Piecing Minky

Towards the end of my pregnancy, I decided to treat myself to some quick finishes. A few fabric representative samples and some minky yardage picked up from the Albuquerque Modern Quilt Guild Destash Sale, and I was underway. After arranging the pre-cut rectangles of various sizes into a preposed arrangement on the floor, I began piecing. If you intend to attempt likewise, I have a few pointers, as minky is a slippery little devil.

• Use a 1/2" seam allowance.
• Do not iron; minky melts.
• Pin generously along the edges to kept them aligned while stitching.
• Use a walking foot.

To assemble the blankets pillowcase-style, I placed the right sides of the back and front together, stitched around the edge (leaving a gap for turning), and pulled the fabric through the hole. The opening was sealed with permanent fabric glue. I could have top-stitched around the edge instead, but  I opted for the carefree route.  I created on blanket for my older son to take to school for kindergarten nap, and another for my daughter, as a  consolation for acquiring a brand new and demanding sibling.

Should you choose to accept the challenge of conquering the piecing of minky, I found some useful references. Quilting Adventures, The English Geek, and Superior Threads have some excellent suggestions for getting minky to cooperate. Whereas, see Greener Grass Handmade for a blanket construction tutorial.

NMQA Challenge

Welcome back to my New Mexico State Fair coverage. Each year the New Mexico Quilters Associations holds a challenge for its members. They must use a recognizable amount of a provided fabric to make a small wall hanging. This year's fabric is shown below Debbie Rogulich's winning quilt pictured below.

Raspberry Mocha Latte by Debbie Rogulich

I admire Norma Jean Koelm's creative use of the challenge fabric in her second place winner.

Midnight Regatta by Norma Jean Koelm

Vicki Kemo Harms took Judge's Choice, but if I was in charge and there was a Most Enviable Stash award, I would have certainly given it to this miniaturized plus quilt. Vicki was brilliant to pull really pretty, modern fabrics in the same color scheme as the challenge fabric for this piece. She grouped the challenge fabric into areas of similar value/color, which made the crosses visible. This took emphasis away from the Hershey Kiss-esque design and unmuddied the colors.

Vicki Kemo Harms

Thanks for letting me share a few of my favorites. If you missed my previous posts about the State Fair, check them out here:
Modern Quilt Guild Entries
Judge's Comments
Award Winners

NM State Fair: ABQ MQG Entries

The Albuquerque Modern Quilt Guild has been attempting to share the modern aesthetic with the general populace by taking the local quilt shows by storm. I'd say it's working. To prove my case, here's a showing of how they represented at the New Mexico State Fair.

If this didn't catch their attention, I don't know what would! The guild banner got first in the Group Quilt category.

Lois Warwick & Sally Williams; Quilting by Renee Hoffman

I especially love the quilting, which Renee explains in detail on her blog.

Lois Warwick & Sally Williams; Quilting by Renee Hoffman

Renee of Quilts of a Feather and I swapped minis a while back. The quilt she made for me, Flying North, took second place in the Machine Quilted Wall Hanging category.

Renee Hoffman

Crystal City, Renee's revamped Michael Miller  Challenge piece, took second place in the Pieced, Machine Quilted category.

Renee Hoffman

Renee Hoffman

Her Sisterhood of the Traveling Quilts beauty took second in the Any Technique, Machine Quilted Group category.

Renee Hoffman

Sara Walker entered this beauty featuring Alison Glass' awesome Ex Libris line.

Sara Walker

Sally Williams took second in the Art Quilt category.

Sally Williams

Moreover, she also brought home first in the Machine Quilted Twin category and the Best Technique Ann Silva's Sewing Center Award.

Sally Williams

With appliquéd octopuses, Tula Pink fabrics, and dense machine quilting, it's one of my personal favorites.

Sally Williams

Negative space accentuates the quilting of this third place winner in the Pieced, Machine Quilted category by Tisha Cavanaugh.

Tisha Cavanaugh

Tisha also was awarded second place in the Twin Machine Quilted category.

Tisha Cavanaugh

The Modern Quilt Guild members are hoping their efforts will lead to inclusion of a modern quilt category in the future. Fingers crossed!