September 2013 Meeting

It's an amazing thing being a part of a fairly new guild.  It's interesting to see the group wade it's way through the waters of how do we organize the varying aspects of the guild.  Our group is excitedly growing quickly, and with that are the need for a few big and small changes to the bylaws.  September's meeting focused on the bigger changes.

Much discussion was held on the roles of current board members.  How can they best serve the guild, and how can we continue to spread out the responsibilities, so that no one position becomes overwhelming.  Therefore, it was decided that two new board member positions would be added!  We're thrilled at the roll they will take on, and there will be committees added to support these new board members in their endeavors.

The two new board positions are Communications Director and Programs Director.  Communications will oversee the Social Media Committee and "print" items such as the monthly newsletter.  Programs director will work with guild members to organize and schedule workshops, speakers, and our presentations for other area guilds.  These are all fairly large jobs, and we want to make a point of including guild members in all of these activities so that the load is not falling on one person alone.  If you are interested in being Communications Director or Programs Director and helping us shape these roles (or maybe one of the other board positions - President, Vice President, Committee Chair, Treasurer, and Secretary) please contact Jemellia so she can add you to the ballot for our November 2014 Elections Meeting.

In addition to bylaws we discussed our small pouch swap that is due next month and our upcoming workshop and speaking engagement with Lisa Calle in October.  An email is forthcoming about the details and sign ups for the Improv Curves Workshop she will be having for us.

And of course we wanted to make sure to have some time for a little show and share!!!  The end of the year is so hard with so much business to attend to.  So here we have Ann sharing her "Comma" chevron quilt that just knocks it out of the park:

 Agnes revealed the renovated OKC Modern Quilt Guild banner!  Way to go Agnes...the letters really pop now!!!  Thanks so much for your dedication to this undertaking!

 Agnes also shared this summery bandana quilt!  Fabulous!

 And Mandy, who is in love with the new "Waterfront" line showed off this double zipper pouch.  Nicely done, Mandy.  Nicely done!

We look forward to all of the fun the October meeting will bring with our first guest speaker and our first workshop!  :)  Stay tuned for all of the fun...!

September Block-of-the-Month

Summer is quickly coming to an end and so is our Block-of-the-Month.  If you've fallen behind with your blocks, now's a great time to get back into the swing of things with school back in session.  Even with my son out of school, September always feels like a time to get reorganized and back in the groove.

September's block is present to us by Melissa!  (I have this quilt on my Pinterest board, so I'm happy to see how to make it!)

Mad as a Hatter

This is the Mad as a Hatter block from Elaine at Messy Goat.  

For easy to print instructions: Click HERE.

Cutting It Out:

Materials needed are:

Light solid (white)

Bright solids (4 different colors)

To make this block, you will actually have to make four blocks to get the combination.

1.  From the black and white fabric:

Begin by cutting two 6.5 inch squares from black and two 6.5 inch squares from white.

2.  Next cut a 3.5 inch WOF (width of fabric) from each black and white, then sub-cut four 13.5 inch pieces and four 7.5 inch pieces.

3.  From the various colors:

Cut a 1 inch WOF strip of each color, then sub-cut two 6.5 inch pieces and two 7.5 inch pieces.  Do this for all four various colors.

Piecing Instructions

1.  Begin by sewing two 6.5 inch strips to each side of the solid squares, use a ¼ inch seam allowance and press seams open.

2.  Next, sew the 7.5 inch strips to the squares with the same color.

3.  After this, you are going to sew the 7.5 inch pieces of the OPPOSITE color to the outsides of the bright colors.  For instance, if the block has white inside, you will sew black around the outside.  After this, you will sew the 13.5 inch strips to the remaining sides of the block.

   

4.  Now we will do a ‘wonky cut’.  On each corner of the blocks, you will need to measure five inches in from the bottom right corner.  Mark with a very small dot at the bottom.  Rotate your blocks and repeat so that all four sides will have a mark.  Do this for all four blocks.  

5.  Next you will use your rotary cutter and ruler.  Match the edges of your ruler to the small dots.  You will see that your ruler is going slightly to the left.  Use your rotary cutter and cut along your ruler.  Be careful to keep everything in place and rotate your cutting mat so that you can make your next cut.  Below is what your block will look like after making two cuts.

6.  Now you will take one piece from each block, making sure that you alternate black and white being on the inside/outside.  Pin carefully, so that all seams will match up and sew the block together.  Press your seams open and trim to 12.5 inches square.

Join us in October for out last block.  We're almost there!