About Us
Our History
Founded in 2010 by Heather Jones, the Cincinnati Modern Quilt Guild (CMQG) remains a small, friendly, inquisitive, and creative group of sewists who share an interest in modern quilting. Early on, the guild gathered in a member’s home to share and chat about current projects; an adult beverage
and a delicious batch of homemade pretzels (made by the host's husband) were on the monthly agenda.
Goals were few beyond
quilting-centric learning
and comradery.
When the group outgrew the living room, the CMQG began meeting monthly in the Centennial Barn of the Franciscan Ministries.
In 2011, the city of Cincinnati hosted The International Quilt Festival. The Cincinnati MQG was asked to hang a special exhibit of modern quilts. At the time the idea of "modern quilts" was relatively new in the quilt world — this was a great opportunity for them to share their passions and projects with the quilting community at large.
For the exhibit, the guild challenged its members to reinterpret the traditional Ohio Star block in a modern way. Those quilts designed by CMQG members attracted considerable attention — and many new members.
The following year, they challenged members to put a modern spin on the Dresden Plate block. These also received enthusiastic kudos from the community.
Today
The CMQG hosts monthly meetings year-round, on the second Wednesday of the month. Our meeting locations vary between meeting at a local library or online via Zoom.
For our virtual meetings, we usually have an internationally known guest speaker — often in partnership with other Modern Quilt Guilds. Our in-person meetings consist of our favorite staples, "Show and Tell” and “Help, I’m Stuck!” — guild business and an education segment, usually taught by one of the guild members.
In addition, we host regular virtual and in-person “sew-ins”, conduct swaps, and promote challenges so that we can keep learning from and helping one another.
Come Join Us
You are invited to come and try out two of our in-person meetings before joining as a member.
We welcome anyone curious about modern quilting, whether you are tackling your first quilt, have made hundreds, or just appreciate them.
Based on a late 2021 member survey, over 40% of our members consider themselves to be “beginners/advanced beginners”, and a similar number consider themselves to be “striving intermediates.” Several of our members are experts who write/sell patterns, author books, exhibit locally, sell quilts and longarm services, and win top awards in major competitions.