March 2025 - Quilt Math
Guild Swag - put in your input!
Cheralee is researching swag options. Please reach out to her with your ideas for the branded merchandise you would like to see. Please indicate if it is a freebie you want the guild to provide or you would wish to buy. (Can’t hurt to ask.)
Include: size range (petite, plus,etc), brands (Bella+Canvas, Gildan), features (¼ zip fleece vs pullover, v-neck vs crew neck), colors and specifics.
She brought in several QuiltCon totes as examples of the types of details to consider. Please contact her with your thoughts and requests.
Reminder: Register for the Retreat
The last day to register for the member retreat is March 22nd, at the sew day. Register Here
Quarterly Challenges
Quarter 1: Alternate Grid
Quarter 2: Foundation Paper Piecing
Quarter 3: Nostalgia Challenge
Quarter 4: “Land of Good Intentions”
MQG member benefits
As a reminder, you have access to the full MQG resource library.
For each three-month cycle, the MQG will share an on-demand video in month one that provides a brief, holistic view of the topic. In the second month, they’ll publish a small project to try the technique or style, followed by a quilt pattern in the third month to put those new skills to use.
Donna McLeod - Alternate Grid (January - March)
Shashari Kaburi - Improvisation (April - June)
Daisy Aschehoug - Maximalism (July - September)
Michelle Bartholomew - Handwork (October - December)
Show and Tell
Quilt Math Presentation
Rose presenting quilt math.
The monthly presentation was on quilt math, courtesy of Rose. From block size to quilt size, there’s a lot to consider. She ran us through calculating for backing, with an informative foray into the choice of seam direction when you send it to a longarmer. We compared common bed sizes and typical drops (and lesser-known tuck!). Consideration was given to block resizing methods, common multiples, and base-grid units. Rose gave us formulas for calculating binding and backing, and shared a link for the Kaufman Quilt Calculator. Membership finished up by working in teams on quilt math activities. It was thorough and informative. Let us know if you need any links or slides!
Up Next
March Sew Day - March 22
Three Rivers Quilt Show
April 2025 Meeting
February 2025 Make It Fit
The February member meeting topic was pattern fitting. Our own Cheralee Stover gave an overview of 3 different quilted jacket patterns, and broke down how to identify fit issues and their solutions. Many of us find sewing clothes daunting. Humans aren’t flat, after all.
Our upcoming workshop on quilted jackets is a popular project among quilters. She demonstrated common measurements to take for garments and how those measurements transferred to pattern pieces. If you’re going to cut into a quilt, you want to know you’ll get a good result.
The slides are available in the members section of the website. They include the guides to choosing an alteration and the video links with demonstrations.
Remember - your machine doesn’t know what you’re making, so you can make a garment.
Ticket Updates for 2025
If you share someone’s post or reel with @pghmqg - 1 ticket.
If you create original content for the guild social media (create a video with us or add us as a collaborator on your post or reel) - 5 tickets
We also want people to enter more quilt shows. If you enter a quilt show, Enter quilt show and send a copy of your registration form or confirmation to pghmqg.socialmedia@gmail.com - 5 tickets
Show & Tell
Up Next
QuiltCon is February 20-23
Our next meeting is March 2nd
November 2024 Meeting
November’s meeting was chockful of information, colorful Show & Tell and sharing our favorite notions!
The last few months were pretty packed, as referenced in an earlier post. We planned a visit to the Heinz History Center to see the Louise Silk exhibit, assembled our annual community charity quilt for the MQG, and set up an Ink Dyeing workshop with WorkshopPgh. The dyeing workshop was sadly postponed, so there may be an opportunity to join when it is rescheduled. We’ll keep you posted.
The announcements for the next few months are fairly heavy, but that’s just because we want to make sure everyone is on the same page! First off, elections! PLEASE consider running for office. All positions are eligible, and president/programs/social media definitely need candidates. No prior experience is needed, and the current officers are are happy to answer any/all questions you may have. The duties for the 2025 officers begins in February, but the current officers are on hand for training and help for any road bumps as you get the feel for the job. PLEASE send nominations for yourself or someone you think would be a great fit to Vivian at vivianbenton@gmail.com by November 30, 2024.
December is next! We have our annual sew day on December 7 from 9am-8pm at Holy Spirit Church. We will be hosting a scissor sharpening vendor, exchanging gifts (optional) and enjoying a potluck while we sew. You can sign up to let the vendor know what tools you are bringing HERE. (Members only, please.) The potluck signup will be through SignUpGenius HERE. Instead of a single item, you can make one of the following to swap: mug rug, needlebook, pincushion, zip pouch, thread catcher, set of (4) coasters. We will provide a brown bag to place your item(s) in. No need to wrap! We’re also sharing the pricing details for the June 2025 retreat in December.
That brings us to January 5, 2025. This is our General meeting, with elections and the Q4 UFO Challenge deadline. If you have any outstanding completed UFOs, please make sure they are submitted by this meeting for credit. We ask that you only bring 4 per person to Show & Tell that day as we believe we will have many to get through. January is also when we will open up the Quilted Coat Workshop up to the general public. More info can be found HERE on that workshop, and we want as many members as possible to be able to take part. Registration will open in January for two events with Tara Faughnan, who is the keynote speaker at QuiltCon this year! We are partnering with Quilt Company East to co-sponsor these events.
90-minute Zoom lecture, Value Creates the Design, 4/21/25 @ 7 PM - Cost $6
6-hour Zoom workshop, Give and Take Quilt, 5/3/2025 - Cost $70
Annual Three Rivers Quilt Show
Our annual show provides quilters the opportunity to exhibit their quilts, receive professional critique and compete for cash prizes. Drawing more than 1200 quilt enthusiasts attendees each year, our dedicated volunteer staff of members present a stellar show, year after year, for more than 40 years.
A show you won't want to miss!
A juried and judged show featuring up to 130 quilts from quilters throughout the tri-state area and beyond. Cash prizes and ribbons are awarded in all categories.