August meeting

No pub this time just lots and lots of lovely show and tells, and cake, there is always cake!

First up some super exciting news! Looooooook:

 

Why that's only our Jo and Jane hanging out with Jen Kingwell, Lynne Edwards and a host of other top designers! You will all have heard about the new quilting magazine Today's Quilter? Well two of our founder members, our chair Jo Avery and secretary Jane Rae are designer, and features editor. So we know this is going to be an amazing magazine. I had signed up before I knew they were on board, now I am so glad I got in there early with my subscription. This is going to be an amazing publication.

 

 

 

Now onto last months bee blocks, now I have always saved all my itty bitty scraps as 2.5 inch squares, but I am rethinking that because I want to make string blocks like the ones we did for Helens round of the bee. How fab are these?

The pattern is based on this tutorialI love the almost 3D effect this gives.

Next up were Janice's fun cute blocks, I called them the 'I' blocks. Again showcasing great use of high/low volume, this will create a quilt that really 'pops' lots of discussion about sashing etc. can't wait to see the finished top, knowning Janice it will be a stunner!

Katie handed out her instructions for next months bee blocks. These are adapted from a fat quarterly spinning star block. We all use the same star fabric but pick a solid of our own choice for the contrast. Come back here in September to see what we make of this, you won't be disappointed!

Jo shared this wee cutie with us. You have seen that verykerryberry is going to be hosting a quilt along for the new Farmers wife 1930s quilt? If not scoot right across to her blog to get the low down. Jo has been asked to be a guest blogger and this is one of the blocks she will be blogging about. How cute is this?

Next up in the show and tell is Helen with this fresh and fabulous quilt made from a Joel Dewberry jelly roll. There's a lot of piecing in there Helen but it was soooooo worth it

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There are only 18 weekends till Christmas :-) but Jacqui is well prepared with her gorgeous Santa quilt, this was so soft and gorgeous, perfect for the cold winters nights. All hand quilted too.

Not content with one fabulous show and tell, Jacqui also shared this stunning quilt made from Cori Dantini panel. I wish the lighting was better my poor photography skills really don't do this justice, again all with superb hand quilting.

I think this might be my favourite all time picture from the EMQG, look at the fun and laughter we are all having here. This sums up the great atmosphere of our meetings.

Janice is sharing her amazing doll, I think all the laughter was around some 'unseemly' rootling about the dolls underskirts to see if she had bloomers on, she did *phew!*

I am always envious of people who can work on such a small scale, our group really produce an exciting and eclectic mix of amazing makes at our show and tells.

Here is a better pic of the doll.

 

Look at the shoes!!

 

 

Janice produced two show and tells as well, this great plastic pouch with lacy zipper inspired me to get out the lacy zippers I have laying about. Great fussy cutting of the fabric too.

Look at what Fiona produced! Swirls and sequins, I was so busy admiring it I don't know if I took it down correctly but it think this was from a class at the Festival of quilts. Again my photography does not do it justice (also everyone else was keen to get their hands on it to admire!)

We love colour at the EMQG and Katie didn't dissapoint with her beautiful hexie quilt. Bang on trend there Katie!

There seems to be a doll theme this month! Audrey brought along this beautiful example, all that work in the dress and doll, this is perfect. And we can tell straight away this doll is properly dressed, see the cute bloomers peeking out? No need to rootle to check :-)

Cathedral windows is such a classic block, Barbara's beautiful example is just perfect, all made with her usual exemplary stitching.

I love getting pictures where we are flapping about with our hands :-) you can see the excitement and energy the group produces. Sheena was also at the Festival of Quilts and made these panels in a stunning surfaces class from Cecile Whatman. If you can't find the fabric you want you make your own!

I love all the panels Sheena made but this is my top favourite. The colour and movement are just my style, wonder if Sheena takes commissions? :-)

Lone star!!! I adore this quilt made by our very own Jo Avery. Jo was asking for advice about how to quilt it. That's the great thing about any quilting group, you have access to the "hive" collective mind. I have lost count of how many times the group has given inspiration and just the perfect piece of advice, and even top designers such as Jo sometimes need help!

 

 

Last up in a bumper crop of show and tells is this one, the person hiding behind the elephants is me! I have had this African shweshwe fabric for years and never found a pattern that I wanted to use it in. Then I saw Jos fabulous scallops quilt in an edition of Love Patchwork magazine and I knew immediately that's what I wanted to do. So we finish off this month with some elephants on parade.

 

 

July meeting - the one where we went to the pub

Well I think it is safe to say that the Golf Tavern in Edinburgh really didn't know what to do when the EMQG crew rocked up to their door!

Oh yes, when we need an alternative venue for a meeting we just go to the pub. Well we are a Modern quilt guild!

Jane had booked us all a table and off we went.

I was very very grateful that my new camera phone was good at taking pictures in low light ...

First up were last months bee blocks, here are some of the ones for Jane, she gave us all a square of this fab bicycle fabric and we had to add some simple borders. Another great example of a simple block showcasing some lovely fabric.

Look how well they go together! This will be a stunner

Next up are the two bee blocks for next month, Janice chose a simple block, I'm calling it the 'I' block because it looks like an I. Tune in next month to see how they all turn out.

Helen chose a string block for us to do, but there wasn't a sample for me to take a picture of, so I will keep you in suspense till next month.

Now for our bumper crop of shows and tells.

Does this look familiar? It's Janes quit! The quilting done by our very own long arm talent - Tatyana, can you see the amazing quilting?

Janes next show and tell was this gorgeous hand printed fabric, how brilliant is this! If you can't find fabric you like, just make your own. The EMQG is a crew of many talents.

I need to make a beach tote for the Rural, I did try to appropriate this one by Tatyana but she was having none of it, I don't blame her either, if this was mine I would hold onto it! Love the fabric Tatyana. Stunning work as ever.

We move at the speed of light, well Robin does! This is her fabulous hand pieced mini for an Instagram swap, head back to last months blog post to see it more fully. It's a lucky swap partner who will receive this beauty.

Swaps always need extras and what is nicer and more practical than a one hour basket? With cute hexies too. Like I said, you have a very lucky swap partner Robin.

Cute inside fabric too!

How fabulous to see all of Barbara's bee blocks put together. Some simple white sashing really shows off these gorgeous blocks.

It's a hard life taking pictures at the guild sometimes! But everyone just gets so excited, and who can blame us! Audrey had us all well jealous when she showed us a HUGE stack of fabric. She asked her Australian friend to bring her 4 fat quarters ... Well bless him (he's a keeper, I heard someone whisper) he brought back what looked like 40 fat quarters!

We did get a bit carried away looking through them!

Audrey plans on using this stunner as a center for a medallion quilt. Watch this space for a future show and tell!

Things calmed down a bit so I could get a better picture of the stack of fabric!

Margaret brought along this adorable feather cushion.

Jaqui kindly held it up so I could get a better picture. More hexies, we are bang on trend at the EMQG you know!

Awwwwww how cute is this!! An adorable bib made by Janice, the smile on Robins face says it all, c'mon it's making you smile too!

Next up is Janice again with her jelly roll quilt, all hand quilted, my poor camera phone was struggling at this point so you will just have to take my word that the hand quilting is stunning.

And the back is pretty nifty too!

Jaqui brought some much needed sunshine with her bright and cheery mini. I'm loving that border fabric, who am I kidding I'm loving all of that fabric, Jaqui has such a great way of putting colours together.

Last but not least is ... me! I can't remember who was taking photos but thank you! Here is my giant Lilysquilt Dresden from Love patchwork and quilting magazine. You can't see it too well in this low light but it is all Japanese fabrics.

Can I get another awww?? This was my last show and tell, honestly I could just spend all my time making sleeping bags for teddy bears. The pattern is from the fabulous Flossieteacakes. The pattern instructions are adorable, with instructions for how to cope with teddies who have ample tummies ... Or sticky out paws. Too cute.

I have to say the patrons of the Golf Tavern seemed to be quite sang froid about the EMQG crew taking over their pub and oohing and ahhhhing over various quilts and blocks. Thank you Golf Tavern, we had a blast, but then again, we always do!

 

Janes biog

EMQG Blog

Jane Rae

I started to quilt when I was 12 years old. I would sit with my Mum in the evenings and cut out hexagon pieces using a metal template and a pencil. I grew up in Hong Kong and there was very little in the way of printed cotton fabric so we really did have to make do and mend. My first quilt was made from recycled dress fabrics, doll’s dress and anything that we saw down at the market that might be suitable. We lined the quilt with a blanket bought from the Chinese Merchandise Emporium and backed it with a piece of sheeting. My lovely quilt is in storage at the moment as we are in the process of renovating an old house. I’m missing all those familiar little remnants from the past and I’m sure it will be one of the first things I unpack when we’ve finished – watch this space!

I’ve always enjoyed sitting down with friends to “make”. As the years have passed I spend more and more time sewing and quilting and I’m very fortunate to have been able to combine my background in publishing with my interest in al things textile related. I now spend my working life writing, editing and project managing all sorts of quilt and textile related projects. I am also thrilled to be on the Project Committee for Talking Quilts, an oral history project inspired by the success of QSOS in the US. With the aid of a Heritage Lottery Fund grant, this three-year project is now in its second year.

One of my favourite recent “makes” is the Rubies and Diamonds Quilt designed by Lynne Goldsworthy of Lily’s Quilts using Oakshott fabrics. I love the luster from Oakshott fabrics and the subtle colours are really lovely to work with. I find it hard to resist Liberty Tana Lawn fabrics, vintage embroideries, handbag patterns and scrappy quilts and I’m also hooked on dyeing and printing fabrics!

I’m really happy to be the Secretary for EMQG – it’s such a positive, fun bunch and there is so much talent within our group. Having Jo as our President is the icing on the cake! She’s a whirlwind of ideas, energy, gorgeous quilts and embroideries and we get to meet in her shop surrounded by lovely fabrics…what’s not to like!

Quiltcon Charity quilt

The EMQG completed the Quiltcon Charity Challenge earlier in the year. The idea was to use a set palette of colours, and come up with a modern quilt design, for display at Quiltcon, the annual conference of the Modern Quilt Guild. It was then to be used in some way for a local children’s charity. All our members donated fabric, blocks, time and love making this quilt, and it got some special treatment on Tatyana’s long arm machine.

Lesley suggested The Yard in Edinburgh as the receiving charity, as she has known a few people who have used it.

The Yard is a purpose built indoor and outdoor adventure playground for children and young people with disabilities.

The Yard is an amazing space, catering for all ages and abilities. The children can use the sensory room, kitchen, art room, play space and outdoor adventure playground seven days a week. What is lovely is that it is a place that families can play together with the support of volunteers, and kids of all abilities can come and enjoy play at the same level.

The Yard also supports children right the way through into adult hood, with various youth groups and clubs available to allow them to feel more independent.

You may remember The Yard from the BBC programme DIY SOS, when the place was overhauled in under two weeks with the help of volunteers from all trades across Edinburgh. However, it still costs over £600,000 a year to run The Yard, with a combination of permanent staff and volunteers. They receive a small amount from the council, and require to fundraise the rest.

Edinburgh Modern Quilt Guild have donated their Quiltcon quilt made for the Quiltcon Charity Challenge 2015 to the Yard. Anna, the fundraising manager was delighted to receive it, and the volunteers suggested it would be well received by the children, as it is a great weight for snuggling.

It’s final purpose is yet to be decided – whether by the children, as some art on the wall or as a fundraising piece for them…but it will certainly be put to good use.