JACQUIE GERING COMES TO GRAND RAPIDS

For the past two days I have attended classes with instructor Jacquie Gering, modern quilter, perhaps best known for her “out of the box” designs.  Jacquie is the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Modern Quilt Guild. When I learned that the West Michigan Quilter’s Guild was bringing Jacquie to Grand Rapids to speak and lead a couple classes, I knew I had to attend.

Jacquie brought lots of quilts to show us.  Above she explains what inspired this stunning quilt called Shattered.  She said that when her house was broken into and she saw the broken window glass, she was so angry and upset and when she went into her studio she started slashing away and made this quilt.  She often gets ideas for her quilts from life, what she sees in nature, how she feels about something, what speaks to her.

She also showed us this Red Cross quilt.  Note: None of the crosses are the same and none are perfect. Yet, the quilt is perfect!

 Above, Jacquie explains the mechanics of Slice and Insert Improvisation.  She said that improvisation is not a random process.  It is a thoughtful process.  She said the most exciting part of her studio is her scrap pile. She will dig into it and think, will this give character to my quilt?

 Later in the day, after we’d had a chance to practice, Jacquie shows us Julie B.’s block as an example of what to do.   

I don’t know the name of the person who made these blocks but we loved them.  Jacquie shows us the various ways to put these blocks into a quilt.  She talked about the Framing method and the Paneling method.

Jacquie also explained the effect a different colored background will have on our blocks.

Above they experimented with a yellow background in one square.  Is that out of the box or what?

Donna finished her Slice and Insert Improvisation quilt!  Note how the various sizes and angles give this quilt character.  I can’t wait to see it quilted!

Jacquie brought several more quilts to show us. Above, and ...

 This and...

This.  Note that little slice off the upper left corner of this quilt.  Now that is improvisation!

There will be more pictures tomorrow of Jacquie’s quilts and our Scrappy Improvisation class. 

DON’T FORGET:

• Pick up The Sept/Oct issue of The Country Register.  The Attic Window Quilt Shop is featured on Page 9.
• To mark your calendar for the West Michigan Quilters’ Guild Quilts on the Grand.  The date is October 3 – 5 at the DeltaPlex Arena.
• On Thursday, October 9th at 10:00 A.M., Vickie will be holding a finishing class for her spiral lone star for anyone who has previously taken the class with her and who needs some extra help with the finishing steps. 
• Shop Swap – Attic Window Quilt Shop and Quilted Memories – October 19 and 26

ANOTHER NOTE: 

• Here’s a nice gift you can make for that favorite gardener.  Sew Mama Sew has a tutorial for a Garden Tote.

Until next time,
♥
Stay Calm! Stay Kind! Stay Positive!
Caroll