Mt. Tam Quilt Guild

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To promote an interest in and appreciation of the art of quilt making

Block of the Month (BOM)

Each month brings us a Block of the Month surprise, packaged up by the BOM chair. A block design and a bit of fabric to go into a specific spot on each block can be had for a mere pittance.  Members make the block and return it at the following meeting; with each completed block comes a chance to win blocks made that month. Special prizes encourage more finished blocks; if an especially large number of blocks are returned we have multiple winners. The December meeting includes a show of quilts completed with the blocks won in any month, any year! This is a great way for new members to get involved. All skill levels are welcome to participate. Vist our Gallery page for BOM!

Show and Tell

is among the guild’s favorite activities. At each meeting members show their projects and tell us about their work. Many of the pieces have sentimental value, tell of a personal journey, or result from a group challenge, class or workshop. This quilt parade is always a joy, and a great incentive to go home and work on our own projects! Our Galleries have a section dedicated to monthly projects from show and tell.

Row Robin

Groups of 6 were announced at the October meeting for the first exchange. Each participant brought the first row of their quilt (setting the color palette, theme and row width (36-45")). They also brought enough background fabric for each remaining participant to use in their rows for her quilt ( 1/3 yard for each row). The recipient recieved the originator's row, will make a row, and bring the 2 finished rows to the next exhange (due at the December meeting). The next person will make their row and bring 3 completed rows to the following exchange. And so it goes until all participants have built one row for each other's quilt. Do NOT sew the rows together! The originator decides on the final row sequence. Row Robin exchanges will be every other month.

Quilter’s Challenge

Participants are given the same 2 fabric swatches and are challenged to use at least 4 square inches of both on a quilt front (binding doesn't count). Participants may add as many fabrics as wished - any colors, texture or composition. Quilt width and length must be 18" - 60." Quilts don't have to be square. The Challenge Quilt coordinator may specify a theme or inspirationall words to spice things up. Challenge Quilt kickoff is usually in the Spring with the quilts presented at the December Holiday Party From those, members choose one for a "Viewers' Choice" award. Tradition is that the lucky winner of that award will be invited to coordinate next year's challenge. See the 2011 Challenge Show

Blocks from October,
2006 Workshop

Lost in Translation

New for 2010, the Guild started a "Lost in Translation" Challenge. Think of the childhood "telephone" game and you will immediately understand the concept. The first person in each group was given an identical photo which they were to use as an inspiration to make an 18" x 24" quilt within 30 days. At the end of the 30 days, they passed their completed qult to the next person in the group, but not the photo. Only the first person in the group sees the photo. the rest of the participants are inspired only by the quilt that was made the month before. No one will see all the finished quilts until they are revealed together. This idea was inspired by the "Whisper Challenge" from SAQA (Studio Art Quilters Association). See the 2010 Lost in Translation entries

Hug Hearts Blocks

Members are asked to make 6.5" blocks depicting a heart or hearts on a white or WOW background. Blocks may be pieced or appliqued, by hand or machine. Bring donation blocks to monthly meetings where they will be deposited into our Heart Bank. When a member really needs a collective HUG from us, we will withdraw 30 or so heart blocks and make them into a lap quilt to express our support in their time of need. See the Hugs Hearts Quilts we've made so far.

Mini Groups

Several "Mini Groups" comprised of guild members meet regularly to pursue their individual and group quilting interests.  While these groups form and operate outside the guild, we strongly encourage their formation by providing contacts of potential mini group hosts with members wanting to join a group. Our April 2009 program was a fabulous trunk show of a non-guild mini group; three of our members participate in the group. See highlights of their show here

Marin County Senior Information Fair Exhibits

Marin County senior groups sponsor an annual Fair addressing the needs and interests of the county’s over-50 citizens, with over 120 booths from various businesses of interest to seniors.  Admission is free; live entertainment on stage and health screening are just a few of the activities.  The event is light hearted, informative and entertaining for all.

Our guild's beautiful quilts were the featured artwork at the 2009 Senior Fair where we also sponsered quilting demonstrations and a booth selling quilts and handmade items.

Project Days

Member volunteers organize 2-3 hour sessions on specific projects of their choosing, demonstrating the “how-to? and supporting other guild members in completing the project with their own materials.  Some of these projects included doll or teddy bear quilts, small quilts and table toppers, checkbook covers, bookmarks, eyeglass cases, fabric coasters, luggage tags and a variety of small purses. These project days, done over eight months, generated some wonderful items for our 2007 and 2008 fundraisers.

Our next Sew-in for Outreach and Project items will be SEPTEMBER 10th at Picket Fence, 12:30 to 4pm. Read more about our current schedule and enjoy scenes from last year in our project day Gallery.