Zip Pouches and January Meeting Recap

Hey Friends!

What a fun meeting tonight. I so enjoyed seeing all of you and was so happy to see so many new faces too! It is a great feeling having our Modern Quilt Guild grow and thrive!

First off, if you are taking part in our Modern Star Block Challenge, 
be sure to make your modern star block with the following requirements:

• 2 blocks finished at a 12.5" x 12.5"  size. 
• Background fabric: white
• Create a modern star block using any pattern you like. 
• Bring your finished block to the February Meeting.

We will put each participant's name in a hat and two winners will each take home 17 blocks plus three fat quarters of Echo to finish out their quilts.

Be creative, be modern and have fun!


SEW-IN SATURDAY! 
Carmel Presbyterian Church Ligon Hall
2048 Carmel Road  Charlotte, NC 28226-5098
(704) 366-5114
Park by the playground. The building is on your left. 


February 18, 12:00-4:00.

Come for all of it or some of it. We would love to have you join us. If you didn't RSVP at the meeting, please let me know if you can make it. I want to have adequate sewing space. Bring your own project, sewing machine, extension cord and power strip. If someone could bring an iron and ironing board, so we have 2 that would be great. Also, another cutting mat and rotary cutter would be nice too.

Let's plan on finishing those Habitat charity quilts!

We'll have prizes and snacks and lots of fun. Hopefully we'll get some sewing done too! :)

Thanks Karen for a great and creative swap! It was super fun. If you would like to participate in the pin cushion swap in March, please email Karen so she can add you to the list. She will email you your secret partner. It would be most helpful for you to create a mosaic in Flickr of your pincushion favorites for your partner's inspiration. You can find out how to do that HERE.

Now, thanks for all of the kind words about the zip pouch tutorial. I am so glad you enjoyed it. Here are a few tips from tonight's demonstration:

4 pieces of fabric (6" x 8") 2 for lining, 2 for outer
2 pieces of batting or medium-weight interfacing
2 pieces of outer fabric cut 2" x 2.5" to make tabs (folded and pressed so edges meet to give you a finished edge)

• cut your zipper so that it is about 1/2" shorter than your fabric (on both ends) 
• place your fabric lining and outer fabric, right sides together with the zipper in between to make your sandwich when you sew the zipper on. 
• when you sew your pouch closed, right sides together, UNZIP your zipper first! 
• leave about a 2.5" - 3"  opening in the lining (backstitch at the beginning and end of your opening) when sewing your right sides of the pouch together. 
• when you sew the right sides together, fold your zipper on itself towards the outer fabric (this makes more sense when you actually do it) 
• when you sew your right sides together, sew right next to your tabs but not through them! You won't be able to see them but you'll be able to feel them. 
• Use a 1/2" seam to sew your lining (right sides together) and about a 1/4" seam for the outer fabric (right sides together.) 
• Press your fabric before you turn it right side out. 

OK, hope those tips help! I will post them in the CLTMQG Flickr group too for easy reference. 

Be sure to check out Anna Graham of Noodleheads' gathered clutch tutorial for more information and instructions. 

Good luck! Email me if you have questions. :) 

Looking forward to a great meeting in February and hope to see you at the sew-in day.