About MQA

MQA is one of the most well-organized state quilting associations in the country. We have 3 gatherings a year, plus an educational seminar with a nationally-known teacher. Fall and Spring gatherings include demos and programs you can take back to your guild, and in June we have day-long workshops in Pearl where our own teachers lead classes to improve our skill repertoire.

Quilted MQA Logo from Martha Ginn's album quilt, This is My Story, This is My Song, 1994, 84" x 100". Used by permission

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For more information about MQA, please contact any of the officers, who are more than willing to tell you about our great organization!

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Pamela McRae

Spring Gathering 2008
February 15-16th

Natchez!

by Jackie Watkins

President Broach Winsley opened the meeting with recognition of the different quilt guilds which make up MQA. Each attendee identified the guild(s) in which she is a member. Broach gave thanks to the Natchez Quilt Guild for providing the festivities food and catering.

The Natchez Quilt Guild thrilled us with their journal quilts of scraps; ginger jars; son the potter; photo quilt with painted brick fabric; sampler of smocking, embroidery, quilting and applique; three-hour quilt; compass quilt; embroidery rose with fan flower; flowers in a vase with yo-yo flowers; and a thirty’s entry.

We were also privy to the presentation of a challenge quilt made of 12-inch blocks. The block makers were given certain fabrics, one of which had frogs on it, and participants had to make their own 12-inch block. The winner of the blocks was challenged to complete the quilt by Christmas. Froggy Summer was the result.

We were also given a glimpse of various Dear Jane blocks used in creative ways to make wall hangings.

Broach, whose platform during her presidency was growth, showed a quilt created by utilizing photos of students’ original blocks which Broach transferred to fabric for the blocks of the quilt. Those children were New Albany Union County Art students. An art teacher at a high school had seniors draw original blocks on muslin squares. Lots of hands showed up on this quilt.

After a wonderful supper of various soups and desserts provided by our hosts and taking turns shopping with Kay from Stitch N Frame, we settled down to make our own Mariner’s Compass pattern. Beverly Timmons-Wilson did not allow us to fall asleep after supper, but kept us invigorated with her folding and marking techniques.

We were reminded of the Pine Belt Quilts upcoming quilt show scheduled for October 10, 11, and 12 in Hattiesburg at the Lake Terrace Convention Center. See their website for more information on entering your own stunning quilts into this show. Sand Stitchers will have their show on April 5 at the Mary O’Keefe Cultural Center.

Broach highlighted the copyright laws as they apply to quilters, the patterns they use, the original quilts they create, the classes they teach, the techniques they use, and more.

Officers became official: Cindy Pannier is the new MQA President, Gloria Reeves is President-Elect (meaning she will be MQA president next year), and Nancy Harbor is serving a second two-year term as secretary.

We were treated to Mimi Alef’s Oxford challenge. These quilts were fashioned starting with five fabrics.

Gloria Tuccio, an artist, critiqued some of our quilts and gave us pointers on: composition; rhythm; having the viewer’s eyes go around the quilt while keeping the viewer’s attention on the quilt; repeating colors as necessary; the use of borders to pull it all together; and the use of color to name some of her suggestions...and, she really liked the rooster quilt.

We were reminded that Martha Skelton’s book will be out in June, and that MQA members (as of March 1) will be offered a one-time 20% discount on as many books as they wish to purchase.

Carol Vickers then introduced us to the Shaifer family of Port Gibson and their quilts spotlighted in the book Threading the Generations. She brought alive the history of the Shaifer family by sharing their story and presenting their quilts, even telling about a piece of fabric being spotted in a quilt and also on a dress of a family member. Libby Hollingsworth told us about the quilts and said that she never “saw” the quilts until the quilt search by MQA, and then she finally “saw” the quilts. She told us about how the grandmother’s flower garden should be constructed as told by a member of her family. The center flower is solid to represent the fountain. The next row is solid, representing the pool. The next row is flowers in a print. The next row is done in white for the stepping stones. The final row is then green to represent the lawn between the gardens.

Ellen Hall spoke to us on judging quilts. Among the criteria the judge will look for are as follows: visual impact; the WOW factor; complexity; realistic interpretation; color pallet in many values; knots hidden and not able to be felt; threads cut; no skipped stitches in the quilting; no stray threads, no lint; no animal hairs; markings removed; quilt is clean and aired; the use of pleasing color values; pleasing use of prints and solids; chosen colors are appropriate; fabrics are harmonious; there is color accent for movement and is appropriate to the pattern; fabric is suitable to the quilt. Noting that judged quilts require originality, she mentioned ways this could happen: using a striking variation of a traditional pattern by use of color and pattern of fabric; using an original design; using a technique in an original way. The quilt reflects something unique about you. Construction and workmanship are judged: how the quilt is put together: on piecing and applique, pieces are uniform in size; the quilt squared as you sew; corners and points sharp in every block; if curved, there are smooth seams; if applique, the blocks are square, grain of fabric is the same, bastings are removed; no raw edges left; no shadowing; matching of color of thread to the applique; stitches even; threads used work with the fabric (think buttonhole stitch); stitches small and tight enough; seam allowances pressed consistently; seams pressed open if necessary; squared as you go. Ellen talked about borders: measure through the center for border measurement; will judge 90 degree angles; creative borders vs. just making the quilt bigger. Quilt backing should complement the front and should be pieced and symmetrical (no seam down the middle), use of a tight stitch, no puckers on the back, backing does not show through the top, no loose stitches on the back. Quilt design must fill the space, appropriate all over including sashing, thread color that is appropriate. Quilting stitches: long or short, but even, evenly distributed, same on front and back, tension–be careful of drawing up, make sure you have proper tension. Binding: color complements the quilt; corners are smooth by using a diagonal miter or perpendicular abutment; at the miter, stitch corner to the edge; on abutted, need for it to be smooth. If use bias binding, make sure it is smooth, not stretched nor rippled. Width should be even all the way around. Binding should be filled completely (no sharp edge binding). Use same thread color as binding. Use small stitches and even stitches. Use lots of quilting...don’t skimp on it. Closing remarks-make something you are interested in, enthusiastic about. If you like it, entering a show is good, and winning is great. Remember that rejection of a quilt is not a rejection of you. Other judges think differently. Words of a judge are not the words of God. The most telling words of wisdom were... make all mistakes in the upper left hand portion of the quilt, have the quilt judged hanging, and make sure you have hired a short judge.

Mississippi Cultural Crossroads’ Director Patty Crosby presented a DVD about the group and its place in the community regarding crafts in America. We were then privy to meet some of the featured stars in the film. One lady who came to quilting late said she never knew that she would go from knowing nothing to becoming addicted. This group does lots of string quilts, purses, wall hangings, and bed size quilts. They do sponsor a quilt show called Pieces and Strings, and registration forms can be obtained from their website. The winning quilts will hang at the Mississippi Museum of Arts May 9 through September 9. Their quilts are sold through the organization as well as individually.

Polly Duggan presented her original, but simple to follow, directions for making a tote in 30-minutes using only one and one-third yards of material, complete with two handles. These totes are perfect for the wounded soldiers to carry their Quilts of Valor. More information about Quilts of Valor can be obtained from their website.

After a short show and tell, the meeting adjourned. Of course, we only adjourned to the back room where we could buy more of Kay’s fabrics, books, notions, and more.