting design fundamentals such as negative space, no borders, minimalism, asymmetry, modern traditionalism and exaggerated scale.
Alternate grid work in modern quilt making refers to quilts that don’t follow the traditional block format of many quilts. The majority (but not all) of traditional quilt styles follow a predictable grid structure. It’s important to note that some modern quilts DO follow traditional quilt grid work and some traditional quilts do NOT follow traditional quilt grid work.
Traditional Grid Work Examples:
- The Straight Set – columns and rows of repeating blocks.
- On Point – columns and rows of repeating blocks on a 45 degree angle
- Medallion – a central focus feature with design elements bordering outward.
Alternate Grid Work Examples:
- Traditional grids can be adapted or altered beyond the normal repeating columns and rows.
- Increasing negative space.
- Shifting the on point angle to an atypical degree.
Note:
- Modular Grids are the basis for a vast majority of quilt design. You can use a modular grid, but don’t follow strict columns and rows. Using scale is a great way to use a modular grid in an alternate way.
- Adding negative space is another way to use the modular grid in an alternate way.
- Variable Framing uses the modular grid, but floats blocks in negative space. The underlying column and row format is there, but utilizes negative space to make it modern.
- Offset or Misaligned Grids shift the rows and columns to offset blocks.
- Paneling does not follow a modular grid structure and disguises any underlying grid.
Are you really into grids? Here’s some great reading:
Grids for Graphic Designers:
The Designer’s Guide to Grid Theory
Modern Quilt Blog Aug 25, 2014
November 7
Click below for the notes from this session.
Click below for the notes from this session.
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September 26
Click below for the notes from this session.
Click below for the notes from this session.
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And here are some photos for inspiration -- examples of a modern interpretation of the traditional log cabin block as well as some suggestions for free motion and walking foot quilting. ( Click on images to enlarge; use side arrows to navigate.)
May 23
Presenting...our architectural quilts for display at the quilt show in September. Thanks to all who participated. Can you guess the province or territory represented? ( Click on images to enlarge; use side arrows to navigate.)
Presenting...our architectural quilts for display at the quilt show in September. Thanks to all who participated. Can you guess the province or territory represented? ( Click on images to enlarge; use side arrows to navigate.)
March 28
Barb led us through a lively discussion of new names for the group and ideas for future meetings, and some of us signed on to create a few more colour blocks (see below** for instructions) which we will lay out at the April meeting. We also discussed mounting the provincial/territorial blocks at the quilt show and will experiment with 3M sticky mounts. The thinking is that we might mount them deliberately off-kilter for a mod look and to disguise any irregularities in size.
Barb led us through a lively discussion of new names for the group and ideas for future meetings, and some of us signed on to create a few more colour blocks (see below** for instructions) which we will lay out at the April meeting. We also discussed mounting the provincial/territorial blocks at the quilt show and will experiment with 3M sticky mounts. The thinking is that we might mount them deliberately off-kilter for a mod look and to disguise any irregularities in size.
February 28
After a discussion of a new name for the group, we enjoyed a round table "show and guess" of the provincial and territorial blocks finished so far. (Note: the deadline for these blocks is the end of May, and Barb has lots of solid colour fabric available if you need some.) Sue showed us the finished quilt from the November/January design tutorial -- completed with the design decisions made by the class. Stunning!
Remember our monochromatic blocks? Joan still has 4 red, 3 blue, 2 orange and 1 green block and would like more to be able to finish a small quilt for the CQA donation project. She's aiming for at least 16, or even 25. If you have time, please consider making a couple more. **Here again are the directions for the improvised monochromatic blocks: 10 1/2" square unfinished, backed with low loft (80/20) batting (NO backing), quilted in the complementary colour. Use at least 3 fabrics in your colour family -- and you may include white.** To complete a 16 block quilt we would need: 1 more blue, 2 more orange and 3 more green. To compete a 25 block quilt we would need: 1 more red, 2 more blue, 3 more orange, 4 more green, and 5 yellow blocks. Let Joan know what you are planning to do!
After a discussion of a new name for the group, we enjoyed a round table "show and guess" of the provincial and territorial blocks finished so far. (Note: the deadline for these blocks is the end of May, and Barb has lots of solid colour fabric available if you need some.) Sue showed us the finished quilt from the November/January design tutorial -- completed with the design decisions made by the class. Stunning!
Remember our monochromatic blocks? Joan still has 4 red, 3 blue, 2 orange and 1 green block and would like more to be able to finish a small quilt for the CQA donation project. She's aiming for at least 16, or even 25. If you have time, please consider making a couple more. **Here again are the directions for the improvised monochromatic blocks: 10 1/2" square unfinished, backed with low loft (80/20) batting (NO backing), quilted in the complementary colour. Use at least 3 fabrics in your colour family -- and you may include white.** To complete a 16 block quilt we would need: 1 more blue, 2 more orange and 3 more green. To compete a 25 block quilt we would need: 1 more red, 2 more blue, 3 more orange, 4 more green, and 5 yellow blocks. Let Joan know what you are planning to do!
January 24
More information about our Canada 150 project has been posted on the Quilt Show Information for Members Only page.
More information about our Canada 150 project has been posted on the Quilt Show Information for Members Only page.
November 22
A beautiful array of rainbow blocks were handed in. If you are not finished your blocks yet, please get them to Joan before Christmas as she will be assembling two quilt tops. Needed: volunteers to sandwich, quilt and bind these two modern donation quilts.
We also discussed our project for the Canada 150 quilt show: modern architectural blocks (8 1/2" x 8 1/2") representing our provinces and territories. Sign up for the province/territory of your choice. We're aiming to have these finished by March or April. More on this in the new year.
A beautiful array of rainbow blocks were handed in. If you are not finished your blocks yet, please get them to Joan before Christmas as she will be assembling two quilt tops. Needed: volunteers to sandwich, quilt and bind these two modern donation quilts.
We also discussed our project for the Canada 150 quilt show: modern architectural blocks (8 1/2" x 8 1/2") representing our provinces and territories. Sign up for the province/territory of your choice. We're aiming to have these finished by March or April. More on this in the new year.
October 25
The stacks are in -- now how do we quilt them? ( Click on images to enlarge; use side arrows to navigate.)
*Next month's challenge: create 2 improvised monochromatic blocks, each 10 1/2" square, unfinished. Back each block with low loft (80/20) batting (NO backing) and quilt in the complementary colour. We numbered off: 1=orange, 2=yellow, 3=green, 4=blue, 5=red. (If you weren't there, see Joan about your colour choice.) Use at least 3 fabrics in your colour family -- and you may include white.
The stacks are in -- now how do we quilt them? ( Click on images to enlarge; use side arrows to navigate.)
*Next month's challenge: create 2 improvised monochromatic blocks, each 10 1/2" square, unfinished. Back each block with low loft (80/20) batting (NO backing) and quilt in the complementary colour. We numbered off: 1=orange, 2=yellow, 3=green, 4=blue, 5=red. (If you weren't there, see Joan about your colour choice.) Use at least 3 fabrics in your colour family -- and you may include white.
May 24
Our last meeting of the year, and a Show and Tell of some of the modern wonders produced. ( Click on images to enlarge; use side arrows to navigate.)
Our last meeting of the year, and a Show and Tell of some of the modern wonders produced. ( Click on images to enlarge; use side arrows to navigate.)
April 26
After a brief Show and Tell of the pieces some of us created at the recent Lyn Longair workshop, Barb shared with us her own exploration of modern quilting through a Power Point presentation and a display of her own modern quilts. A copy of her presentation will be posted on the Members Only page soon, but in the meantime follow some of our Modern Quilting Links.
After a brief Show and Tell of the pieces some of us created at the recent Lyn Longair workshop, Barb shared with us her own exploration of modern quilting through a Power Point presentation and a display of her own modern quilts. A copy of her presentation will be posted on the Members Only page soon, but in the meantime follow some of our Modern Quilting Links.
March 29
Here is the response to last month's "Stack" challenge. Stunning! ( Click on images to enlarge; use side arrows to navigate.) See the Show and Tell page for more pictures.
Here is the response to last month's "Stack" challenge. Stunning! ( Click on images to enlarge; use side arrows to navigate.) See the Show and Tell page for more pictures.
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February 23
Here are the beautiful results from Sue's challenge to use negative space to full advantage. ( Click on images to enlarge; use side arrows to navigate.) The March challenge is to create a STACK. |
Click here for instructions:
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January 26
Thanks to Sue M. for her interesting and informative presentation on modern quilting and developing negative space. Here are her tips:
*Challenge for February
Create a small modern piece (approximately 14" x 18", or placemat size) with lots of negative space, sandwich it, and fill the negative space with some interesting and intense machine quilting.
Here are a few pictures from the meeting and of last month's challenge to reinvent a traditional block in modern style/colours.
Click on images to enlarge; use side arrows to navigate. Photo Credit: Marian Grimwood.
Thanks to Sue M. for her interesting and informative presentation on modern quilting and developing negative space. Here are her tips:
- Don't feel like you have to put every modern style into one quilt.
- Focus on what you like.
- Play around with simple shapes and repeat the element throughout the quilt.
- Less is usually more when it comes to modern quilting.
*Challenge for February
Create a small modern piece (approximately 14" x 18", or placemat size) with lots of negative space, sandwich it, and fill the negative space with some interesting and intense machine quilting.
Here are a few pictures from the meeting and of last month's challenge to reinvent a traditional block in modern style/colours.
Click on images to enlarge; use side arrows to navigate. Photo Credit: Marian Grimwood.
November 24
We chose a name, we collected more than 20 slabs (the November challenge) for donation quilts, and we were inspired by Francine's trunk show. Francine started her quilting journey with modern fabrics and modern blocks. The challenge for the rest of us is to use the fabric we already have in modern ways, hence this challenge for January: use the fabric you have to create a modern block (any size) by altering a traditional pattern and/or adding a solid colour as a negative space. Plans are in the works for a Modern Quilting Workshop in April. Watch the Workshops page for updates.
We chose a name, we collected more than 20 slabs (the November challenge) for donation quilts, and we were inspired by Francine's trunk show. Francine started her quilting journey with modern fabrics and modern blocks. The challenge for the rest of us is to use the fabric we already have in modern ways, hence this challenge for January: use the fabric you have to create a modern block (any size) by altering a traditional pattern and/or adding a solid colour as a negative space. Plans are in the works for a Modern Quilting Workshop in April. Watch the Workshops page for updates.
October 27
Our first meeting on October 27 was a HUGE success. More than 40 dedicated and wannabe modern quilters turned up brimming with enthusiasm for Modern Quilting. Lots of ideas flowed from the group, and we held a quick planning meeting on November 10 to set up an agenda for the rest of the year based on the suggestions from the group.
November Challenge
Several members took up the October Churn Dash redesign challenge -- and we forgot to take pictures! (Please bring them along next time for a photo shoot.) People want challenges so we came up with a new challenge for November. Construct a 13" x 15" (unfinished) SLAB (the Modern word for block) which will eventually become part of a donation quilt. The Donation Committee will provide the fabric at the next couple of meetings, and we will provide some guidance in creating the SLAB. You can find lots of information by Googling "Slab Quilts" or go straight to this address for some background and instruction: http://naptimequilter.blogspot.ca Your SLAB can be monochromatic, or feel free to mix it up. And you can start with a white patch -- or not. Participation optional, but this looks like a lot of fun!! It's also a great learning experience!!
Here are some pictures of the slabs we made and of the redesigned name tag block from last month. (Click on pictures to enlarge; use side arrows to navigate.)
Our first meeting on October 27 was a HUGE success. More than 40 dedicated and wannabe modern quilters turned up brimming with enthusiasm for Modern Quilting. Lots of ideas flowed from the group, and we held a quick planning meeting on November 10 to set up an agenda for the rest of the year based on the suggestions from the group.
November Challenge
Several members took up the October Churn Dash redesign challenge -- and we forgot to take pictures! (Please bring them along next time for a photo shoot.) People want challenges so we came up with a new challenge for November. Construct a 13" x 15" (unfinished) SLAB (the Modern word for block) which will eventually become part of a donation quilt. The Donation Committee will provide the fabric at the next couple of meetings, and we will provide some guidance in creating the SLAB. You can find lots of information by Googling "Slab Quilts" or go straight to this address for some background and instruction: http://naptimequilter.blogspot.ca Your SLAB can be monochromatic, or feel free to mix it up. And you can start with a white patch -- or not. Participation optional, but this looks like a lot of fun!! It's also a great learning experience!!
Here are some pictures of the slabs we made and of the redesigned name tag block from last month. (Click on pictures to enlarge; use side arrows to navigate.)
Modern Quilting Challenge (October)
Our guild logo, the Churn Dash block (or some might call it Shoo Fly), which you see at the top of every web page and on your name tag, is a traditional block. Can you redesign this block and make it modern? Consider what you learned at Linda Schmidt's Lecture and Trunk Show on September 22 and give it some thought. Your offering need not be sewn or quilted: a drawing, a paper or fabric collage, will do. Any size, any colour. Participation optional. To help you along, here is a review of Linda's notes (click on images to enlarge; use side arrows to navigate). (You can also get some help from Google.)
Our guild logo, the Churn Dash block (or some might call it Shoo Fly), which you see at the top of every web page and on your name tag, is a traditional block. Can you redesign this block and make it modern? Consider what you learned at Linda Schmidt's Lecture and Trunk Show on September 22 and give it some thought. Your offering need not be sewn or quilted: a drawing, a paper or fabric collage, will do. Any size, any colour. Participation optional. To help you along, here is a review of Linda's notes (click on images to enlarge; use side arrows to navigate). (You can also get some help from Google.)
