Day: April 8, 2018

Turkey Tracks: The Maine Modern Quilt Guild Show

Turkey Tracks:  April 8, 2018

The Maine Modern Quilt Guild Show

Two carloads of our local quilters drove over to New Gloucester, Maine, Saturday, to view The Maine Modern Quilt Guild show.  To the best of my knowledge, this guild and our Mt Battie Modern Quilt Guild are the only modern quilt guilds in the state.

We all had such a good time.  The show was wonderful, and we went home with all kinds of new inspiration bubbling in our heads.  My apologies up front to all quilters whose quilts do not show up here.  I could have taken a picture of every quilt there for sure.  Each quilt was draped over a church pew and had one corner turned so viewers could see the backing fabrics.  And I should have taken a picture of all the church pews with their quilty occupants.

Our local quilt groups (Coastal Quilters and Mt. Battie Modern) challenged ourselves to make Tula Pink’s 100 modern quilt blocks last year.  We have all set our blocks differently, but none of us thought to surround blocks with internal sashing.   I particularly like the use of different sizes of the white sashing in this quilt.  Notice the lower left block.  I had a lot of trouble squaring up these blocks, and this solution would really have helped.  I missed the number on this quilt, but by process of elimination I think it is Sandy Johnson.

Sue Duval’s quilt–more internal sashing:

Jane Hann Morey’s quilt:

Solids, made stripes, funky in places–this form is showing up a lot these days, and I love it.  The go-to designer is Maria Shell, from Alaska, and she has a new book out:  IMPROV QUILTING, which teaches how to make your own stripes and shapes and then how to use them.

Ann-Marie Schechtman:

Ellie Fellers:

Ellie Fellers, I think:

Betsy Cannan:  from a pattern by Amy Garro.  Amy Friend’s work is also similar to this quilt.

Carmen Dickinson:  inspired by Jacquie Gering and Katie Pedersen

Clam shells:  Sharon Provost and Rose Oleksaiak (no. 12).  All three inspired by Latifah Saafir:

Carmen Dickinson, inspired by Elizabeth Hartman.  Look at the machine quilting by Betsy Cannan in this quilt.  Lovely.

Evelyn Landry:  inspired by Mary Thomas.  Love the modern colors in this quilt.  Each block uses solids and ONE patterned fabric.

Innovative courthouse block form here.  And I can’t read the name…  Sorry…

Ann-Marie Schechtman:  inspired by Stephanie Dicola:

This quilt was hanging in an adjoining room and had no attribution.

Demonstrations included foundation paper piecing and working with pearl cotton.  Isn’t this piece lovely?

And this one too.

Karen Martin bought this little zippered bag/pouch.  We loved the way the wedges were cut for the front.  Clever use of scraps.

Yes, we had a nice time.

 

Turkey Tracks: Camden Maine Lions and Leos Clubs Go Bowling

Turkey Tracks:  April 8, 2018

Camden Maine Lions and Leos Clubs Go Bowling

Last Thursday the Camden Lions and Leos met at the bowling alley at Point Lookout (Northport, Maine) to help raise money for the Big Brothers Big Sisters program in coastal Maine.

The bowling alley was filled with happy people having a really good time bowling.  And I am once again struck by how many really good people are living in my community.

Note:  do see the pics below of the Jerri Finch murals that are around the bowling alley walls at Point Lookout.

 

I went home plotting to return with grandchildren this summer and with a strong desire to try this sport again–after over 50 years.  Maybe next year I’ll join the Lions and Leos to actually bowl for this fundraiser.

Lions Nikki Bland and Karen Martin facilitate the Leos Program.  Here’s Lion Nikki signing us up at the front desk:

 

Leos bowling:

Lions Karen Martin and Jim Christie:

Lion Mike Castle:

The bowling alley walls at Point Lookout have a whole series of murals painted by local artist Jerri Finch that feature quilt blocks.  These murals are quite spectacular.

My pictures do not do these murals justice.  They are BIG, of course.  See Jerrifinch.com.

Turkey Tracks: I Am Officially In Love

Turkey Tracks:  April 8, 2018

I Am Officially In Love…

…with my little Brother serger.

Once cut out, knit garments sew up very quickly on the serger.

Look what I made Easter weekend—after a marathon pattern making and cutting out on Friday.

The knit skirt only has two seams, a waistband with elastic, and a hem.  I’m learning that different weights of knits can make a larger or smaller garment.  Thin makes larger; thick makes smaller.  I’ve just made a thicker black version of this skirt that came out beautifully. I went up a size for it, which worked perfectly.

All the tops are Cotton+Steel knits bought on sale 30% off from Pink Castle.  (PinkCastle.com)  These knits feel like butter on the skin.  They are so soft.

The big top, longer in back than in front, is flattering and easy. It works well with both skirts and tops.  I want to make it with the scooped neckline variation.  It’s Simplicity 8529.

Paper Cuts makes the Rise and Fall turtle necks.  Fall is meant to wear outside and has the larger turtleneck.  Rise is more fitted, longer, and meant to be tucked in.  Love both of these shirts.

I am having so much fun!