Have you seen...

Morning all!  Our Bee block posts are a little delayed this month as we are reformatting our Bee into a Round Robin and I will be posting instructions for Round 1 this weekend.  In the meantime if you are looking for block inspiration here are some of the free and paid for Block of the Month's (BOM) and Quilt-A-Longs (QAL) that caught my eye this week!

First up, a heads up on a brilliant online course offered by Rachel @ Stitched in Color.  Rachel is one of my favourite bloggers and I have taken both the courses she is offering this month.  Closing date is 7th so if you want to sign up be quick!

In Color Intensive, Rachel describes an approach to colour theory using emotional words, the seasons, the colour wheel and how to build an effective working stash.  I loved this course and the first project showing you how to cut up a Kona color card and use it more effectively is something I use all the time!  The second course is Angled and offers 5 patterns of increasing difficulty showing how to use angles and triangles in your quilts.

Free blocks you won't want to miss is Amy Gibson's Sugar Block Club.  Amy blogs at Stichory Dickory Dock and is a big part of  the reason why I quilt today.  Her free class on Craftsy,  2012 Block of the Month shows you step by step how to make 2 blocks with a different technique every month.  I loved every bit of this and learned so much about accuracy and 1/4" seams that I can't recommend it highly enough.  Craftsy have a new free BOM every year but this still remains my favourite!

Following on from this Amy offered a BOM club on her blog called the Sugar Block Club and for the first 2 years it was a paid for subscription - this year it's free.  Go ahead and sign up, you won't be disappointed!

Fat Quarter Shop have new free patterns  with videos every few months or so but they are also hosting the Moda Sampler Shuffle blocks.  Don't be put off by the traditional fabric used, they would be really lovely in modern brights too!

Speaking of modern brights, Janome are in the middle of a 100 blocks in 50 days and you can find some really fun free blocks created by fabric and quilt designers on their website here.

Don't call me Besty has paid for BOM using a really colourful design and blocks of different scale and you can sign up here for $30.00

 If you are not looking for blocks but a design challenge instead check out the monthly challenges on Le Challenge Website.  A paid for challenge called the Mighty Lucky Quilting Club is being offered by Lucky Spool this year and features some well know quilters and designers like Jacquie Gering, Alison Glass, Sarah Fielke and Carolyn Friedlander.  It costs $5 a month or $50 for the year.

If you have anymore or favourites you think we should look at please leave a comment here on our blog or on our facebook page.  Happy New Year everybody, hope whatever new projects you start in 2016 will be lots of fun!
-Ruth

Giveaway!

Happy New Year!  Hope everyone enjoyed the Christmas and New Years celebrations and Santa was good with the quilty gifts this year!  If the quilt related gifts were lacking, don't worry we have some really nice prizes for 4 lucky people to give away.

First name out of the draw will get this charm pack of 5" squares from Lynette Anderson's collection the Quilters Garden.

The next three names will win a copy of Love Patchwork & Quilting Magazine issue number 11 which has a kit to make yourself a keyfob and this brilliant target pattern by Lynne of Lily's Quilts. I keep seeing this one as a giant colour wheel and keep wanting to make it so maybe this year I'll get it done!  First 2016 quilty resolution.

Kindly donated by Cindy@ Fluffy Sheep Quilting.  Thank you!

To be in with a chance to win please leave us a comment on the blog by following the link or commenting below telling us what your must make quilt project is for 2016.

I look forward to seeing what you guys are eager to make this year!  Winners will be announced here next Friday 7th January.
-Ruth

Happy Friday Modern Irish Quilters!  Sign ups are now open for Modern Irish Bee 2016.

If you haven't taken part in a Bee before here's some info on what it's all about!

How our Bee works
Online Quilting Bees are usually made up of 12 members, 1 member for each month of the year.  Each member takes their turn at being Queen Bee. The Queen Bee chooses a block she would like the hive mates to make for her and before her month arrives, the Queen Bee writes instructions to make the block.  This typically involves testing the block, noting areas where any changes are to be made or difficulties encountered, to help the Hive have an easier time making the blocks.

Instructions are given to the Hive on the 1st of the month and the hive mates make 2 blocks and post the blocks to the Queen before the end of the month.  Hive mates post images to the Facebook group, or on our Flickr group and Instagram to share progress. 


Choosing a Block
The Queen may design her own block as long as it is tested and instructions are provided to make it.  The Queen may choose a block from a free online tutorial and reference the original tutorial in the instructions and note any changes to be made.  Blocks from published books or paid patterns should not be used, as every hive mate would need to buy a copy to make the block.  Photocopying or emailing a paid pattern is not permitted and infringes on the rights of the author/publisher.  Special tools or fabric required to make the block may not be requested unless the Queen provides them to the hive mates in advance of her turn as Queen Bee.  It is expected that hive mates have access to basic quilting supplies, sewing machine, rotary cutter etc. and are comfortable piecing a 1/4" seam.

Bee Rules
The Bee is open to quilters of all sewing levels.  Beginners may have to learn new techniques to complete the blocks throughout the year.  It is a great opportunity to try new things and blocks you might not normally think of.  The sign up is form here, and we have asked for sewing skill level in the event we can put more than 1 Bee group together.  We will try and match skill levels where possible. 

Following on from last year, the Bee is using fabric from our own stash or scrap baskets to make 2 blocks a month for our hive mates.  Blocks may be scrappy or may be made from a chosen colour group and hive mates are expected to pull from their stash the appropriate colours for the block.

Background fabrics may be low volume or any colour family you wish.  A specific fabric or colour from a specific manufacturer should not be specified unless the fabric is being provided.  Please give the hive mates guidance on how to choose the colour for the block for example bright white like Kona white or off white like Kona Snow.  All fabric used in the blocks should be quilt shop quality 100% cotton.

A photograph or fabric pull can be very helpful for hive mates in choosing appropriate fabrics from their stash.  Please take a photo to guide us in the right direction!

If you are unsure of a fabric please post a picture to our Facebook group or Instagram (#modernirishbee) and the Queen Bee can tell you if it will work or not.  It's better to ask than disappoint the Queen who may have to relegate your block to the back of the quilt as it will not work with the other blocks!

Please post your blocks on time before the end of each month and if for any reason there is a delay please let the Queen Bee know when they can be expected.  It's not fair to expect people to make blocks for you when you haven't made for them.  Please do your very best workmanship and only send out what you in turn would be happy to receive. When sending your blocks in the post please put them in a ziploc or water resistant bag to prevent them from getting damaged in the post.

Join in!
To take part in Modern Irish Bee 2016, you need to be a member of Modern Quilters Ireland (its free - join here!)  Please sign up  to take part in the Bee using this form and if we do not have enough people for more than 1 Bee the first 12 sign ups will be accepted.  Places fill up fast so don't wait if you want to participate. 

For those not able to make the commitment to a full Bee please make the blocks along with us and share to the Facebook or Flickr groups.  All members are welcome to join in the fun!

-Ruth

Reminder

Morning Modern Quilters Ireland!  Just a reminder that your mug rug should be posted next Monday latest 21st December!

Here is a sneak peek at some in progess and finished shared on our Flickr page:

 

Looking forward to doing a round up of all after the Christmas.  If anyone is having trouble with the deadline please drop me a line as soon as you can. 

Hope all the Christmas preparation is going well and the last of those Bee blocks are underway.  We will be opening sign ups for Modern Irish Bee 2016 tomorrow and will take the first 12 sign ups for next years Bee!
-Ruth

Modern Irish Bee December block for Suzanne

By now all hive members of this years Modern Irish Bee should have received in the post a gift of fabric from Suzanne for Decembers block. If you are taking part in the Bee this year and have not received your fabric, can you please let me know. For now over to Suzanne!

-Ruth


December Bee Block - Happiness Christmas Block

Happy Holidays! It is finally my turn to be the queen bee. I have sent out strip of striped green and gold fabric to inspire you. Let me know if you have not received it: suzanne(dot)pass(at)gmail(dot)com.

Please make me 2 x 12.5 inch blocks using this fabric. I am giving no other instructions besides the finished blocks must have at least 4 inches total of the fabric showing on the front of each of the blocks. I will put the squares together to make an inspirational Christmas quilt, and I do hope we have a Modern quilt exhibition next year to show and share it with all of you!

The remainder of this fabric is yours to keep, it is a Christmas gift from me. I hope you all have a terrific Christmas and a great creative quilting time leading up to the holidays. Last week was my big celebration - Thanksgiving! So my turkey making is done now and I can enjoy the big build up to Christmas.

Thank you for the very fun Bee experience and I look forward to seeing all of our finished quilts!

12 Days of Christmas (for Sewists and Quilters)

On the first day of Christmas, my true love gave to me…. OK, I won’t sing the whole song, but you get the idea! It's that time of year again, and heads are being scratched by those who struggle to buy for the sewist in their life! Hopefully, this list will give you some ideas of what to get for the sewing enthusiast in your life (or what to put on your own wish list!!!). If anyone belonging to me is reading - one of each please!!!

1. Set of Tula Pink Hardware!
   This may or may not tickle your fancy - it does mine though!!! It’s a Limited Edition Hardware Set includes all three of Tula Pink's new sewing notions. It includes, an 8" fabric shears, 5" Curved EZ Snip, and a Surgical Seam Ripper. I think it would make a lovely gift, as there’s an element of frivolity to it (but it’s practical too)... It might be worth including a padlock for the shears to prevent anyone using them for non-fabric use (shock horror)!!
   Available from Fat Quarter Shop and Pink Castle Fabrics.
   I’m sure there are other stockists, it’s worth a Google to see.
   
2. Handmade item from another sewist
   Licence stalk their friends who make/sell ;) This one may be a bit on the tight side, time wise, but worth noting down! Most of us are friends with or followers of others who make and sell. I suggest a wander through Facebook/Instagram to see what’s happening, and you might strike it lucky in getting something handmade!
   
3. Rotating Cutting MatAnother useful gift, a small cutting mat that rotates, making block trimming super easy and quick. There are available from most shops, I’d recommend going local, or at least within Ireland, to avoid silly postage costs.
   
4. Jewellery!!!!If in doubt, jewellery works! What is cuter than the pieces by Irish Button & Co? They started off in Dragon’s Den with their classic button pieces, and they’ve expanded. Really lovely, sweet - I adore the needle that threads through the button, handmade, Irish made, you’re onto a winner! http://www.buttonandco.com/collections/all
   
5. That Purple Thang What the…??? I know you’re wondering what am I on about now! This gizmo is a purple stick, yup, a purple stick. However, it’s a stick worth having beside every sewing machine! As it says on the packaging: It pushes, pokes, pulls, p-fudges, p-turns, p-stuffs! A neat little stocking p-stuffer! :) That Purple Thang can be found on Amazon (and the Fat Quarter Shop, should you be buying from there already!).
   
6. Subscription to Sewing MagazineCheck out the coffee table/tablet/ereader/sewing room to see what magazines your sewist likes to read… Buy them a subscription, another gift that keeps giving! Most of the magazines are available as postal subscriptions and digital, so go with whatever works!
   
7. Sewing themed mug or art piece
   
   Etsy is your friend here! Granted, the mug might end up holding sewing accoutrements, as opposed to a hot beverage, but I don’t think there’s a sewist out there who wouldn’t love this Sewing Alphabet mug from BeckaGriffin on Etsy!
   
   
   Likewise, most of us adore dolling up our sewing spaces, so when I saw this print, I thought it was very understated and chic, the perfect match for each of our spaces! This print comes from MadameMemento, also on Etsy.
     
   
8. Designer Colouring BooksTwo well-known fabric designers have brought out their own colouring books. I’m sure you’ve seen/heard about mindfulness colouring books, and these are no different. You get the chance to colour own version of a fabric design… such fun, and yes it’s calming - don’t forget the nice colouring pencils/markers to go along with it!
   The Tula Pink Colouring Book, Cotton + Steel Colouring Book
   
9. Monthly Fabric Club MembershipSign the recipient up for a fabric club. Several online shops run these, each month you get a bundle of fabric, either from a designer, manufacturer, or following a particular theme. It’s a gift that keeps giving, as they usually run monthly throughout the year! The 2016 clubs will be coming available in the next few weeks, so keep an eye on the various online fabric shops.
   
10. Aurifil Thread
    
    Say what, I know, another odd name! This is a fabulous Italian thread, beloved by a lot of quilters and sewists. Fabric designers have their own coordinating sets available to buy. Aurifloss is the embroidery thread equivalent, and adoreable on wooden spools. Google stockists near you, or online, or speak to the lovely Fluffy Sheep Quilting to create a bespoke bundle of threads to suit your beloved!
    
11. VoucherIf all else fails, you cannot and will not go wrong with a voucher for any of the Irish Fabric Shops. Further afield, a lot of online shops have vouchers also.
    
12. Bespoke BundleCall or call into any of our lovely Irish fabric shops and they will be more than happy to assist you in creating a unique package of goodies. My husband did just this with Fluffy Sheep Quilting earlier in the year for my birthday, and it was a beautiful surprise. Keep it fabric, or consider fabric with coordinating threads, etc… Don’t be afraid to ask!
    
    
    
    

…...and a partridge in a pear tree!


Enjoy the shopping ;)
Anna
x

Competition Time!

Cindy from Fluffy Sheep Quilting has kindly offered us a €15 voucher to raffle off - a handy stocking filler, or helping hand with a gift purchase!

To be in with a chance of winning, comment on this post from now until 5pm on Tuesday, 1st of December. We will then pick a winner out of the hat (I have the hat ready) that evening. 

Good luck and happy shopping!

Christmas swap - the small one!

Morning all, this year in brainstorming ideas for the annual MQI Christmas swap, Anna and I decided that after the brilliant Tote bag summer swap we'd keep things small for Christmas and do a no-pressure, quick and fun project.

You might have noticed there has been a lot of mini-mini quilts on social media lately and teeny tiny piecing!  So this year we are keeping the swap small to a mug rug & a bar of chocolate.

Remember the kit-kat logo - Take a break, have a kit kat !  Well that's the theme this year.  After all the Christmas madness is over, treat yourself to a cuppa or a hot chocolate and enjoy a moment!

To keep things simple, there will be no need for an inspiration mosaic, just make a mug-rug or a mini-mini quilt based on the idea of taking a break!  Partners will be assigned randomly so it will still be a secret swap.  You won't know who is making for you and we hope it will add to the surprise when opening your swap item!

Mug Rugs have no fixed size but are typically 6" x 9".  A mini/mini is 4" to 6" so whatever works best for your idea!  Please include a treat like a choccy bar and optional this year (though I really love collecting these!) is a handmade decoration for the the Christmas tree. 

The sign up form is here.  I hope you will join us again - I love the Christmas swap and we always make such lovely things.  The postal date is 18th December so it will have time to arrive for those in between days, after Christmas and before New years.

This swap is limited to MQI members resident in Ireland so as to avoid any issues with post at this busy postal time of year.  Sign up close this Friday and partners will be assigned over the weekend.  I hope you will join us for our 3rd Christmas swap!