Letter from the President

By Linda Neal

Goodbye 2020 and hello 2021!  It feels great to finally be able to say that.  It’s been a long and challenging year as President of the guild.  I can’t believe all of the changes we have had to make: cancelling speakers, changing our meetings to Zoom, starting Zoom small groups, changing our standing orders, increasing our Facebook following, just to name a few.  

Our small groups on Zoom are continuing to grow. The QGP board would love to add more small groups.  If you are interested in leading a small group, please let me know.  The QGP board is also discussing scheduling some Zoom day retreats, since our annual guild retreat at the Hilton Gardens was cancelled. 

We had our first New Year’s Eve  Zoom sit and sew to welcome in 2021.  It is always fun to spend the holidays with my quilting friends.  And it was nice not having to drive home after midnight…….

I am very excited about having a quilt show October 8th & 9th, 2021. We are hopeful that by October quilters, venders, and volunteers will be ready to come together and make it a great show.  It is going to take a lot of teamwork to make this show a success.  We will have to continue to have our meetings on Zoom until it is safe for us to meet together.  This is challenging, since some of our members choose not to participate on Zoom.  We will be posting information on the website about positions we need filled and how to volunteer.  Information can also be found under the Guild Documents part of the website and then looking at the Quilt Show tab.  Also, if you are missing the monthly guild meetings, you can catch up by reading the monthly Guild Meeting Minutes.  It is going to continue to be a challenge to communicate with all of our members until we are able to meet in person.  Until then–stay safe, stay healthy and keep on quilting!

2021 Annual Retreat

By Carol Long

Programs

By Jeanne Smith

2021 is the year of Hope, Healing and Harmony. It is a year when we can finally, hopefully come together. It is a year when body and soul can heal and look to the future. It is a year when together we find unity, harmony, community and a mutual purpose in our circle of guild. 

Here is to 2021!

January — Zoom Guild Meeting – Thursday, January 14, 2021

Jenny K. Lyon – Lecture: My Journey through the Artistic Muddle

Jenny is a fiber artist, author and teacher from northern California. Her work focuses on free motion quilting on whole cloth and has been juried into the Houston International Quilt Festival, AQS in Paducah, Pacific International Quilt Festival and numerous juried art shows. 

Her book with C&T Publishing, Free Motion Quilting-From Ordinary to Extraordinary, was written to improve and encourage the experienced beginner. 

Find Jenny at quiltskipper.com

February — Zoom Guild Meeting – Thursday, February 11, 2021

Debbie Maddy – Lecture:  Indigo Shibori Dyeing from Itajime, Arashi, Nui, Kumo and beyond. 

Debbie is a pattern designer, a fabric designer for Moda Fabrics and is an internationally traveling teacher for quilt guilds and quilt shops. She will share her passion for all things Indigo.

Workshop

I can now actually write about the “W” word – Workshop!

Are you ready? It won’t be in person but Zoom has been a virtual lifesaver during the pandemic.

I would like to present Michael Davison, a member of our guild, designer of acrylic rulers for long-arm and machine quilting and quilt patterns under the name Quarter Squared Quilt Co. Michael is also a custom long-arm quilter for hire, YouTube instructor, and owner of an online fabric shop. 

Saturday, February 27, 2021 via Zoom, 9-3pm

Michael Davison: Reverse Focus Quilts

FEE: $35. Register online at michaelquilts.com/workshops

REVERSE FOCUS QUILTS:

Using Large Scale Prints and Negative Space:  a hands-on workshop with Michael Davison

The idea for this workshop stemmed from two passions: Using large scale prints and having lots of negative space to plan out quilting designs, which become the main focal point of the quilt. Using the large scale prints/piecing as background and the negative space quilting as focus reverses our common notion of traditional quilt composition. The results are wonderful and can satisfy both the traditional and modern quilter.

In this workshop, you will construct a 40” x 40” wall hanging/small lap quilt to put this concept into practice. You will choose one of several patterns to piece your quilt top. These patterns use very large pieces to show off your large scale print(s) and will sew together quickly. Once your quilt top is pieced, you will create your quilting design. We will walk through steps of how to plan for quilting that draws the eye in and how to effectively divide and conquer large negative space to create interest.

Because we are creating our own plan for quilting, this class will involve some drawing and drafting. Don’t be scared – It’ll be fun! Your quilting designs can be completely free form and loose, or they can be detail drafted and precise. The goal is to come up with a design that creates focus, but also complements the printed fabric that is taking the back seat on this one. We will talk about threads and textures that beckon the viewer’s eye to take a closer look.

You will leave the workshop with your pieced top and the majority of your quilting design marked on your quilt, if not all of it. The actual quilting process will be on your own, but if you are a speedy one, you may end up preparing your quilt sandwich and start quilting before we are done.

ZOOM – This entire workshop will be conducted on ZOOM. Students should have video and audio capability. Preference is to be able to see what you are doing and hear from you throughout the workshop. However – I will do my best to monitor the chat feature for anyone who cannot connect through video and audio, but will be watching and hearing me and the other students.

***OPTIONAL FABRIC KIT $35

Fabric kits will be available on my website for purchase. You may choose the kit you like or ask me to curate a custom fabric kit for you. This can be shipped USPS Priority Mail directly to your home or you could arrange to pick up from me. My website will have kit order cut-off date so that you will be sure to receive your kit prior to the workshop.

Find Michael at www.michaelquilts.com and on YouTube channel: Michael Quilts.

Quilt Plano 2021

By Donna Petrick

It’s with great pleasure that I announced at the guild meeting that the quilt show is back on for 2021.  We decided to move it further into the year in the hope that people will have their vaccinations by then and be ready to mingle again.  So save the dates – October 8th & 9th, 2021.  If the board and committees believe that it is not safe to do the show at that time, we will cancel again.  But please do your part in getting vaccinated to help get Covid-19 under control.  And think positive thoughts for Covid going away.

There is a lot of work to do before we will move into the Plano Event Center on Tuesday, Oct 5th.  At that time we will perform our set up jobs as soon as the equipment comes from the storage unit and pole and drape is up.  Then we are off to the races.  Show time is always exciting.  It’s a great time to meet new people, learn more about the guild and get involved with a fun show.

Back to the work before the show….we have a number of position openings on the committee this year.  Please look at the Help Wanted section of the website to see what is open.  (Also listed in this newsletter.)  It takes all of us to make sure the show is fun and successful.  This is how we fund the wonderful programs that are provided to us.  Do your part to put on this show.

We are back in business accepting mini quilts for the silent auction.  You can contact Valerie Salter or me to deliver your quilt.  Forms will be on the website soon.

We will still have limited space for hanging quilts and with most of us are doing a lot of quilting this year; be selective about what you enter.  Registration forms will be on the website no later than April 1st and cut-off for registration will be the August guild meeting.

Since I started writing this piece, we have learned that IQA in Houston is disbanding, due to no funds coming in.  Even with all Quilt, Inc. pays for festival, they cannot cover the expenses of the guild.  While we are in no way as extensive a guild as IQA, we can see that our funds will only extend so far into the future without new monies coming in.  Our quilt show provides those funds.  It takes the whole guild to produce a show of the caliber that we produce.  Please take the time to see what position on the show committee would be job you could and would do.

Open Show Committee positions:  descriptions of these positions is found on the website under Membership, Guild Documents, Quilt Show.

• Process Coordinator
• Door Prizes Chair
• Food Chair
• Logistics Chair
• Preview Night Chair
• Registration Chair – another person to help as one person may be out of the country at show time
• Security Chair – another person to help as one person may be out of the country at show time
• Set Up/Take Down – need a second person to help chair
• Signs Chair
• Treasurer
• Vendors/Sponsors Chair – need second person to help chair position

Community Service

By Dolores Williams and Valerie Salter

Hope you had happy and safe holidays. 

Community Service is planning a Take-in date in late January.  Right now, we have plenty of pillowcase kits and quilt top kits, but we have not prepared quilts for quilting.  Once we have quilts for quilting, we will put out an email blast announcing a Take-in date.

 At the December meeting I should have drawn the winner for the Birthday Quilt Challenge.  I will do the drawing at the January meeting.

As a reminder:  The Birthday Quilt Challenge started that you would bring to the meeting of your birthday month, a completed quilt that would be donated to the charity of your choice.  We later expanded it that you needed to bring the quilt in anytime during the year and say it is your birthday quilt (this gives the January birthday members as much time to do the quilt as the members with December birthdays).  The quilt must be completed.  At the December meeting Community Service will draw a name for a prize.

Due to the pandemic and no meetings since March, we only received 10 quilts.  I am hoping we can receive more in 2021.

News from the Zoom Bees

By Donna Petrick

I think we are getting the hang of it now.  We have “zoomed” enough to figure out most of what to do.  And personally, I love being able to talk to some of you that I hardly ever got to see before we got quarantined and now never get to see.

Just like our regular bees, not everyone can attend each month.  Some of us have demos going on, some just mostly talk, but it’s a way to stay connected.  If you have any interest in the current zoom bees or would like to start another one, please contact Linda Neal or Donna Petrick.  We will help you get set up and help you learn to run a zoom meeting.

The machine embroidery group shares lots of hints and tips on how to do our projects.  We have had one demo and have another scheduled for January.  Show and tell is always fun.

Featherweight Fellowship – Jeanne Vogel

If you have a Singer Featherweight and are interested in learning more and sewing together, we are having our meetings on Zoom at 1pm on both the 3rd Saturday of the month and the 4th Friday. Those who have not previously notified me, please email me to get the invitation to join the Zoom meeting: pickincotton26@verizon.net

• Chicks with Feathers — 3rd Saturday @ 1-3 pm — (Formerly meeting at Sunrise of Plano). We sit and sew together, problem solve and educate.
• Fourth Friday Featherweight Friends — (Formerly meeting at Best Little Retreat Center in Texas)—1-3pm We have an educational component while we sew

Free Motion Quilting Bee (we actually sew during the meeting!) – Monica Hendewerk

Our meetings have been a huge success.  It turns out that Zoom blocks out background noise, so we can sew and chat at the same time!  Monica or one of the other members provide some designs to practice on a small sandwich which you can choose to use or not.  The designs are sent out in advance and include step by step instructions, with both beginner and intermediate designs.  A number of us generally “doodle” on paper first, and then sew.  Some people do the designs that have been sent out, others do their own thing.  We have beginner beginners all the way to advanced members of the group.  We also share our samples and ask/answer questions.  Meetings are on the second Monday of the month, from 1 – 3 (or longer sometimes!).  Please contact Monica so that she can send you the Zoom link if you are interested.  mhendewerk@gmail.com  (713) 569-8798

Worker Bees – Emily Hall

For those of you yearning to meet with your quilty friends in the evenings, whether that be because you work during the weekdays, or because you just love to sew at any hour of the day, please join us for our new evening group. We would love for you to join us! We will be meeting on the 3rd Tuesday of each month at 6:30pm, we started Tuesday, December 15, 2020. For this group, please have your favorite quilting activity, current work-in-progress, block-of-the-month, etc. ready to work on during our meetings. Any quilting activity is welcomed! Fun fact: the host of this group learned how to cut and sew half-square triangles at the first small group she attended, so who knows, you might also learn new tips and tricks. We are “sew” excited to make new friends and keep our “sew-jo” thriving. Contact Emily at emilylaurenhall@gmail.com or (214) 533-2489 for the Zoom link.

Hand Applique Small group:  We have decided to move our monthly Zoom meeting to the first Monday of each month at 10:00.  All of the dates through June are listed on the guild website calendar. We made the change so it would not conflict with the Community Service drop off days.  If you are interested in joining our hand applique Zoom group, please email Linda Neal (lindanealmck@hotmail.com)

English Paper Piecing Small Group:  We meet on the 4th Tuesday at 10:00 on Zoom.  The dates are listed on the guild website calendar.   If you are interested in joining our group, please email Linda Neal (lindanealmck@hotmail.com)

Guild Activities

By Leigh Knox and Michael Davison

Happy New Year!

The winner of the Connected Blocks is Dena Smith!  Woohhooooo I am so jealous.  Congratulations Dena.  Now all of us who made a block, we need to get those in the mail to Dena.  You can contact Dena for her information at dm2smith@yahoo.com  Or you can log into the guild website for her address.

January – Quilt of Valor for our March meeting with Suzanne DiCarlo. What a great opportunity to say thank you to our veterans.   

If you need any ideas for patterns, please visit https://www.qovf.org/quilt-patterns/

The recommended size of a Quilt of Valor is 60″ x 80″; it must be a minimum of 55″ x 65″ and maximum of 72″ x 90.  The Quilt consists of a top, batting, and backing.  It must be machine or hand quilted. A tied quilt is not acceptable for a Quilt of Valor.

More information can be found at https://www.qovf.org.

Not able to make an entire quilt?  Check out their 2021 Block drive:  https://www.qovf.org/in-the-news/2021-national-block-drive/

February – Show us your Shibori quilts/tops.  Debbie Maddy’s beautiful Shibori fabric has been so popular, if you have a quilt, submit a photo for the show & tell.

Membership

By  Sue Rentz & Karen Edmondson

Happy New Year from Membership!  We hope you have renewed your membership in the Quilters Guild of Plano.  If you haven’t yet done so, you won’t be receiving invitations to attend our Zoom meetings and hear our wonderful speakers.  We want the support of our members in this critical year for our guild.

To renew, please do one of the following:

• If you are new to the Guild or simply wish to write a check for a renewal, on our website choose Membership on the menu, select Membership Information, and then click on Membership Form in the first paragraph.  Fill out that form, and mail it with your check to the address given on the form.
• If you are an existing member and you wish to pay by credit card, you must login on the home page, click the Pay Your Dues button, and follow through from there.  Please note that family memberships cannot be renewed using this method; they must be handled by check. 

At the December meeting, our door prizes came from Boxcar Quilts, Sew Let’s Quilt It, Quilt Country, and Stitch House.  The winners, chosen using a random number generator from names entered into the Chat window, were Terry Reisinger, Emily Hall, Ginny Cherry, and Donna Petrick.

Stockings

By  Martha O’Grady

The lady from Soldiers Angels came to my house to pick up stockings and goodies. I did not get a final count, but it was over 2500.

Here is her thank you note:  I wanted to take a minute to say thank you again for the wonderful holiday stockings that you and your group donated.  They will go a long way to bringing some holiday spirit and cheer to veterans receiving treatment at VA facilities around the country.

So, as we face our new year of 2021, we can choose whether we want to continue with Soldiers Angels, or to choose another charity or multiple charities. SA is a wonderful ministry to the millions of active military and veterans, and would be an excellent choice for our stocking focus. But one of you might have a different idea. If you do, send me a text.

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