Modern Art Quilters - Newsletter December 2023

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December 2023: Getting Away from it All... For HB and myself, making time to sew is never a problem, on the contrary, we sometimes find it harder to find time for the more basic admin tasks of life - I have been blitzing my utterly-disgusting house this month and keep turning up yet more neglected corners, all the time wanting to just sit at my machine... And, I must admit, that this time of year is quite pleasantly creative for both of us - the pressure to gallivant about teaching and exhibiting is relieved to a degree in December, and there is a chance to discuss and plan for next year, and to inspire each other. If we ever run out of ideas (no, really? I don't think that will happen any time soon...) "But", you say, "I have a dog, and a husband, and a tiny bit of the dining table, and no space, and too many dishes to wash, and, and, and..." Time to think about a retreat, perhaps. A weekend (or a week) with someone else doing the catering, the washing-up, and making the beds. Company of fellow sewists without any need to explain your passion, and room to sew and leave your work safely on the table when you slope off to the bar in the evening... And, if you can't manage that, perhaps allow yourself a few days of peace. Pack the children off to grandma, shut the dog in the doghouse, stock up on ready meals and spread yourself out all over the place. You'll feel so much happier... It doesn't have to be a big deal - spend an afternoon with a friend making or shopping for your next project. Make a few plans, on paper or in your head Send a textile postcard to a distant person in need of an uplift And, if nothing really strikes you as needing doing at once, just take time to indulge in a book and a nice cup of coffee (or tea) and a biscuit... Helen Howes and AitchBee Contact us direct on newsletter@modernartquilters.co.uk Why not forward this message to your quilty friends who might enjoy our ramblings. They can CLICK HERE to go straight to our newsletter sign up page. HEADER IMAGE: Handmade Textile Postcards - made by HH.
WISH YOU WERE HERE... Make a postcard to send to a friend. HH has a range of patterns and kits, available on her website, with different designs to suit all tastes	CHEERS! HB's CELEBRATIONS pattern gives you over thirty blocks - each finishing to 2 x 2 inches - ideal for greetings cards, including Christmas and Birthday themes plus numerals
Click on any picture in this Newsletter to read more. These are mostly links to external websites and blogs - have fun and enjoy looking!
	AND FINALLY... the part you have all been waiting for (a drum roll, please) The MAQ Block of the Month Part 10: Putting it all together! HH and HB have each written a little about how they put their finished quilts together. It is hard to believe that these two quilts all came from the same set of blocks, they each look so different.
	If you do a Google search for Quilt Retreats you will come up with a huge number of options, the only difficulty being; what type and where. Are you looking for a tutor led retreat all working on a particular project? Do you just want to get away from it all with a group of friends? Fully catered retreats are great, but not cheap - weigh up your options carefully. Should you feel the need to justify going on a quilt retreat have a look at this article by self-confessed obsessive Modern Quilter, Christen, on her blog I SEE STARS QUILTING. Personally I think you should just go on a retreat if that is what you want, but I do understand that outside factors may ultimately influence your decision.
	If the pressures of life, work, family, etc mean you cannot escape for a few days, consider doing a course or series of workshops. Look at what your local quilt shop has to offer. Spend a day at a time doing what you love and still be home in the evening if you need to be. Get organised and prepare a meal that can be reheated easily after class. A short course at your local quilt shop can be as much fun as a retreat with the advantage of being able to sleep in your own bed. Here on the Norfolk/Suffolk border HB has just completed the first teaching of new design, Pigs in Blankets, at our local shop, SEW & SO'S. Run on three consecutive Sundays, HB says how nice it was to see old friendships affirmed and new ones made throughout the group over the course of the three sessions. Click on the image to see what else HB is teaching at Sew & So's and see the dates for the next Piggies course in the Spring.
	We are rather partial when it comes to the work of talented Modern Quilter, Sarah Hibbert, having got to know her during the early days of the QGBI Modern Quilt Group. Sarah has always been a staunch supporter of the ModQGroup and was one of the first committee members, helping HH get the Group established back in 2017. HH has written a book review of Sarah's book: From Collage to Quilt which shows an interesting insight into Sarah's own methods of working. Perhaps you might suggest this to anyone who is scratching their head to think of a Christmas Gift for you!
	Another option to take your mind off your current situation without leaving home at all; why not learn a new textile based skill? We aren't suggesting you give up quilting, but sometimes exploring other textile disciplines might give you a broader understanding of design and colour. We are great believers in the maxim "nothing learnt is ever wasted" and you may come back to quilting with a whole new outlook. With the current popularity for crochet there are any number of video tutorials as well as the most sumptuous range of yarns easily accessible to the web-savvy explorer. Even if you don't fancy taking up crochet, click on the image to visit an amazing and ever changing installation called THE CROCHET CORAL REEF
	To Bee or not to Bee. If you really can't get away from it all for a weekend or a day, why not invite a group of friends round and have your very own Quilting Bee. Getting together with friends to sew has long been and important part of any community. Why not learn a new block and make a charity quilt. Quilting Bees are traditionally based around a single, communal project rather than all working on individual projects. Here on her blog, BLOSSOM HEART QUILTS, Alyce lists some important do's and don'ts in the article about Bee Etiquette.
	Maybe you could learn a block that's new to you. The link on this image is to a site called GENERATIONS QUILT PATTERNS which boasts 200 free block patterns and includes examples of colour and size variations and design layouts for many of these blocks too. Although these are mostly traditional blocks, you can make any of these in a modern way by your choice of colours and playing with block scale.
	If a retreat or a quilting course is beyond your means, either financial or physical, perhaps you could treat yourself to some new fabric. We know from our own experience that Boxing Day brings a flurry of orders to web-based retailers (ourselves included) when purchasers take advantage of a bit of peace and, perhaps, a bit of gifted money to buy what they really wanted for Christmas. Doughty's is one of our go-to on-line fabrics stores, they always have good deal, a fantastic selection and excellent offers on quantities of batting
	Perhaps something else you might consider when you are on-line is rulers. We always recommend CREATIVE GRIDS rulers. They are not the cheapest, but they are consistent and accurate which is more important. We don't use anything fancy or gimmicky - just a few basics. Between us we have a range of square and rectangular rulers, the only unusual shape we have is a 60 degree triangle.

	Whether you are planning to attend a retreat or intending to plan your own, this month's PINTEREST board AWAY FROM IT ALL will give you lots of tips and information. Click HERE to make a your own PINTEREST account
Our mailing address is:- 4, The Raveningham Centre, Beccles Road, Raveningham, Norfolk, NR14 6NU. United Kingdom

December 2023: Getting Away from it All...