Wednesday, November 30, 2016

December Sew-In

Just a friendly reminder, our December Sew-In will be taking place this Saturday, December 3rd (seriously, how is it December already?!?) from 10am to 4pm at the CRCS St-Zotique.


It'll be a great time to get started on all those gifts that you told yourself in July you'd have plenty of time to get done! ;) Josee is kindly bringing her rotary blade sharpener, so if you have some blades that could use sharpening, bring them along. Don't forget your fuzzy slippers and a mug if you'd like something warm to drink - we'll have coffee, tea and hot chocolate on hand.

If you're new to the guild and haven't attended a sew-in before, refer to the FAQ page (scroll to the bottom) for what to expect and what to bring with you. See you then!

Sunday, November 20, 2016

Workshop: Quilt playing games with my heart

Our intrepid members Stacy and Jessica will be leading an intro to quilting course, Quilt Playing Games with my Heart, at La Société Textile on December 4th. If you've been wanting to learn to quilt but didn't know where to start, or if you're looking for some cute holiday gifts to make, this is for you. :) 


The course costs $30 and includes a kit with the supplies for a winter or Christmas themed potholder (pictured above), and all of the instruction and assistance you need to make it! Craft de Ville will also have a pop-up shop onsite stocked with lots of other supplies and goodies. 

Spaces are limited, so get in touch with La Société Textile directly today to book your spot.

Submitting a quilt to a quilt show/competition

The deadline for QuiltCon 2017 is fast approaching at the end of the month, and it will be followed by Quilt Canada 2017, Vermont Quilt Festival and many other regional shows. While it is never expected or required that an MMQG member submit their work to a competition, it can be a fun way to challenge yourself and get feedback on your work!

Image courtesy of QuiltCon East
We only had a few minutes to discuss this at the November meeting, so I wanted to post some resources here for anyone who is thinking about submitting work to one of the competitions for the first time, or simply wants to up their quilting game... if you have any questions to ask or experiences to share, please do so in the comments!

Thursday, November 17, 2016

Member Spotlight: Claudia Pedroso

For November, the MMQG member in the spotlight is Claudia Pedroso.  Claudia has been a member for a couple of years now and is our new Treasurer.  Claudia is also our Welcome Wagon for new members so please feel free to ask her any questions you might have about the resources available to you as a new member.

Thank you so much for agreeing to play along with us Claudia!  :-)


What did you study in school and/or what do you do for a day job?

I am the controller for a management company whose focus has shifted in the last few years from capital venture to philanthropy. It’s one of the reasons I am enjoying my new role with the MMQG as treasurer - taking my two favourite things, quilting and accounting, and combining them – it’s a perfect relationship!

How long have you been quilting?

I believe it was around 2002 although I have worked with needle and thread since I was very young. Embroidery, sewing, crochet, knitting… And yes, I was that geek who joined the sewing club in high school and would voluntarily spend lunch hours in the Home Ec classroom!

My first quilt:


What first got you interested in modern quilting?

I always had issues with the fabrics and patterns I would see in conventional fabric stores and magazines but it wasn't until I joined the MMQG that I realized that my tastes were different from what was out there and that there was a brand new world about to open up to me. 

How did you find the MMQG and why did you decide to join?

I have known Cinzia Alloca, co-founder of the MMQG, for over 25 years and she invited me to come to a meeting to check it out.  Once there, realizing more what modern quilting was about, seeing the beautiful show and tell items that night was all I needed to see this was where I belonged.  Seeing so many people as passionate about quilting as I was - also a real treat. 

Where do you look for inspiration or ideas for your quilting projects?

Since discovering the concept of improv in modern quilting, I try to look for inspiration in everything I see, whether it be a scenic beach, a painting on a wall in a restaurant, or even a vase in the office of a bank employee.  Mostly though, I get inspired by what the other members of the guild bring to the table, their work, their stories, their techniques…

Scenic Beach:


Restaurant (Bad Date!):


What is your favorite project that you have completed? Why is it your favorite? 

This is a tie between the quilt I made my daughter that was the first time I let myself be inspired by the fabrics I chose and also "changing" a pattern to include only elements I liked and dismissing elements I did not like (sashing….yuck) and my Beachball quilt, only because the colours are so happy and I use it at the beach!!

Arianne's Quilt:


Beach ball quilt:


What is your favorite part of the quilt making process? Why?

I think my favourite part of the quilt making process is a tie between the beginning of assembling a quilt and the binding of it.  It is exciting to see something that was only ever in your head start to take form in front of your eyes and then to see it finished when the binding comes on - and , I must confess, I actually enjoy the feel of the fabric beneath my fingers when I am sewing on the binding.
 
What is the best quilting tip or technique you’ve discovered?

Mitering the corners when applying the binding was an "ah ha" moment for me at a workshop I took with Cinzia.  She taught me a whole bunch of other things at that workshop but the corner miter….it was as if the sun had risen after 10 years of rain!!

Describe your creative process in three words:

Usually involves wine!
   
Other quilts:

Sister Silvia's Sunshine Quilt (To chase away the winter blues)


Tia Arminda Tumbling Blocks


Mom's Healing Quilt

Monday, November 07, 2016

November meeting reminder


Just a quick reminder, our November meeting is tomorrow, Tuesday November 8th at 7pm at the CRCS St-Zotique.

We will be finalizing the details for the Charm Square Swap (if you plan on participating, please sign up before tomorrow!) and it is also the deadline to pay your yearly dues. If you have not yet paid them, please speak with Josee at the meeting.

We are fortunate enough to have photographer Chris Forsyth joining us to speak about his Metro Project. For those who may be struggling to find inspiration for our Metro Challenge, he will be sharing some of his photos taken in the Montreal metro system and discuss his methods and inspiration.

See you tomorrow night!

Friday, November 04, 2016

Reminder: Metro Challenge walking tour

Just a quick reminder... tomorrow, Saturday November 5th, is our Metro Challenge walking tour.

Joliette station, photo courtesy of Montreal in Pictures

Joanna and I will be hanging out around the escalators in the food court at Centre Eaton (on the metro level below the de Maisonneuve entrance) so meet us there for a bite to eat before we start the tour.

See you tomorrow! :)

- stephanie