March 2022 Meeting Recap

Knoxville Modern Quilt Guild met in person again at the Westminster Presbyterian Church for the March 2022 meeting.

We were reminded again about some local quilt events coming up:

- A Mountain QuiltFest, June 6-9, in Pigeon Forge

- Smokey Mountain Quilters Quilt Show, August 5-6, Knoxville Expo Center

Sarah shared some of the results of our recent programming survey which will help us make sure that meetings include what members most want.  It was great to hear that Show & Tell is so popular - scroll down for pictures from this month's Show & Tell.

Remaining blocks were collected in for our first charity quilt of 2022 and a new block and color scheme were announced for quilt 2.

We found out the next block for the KMQG BOM QAL 2022 - check this post for details of the Chain Link block.  Details of all the blocks can be found on the BOMQAL2022 page - each block will be announced there as we go through the year.  Lots of members have already made a start on the QAL and we saw lots of examples of the first block - Graduated Geese.  It was interesting to see members' individual color choices and it's going to be great to see these blocks incorporated into quilts after we have discovered all 10 blocks.

Show & Tell

Here are pictures of some of the projects we saw at this month's Show & Tell.

Michelle showing a quilt and modeling her quilted jacket!

Paulina

Gloria

Sandy

Pat

Merikey

Christy

Laura

Aimee

Erin

Jennifer

Elizabeth

Caryn

We played a competitive game of Left-Right-Center - Jane was the lucky winner and went home with quite a stash of blender and solid fabrics.

Our next meeting is on April 23rd.  We expect to meet in person again at the Westminster Presbyterian Church.  Details on our Meetings and Events page.

KMQG Block of the Month 2022: Block 2, Chain Link

This year, the Knoxville Modern Quilt Guild's annual quilt-along in a block of the month! From February to November, we will release one block pattern per month, and the plan is to make 3 of each block for a total of 30 blocks for the year. (That's a 5x6 block layout of 12-inch finished blocks, putting the finished quilt around 60x72 inches.)

Block #2: Chain Link

Our second block in the series is Chain Link, using a free tutorial from the Block Central index that has disappeared since this was first posted. The instructions are available here now.

These example blocks were made by Aimee: 

This block comes together quickly. One tool I would encourage you to have on hand is an Add a Quarter ruler, as I think it makes the cutting easier. Not necessary, but a handy thing to have now and for more blocks as we go throughout the year.

I made two blocks with the same color placement and then swapped the colors for the third block. I have no idea of the names of my fabric colors! Let's just say it's going to be a bright quilt when it's done!

Post your blocks to Instagram using the hashtags #kmqgbomqal, #kmqg and #showusyourmqg -- and look for Block 3 in April!

February 2022 Meeting Recap

The February meeting was held at the Westminster Presbyterian Church, it was great to meet in person again after being back to a virtual meeting in January. 

It was good to hear about the recent QuiltCon in Phoenix and see some pictures from that event, and to hear that next year it will be closer!

Some local Quilting events coming up over the summer:

• A Mountain QuiltFest - June 6-9 in Pigeon Forge
• Smokey Mountain Quilters Quilt Show - August 5-6 at the Knoxville Expo Center

Blocks started coming in for our first charity quilt of 2022: the remaining blocks are due in March.  We look forward to seeing them all put together into a quilt.

The first of the blocks for our 2022 Block of the Month Quilt-along was introduced - a Graduated Geese block - check out the details in this post.  Look out next month for the second block.

From Show and Tell this month:

Elizabeth R

Leighanne C

Sherry K

Jo H

Christy C

Vanna R

Jane D,       Nancy J,      Misty B
Laura L

The next meeting is on Saturday 19 March at the Westminster Presbyterian Church.  Social time from 10:15am, meeting starts at 10:30am.   We look forward to seeing you then.

KMQG Block of the Month 2022: Block 1, Graduated Geese

This year, the Knoxville Modern Quilt Guild's annual quilt-along is a block of the month! From February to November, we will release one block pattern per month, and the plan is to make 3 of each block for a total of 30 blocks for the year. (That's a 5x6 block layout of 12-inch finished blocks, putting the finished quilt around 60x72 inches.)

BLOCK #1: GRADUATED GEESE

The first block we've chosen is Graduated Geese, using a free tutorial from the Boulder MQG (thanks quilty friends!) 

The instructions are posted here: https://bouldermqg.com/2018/07/29/august/

If you're using only 2 colors in your quilt, you can make all 3 blocks the same or swap your color placement for variety. For example, here's the block made up in Kona Pond and Peacock:

Post your blocks to Instagram using hashtags #KMQGBOMQAL, #KMQG and #ShowUsYourMQG -- and look for Block 2 in March!

November 2021 Meeting Recap

The November meeting was held at the Westminster Presbyterian Church. Business was discussed, fun was had.

Board elections are coming up in December. You must be a currently paid member and present at the meeting to vote. More details are available in the meeting recap email. 

We are seeking volunteers for future Member Spotlight and Featured Freebie presenters. 

Our Elements of Modern Quilting continued with Melissa Everett's excellent presentation on Improv quilting.

We have two quilts for our guild's charity, The Restoration House. One is complete the other is off to the longarmer.

We played Left-Right-Center and Sarah Elliott (@stitchologiesarah) was our winner!

And now for Show and Tell:

Nancy

Celia

Elizabeth

We are currently accepting dues for 2022, $45 includes membership at the Knoxville Modern Quilt Guild and benefits for The Modern Quilt Guild as well.

Until next time!

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!

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!