June 11, 2015

First I have to apologize to anyone who has been looking for our May 14th meeting notes. We didn't really have a structured meeting. A year ago we were the recipients of 9 boxes of fabrics, thread and batting from the niece of a lady from Columbus who had passed away. None of her family sewed or quilted and it was too much for the niece to keep everything. Since we have moved our meeting place, we now have a place to store fabrics and etc. graciously provided by the New London Alliance Church. Everyone brought back the fabrics they had taken home and we sorted it into color groups so it would be easier for us to pick and choose fabrics for future projects we are planning on doing in the guild.

Now for the June 11th meeting. First off we mourn the passing of our member Carol Schaffer. She was an integral part of our group. She served as secretary for many years, keeping notes and pictures of our activities. The guild has received memorial donations in her name and we have decided to use some to purchase and donate books to our public library in memory of her. The group also decided to finish one of her projects and to hang it as a backdrop for our display whenever we participate in outside activities.

Next discussed was our June 27th workshop. Bring your BOM if you are still working on it. If not, bring another project to work on or just bring your machine and tools, we have several small projects the guild wants to make to sell at the Hometown Holidays. We have the fabric available. We may need other notions such as elastic, snaps, buttons, etc. Those things can be brought to our next workshop in July and added if need be. We will again be having a sub lunch from Subway. Please give us a head count by e-mailing me at acp1955@hotmail.com by Thursday, June 25th.

The workshop in September, we will be working on items for the Hometown Holidays. If you have a favorite pattern for a small item that you think would be a good seller, bring it to the workshop. We have fabrics and a few patterns available for you to use. If the pattern needs added notions, you will have to plan on bringing them with you as we don't have any of these things in our "stash".

This is a reminder of our Christmas gift exchange. This year's exchange will be either  a homemade item or sewing notions gift. We have set a limit of $20 for the sewing notions gift and the homemade item doesn't have to be a big item. This will be for our December 7th meeting.

We have also been informed that the Norwalk guild would like to visit us sometime, either a meeting or a workshop. Also was mentioned that the Uniontown guild has invited us to visit them. This sounds like a good opportunity to see what other groups are doing.

We had a couple  show and tells.

Above is Yvonne's 10 minute block BOM. She used 30's prints.

This is Chris P.'s 10 minute block BOM. She used cottons and batiks.

It will be interesting to see what the other members come up with.

 

This cute springtime quilt is a kit Yvonne has been working on.

She will be adding yo-yo's for the flowers and the edge is scalloped.

"A Quilted Village" was done by Chris P. It was a kit and was a challenge. 

Unfortunately when you buy kits you run the risk of not

having enough fabric which was the case.

So she dipped into her stash and came up with other fabrics that worked well.

See you at the June workshop!

April 9, 2015

April showers, bring May flowers. We've been having some really nice weather lately. Spring will be in full bloom soon.

Last month was the Original Sewing & Quilt Expo held in Cleveland. A few of us attended on different days and all agreed it was hard to get in the booths to see what was being sold.

We also had members attend the Cure for Cabin Fever held at the Hileman Building in New London. We sold a few items and had some interest in the guild.

April 25th will be the next workshop. We're still doing the BOM and if you haven't started, don't worry, there's still time. We would like to have these done for our quilt show for 2016. If you're not doing the BOM, bring another project and join us for lots of friendly conversation. We're having a soup luncheon. Marcia is making chicken and vegetable soup and everyone has volunteered to bring something to compliment it. If you would like to bring something let me know so we don't double up on dishes.

Our Christmas gift exchange this year will be either a homemade item or sewing notions gift. We have set a limit of $20 for the sewing notions gift and the homemade item doesn't have to be a big item. This will be for our December 7th meeting.

Several group projects were discussed for the future.

We were reminded of the Ashland quilt show the weekend of July 4th. If you're interested in entering a quilt, please contact Yvonne.

We had one show and tell, but this blogger forgot her camera, sorry Marcia, your Christmas tree skirt was beautiful.

Next meeting will be May 14th. We need to have someone volunteer to do a demonstration. If you would like to sign up, please let me know. If the May meeting doesn't work for you we have all meeting dates open for volunteers.

Hope to see you at the workshop!

March 12, 2015

March is finally bringing us some warmer weather and more members are venturing out of hibernation. Plans were discussed for our March 21st workshop. Please note the date change. This is so members may make plans to attend the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo at the I-X Center in Cleveland on Saturday if that's the only day they are free to go. It runs March 26, 27 & 28. The workshop on the 21st will start at 9:00 a.m. and will run until around 1:00 p.m. Don't forget you may come and go as you please. We will be working on the BOM and if you haven't started, don't fret, just bring your prepared fabrics and we will help you get started. Some of our members have already completed their blocks and some are still catching up, so we are all at different stages of assembly. A luncheon was planned and it was decided to have a salad bar. Each member signed up for a salad item and everyone is to bring their own tableware and salad dressings. We still have openings for carrots, green peppers, Garbanza beans, cheese or salads type meats. Please let me know if you want to fill in any of these spaces. Be sure to have every thing cut and ready to go.

April 9th is the next regular meeting and we will be meeting in the youth room that evening. Since we didn't have our demonstration of binding at the last meeting, we will plan on doing it at this meeting. Please bring your prepared 12 x 12 quilt sandwich, your machine and tools and enough double folded binding to go around your sandwich with extra so we can show you how to join the ends so they won't show. If you already have a good grasp of binding your quilts you don't need to bring anything. This is for member who struggle with binding.

We need to raise funds and with us having a table at the Cure for Cabin Fever this Wednesday, March 18th, we discussed possibly doing other craft shows. We would need each member to donate items but if they can't, please consider a donation of at least $5 to cover costs. Also later this year at some of our workshops, we thought it would be a good idea to bring in all the fabric we have had donated to the guild and each member be on the lookout for craft show type item patterns. These should be small, quick and easy projects. Of course you can make things on your own too.

We had a couple show and tells from our workshop and meeting.

First some workshop pictures. Here we are working on the BOM.

 

Chris P. couldn't wait for spring to see some pretty tulips on her table.

 

This bunny table mat is by Chris also.

 

Martha said these blocks have been hanging around her sewing room since the 90's. She thought it was time to put them together.

 

Here's the back of Martha's 90's quilt. She used left over fabric and pieced it together.



 

This little quilt is for Rachenea's granddaughter's Barbie doll.

More springy flowers. These are appliques borders for a quilt Yvonne has been working on.

 



Hope to see everyone at the workshop this weekend.

 

Chris

 

 

 



This is a short post as the weather is still taking its toll on attendance of our meetings.

We held the January workshop on the 28th with Laurie Jones showing us how we can embellish our projects with beading and thread. We were all a little intimidated at first, but with her encouragement we dived right in. She provided several examples of small projects and supplies and each member chose one to stitch and take home if unfinished by the end of the workshop. It was decided a couple of days before to have lunch brought in from Subway with coffee, teas and hot chocolate. It was a nice respite with lots of conversation.

 

 





 

 



The attendance at our regular meeting on February 12th was still on the small size, so no official meeting was held. Marcia showed those who braved the cold and snow how to assemble the "Disappearing Hour Glass Block 2" by the Missouri Star Quilt Company. If you would still like to learn this block, bring a 10" dark square and a 10" light square to the next workshop and she would be happy to help you assemble this block. It's a quick and easy block to use up that layer cake package you may have bought and just don't know what to do with it.

The next workshop will be held February 28th where we will be working on our BOM block 2. If you haven't gotten block 1 done, don't worry, we can work on that at the same time. Plan on bringing another project or even the next couple of blocks to work on after you finish block 1 & 2. If you're not doing the BOM come and bring a project to work on. We will again have Subway, coffee, tea and hot chocolate brought in.

Our March 12th meeting I (Chris P.) will be demonstrating how to apply binding to your finished top. Please bring a 12" x 12" or larger quilt sandwich (this doesn't have to be anything special, just scraps) with enough 2 1/2" strips sewn together end to end and folded and pressed in half, to go around your sandwich with several extra inches to allow for mitered corners and connecting the start of your binding to the end. Also bring your machines and any tools you may need. Irons and ironing boards will be provided.

On March 18th New London CIC is having a Cure for Cabin Fever at The Hileman Building in the recreation park from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. A couple of us will have a table representing our guild.

The workshop for March will be held the 22nd instead of the 28th. This is because of the Original Sewing and Quilt Expo in Cleveland held on March 26, 27 & 28th. That way if someone wants to attend the Expo on Saturday they can do so without missing the workshop. We will also be meeting in the youth room where the stage is due to a conflicting event at the church.

We're looking for members to sign up for a demonstrations for the rest of the years regular meetings starting with April's meeting. Please consider volunteering to share with the rest of the guild a technique that you find interesting. It could be a new ruler, a quick and easy block, a new tool or anything you would like to share.

Here are a couple of show and tell.

Martha did this gorgeous embroidered quilt from Hoop Sisters. These pictures do not do it justice.

A couple of small projects from Chris P.
 



Guess this wasn't so short after all. See you at the next meeting!

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 8, 2015

 

 

Despite the cold we had quite a few members attend our first meeting of 2015. 

Before the meeting we had our local representative for foster care picked up the quilts our guild members had made and Shannon was thrilled. We donated 28 quilts for kids to keep when/if they are moved from place to place.

 

 

 

 

 

Different topics were discussed.

At our next workshop on January 31st, Laurie Jones will be teaching us how to embellish our projects using beads, threads and different items. If you would like to attend, please let me, Chris P., know in advance so she can have kits available. If you are planning on attending, please be there promptly at 9:00 a.m.

Our meeting in February on the 12th, we will be starting something new. Each month we will be asking for a volunteer to do some kind of demonstration after the regular meeting. At the February meeting Marcia will be demonstrating the "Disappearing Hour Glass Block 2". This is a tutorial posted on the internet by Missouri Star Quilt Company and Marcia will be demonstrating it for us live. You will need 2 different 10" squares, a rotating mat, sewing machine, ironing board, & iron. The mat, ironing board and iron will be provided. Anyone who wants to bring these items, please do so. The more we have the less time others have to wait to press or cut.

February 28th workshop we will be working on our BOM block 2. Please have your pieces cut and ready to sew. If you haven't completed or started your block 1, we can easily do both blocks at this workshop. This is scheduled for 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. If you plan on staying for the whole workshop, you may want to bring something else to work on as these blocks are supposed to only take 10 minutes (yeah, right). Remember you don't have to come right at 9:00 and stay until 1:00, this is a come and go as you please. We know everyone is busy on Saturdays.

Please think of something you would like to demonstrate for the guild. It could be a new block you discovered, a new ruler, an old technique revisited or something you are excited about. I will cover the March meeting.

The workshop for the last Saturday of March will be changed to March 21st and we will be working on the BOM block 3. Please have your pieces cut and ready to sew. This meeting has been changed so anyone who wants to attend the Original Quilt and Sewing Expo at the I-X Center in Cleveland on March 26, 27 or 28 can do so if they desire to go on that Saturday.

Again, we have the April meeting demonstration slot open if anyone would like to volunteer......anyone? Would anyone like to volunteer for the April demonstration.....please? LOL. For the workshop on April 25th we will be starting to double up on our BOM. So we will be working on blocks 4 & 5. Please have your fabric cut and ready to sew.

Just an FYI, for the BOM, Yvonne reported after she cut all her squares for all the blocks, she was short when she cut out her fabrics for Fabric "B" for the BOM. We've come to the conclusion that she was shorted when she purchased her fabric. So if you haven't run out and purchased more since this was reported, please check your yardage before you spend more than you have to. 3 1/2 yds. for fabric "B" should be plenty if it is cut right. Go through the fabric "B" requirements and write down each square measurements. Start with your largest square first, then next largest and so on. Here's a tip, cut a 16" by WOF, after you cut your 16" x 16" square from this strip, use the rest for your 8" x 8" squares, you won't get as many as the pattern calls for, but just set them aside. Next cut a 14" strip, after you cut your 14" x 14" squares, use the rest to cut the 7" x 7" squares. Again, you won't get as many as you need, but just set them aside. Work your way through the cuts by cutting your larger squares first and using the left over strip to cut smaller squares and you should be fine. If you need help, let us know and we can figure it out together. We're here to help.

We have been offered storage space at the church for tubs of fabric, small ironing board, large ironing board, iron, whatever we need for our workshops. If you have an extra tub, (not blue, all the other tubs in the storage area are blue), piece of equipment or something we could use and you want to get out of your way, let us know.

Other topics that were touched on were, any spring shop hops that anyone knows of? Let me know and I can put it up on the schedule.

The 2016 quilt show will be held early April, hopefully on the 2nd. Location to be decided later, the Methodist Church, the Alliance Church, if anyone has a location they can think of, let us know.

What are your thoughts on our secret sister Christmas 2015 exchange? Do we still want to do a 1 yd. fabric exchange? Do we want to draw names or do we want to just make something and draw presents at the dinner?

If anyone has any other ideas for our guild, be sure to come to the next meeting on February 12th.

Before I close, here's the photo I thought I had lost of the table topper/wallhanging that Rachenea had made for Martha. Hey, that would go good in my house!

Stay warm!
Chris P.

December 11th, 2014

We've had two events since our last post. First we have photos of New London Hometown Holidays. We had a fair amount of shoppers, but the weather wasn't cooperating. We had many items left over and if you see anything in the photos and would like to purchase it, let us know, we may still have it available.

Here's a long shot of our tables. The quilts you see on the racks are the many quilts the guild members made for a local foster family. The purpose of these quilts is to go to children that the family takes in. They are the child's to keep.

Our second event was our annual Christmas party and gift exchange. Each member who wanted to participate in the exchange was to bring 1 yard of good quality fabric in a brown paper bag with their name and what type of item they would like to receive on a piece of paper inside the bag with the fabric. Bags were then passed out to each member. Here's a look at the results, but first our potluck layout. It was all delicious!

And now for the gift exchange.

 

These beautiful embroidered placemats were given to Yvonne by Martha.

 

Martha received this pincushion from Rachenea. It opened like a flower.

 

She also had a table topper (that I missed! Sorry, it was very pretty) and this scissor case.

 

 

 

Chris' gift(s) were from Jen. First we have a small pouch that can be used for many things.

 

Next we have a sewing tote. It has pockets in the front and back with vinyl zipper pockets and a pincushion on one side. Very cute.

 

Third, we have a table topper. No, your eyes aren't seeing things, it's not finished. Jen started a new job and has been very busy. Congratulations, Jen!

 

Last we have a cute clothes pin holder in the shape of a dress.

 

Here's Jen showing off the card that came with her gift.

 

Chris P. had her name. Jen had admired this wall hanging when Chris had displayed it at the last quilt show. When Jen had brought in all these scraps to pass along, Chris grabbed them up to make this hanging for her.

 

Here's the back using more of the scraps. We think Jen was really amazed at what was done with her leftovers.

 

Carol was unable to finish this hanging for Marcia last year because of illness. It has ornaments added as embellishments.

Marcella made this pink and floral table runner for Carol.

 

This hanging is from Carol to Marcella.

 

Kim was unable to attend to receive her purse made by Yvonne.

 

That wraps up 2014 for the New London Quilt Guild. We are always open to new members and hope to welcome some members back who maybe haven't attended for a while. See you next year!