Almonte Quilters Guild Newsletter
November 2013
This newsletter is posted on the guild website at: www.almontequiltersguild.com
President’s message
I love the fall, with its cool evenings and sunny days. The best ones are the days
when the milkweeds burst open and all the seeds float in the sunset light. It is also a
wonderfully productive time when I add twice as many ideas to the UFO list as I
finish. Thankfully, there are the winter months to finish some of them.
Quilt Canada is coming to Ste Catherines from June 11 to 14, only a 6 hour drive
away. If you haven’t been to see the quilts made by our fellow Canadians, this is the
opportunity. Plus there are some great workshops with both Canadian and
international instructors, good camaraderie, and quilts, quilts, quilts.
Can it really be that the Holiday Season is nearly here? AQG will celebrate at the
November meeting and you are invited to bring your Christmas wall hangings or
stockings to decorate the Civitan Hall. Dress up in your holiday finest and bring
your sewing kit, needles, thread and scissors as we’ll be doing a workshop on Hexi’s
with Judy Thomson. Kits will be available. She made me do two to test her
instructions, so I have finally done a Hexi. The instructions are good and Judy is
lots of fun, as you know!
BREAKING NEWS
Our banner has been found! As we thought, someone put it in a safe place.
When they checked for something else, they found the banner. We are so
glad to have it back, but maybe we should put a GPS button on it!
Membership renewal
If you have forgotten to renew your membership for this year, please see
Jane, Donna or Angela at the Sign In table. We will remove those who have
not renewed from the mailing list next month. Please consider bringing a
friend.
New Quilties for the Almonte Hospital - Elva
Both the Civic hospital and the Almonte hospital love the little quilties and
would like to keep receiving them. The Civic takes the little 12 x 12 for the
babies that don’t survive and the Almonte hospital takes the 24 x 24 to send
home with the new moms.
QUILT IN DAYS
We had two fun Quilt Ins at the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum in
September and October. We had a lot of people doing hand applique the first
month, and a lot working on their Autumn Strip Exchange quilts in October.
The best part was the conversation and the sharing of ideas. Plus we got to
see each other’s work. In all, 16 members have dropped in. The next Quilt In
day will be November 21 from 1 to 4 at the Museum. You can unload your
machine at the back door. We are organizing more days for next year. See
you there.
TULIPOMANIA QUILT KIT RAFFLE
We will draw the winning ticket for the beautiful Canadian designed pattern
and fabric at this meeting. You will still have time to buy at ticket this month at
$2 each or 3 for $5. If you have suggestions for a raffle prize for next year, let
Leslie know.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR
Quilt Canada will be held in St. Catherines this June. If you have never been
to a Canadian Quilter’s Association Quilt Show, it is amazing to see what
Canadian quilters make, and an event not to be missed. Plus there are many
workshops available with Canadian and International instructors. It is also
relatively close to us and we don’t need to fly to see the Quilt Show. It starts
on Wednesday June 11 and continues until Saturday June 14. We’ll look into
organizing some car pools next year. Please mark your calendar.
As this is our Christmas meeting, come in Christmas
garb
Library
Sue’s website: www.gourmetquilter.com. I think most ladies will enjoy her take
on some of the usual blocks but done in a different way.
PROGRAMMING - Sue Rushton
Our program this month is Deck the Halls, Christmas in November. We are making Hexi’s.
PLEASE BRING YOUR SEWING KIT, NEEDLES, THREAD AND SCISSORS.
Check out this website. Sue thought you would enjoy.
http://www.quiltmaker.com/blogs/quiltypleasures/2013/11/100-things-every-quilter-should-do/
Check out our website:
www.almontequiltersguild.com. Check out show and
tell. What talented members we have.
MAKE YOUR OWN JELLY ROLL
The theme for the year 2013-2014 is BRIGHT and BOLD
Each meeting bring three strips of fabric, 2 ½ inches by width of fabric
(minimum 40 inches) in a plastic bag with your name on it. Turn them in at
beginning of meeting. During the break, pick up your bag with 3 new strips in
it. In June 2014, you will have 27 strips of Bright and Bold fabric.
Hope you have fun!
Janet and Lynda
AUTUMN JELLY ROLL CHALLENGE QUILTS
Remember to bring your autumn jelly roll challenge project (even if it is not
finished). The membership will be inspired by what you have done. If you have
any leftover strips or blocks, you may want to donate them to the charity quilt
program
Block of the Month
I never seem to have my wits about me when I stand up at meetings to talk about Block of
the Month so am hoping to wax eloquent in this format.
There are so many things I like about our guild, but participating in Block of the Month has
always been one of my favourite activities. It’s a chance to learn new techniques, use up
stash, accomplish something quickly (it’s a great antidote for the times when you’re too
busy to finish a UFO you just can’t face) and it’s always great to see how other members
handled last month’s challenge. Over the years we’ve produced a lot of charity quilts with
these blocks. Remember the beautiful bed quilt we gave to the Civitan?
What happens to the blocks that are brought back to meetings?
In the past participants put their names in a draw and a lucky member took home the
blocks submitted that month. If there were enough, some were kept for charity quilts. I
used a set I won for a “couch quilt” my sister got when she moved in to her own apartment;
I wimped out and donated another set to Victoria’s Quilts and many members set a lap quilt
that was returned to the guild to be quilted and bound by other folks before it went to
charity. When I worked full-time often the only quilting I could manage was a block of the
month so I got sneaky and didn’t put my name in the draw. Elva & Caroline, bless their
souls, pieced countless quilts (from blocks of varied accuracy I might mention- no easy
feat,) before turning them over to be finished. Every once in a blue moon we do blocks for
something special like the aforementioned cathedral window quilt or the one we’re doing at
the moment for Quilts of Valour.
I would like to encourage as many members as possible to contribute blocks, then leave it
up to the individual to participate in the draw. If you don’t want another project or didn’t
like the block we did that month- DON’T PUT YOUR NAME IN THE LITTLE BOX. And
feel free to put your winnings to whatever use pleases you.
Slab Blocks
What a great way to start out the new guild year! Your slab blocks were magnificent and
broke records for participation. I gather “quick and easy” appeals to everybody. There go
my thoughts of challenging you with diamonds and inset corners. I heard somebody say
we should do the slabs again so feel free to do one any time you get the urge. Bring them
to guild and we’ll save them until we have another 12, or 24, or 36…
Quilts of Valour is a Canadian organization that co-ordinates a programme providing
donated quilts to wounded members of our armed services. They collect and dispense
quilts from lap size to single bed size. Our newest block of the month is Rolling Stone. Sue
Stewart suggested this one after she found a video featuring it and sent me this link:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_detailpage&v=TdKShnPbBWk
Irene Lefebvre and I have cut kits from 2 of the fabrics in the Northcott Stonehenge line,
designed in support of QofV. I sold 26 of the kits at the October meeting, which should
allow us to make some very patriotic quilts to send in the new year. (There are still kits
available at $5 each.)
The block coming out in November is called Crystals and we’ll do it in white and 2 shades
of blue for a nice wintery look. It’s not hard exactly, but you’ll need to use some of the
techniques Elva taught you. Especially the ones about making blocks the right size since I
might end up putting them together if everybody opts out of the draw.
I’m working on a Hearts and Flowers theme for January because I’ve always wanted to
make a “colour wash” quilt but never had the gumption. My plan is to give you a chance to
play with colour values in just a single block. We’ll probably need to do some fabric sharing;
in the meantime set aside some small scale or floral prints in red/pink and pale
yellow/cream tones.
One of the greatest things about Block of the Month is the chance it provides new quilters
to try out piecing or appliqué on a small scale. I’d love to hear from you as you’re working
with the instructions if something doesn’t make sense or is unfamiliar. Call or email me
anytime you hit a snag. Unless of course you quilt in the middle of the night when you can’t
sleep, then an email sounds about right.
See you Monday night,
Cathe Baker
Charity Quilts
Kathy and Dianne talked to Kim O'Connor. She is the Director, Community
Supports and Services at Mills Community Support Corporation. They
manage 5 group homes for adults with disabilities. Altogether they have 50
clients. Of the 50, 3 men and 10 women are in wheelchairs and would greatly
appreciate lap quilts. Either lap quilts or twin bed size would be great for the
remaining clients.
We donated the 5 lap quilts and the one twin size quilt at the end of the
meeting.
Victoria’s Quilts meets the second Monday of the month from noon to
4pm at the Civitan Hall. There is a lot of camaraderie – and goodies -working together to provide quilts for people with cancer. It is also an
opportunity to learn new skills and tips from fellow quilters. People of every
skill are needed as there is a lot to do in the afternoon. Kits and supplies are
available, and donations of quality cottons and flannel are most appreciated.
Please bring them to the Victoria’s Quilts meeting or the next guild meeting for
collection. Our next meeting is December 9 AT 12:00 P.M.
.
Challenges
ANNOUNCING! Stitch Across Canada as we Walk to Brock
Starting September 1st, we want you or your guild to send us the perimeter of all quilts
shown at your Show and Tell/Share. We will plot the inches from Mile Zero in
Victoria to Brock University in St. Catharines, the home of Quilt Canada 2014. But to
make it a REAL challenge, we will visit our Regional Representative, Shona Barbour
and her quilting friends, in Inuvik NT along the way. Yikes! a mere 106,007,412
inches more than our last Stitch Across Canada challenge. Send your monthly total to
the Director at Large: directoratlarge@canadianquilter.com
See details at: http://www.canadianquilter.com/pdf/2014_Walk_to_Brock.pdf
We are certainly doing our part.
In September we had 19,653 inches (we had an extremely productive summer!)
In October we had 9,059 inches. Keep up the walking.
Melanie Shurben
Quilter / Teacher
Quilts on Commission
Long-Arm Quilting Service
613-257-8444
mfshurben@gmail.com
SALE
From: Jennifer Hamilton <JenniferHamilton@live.ca>
Please pass this email along to anyone you think would be interested in
quilting fabric. I inherited a couple thousand bolts of beautiful fabric, but it's
too much for a personal stash.
The sale is Sat Nov 16th, from 8:00am-2:00pm. Location, 4510 Bolingbroke
rd. Maberly.
Fat Quarters........ $1.25 each
Pre-cut fabric.........$5.00/ yard
Batting.............$17.00/yard
Fleece.........$7.00/yard
Cash or cheque only
Feel free to email me, or call at (613)- 268-2303.
Janet’s Tip
Cookie cutters make great templates for applique or hand quilting, especially
for children's quilts.
TIPS
Try this simple test to determine the grainline of fabric which no longer has
selvage. Firmly grasp the fabric in two hands and tug. Lengthwise grain
responds with a loud “snap,” while crosswise grain gives a lower-pitched
“thud.”
What kind of Batting do I use?
By Leslie Whitby
100% Cotton Batting
Care: Washable
Needling: Challenging by hand, easy by machine
Loft: Low to High
Weight: Medium to Heavy
What’s good about it? Breathable, soft, insulating
What may be a problem: Shrinkage (need to preshrink unless
you want antique look), heavier than polyester
Polyester Batting
Care: Washable
Needling: Easy. Higher lofts are more difficult to machine quilt.
Loft: Wide variety – up to very thick
Weight: Various
What’s good about it? Lightweight, warm, less expensive,
non-allergenic
What may be a problem: Not breathable
80%/20% Cotton/Poly Blend Batting Care: Washable
Needling: Easy
Loft: More flat than polyester, less flat than cotton
Weight: Depends on loft
What’s good about it? Shares good qualities of
cotton and poly
What may be a problem: Possible shrinkage
Wool or Wool Blend Batting
Care: Dry clean or hand wash
Needling: Easy
Loft: Medium to High
Weight: Medium
What’s good about it? Warmth without weight in winter,
soft, breathable, cool in summer
What may be a problem: May attract moths, expensive,
may beard
Silk Batting
Care: Dry clean
Needling: Easy, sometimes sticky
Loft: Low
Weight: Very lightweight
What’s good about it? Luxurious, drapes beautifully, warm
without weight
What may be a problem: Expensive, may be hard to find, may
beard
source: AQS site, Oct 23, 2013
Murphy’s Laws of Quilting
When you measure twice and cut once, the piece is still too short.
No matter how much of a particular fabric you have for the quilt you want to
make, you will always be a half a yard short.
The more time (and money) you spend making a quilt for your son, the more
likely it is that it will end up as a dog bed cushion
Free to a good home----a wooden quilt frame with legs, approximately 90
inches by 80 inches. Contact Janet Fenn (613) 253- 1245
FOR SALE
The quilting frame is 8' 3" long by 3' wide. It does collapse somewhat. I would like $50.00 for it. It
rolls from both ends for quilting. The person would need a truck or a van. I live in Carleton Place.
Lynn Hunt (613) 253-8106.
Almonte Quilters Guild Meetings are held at the Civitan
Centre, 7:00 pm, on the third Monday of the month. The
next meeting of the AQG will be January 20, 2014
Don't Forget to Bring to the Meeting
Name Tag:
Indoor shoes and a bag for your boots in winter
Mug
Food if it is your turn
Library books
Block of the Month
Jelly Roll Strips
Show & Tell
$$Money$$ for the 50/50
Donations of Door Prizes
Donations of fabric, batting, "orphan" blocks for charity program
And a friend.
AGQ Executive for 2013-2014 Season
President – Leslie Whitby
Past President – Dianne Gale
Vice president – Melanie Shurben
Secretary – Caren Denault
Treasurer –Sue Turner
Membership –Jane Sorfleet
Donna Krottner
Angela Ziai
Program - Suzanne Rushton
Library – Val Forte
Caren Denault
Sue Stewart
Social - HelenLarson
Jan Fulton
Josee Biggs
Chris Zukowski
Webmaster – Carole Treggett
Newsletter – Lynda Moulton
Block-of-the- month - Cathe Baker
Jelly Roll exchange – Janet Fenn
Lynda Moulton
50/50 - Brenda Million
Debbie Hunt
Charity Program – Dianne Bertrand
Quilties for Almonte Hospital – Elva Lock
Please send your newsletter submissions to Lynda Moulton.
MERRY CHRISTMAS
HAPPY NEW YEAR