Sunday, December 12, 2021

December Member Spotlight: Sarah Elliott🔦

Welcome to our December Member Spotlight post! This month we're focused on guild co-Secretary, Sarah Elliott.



How long have you been quilting?

Since 2013.


Who or what inspired you to start quilting?

It wasn't anyone in particular, it was quilts. I've always loved them, but no one in my family is a quilter. I once casually mentioned to my husband that I'd always wanted to make a quilt and he surprised my with a sewing machine. However, I had not sewn since my Home Ec classes in middle school waaaaay back in the 80s. So I taught myself how with some help from YouTube. Then I read every quilting blog I came across and started quilting.


Tell us about the first quilt you ever made.

It was an H-block quilt for my cousin's first child, Harry. I used this adorable fabric collection called Five Funky Monkeys by Erin Michael, and backed it with a coordinating flannel print. I modified one of the H blocks into a J block because his initials are HJH. I still cringe when I think of all the mistakes that are in that quilt! When Harry's little brother Max was born and I made him a quilt, I decided to make Harry a new - better made - quilt too. 



What is your favorite quilt you’ve ever made?

Usually whichever one I'm currently working on. But if I absolutely HAVE to choose a favorite, it's the plus sign quilt I made for my aunt Liz. I used one of my all-time favorite fabric collections, Comma, along with coordinating Kona solids for the plus signs and paired them with a scrappy low-volume background. I still smile every time I see a picture of it.



What kind of sewing machine(s) do you have?

2 Brothers - a PQ1500, which is my daily workhorse, and a CS-6000i. Since they're both Brothers, I jokingly refer to them as Jake and Elwood. LOL.


What is your favorite sewing tool or notion?

My Hera markers (but my most used is my seam ripper!)


Who is your favorite fabric designer?

Carolyn Friedlander, but I love solids too.


What are your favorite colors to use in quilts?

Greens, blues, and mixed neutral low-volume prints.


Describe your quilting style in one word.

I spent way too much time thinking about this and finally decided on 'Eclectic' because I don't really stick with one style.


What other hobbies do you have?

Writing, knitting, cooking & baking, my Peloton, reading, hiking, cross stitch, & my planners. Although the Peloton and the planners might be more of a lifestyle at this point. (Or, ok, let's be real... an obsession!)


Do you collect anything? (Other than quilting fabric, of course!) If so, what?

Yarn, recipes, graphic tees, planners, & notebooks.


What is your favorite movie?

No way I can narrow it down to just 1. Since it's December, let's go with my favorite holiday movie: A Christmas Story (You'll shoot your eye out!).


What is your favorite book?

Again, it's so hard to choose just one. My favorite book I've read in the past several years is The Martian by Andy Weir.


Who is your favorite author?

Stephen King


Do you have a celebrity crush and who is it?

Lenny Kravitz


If you could have dinner with one legendary person, living or dead, who would you choose and why?

Probably Stephen King, because his imagination fascinates me and I would like to discuss his writing process at length.


What is your favorite food?

It's a toss up between tacos and spicy tuna rolls.


Coffee or tea?

Coffee in the morning, tea in the afternoon.


Sweet or savory?

Savory



If you were a dessert, what would you be and why?

Mexican Chocolate Chip Cookies because people look at them, think they know exactly what they're getting, and then are surprised by something a little... extra. 


If you were stranded on a deserted island, what five things would you want to have with you (not things you need to survive, but things you would want to have)?

An internet connection, my laptop so I can write, read, watch and listen to things, a knitting project because like others have said, I can keep reknitting the same yarn, my Peloton, I should probably say my husband and dog too. They can count as 1 thing: my family.



What is your dream job?

I have two: author of the next great American novel or Peloton instructor.


Where is your dream vacation destination?

Scotland or New Zealand.


Which is your favorite season?

Fall


If you won millions in the lottery and had to selfishly spend it on yourself, what would you treat yourself to?

I'd travel the world.


Do you prefer the beach or the mountains?

Both! Why choose? (Have you noticed yet that I'm terrible at making decisions?!)


Would you rather be able to run at 100 miles per hour or fly at 10 miles per hour and why?

Fly at 10 miles per hour because I tend to rush through things. It would be nice to slow down and appreciate the scenery from time to time.



Want to learn more about Sarah? Follow her on Instagram or check out her website. Want more KMQG? We're on Insta too and would love for you to follow us there!






Sunday, November 21, 2021

November Member Spotlight: Elizabeth Rea🔦

Welcome to our November Member Spotlight post! This month we're focused on KMQG Guild Chair, Elizabeth Rea. 🔦




How long have you been quilting?

24 years!



Who or what inspired you to start quilting?

My mom, aunt and grandmother made some quilts when I was a kid. When I was a senior in high school, I wanted to make a quilt to take to college, so my mom helped me figure it out.




Tell us about the first quilt you ever made.

It was a twin size Rail Fence design in calicos and not-at-all modern fabrics. I hand-quilted it, sweating through the summer in Tennessee with it on my lap.




What is your favorite quilt you’ve ever made?

It's too hard to pick just one, but there are some that I'm proud I was able to complete because they challenged me with a new skill or design that was out of my comfort zone.


What kind of sewing machine(s) do you have?

Juki TL-2200QVP Mini (straight stitch only) and a Babylock Ellure when I need a zigzag or anything else.



What is your favorite sewing tool or notion?

It's a tie between a magnetic pincushion and long tweezers




What are your favorite colors to use in quilts?

I enjoy the effect of mixing low-volume neutral fabrics together as a background.


What other hobbies do you have?

Knitting and sewing bags and things other than quilts. I learned Irish dancing as an adult and performed for a number of years, too.




Do you collect anything? (Other than quilting fabric, of course!) If so, what?

Quilt patterns?! Also Penguin Classics books with cloth covers designed by Coralie Bickford-Smith.


Coffee or tea?

Coffee in the morning, tea in the evening.




Sweet or savory?

Sweet


If you were stranded on a deserted island, what five things would you want to have with you (not things you need to survive, but things you would want to have)?

Another member said yarn and knitting needles because she could always rip out her knitting and do it again - that's genius, so I want those, too. Also a functioning radio, a cat that's always healthy, and a pillow.



When was the last time you did something for the first time?

Earlier this year I learned how to knit socks.


Would you rather be able to run at 100 miles per hour or fly at 10 miles per hour and why?

Run at 100 mph so I could get to vacation spots and visit friends and family quicker.




Want to learn more about Elizabeth? Follow her on Instagram or check out her website. Want more KMQG? We're on Instagram too and would love for you to follow us there!

Saturday, November 13, 2021

September 2021 Meeting Recap

A sew day in September! The KMQG had a sew day to assemble our Improv Triangles quilt top. Several of our members brought machines and spent the afternoon creating improv blocks. With the blocks that other members had previously completed, we made enough blocks to complete the top. The completed quilt will be submitted to to QuiltCon 2022 as part of the Community Outreach challenge.


Our Member Spotlight in September was Sherry Kasper. The Member Spotlight is a great way for us to get to know our fellow guild members. We get a little insight into who they are and see a bit of their quilting style. If any of our other members would be interested in participating, please send an email to modknoxville@gmail.com.



 

Our 2021 Modern Mini Quilt Challenge continues. The theme is Architecture and the minis are due at the October meeting. We look forward to seeing the minis and their inspiration photographs.

September Show and Tell


Jo H

Elizabeth R
 

Sherry K

Kelly B


Our next meeting will be Saturday October 16th. Social time, 10:15, meeting at 10:30.




July/August 2021 Meeting Recap

 

Our July and August meetings were both in-person meetings held at the Westminster Presbyterian Church. It still seems like a bit of a novelty to see our members in person. 

Our member spotlights were Liz Upchurch in July and Heather Wilson in August. We appreciate Liz and Heather taking the time to answer questions and participate in this program. The member spotlight is a great way for us to get to know our fellow KMQG members better. 



 

The Smoky Mountain Quilters 40th Anniversary Ruby Jubilee Quilt Show was held July 30th and 31st. The KMQG sponsored the Modern Quilt category. Several of our members entered quilts in the show. It's always exciting to see friends' quilts in the wild!

The 2021 Modern Mini Quilt Challenge has been introduced! Architecture themed quilts (based on a photograph) are due at our October meeting.

The theme for the Community Outreach Quilt Challenge for QuiltCon 2022 is Angles. A committee has been working on a design and we will be having a sew day in September to assemble the quilt top. 



At our August meeting, Elizabeth Rea presented the next in our Elements of Modern Quilting Series, Use of Negative Space. Our next presentation in the series will be in October.


July Show and Tell

Elizabeth R

 

Caryn H

 

Rosalind W

 

Heather W

 

Jo H

 

Sandy R

 

Sarah E

Misty B

 
Christy C

August  Show and Tell


Jane D


Sandy R


Elizabeth R


Rosalind W


Emily D


Pat P


Jo H

The guild is always looking for volunteers for our Member Spotlight Feature and Featured Freebies presenters. If you are interested in participating in either of these please send a message to modknoxville@gmail.com

The next meeting is at 10:15am Saturday, September 18th, at the Westminster Presbyterian Church.


Sunday, October 17, 2021

October Meeting Recap

Thank you to everyone who joined us for our October meeting! 

This month we began wrapping up the Modern Mini Challenge. Members were invited to take an inspiration picture of an architectural, building, or structural design element and create a mini quilt using at least two design elements of modern quilting. We will be wrapping up the Modern Mini Challenge in November.

Here are some of the minis we got to see this month and the images that inspired them:


ELIZABETH



October Member Spotlight: Sandy Donoho 🔦

It's time for another Member Spotlight. This month we're getting to know more about Sandy Donoho!


How long have you been quilting?


A bit more than 50 years off and on.


Who or what inspired you to start quilting?

My mother taught me to sew when I was a child. I got my first real sewing machine as a Christmas gift at age 7 so I could make my own Barbie clothes. My grandmother and great-grandmother were both quilters. My grandmother taught me to hand quilt when I was around 12.


Tell us about the first quilt you ever made.

The first quilt I ever made in its entirety was a birthday gift for my grandmother's 80th birthday. She was thrilled and it hung on her dining room wall until she died ten years later. My uncle sent it back to me; I still have it.


What is your favorite quilt you’ve ever made?

My favorite quilt is always the next one I'm making.




What kind of sewing machine(s) do you have?

I have a Janome Memory Craft 6600 Professional, I also have an old Elna 5000, an Elna serger and my great-grandmother's Singer treadle machine, which I had fully restored.


What is your favorite sewing tool or notion?

Probably my rotary cutter.


Who is your favorite fabric designer?

I have recently been buying Lori Rudolph Christmas fabrics. I also like Alexander Henry's novelty prints. 


What are your favorite colors to use in quilts?

I like all colors but tend toward grey and pure bright colors, or batiks of any shade.



Describe your quilting style in one word.

contemporary


What other hobbies do you have?

I have lots of hobbies, including traveling, reading, gardening, paper crafting, mixed media, card making, home decorating, walking, and bird-watching.


Do you collect anything? (Other than quilting fabric, of course!) If so, what?

My husband and I collect Christmas ornaments and art work from our travels. He would tell you that also I collect fabric and craft supplies!




What is your favorite movie?

I really don't have one particular favorite.


What is your favorite book?

I read 2-3 books every week, so I am always finding new favorites. If I had to name one, Siddhartha by Hermann Hesse comes to mind first. 


Who is your favorite author?

I have many favorites. I read mostly mysteries, thrillers, adventures, history and fantasy.




Do you have a celebrity crush and who is it?

Not really. I don't follow celebrities for the most part.


What is your favorite food?

Pizza


Coffee or tea?

Neither, diet coke all the way.



Sweet or savory?

Sweet


If you were a dessert, what would you be and why?

Ice Cream - there are lots of different versions. 


If you were stranded on a deserted island, what five things would you want to have with you (not things you need to survive, but things you would want to have)?

My husband, my dog, a good book, a quilt and chocolate. 
 

What is your dream job?

My first degree was in Archaeology and that was always my dream job but never my professional career. I've been retired for a bit over 7 years now, and I can't think of anything better than retirement. 


Where is your dream vacation destination?

An around the world cruise is near the top of my list..



Which is your favorite season?

Fall


If you won millions in the lottery and had to selfishly spend it on yourself, what would you treat yourself to?

I would travel more and maybe build a house somewhere remote and exotic.


Do you prefer the beach or the mountains?

I like both.




When was the last time you did something for the first time?

Last week. I am not afraid to try new things even if I am not always successful. 


Would you rather be able to run at 100 miles per hour or fly at 10 miles per hour and why?

Fly! My father was a career pilot and he always said that I could co-pilot before I could walk. I have always loved to be in the air.



Want to learn more about Sandy or KMQG? Join us for a meeting! We usually meet the third Saturday of the month. We'd love to see you there! You can find out more about KMQG on Instagram too!