Letter from the President

By Linda Neal

After a very long and hard winter, spring is finally here.  I thought Spring would never arrive. But, the signs of spring are everywhere.  Tulips and daffodils have broken through the frozen soil from our recent warm and sunny days.  Trees that appeared dead, are starting to show a few budding leaves.  Quilters are coming out hibernation in search of retreats, fabric, and friends.  What a sigh of relief--finally!!

After a year of being away from friends and family finishing our UFO’s, we can finally starting resuming our "normal” lives.  It feels so weird.  Even though we are still wearing masks, we are hard at work making plans for the rest of the year.  Shop hops, retreats, and even our 2021 quilt show in October!  

The guild has many, many opportunities for you to get involved as you start to venture out into the world.  We have  positions on the nominating committee,  QGP executive board, Quilt Plano 2021 committee, as well as volunteering to help with our show.  It’s time to come out and get involved.   Show committee meetings, board meetings, and guild meetings will continue to be on Zoom.  But as time continues and COVID-19 numbers decrease, we will transition into in person meeting.  I anticipate for most meetings we will do dual meeting: in person and Zoom at the same time.  In other words--if you hate Zoom, you can attend in person.  If you love Zoom, you can continue on Zoom.  The bottom line is we need people to get involved in QGP and to keep our guild going strong.  If you are ready to get involved--please send an email to anyone on the QGP executive board or Donna Petrick, head of the 2021 Show Committee.  We would love to have you join us!

NOMINATING COMMITTEE:  We Need You!!!

All good things must come to an end.  We have an an awesome board the last 2 years, but it is time for some officers to rotate off according to our bylaws.  Due to COVID-19 and shutdowns last year I asked every board member to continue in their position another year.  It has really helped our guild run smoothly--especially when you look around at other guilds that have been dormant or disbanded.  But, it’s time to get back to normal and rotate committee members off the board and new members continue forward.  We need members to step up and be on the nominating committee.  Our bylaws make it very clear what is expected of the nominating committee: 

1. Consists of five members and two alternates selected no later than the May regular meeting. Alternates attend the committee meetings. 
2. A member of the Nominating Committee may be nominated as a candidate and must resign from the Nominating Committee if the nomination is accepted. The resigning member is replaced by an alternate.
3. The Committee should consider for the office of President someone who has had previous Board of Directors experience.
4. The committee prepares and presents a slate of officers consisting of one or more candidates for each elected office in the July edition of the newsletter.
5. The Committee provides a list of chairpersons for the standing committees to be approved by the incoming Board.
6. Serves as the election tellers at the annual elections of officers. 
7. Submits a written report to the President

I am starting the nominating committee a bit early to try to reach out to members who don’t Zoom and members who Zoom.  To be on the committee all you need to do is be a member of the QGP and have a desire to keep this guild running!  That’s it.  If that sounds like you--please email Linda Neal.

Programs

By Jeanne Smith

***New Date for Zoom Workshop:  Saturday, April 24, 2021***

Due to complications from the winter storm in February 

If you haven’t already registered for this class now is your chance!

Michael Davison: Reverse Focus Quilts – Large Scale Prints and Negative Space

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

 

In this Zoom workshop, you will construct a 40” x 40” wall hanging/small lap quilt. 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.

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. This entire workshop will be conducted on ZOOM.

***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. My website will have kit order cut-off date so that you will be sure to receive your kit prior to the workshop. Michael at www.michaelquilts.com

Guild Meeting - Thursday, April 8, 2021 with J. Michelle Watts

J. Michelle Watts is a quilt artist who creates quilts and wearable art inspired by the beauty of the southwest. She has been designing quilt patterns for over 36 years. "While the biggest part of my pattern designs are still inspired by the beauty of the Southwest and my surroundings, some of most recent designs are a series of easy to piece, jelly roll friendly and scrap reduction quilts. Each of these quilts were designed with simple messages of faith, hope, love and peace.” Her website is https://www.jmichellewatts.com/.

Zoom Guild Meeting - Thursday, May 13, 2021

Timna Tarr: Flying Colors Trunk Show

Timna is known for making fun, colorful, award-winning quilts. Join her for a trunk show of her quilting journey. She talks about her design and color choices, as well as the personal stories behind the quilts.

Quilt Plano  --  October 8 & 9, 2021

By Donna Petrick

I’ve started this articles a couple of times and yet am at the last moment getting it done.  Things keep changing.  We are working on ideas and times and activities.  It’s fun and terrifying at the same time.  Those who comment are anxious to get back together and are looking forward to the quilt show.  And yet, I’m worried that people will come and make this one the success we need.  I need life to be normal again.  I’m sure you feel the same way.

We have decided not to have the children’s area this one year.  I just can’t feel safe yet  about a room full of children and ladies of our ages being so close together.  So instead of the room of activities we have decided to make up a booklet for the kids coming into the show.  It will have a quilt search section, word search, block shapes to color and whatever else we can find for them.  Sara Lindsey has agreed to head this up for us.  Thank you Sara.

Several guilds have decided to start meeting in person.  Sherry Worley is in charge of getting the raffle quilt out to any events and is working on getting us booked with them to sell tickets. Tickets are in the process of being printed so that we can follow up.  If you are available to help out or know of any guild meeting please notify Sherry.

Sponsors and vendors are signing up.  Quilt entries are coming in.  We are rolling.  Hope you are working on your entry and getting excited about being back together.  I’ve checked with the Plano Event Center and they are now open 100% in accordance with Governor Abbott.  However, they will set up for whatever guidelines the organizations require.  We will follow the appropriate protocol when the time comes.

Hope to see you all soon.

Community Service

By Dolores Williams and Valerie Salter

Next pick up/ drop off day will be April 13, 2021.  We will be at Plano Sewing Center, 2070 W. Spring Creek Parkway, Plano, TX, from 10:00 am to 11:30 pm.

As always, if you cannot come in at that time, shoot us an email at communityservice@qgplano.org.  We will arrange a time and place to get your items.

We will have a lot of pillowcase kits, quilts that need quilting and Christmas Stocking kits to give out.

We are not yet starting our Community Service sew days.  We want to make sure things are safe before we do the sewing.  This means we are not getting quilt tops in and are getting most of them quilted and out the door.  So, if you have some tops that you don’t want to quilt bring them to us at the turn in day.  We will appreciate them.

News from the Zoom Bees

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

Featherweight Fellowship Groups - Jeanne Vogel

Dust off your Singer Featherweight and join us while we sit and sew. We share tips for caring for the machine, our best notions, and have several members experienced with problem solving both machine and quilting problems. If you work, join us on a Saturday!  When we share a lot of tips and tricks we follow the meeting with an email to those attending.  Those who have not previously notified me, please email pickincotton26@verizon.net to get the invitation to join the Zoom meeting

• Chicks with Feathers—3rd Saturdays @ 1-3pm — (Formerly meeting at Sunrise of Plano)                                                                                                                                                                                         
• Featherweight Friends—4th Fridays @ 1-3pm — (Formerly meeting at Best Little Retreat Center in Texas) 

Pieceful Organization - Sarah Krauss & Jeanne Vogel 

We are Zooming on the 3rd Wednesday from 1-3pm using the inspiration from a workshop we attended.  Organization will change your clutter and chaos to start the year fresh with your stuff organized.  Less chaos leads to more productive quilt making.

Join us to organize your mess and give tips and sometimes offer  trade of  our stuff!   pickincotton26@verizon.net for an invitation

Hand Applique Small group - Linda Neal

We meet Monday of each month at 10:00 on Zoom. Our next meeting is April 5th.  We work on our individual projects and  offer encouragement and lots of hints and tricks.   If you are interested in joining our hand applique Zoom group, please email Linda Neal (lindanealmck@hotmail.com)

English Paper Piecing Small Group - Linda Neal

We meet on the 4th Tuesday at 10:00 on Zoom.  April 20th is our next meeting.  Whether you are new to English Paper Piecing or a pro, we would love to have you join our group.   Our group is informal and fun!!  For a link,  please email Linda Neal (lindanealmck@hotmail.com)

Guild Activities

By Leigh Knox and Michael Davison

Hello April and Happy Birthday to all our April members.

April activity -- create a wall hanging that features your initial.  It can be first name, last name or the initial from your nickname - whichever is your preference.  I found several websites where you can print out templates of the alphabet in different styles.  If you need one, just let me know.  Be creative and let the wall hanging tell us a little about you.Since we will have a speaker in April, please submit photos to Activities@qgplano.org preferably by April 8th in order for us to put together a nice show & tell.

Enjoy your April sewing.

Membership

By  Sue Rentz & Karen Edmondson

The guild welcomes our newest members, Sheila Connolly and Renu Ghapure, who both joined in late February, as well as Michelle Cotton, who joined in January.  Monica Flinchum was a guest at the March meeting.

The door prizes were awarded using the “Wheel of Fortune” to Beth Swiatek, Christina Cisnero, Azenath Wright, Patricia Becarra, and Michael Davison, thanks to the generous donations from Stitch House, Quilt Country, Not Your Mama’s Quilt Shop, Urban Spools, and Stitched with Love.

• Donna Petrick -- 4/2
• Connie Ryan -- 4/4
• Jaynee Eshbaugh -- 4/4
• Mychael Colyar-Long -- 4/4
• Terri Mendelow -- 4/6
• Julie Brooks -- 4/7
• Glenna Brabant -- 4/8
• Sara Lindsay -- 4/8
• Tina Connolly -- 4/9
• Mary Heflin -- 4/15
• Beverly Geise -- 4/17
• Rose-Clair Fletcher -- 4/18
• Anne Leather -- 4/27
• Mary Alice Caffarel -- 4/27
• Deborah Skorepa -- 4/29
• Pat Fowler -- 4/29

Stockings and Pet Beds

By  Martha O'Grady

I handed out 100 stocking kits and received 50 finished stockings at the last guild pick up drop off event in February, and February 23, and gave 200 kits to a small group that meets at Plano Sewing Center.  Our year begins!

Last year at this time everyone was scrambling because of the sudden shut down. Everyone except for this project!  We had already gathered more than our 1000 goal. A few trickled in over the rest of the year as ladies drove all the way out to Murphy to drop them off on my porch or to pick up kits. I even received them in the mail!  A “few” -- well actually we gathered another 1500! Y’all are so wonderful.

I have decided that in order to encourage folks to return unused kits, I am going to sweeten the incentive a little. I am going to offer a fat quarter bundle to the first 5 who bring back at least one unfinished kit. If you are like me, you love fabric a little bit too much. So, this is about me gifting my friends, my absolute favorite thing to do.

 

As many of you know, I have been clearing out stuff that people have given me since I started helping with SPB. I took 30 pet beds to Murphy animal shelter. They were glad to get them, and assured me that any they could not use would go to other shelters.

I then tried to take some to Wylie, but there was a sign on the door stating that they are open by appointment only. I should have taken my own advice about calling ahead!

I also gave 2 trash bags full of usable scraps to someone who wants to do a postage stamp quilt. This is the best way to get lots of variety of fabrics. You can call me and ask for something specific, and I can cut stockings to leave your particular type.

Community Service Quilts Donated by Members

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