MQG Journal
ISSUE 04 / October, November, December 2021
The MQG’s mission is to support and encourage the growth and development of modern quilting through art, education, and community.
ISSUE 04 / QUILTS OF THE MONTH
Flyover
BY MELISSA de LEON MASON
Flyover is a traditionally pieced quilt that plays with the idea of overlaid circles and squares to create depth and texture. The repeated block is a mix of straight and curved piecing and comes together quickly.
Night Bloom
BY JULIA WACHS
The inspiration and namesake of this pattern is from the cacti that bloom only at night. Night Bloom uses Foundation Paper Piecing to create its precise points and mathematically correct octagons.
Staggered Lines
BY MEGAN CALLAHAN
Staggered Lines plays with a singular block that is manipulated directionally or with color to create an illusion of six individualized blocks. A dark or contrasting background makes the staggered lines a focal feature.
Thank you to the generous sponsors of the MQG Journal
ISSUE 04 / BLOCK STUDY
Whorl Block
BY The MQG
Put your quarter-square triangle skills from this quarter’s Modern Fundamental to use with this spinning block. With a partial seam in the mix, this is a great block to practice techniques without a lot of stress.
ISSUE 04 / SMALL PROJECT
Backpack Tote
BY KRISTI MCDONOUGH
The Backpack Tote is the perfect way to preserve and repurpose your favorite pair of worn-out jeans or leftover blocks from projects past. Not only does it help keep your clothing from ending up in the landfill, but you can also use up some of your big pieces of batting scraps that you’ve been saving! Grab your scraps or leftover blocks to add fun panels, and braid a handle from strips of anything you’ve got lying around.
ISSUE 04 / ARTICLES + STORIES
Modern Fundamentals:
Quarter-square Triangles
BY YVONNE FUCHS
Quarter-square triangle blocks, commonly called hourglass blocks, are square blocks that are made up of four 90° triangles. Learn to make them without exposed bias edges.
STEM + quilting with kids:
Illuminate
BY MARQUETTA JOHNSON
Join teaching artist Marquetta Johnson in her series about applying science, technology, engineering, and math to quilting with kids.
Borders MQG BOM:
History in the making
BY JANE RAE
Learn how the Borders Modern Quilt Guild’s Block of the Month Project developed from making other designers’ blocks to designing their own blocks meaningful to the group.
Member Spotlight:
Fabiana Giandoso
BY ELAINE MUSIWA
Learn about Brazil-based quilter Fabiana Giandoso and her love of color. She believes quilting should be democratic and has high hopes for the future of quilting in Brazil.
Member Spotlight:
Jenni Grover
BY ELAINE MUSIWA
Let’s get to know former Chicago MQG President Jenni Grover, and how she organizes her creativity by setting limits, essential for anyone with chronic pain.
Member Spotlight:
Kelly Spell
BY ELAINE MUSIWA
Chattanooga, Tennessee-based quilter Kelly Spell is a quilter with a mission. Follow her journey as she discovered her voice and gained confidence in her sewing style.