February 2024 Newsletter

Posted on January 30, 2024February 21, 2024 by Media

The purpose of the Quilters Guild of Plano is to unite individuals who have a passion for quilts and the art of quilting.

We have increased the social time before the meetings and included a 10 minute break so we can meet our old friends and make new ones as we have new members joining every month. What a crowd!

Make sure you stop by each of the tables after checking in at Membership -- buy a pin, register for a workshop, turn in your mini-quilt, buy your raffle tickets, turn in/pick up in your community service, see the activities, see the demo, see the visiting guild’s raffle quilt.

Great that we were reminded at the January meeting that we leave a legacy by our speaker, Connie Keller.

The board members had two opportunities to hear presentations from an attorney (that also is a quilter) on how to manage a non-profit organization. We covered topics regarding our mission statement, a code of ethics, conflict of interest, financial audits, and more. We have already created a donation receipt form for the donation of fabrics/quilting supplies that we are accepting. This was held in conjunction with the board members of the Quilter’s Guild of Dallas and the president of the Dallas Modern Guild.

The Dallas Modern Quilt Guild will also be visiting to sell raffle tickets for 2 grand prizes -- a freshly serviced Singer featherweight model 221 with a brand new case and a 2 night stay at the Whitehall Hotel in downtown Houston for the International Quilt Festival (November 1-3, 2024). Plus, they have at least 15 wonderful mini-quilts which will be displayed to sell tickets.

And please bring either cash or a check to pick up a packet of 25 tickets for $20 for our Quilt Plano 2024 raffle quilt with the drawing on August 10, 2024.

Record Your Volunteer Hours!

By Tisha Harms

We want to know what you are up to. Record your volunteer hours and receive a volunteer bar for 30 hours of service! For volunteering at Quilt Plano 2024, you will receive a charm for your bar!

To record your hours just email volunteer_hours@qgplano.org. If you do not have access to a computer, you can call Tisha Harms at 214.316.5066.

Record your hours at your convenience – daily, weekly, monthly or once a year noting the following categories: Community Service, Show, Education or Guild Work.

Programs and Workshops

By Beth Swiatek and Linda Sullivan

Happy February!

Hope everyone was inspired by Connie Keller in January. WOW! 27 years working at the same fabric store and building a business at the same time. Just goes to show that if you start small, follow your passion (quilting, of course!), and accept help from friends, you can end up with something even bigger than you anticipated! Join us in February to hear about one of Becky Goldsmith’s passions…THREAD!

In other news…did you notice online signup for workshops is now available on the guild website? Registration sheets are also available to print off and mail in or drop off at a guild meeting for a cash/check discount. Next workshop opportunity is in April with Audrey Esarey. Don’t delay signing up since both of her workshops are already over half filled, and expected to reach capacity. When we hit 20 students, we’ll start a waiting list.

As a reminder, workshops DO have a cancellation policy. So if you end up with a date conflict, let us know ASAP (also so we can move someone up from the waiting list). For a full refund you need to email programs@qgplano.org at least 14 prior to the date of the workshop. 50% refund is given if notification of cancellation is 7-13 days prior to the workshop. No refunds will be made if cancellation is 6 or fewer days before the workshop, or for no-shows the day of the workshop. Fees will be fully refunded if the instructor needs to cancel the workshop. All these policies are also in print on the Workshop Registration sheet. Hope you can join us at the next guild meeting!

Guild Activities

By Chris Fredericks

The annual guild retreat is being held from Feb. 15-18, 2024 at the Tanglewood Resort at Pottsboro, TX. We have 71 members joining and/or rejoining the group from last year that returned to the Resort after several years of trialing other venues. We will have Home a la mode as our retreat store, a “Bones” table, Trash to Treasure Sale, and of course some door prizes. And four days of sewing, socializing, and eating while overlooking Lake Texoma!

The Riley Blake Block Challenge 2024 has 38 participants! It has been a lot of fun and I look forward to seeing everyone’s quilts once we’re done with the challenge. Coming up is the Pot Holder Exchange -- there is still time to enroll in this activity -- stop by to see what’s going on with Guild Activities, register and gear up to have a lot of fun.

Finish my mini quilt and turn it in at the next Guild meeting. The Minnies are counting on me!
Finish the quilt top for my entry in the Show and get a good photo of it so I’m ready to fill out the online registration on March 1st.
Buy my $20 raffle ticket packet. As a member, this is how I can spread the word and give the tickets to my family and friends. Or I can put my name on them all and just give my family and friends the top half as bookmarks! We strongly encourage every member to participate at the $20 level. We’ve even got a bonus of an extra ticket this year! $20 will get you 25 tickets! And don’t forget to sign the raffle ticket book that you’ve done your part.
Decide what I’d like to do as a volunteer at the Show. There are so many choices!! Make my decision by the May meeting when sign-ups are open. First-come, first-serve so I’d better be ready.

And one last thing. A shout-out to everyone who took approximately 3,000 total bookmarks out to the various quilt stores and other locations. And a thank you to Roxy Gross for bundling them so nicely!

Great job, everyone! February, here we come!! 🙂

Introduction to Judging Seminar - August 9-10, 2024

Do you enter quilt shows and want to understand what makes a winning quilt? Are you interested in learning to judge quilts and wearables? Do you know someone at another guild who coordinates their quilt show’s judging process?

The Quilters Guild of Plano is proud to once again sponsor a 2-Day Quilt Judging Seminar on August 9-10, 2024, at the same time as the Quilt Plano Show. We offered this seminar last year at the same time as Quilt Plano 2023 and it was a huge success!

During this seminar you will learn through a combination of discussion, lecture, PowerPoint presentations, and hands-on mock judging from qualified instructors certified by the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ).

The 2-Day Seminar covers all aspects of quilt judging, including the job of judging, evaluating design and workmanship, categories and awards, judging systems, setting up the judging floor, and judging versus jurying. Discussion includes certification requirements for the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ), the only national certifying organization for quilt judges.

Participants receive handouts including resource recommendations, art and design terms with definitions, a glossary, and sample contracts and invoices among others. This seminar does not certify students nor is it a prerequisite for certification.

Stay tuned! More information and online registration will be available in the coming weeks.

Community Service

By Val Schlake and Debbie Blair

Happy February! With the holidays now behind us, we are excited to know Spring is right around the corner! It is a great time to consider “giving back” to our community! We have many ways to get involved whether a little or a lot.

Community Sew Day: We meet the second Tuesday of each month at Plano Sewing Center from 10 until 2pm. Just bring your sewing machine and basic sewing supplies and we provide the rest! Consider joining the fun with our village of passionate quilters!

Caring and Sharing: (formerly Birthday Quilt) has begun for 2024. We have a fabulous prize for it so get busy on your quilt. (A portable sewing table and a basket full of great sewing supplies and notions.) Your quilt should be made from your stash and completely finished. (One quilt entry per person.)

* Child quilt: no larger than 40” x 60”. (200 or less linear inches = (width + length) x 2) receives 1 ticket
*** Throw quilt up to 60 x 70 (201 to 275 linear inches = (width + length) x2) receives 3 tickets
***** Twin size quilt minimum of 68” x 86” or larger. (minimum 276 to 350 linear inches = (width + length) x2) receives 5 tickets

We look forward to seeing what you create during show and tell! So SHARE your stash and make a complete quilt to show you CARE! Stop by our table and get the details of how to win a prize valued at over $250.00 while giving back to our community!

February Focus: Pre-cut child quilt kits will be available for pick up at the guild meeting. Each will take 2 to 3 hours to complete and can be turned back in the following month.

Grab and Go: Not able to come sew with us? No worries, we have grab and go projects that can be completed at home. Simply pick up at the Guild meeting and then drop off completed at the next meeting.

Donations? Time to spring clean your sewing area? We can always use fabric yardage, orphan quilt tops, supplies and any completed quilts that need a home. We will be happy to finish and gift them to someone in need of a little kindness in the community.

We are so fortunate to have so many members contributing to our Community Service program, your continued generosity and support is appreciated… We couldn’t do what we do without you! Thank you.

Valerie Schlake (804)-651-9026 and Debbie Blair (469)-226-9376

Education

By Liz Beaty and Lorrie Gray

In February at the Education table, learn about the American Quilt Study Group from member Barbara Goetz. American Quilt Study Group is member supported. Its aim is to connect quilt enthusiasts who enjoy the study of quilts and textiles, from the earliest quilt fragments to the current era, through research and community. Anyone who has an interest in the history of quilts, or indeed in women's studies, will find this may be a group for them. Barbara will have information about the group and membership applications available. She’s also bringing the quilt that she is currently studying!

If you missed Julie Cohagen’s demonstration of several “disappearing” blocks last month, you can check out this YouTube playlist of Missouri Star videos to walk you through them: Disappearing Blocks

To suggest a future demo or volunteer to do a demo, please either talk to Liz or Lorrie at a guild meeting or fill out this simple Google form to give your ideas: Education Demo Ideas

A huge thank you to the lady who anonymously left dozens of quilts at the Plano Sewing Center for Quilts of Valor. With funding from the State coordinator, we sent 11 quilts to Midland and 6 to Conroe to help those groups with their backlog. And, we still have over a dozen quilts. If anyone knows who made the quilts, please encourage her to come forward so we can properly say thank you. (Maybe she’s from Prosper?) The donation was an extremely generous gift of time, skill and financial resources.

Sunshine & Shadows

Shadows:

Bonnie Cook’s father passed away.

Monica Hendewerk's mother passed away. She went in the hospital the day before with pneumonia while living in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho and was 89. Monica's mother was born in Berlin and was 10 when Berlin was bombed. She married Monica's dad and emigrated to the US; after he died she raised their 5 young children.

Pat Fowler’s husband James passed away Jan. 25, 2024.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Bonnie, Monica, Pat and their families.

Membership

By Raj Aggarwal and Barbara Goetz

Speaker Connie Keller entertained 77 of our current 194 members at our January meeting. We welcomed two new quilters to the group, Mari Semrad and Kimberly Pero. Glad to have you ladies. Thanks to Ms. Keller for some great raffle prizes, and our targeted raffle kit, won by Rose-Clair Fletcher, was very popular. We’ll be doing those every other month, while continuing our regular attendance raffles. New members, keep an eye out for a new member day retreat on April 20th. More info to follow.

Happy Quilting!

News from the Zoom Bees

Pieceful Organization - Sarah Krauss, Jeanne Vogel, Monica Hendewerk

Every Wednesday from 1:30-3:30 pm -- Join us any week you can!

Need a friend to relieve clutter, stress, struggles and feelings of being overwhelmed? We are Zooming using the inspiration from a workshop we attended. Organization will change your clutter and chaos to start the day fresh with your stuff organized. Less chaos leads to more productive quilt making! Please contact mhendewerk@gmail.com for the zoom link.

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

Join in! It’s fun and productive. 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. A number of us “doodle” on paper first, and then sew. Do the designs that we send or do your own thing. We have beginner beginners all the way to advanced members of the group. We share our samples, ask/answer questions, and chat. It’s a great way to make friends.

Meetings are on the second Monday of the month, from 1:00 – 3:00 (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

Chicks with Feathers — 3rd Saturday from 1-3pm -- Jeanne Vogel

Sit & sew at home with your Singer Featherweight sewing machines. Tips, tricks and advice to make straight stitch sewing simple and precise. Those who have not previously notified me, please email at pickincotton26@verizon.net to get the invitation to join the Zoom meeting.

January 2024 Newsletter

Posted on December 28, 2023December 31, 2023 by Media

The purpose of the Quilters Guild of Plano is to unite individuals who have a passion for quilts and the art of quilting.

A new calendar year is beginning but we are entering our 2nd quarter with the board members and getting to know everyone a little bit better. So the board and some members offering their time to help now have QGP name tags to identify us at the meetings. If you have a name tag, please wear it so we can get to know you better.

Thinking I could share some things you probably don’t know about the board members as the months go along. We have 14 board members: Raj, Liz and myself are native Texans. From New York are Chris, Laurie, and Linda; Barbara and Val are from Illinois, Lorrie from Oklahoma, Kris from Wisconsin, Ginny from Minnesota, Donna from West Virginia, Beth from Michigan and Debbie was born in Germany!

We plan to change around the room set up when we are back in the Fellowship Hall–-so come prepared for a fresh start!! We plan to have those collecting funds to be together in the alcove with the best lighting: Membership, Guild Products, Programs, and Quilt Show selling raffle tickets and collecting mini-quilts. Community Service will stay close to the doors so carrying heavy loads in and out is the most convenient. Guild Activities will be as you enter, along with Education so that you are not missing visiting all of the parts that make up the guild.

We would love for you to donate 15 minutes of your time to help greet members at the front door and also to help set up tables for these areas. It’s a fun way to meet and make friends. Let me know if you are willing to help. Those helping greet can just rotate their time so the doors are covered and no one is missing the social time.

Record Your Volunteer Hours!

By Tisha Harms

We want to know what you are up to. Record your volunteer hours and receive a volunteer bar for 30 hours of service! For volunteering at Quilt Plano 2024, you will receive a charm for your bar!

To record your hours just email volunteer_hours@qgplano.org. If you do not have access to a computer, you can call Tisha Harms at 214.316.5066.

Record your hours at your convenience – daily, weekly, monthly or once a year noting the following categories: Community Service, Show, Education or Guild Work.

Programs and Workshops

By Beth Swiatek and Linda Sullivan

Hope your Holidays were Blessed and Happy! Did anyone use Donna and Tisha’s Free Standing Lace ideas from the December Program to create some beautiful conversation starting gifts? Their display was truly inspirational.

Now on to 2024! January’s Program finds us being motivated by Connie Keller to not be afraid to experiment and enjoy in our own little quilty worlds. Becky Goldsmith joins us in February to educate us on thread. Thread weight DOES matter on different fabrics, battings, and projects—but lots of sewers don’t realize what those numbers mean!

Workshops for this year: April 12, 13 and June 14, 15

PLEASE NOTE: We are trying to be fiscally responsible with Guild funds. Due to low interest, we have canceled the February workshops. Nationally known speakers are a big investment, so workshop sign ups really help cover those costs. Our next workshops are on April 12 and 13 with up and coming nationally known quilter Audrey Esarey. She creates gorgeously interesting quilts. These classes on her techniques for curved and paper piecing are a bargain. Sign up now and reserve your spot!

Getting online Paypal Workshop Registration and a printable Registration sheet on the website is still in the works. Meanwhile, try the snazzy Newsletter link below to connect to a printable Registration sheet. Print it and then snail mail it in or turn it in at a Guild meeting.

Workshop Registration Form

If the link does not give you a dialog box to select your printer when you try to print it, check your download folder as it may have downloaded a copy of the form that you can print.

See you at the January Guild meeting!

Quilters Guild of Plano Social Media

By Bonnie Landon

Did you know that our guild has both a public and private Facebook page? The public Facebook page is open to all who wish to like or follow our page and is full of information about upcoming events and programs, the annual Quilt Show, helpful quilting tips and tutorials and just plain fun posts. You can like or follow our public page by going to: QGoP Public Facebook Page

We also have a private, members-only Facebook group page. It is open to QGP members in good standing. You will need to answer three quick questions and agree to the group rules when you request membership in the group. An admin will review your request and will either approve or deny your request. Be sure to answer questions 1 and 2 and agree to the group rules. Omitting one of these steps is what usually causes a request to be denied. In the event your request is denied, the admin will try to provide you with a reason for the denial.

We encourage you to join the members-only group so we can keep our members “in the loop” when we have updates and information we need to share with the membership. It’s a fun group where you can ask or answer quilting questions, comment on posts, or just check out all that’s going on in our Guild. You can request membership in the group by going to: QGoP Members Only Facebook Page

And if you’re on Instagram, we also have a presence there. Follow us on Instagram by going to: QGoP Instagram

Our Social Media Team looks forward to having you join us on Facebook and Instagram! And if you’re already following us . . . Thanks!

Guild Activities

By Chris Fredericks

Happy New Year everyone! Wasn’t the December Holiday Meeting a wonderful event! It was a fun evening filled with so many activities. Fat Quarter Lotto was a huge success with 6 bundles going out to guild members.

For me, January typically brings about a time to organize/reorganize my quilting space -- cleaning, going through my fabrics, looking at my unfinished projects, figuring out what I want to accomplish in the coming year. I’m so excited that this year there is something new on the agenda for when the New Year starts. January brings about the start of the Riley Blake Block challenge. We currently have 25 guild members enrolled in this activity and we’re all looking forward to the first block being released on January 9th. There is still time to join in on the fun! Email activities@qgplano.org if you would like to join the party!

Get your brain cells working as we’ll be having another quilting quiz at the January guild meeting. The November trivia game we held was fun and something similar is in the works for January. It’s another opportunity for us to engage, laugh and test our quilting knowledge.

Enjoy quilting!

Quilt Plano 2024

By Laurie Lumston

January marks the official kick-off for QP24! Several of you have asked about the overall timeline, so here’s a preview:

January: Monthly QP24 Planning Meetings begin.
March: Registration opens!
March – April: Get those quilts done and buy raffle tickets!
May: The May Guild meeting is our Show Kick-Off and Volunteer Sign-Up (and time to get those quilts finished!)
June: Times running out! Registration closes at the end of the June Guild meeting.
August 9-10: Showtime!! It’s also our Introduction to Judging Seminar (see more about this in this newsletter)
September: Wrap-Up and Debrief
October – November: Build out the QP25 Planning Committee
December: Get ready to do it all over again!

Raffle tickets are on sale now! We like the beautiful aqueous front because it shows off the bright beautiful colors in the raffle quilt, but it can be a bit tricky to write on – so either use a Sharpie marker or just flip it over and write your name and phone # on the back beneath the perforation. The winning ticket wins whether your info is on the front or the back!

Bookmarks are here, too! They look amazing and they need to get spread all across North Texas! The front shows off our raffle quilt and the back includes the Programs line-up for the year. And a quick snap of the QR code will link you to the Guild’s website! Please grab a BIG handful from the Programs table at the next Guild meeting and have fun distributing!! We have some that flip up and down to view the back and some that flip right and left. You pick what you like best. The Programs team has worked hard to present a fabulous line-up for 2024, so keep a few bookmarks handy so you don’t miss anything!

Visit the Quilt Plano 2024 website for more details. And a big thank you to Kris for getting it updated! As we get closer to the show dates, we’ll enable more of the hyperlinks on the site. In the meantime, if you have any questions about the show, please reach out to Laurie Lumston or Carol Truscott – or any of the fabulous QP24 Team members who you met at the December Guild meeting!

Introduction to Judging Seminar - August 9-10, 2024

The Quilter’s Guild of Plano is proud to once again sponsor a 2-Day Quilt Judging Seminar on August 9-10, 2024, at the same time as the Quilt Plano Show. We offered this seminar last year at the same time as Quilt Plano 2023 and it was a huge success!

Stay tuned! More information and online registration will be available in the coming weeks.

Community Service

By Val Schlake and Debbie Blair

Hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday season and New Year’s celebration.

We thank you again for your generosity and sharing of your talents to create so many items to share with our community. In December we delivered 38 quilts, 29 cuddles, 36 pillowcases, and 29 dog beds!!

Sharing and Caring (formerly Birthday Quilt) begins the new year in January. We have a fabulous prize for it so get busy on your quilt. It just has to be made from your stash and completely finished. The 2023 winner of the filled sewing basket was Mary Frances O’Neill. Thank you to all that made a quilt to share. So share your stash and make a complete quilt to show you care!

PISD program collection continues with the new year. These are baby items for student parents in high school. They get to shop for items in a store in December and May each school year. Baby clothes, diapers, bibs, baby quilts, etc. are collected now until April.

We invite everyone to come to our Community Service Sewing Day the second Tuesday of every month at Plano Sewing Center from 10 am to 2 pm. Just bring your sewing machine and basic sewing supplies and we will provide the rest. You can also drop off items you’ve made or pick up items to make on your own there during that time.

We look forward to another great year of Community Service with your help!

Valerie Schlake (804-651-9026) and Debbie Blair (469-226-9376)

Plano Community Home was the recipient of these quilts and pillowcases that we had the pleasure to deliver before the holidays.

Education

By Liz Beaty and Lorrie Gray

Welcome to 2024! After a holiday break, Liz and Lorrie are gearing up to bring you lots of great educational moments during social time before the guild meetings.

First up, you don’t want to miss guild member Julie Cohagan as she demonstrates the Disappearing Nine Patch block in January. If you’ve never witnessed the design versatility of this simple technique, prepare to be amazed. There are so many possible variations depending on how you place your fabrics and rotate the blocks. Trying to find new ones can become addicting, in a good way!

If you have a suggestion for a future demo or would like to volunteer to do a demo, please either talk to Liz or Lorrie at a guild meeting or fill out this simple Google form to give your ideas: Education Demo Ideas

Membership has acquired a few door prizes that are likely to have limited appeal to our members. For these door prizes, we are going to hold a limited raffle for these items as part of our door prizes. We hope that in this way folks who are really interested in these items have a better chance of winning them. In January, we will be raffling off a fabric Easter Egg kit. If you are interested in this item, please pick up a special ticket when you check in. Future prizes in this category include patterns for large, complex applique quilts and samplers. Not for the faint of heart, but if you love hand applique, these may be a gold mine for you.

A friendly reminder to contact membership@qgplano or aggarwal.rajni0@gmail.com if you are having trouble logging into your account. And, also, please contact us if you are not getting this newsletter in your email, and are relying on someone to forward it to you. We apologize for the trouble some of you are having--and we will do our best to help you solve it.

And a friendly reminder that the logout button is located under Membership/Member Account--go there and scroll down and you should see it.

Pieceful Organization - Sarah Krauss, Jeanne Vogel, Monica Hendewerk

Every Wednesday from 1:30-3:30 pm -- Join us any week you can!

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

Hoop It Up Bee – Donna Petrick

The machine embroidery group meets the third Thursday each month on Zoom. We talk about problems or successes we might have had in using our machines as well as having show and tell. We are open to all levels of users. If you have an interest in machine embroidery, please join us. Email me petrickdl@outlook.com so I can send you the Zoom invitation.

Chicks with Feathers — 3rd Saturday from 1-3pm (Not meeting in Nov. & Dec.) -- Jeanne Vogel

Sit & sew with your Singer Featherweight sewing machines. Tips, tricks and advice to make straight stitch sewing simple and precise. Those who have not previously notified me, please email at pickincotton26@verizon.net to get the invitation to join the Zoom meeting.

Fourth Friday Featherweight Friends- Jeanne Vogel: pickincotton26@verizon.net

Meeting at the Best Little Retreat Center in Texas from 9am-9pm. (Not meeting in Nov. & Dec.)
Singer Featherweight sewing machines where we share tips for caring for the machine, our best notions, and have several members experienced with problem-solving both machine and quilting problems.
Make your reservation by calling 469-708-2378 or email: info@blrcit.com49-708-237
Either bring your lunch or a group we go out to eat together.

December 2023 Newsletter

Posted on December 1, 2023December 3, 2023 by Media

The December meeting will be back in the Fellowship Hall, so park on the south side and arrive as early as 6:15pm with a dish to share and celebrate the Holidays!! Our thanks for those coming early to set up and be ready to set the table for an enjoyable assortment of goodies and of course some cookies. . Like the smell of hot cider? We’ll have cider and water to share, or bring your own beverage. We passed around the list of munchies to bring and both sheets were filled. So we will have a great evening to socialize at the December Holiday Party!

There will be lots of fun activities to enjoy including the Fat Quarter Lotto (see Guild Activities for details), the Birthday Quilt Raffle being awarded (see Community Services for details), and Donna Petrick and Tisha Harms giving a lecture about Free Standing Lace (see Programs for details)! How much better can it get you ask? Start your Holiday season with those that enjoy quilting as much as you do!

Our Website has been updated!! Oh my! All thanks to our VP of Media, Kris O’Connor! This makes us look more welcoming and up to date!

The Board members have an opportunity to attend a two-part training on the duties and responsibilities of a not-for-profit with a lawyer along with the Dallas guild. This has been both educational and beneficial to see that we maintain our assets and compliance.

We realize last month's zoom was not heard clearly, but we will have another learning curve as we move to a different room/different setup for the next few months. Thank you for your feedback and for your feedback regarding the website.

And to all Happy Holidays!

Contributions and Employer Matching

By Raj Aggarwal

As we are coming to the end of the year, I wanted put a bug in your ears regarding employee giving and matching for contributions to non-profits. Many companies will match your charitable donations, sometimes as much as 1:1 for either monetary contributions or volunteer hours. TI is an example of this - the TI Foundation will match both for employees and retirees. It is an easy way to get additional dollars for our organization that can directly go to things like additional batting for community service. Please take the time to inquire if your company has such a program and consider participating.

Programs

By Beth Swiatek and Linda Sullivan

Hello All! Did you stop by the Programs Table at the November meeting and see all the fantastic 2023-24 Programs and Workshops? Work is in progress getting the information loaded onto the website, but meanwhile we have fliers and workshop registration forms available at the Programs Table at the guild meetings. For now, come visit us and bring your checkbook! Don’t miss December’s meeting as Tisha Harms and Donna Petrick divulge the secrets of Freestanding Lace. Maybe you need an idea for a special Christmas gift for a “quilt worthy” family member or friend! January brings a motivational lecture by Connie Keller. February is our next Workshop month with Becky Goldsmith’s “Birds in Toyland” wool and needleturn applique. Try a new skill or practice a rusty one, all the while spending time with great quilters like YOU! See you at the guild meeting!

Guild Activities

By Chris Fredericks

Let the activities begin! IT’S FAT QUARTER LOTTO time at the December meeting. Bring in your fat quarters in red/white/blues, grunge or batiks in blues/purples and hopefully you will head home with a fat quarter bundle! How fun will this be!

The Riley Blake Mystery Block Challenge kicks off in January. I did order a quilt kit and the fabrics are (to quote my mother-in-law Shirley) “GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS, GORGEOUS!” Remember you can order a kit or you can choose fabrics from your stash! Many of you have signed up--if you haven’t, there is still time! The more the merrier!

Thanks to all who have offered to bring in food for this month’s Holiday Party and to those who volunteered to arrive early to help with setup. Everyone’s efforts are so appreciated!

I wish everyone a joyful holiday season. I hope your quilting recipe for this season is to make a Sampler Quilt where one block is filled with a cup or two of Faith, another block has a little spice of Laughter, and others have a few pinches of Giving, and a couple of scoops full of Family and Friends. Blend them all together to form a quilt which is now filled with togetherness, love, joy and peace. The Binding will be baked at 350 for “forever” as memories have been created which will last a lifetime.

Enjoy!

Quilt Plano 2024

By Laurie Lumston

QP24 is getting ready to kick-off our monthly planning meetings in January, so to celebrate, we’re introducing the entire planning team at the December Guild Meeting! As part of their introduction, they’ll be sharing how many years they’ve been part of the planning committee and/or Show volunteer. What’s your best guess at the total number of Quilt Show years for this group?? Whatever the total is, you can be sure it will be IMPRESSIVE! Thank you in advance for the commitment to serve the guild!

Community Service

By Val Schlake and Debbie Blair

Wishing everyone a Happy Holiday and a New Year filled with happiness and good health! Our Community Service Team would like to thank everyone for your continued generosity and sharing your talents, so we as a guild, can continue to spread a little kindness to so many throughout our community. We couldn’t do it without you! Many thanks to all.

We look forward to celebrating at the party and remember we have our drawing for the Birthday Quilt. The winner will receive a basket of sewing supplies valued at $250. Good luck if you entered a Birthday Quilt!

Education

By Liz Beaty and Lorrie Gray

We had a great demo in November from guild member Sharon Holliday. She showed us how to make perfect flying geese using a combination of Quilt in a Day method and a Bloc Loc ruler. A video of the demo can be seen at this link: link: Flying Geese Demo

Education is taking a break in December to enjoy the party, but look for us during social time again starting in January. Happy Holidays!

Sunshine & Shadows

Sunshine:

Martha O’Grady who led the Christmas Stockings for many years and stored all the donated Christmas fabric at her home has moved to be near her grandchildren outside of Houston. Her new address is in the directory.

Shadows:

Member that passed: Sue Morris -- Nov. 30, 1954 - Feb. 16, 2023

Sue was a member of the Chicks with Feathers and the Sew Happy small groups. She attended the annual retreat when it was held in Denison. She went on to become a Singer Featherweight repair person doing servicing and repairs and was great at troubleshooting issues with our Featherweights.

Sew Happy Quilters - Aurora Chancy

We meet at Sam Johnson Senior Center corner of 75 and 16th Steet on 1st Thursdays and 3rd Thursdays 9:00 to 4:00. We are a sit-n-sew, so bring your favorite project and enjoy the fellowship! Contact Aurora Chancy achancy@msn.com

Pieceful Organization - Sarah Krauss, Jeanne Vogel, Monica Hendewerk (Now we meet every Wednesday afternoon)

If you are feeling “abode overload," we will: relieve clutter, stress, struggle and feelings of being overwhelmed. We are Zooming every Wednesday from 1:30-3:30 pm using the inspiration from a workshop we attended. Organization will change your clutter and chaos to start the day fresh with your stuff organized. Less chaos leads to more productive quilt making. Please contact mhendewerk@gmail.com for an invitation.

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 1:00 – 3:00 (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

Hoop It Up Bee – Donna Petrick

Featherweight Fellowship Groups - Jeanne Vogel

Singer Featherweight sewing machines make happy owners as 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 at pickincotton26@verizon.net to get the invitation to join the Zoom meeting.

Chicks with Feathers—3rd Saturdays in person at Sam Johnson Recreation Center at 401 W 16th St. Plano, TX or on Zoom from 1-3pm (Not meeting in Dec.)
Fourth Friday Featherweight Friends—4th Fridays in person meeting at Best Little Retreat Center in Texas all day

November 2023 Newsletter

Posted on November 1, 2023 by Media

Letter from the President

By Jeanne Vogel

The October meeting presented us with a few issues but moving to the North parking lot, moving upstairs, and rearranging tables for all the activities of the guild brought a great response as we were able to see and hear as we learned how to use the mic and admit folks to the meeting on zoom, but we adapted well! And it was great practice as we will be again upstairs on Nov. 9. If you come early, park in the North parking lots as we will have greeters there to open the secured doors for you. If you come late, park in the South lot and walk to the end to use the elevators to come upstairs.

We have hired one of the church’s employees, Brondon Esco to set up Zoom, so please thank him for the great connections we can make with those not able to attend.

We are talking about sending out Text Messages to members regarding the meetings as most of you are familiar with those coming from your medical personnel regarding your latest appointment.

Join us on November 11 at 2pm for the next Quilts of Valor presentation. (See info below.)

So, mark your calendars for the November 9th meeting upstairs using the North lot, arriving after 6:15 to socialize.

And the best plan for the future is at the end of the newsletter regarding our Christmas Holiday Party! Want to join in the party plans? Please email activitiesqgplano.org

Programs

By Beth Swiatek and Linda Sullivan

Hello All!

We're happy to report there were fun times and laughter at October’s Maltese Cross and Improvisational Machine Applique Workshops. Creativity was stretched and new techniques learned as Karen Stone shared her quilting wisdom. Everyone be sure and finish up your pieces so you can submit them to be shown in the Workshop Special Exhibits area of Quilt Plano 2024!

Sign ups will begin in person at the November Guild meeting for upcoming workshops, so bring your checkbook and give yourself an early Christmas present! Stop by the Programs table to get your Registration sheet. In November Paula Golden will Zoom with us from Virginia to share her expertise in Hawaiian Quilting. The Guild WILL meet in person and then Zoom together with her as a group. December brings our Holiday Party and Free Standing Lace lecture with our very own Donna Petrick and Tisha Harms. Connie Keller will join us in January with her Longarms and Legacy lecture. If you are curious who is after that, speakers are now listed on the website calendar.

See you at the Guild meeting!

Guild Activities

By Chris Fredericks

I hope all of you felt as excited as I did after last month’s guild meeting. It was wonderful to connect and to hear about all the doings the guild is offering this coming year! These programs will be detailed on the Guild’s website as soon as possible - it’s a work in progress for this newbie!

To recap what Guild Activities is offering and to remind everyone to sign-up to participate here’s a list of the activities planned so far for this year:

Fat Quarter Lotto

When: December’s Guild Meeting

What’s it About: December is the month for gifts and giving! Join in on the fun and the possibility to win a stack of Fat Quarters. Think of the possibilities of creating a new quilt with some yummy new fabrics!

Guild Guidelines and Deadlines

We’re plotting to have two or three fat quarter bundles ready to raffle off. This is dependent on how many people participate. This one is easy:

Fat Quarter Categories:
Batik Fat Quarters: Provide fat quarters in shades of purples or blues
Red, White and Blue Fat Quarters: Oh Say Can you See! Gear up to win some patriotic fat quarters where you can make yourself a quilt to hang on the Fourth of July or to make a Quilt of Valor quilt to donate to the guild. Provide fat quarters in red, white and blue colors and we’ll combine them to make a true red/white and blue bundle.
Grunge Bundle – What’s not to love about Grunge? If this one hits a chord with you then you’ll bring in a fat quarter of your favorite grunge.
You have the option to participate in just one category, or two or all THREE. You’ll receive a ticket for each category you provide a fat quarter for doubling or tripling your chance to win!
Raffle numbers will be given out and drawing will occur at the December meeting!

Riley Blake Mystery Quilt

When: Begins in January and runs through May.

What’s it About: Happy New Year! Welcome in 2024 by signing up for the 2024 Mystery Quilt Challenge. This year we will be following along with Riley Blake Designs as they release the 2024 Block Quilt Challenge. Basically, you’ll receive an email every Tuesday, except the last Tuesday of the month, with block instructions. The last Tuesday of the month is when we can pause (or catch-up!) and admire our work to date.

Registration is required. This will allow participating guild members to receive each week’s instructions along with a place where we can share our progress, support and encourage each other. You can also sign-up directly through RBD at rileyblakedesigns.com. You will then receive emails from both Guild Activities and RBD.

We’ve received the invite and fabric requirements and these will be provided. The sign-up date has not been released by RBD (as of 10/1/23). After signing up with the guild, you will receive an email notifying you when online RBD registration has opened.

Guild Challenge 2024

When: Begins Now!! Ends in April!!

What’s it About: The 60’s

The goal of this challenge is to create a quilt that you feel defines this era. Did music impact you? Perhaps the quilt could be your interpretation of a song by the Beatles, Bob Dylan, or Joni Mitchel. If you’re drawn to historical events, perhaps you’ll design a quilt about the Vietnam War or Neil Armstrong walking on the moon. It’s time to get your creative juices flowing and start designing!

Guild Guidelines and Deadlines

Size: Quilt should be 16” x 20” inches.
Quilts are to have a sleeve for hanging.
Registration: Sign up for this event so that the Guild has a count of who is participating. Signup will begin at the October meeting.
Submission Deadline: Quilts to be turned into the Activity Table at the May meeting.
Guild Member Judging: Will take place at the June meeting. Ribbons will be awarded for Member’s Choice Best of Show, Member’s Second Place, Member’s Third Place, Best Use of Color, and Best Embellishment.
Selected quilts to possibly be shown at the Plano Guild Quilt Show 2024.

Springtime Potholder Exchange

When: April Meeting

What’s it About: Welcome Spring! Sign up at the Activities Table at the January and February Guild Meetings to participate in April’s Pot Holder Exchange. Make two potholders and bring them to the April’s meeting to swap with other participants. Potholders can be Spring themed, or any design of your choosing.

Guild Guidelines and Deadlines

Registration is required so that we have enough batting to give the participants.
Signup will be held thru the February meeting.
Guild to provide 8” squares of Insul-Brite batting along with a brown paper bag to use when turning in your completed project.
Batting and paper bags will be given out at the March meeting.
April Guild Meeting – Write your name on the paper bag and place your potholders in the bag and tape/staple shut. Brown bags will be arranged and participants can select a bag (not their own) to take home and enjoy!

Please contact me with any questions at activities@qgplano.org

At the November meeting, we’ll introduce you to the entire team of QP24 volunteers and then we’ll share with each of them the job descriptions, detailed timelines, and task list. The more organized we are, the easier this is on everyone! A special shout-out to Carolyn Cosgriff for her work getting things so well-documented over the last two years!

We encourage you to keep working on your Mini Quilts for the auction! It was a record-breaking success last year and the Minnies’ aim is to beat it again in 2024. They need your help to do that!! Looking forward to seeing the masterpieces that you create!

Community Service

By Val Schlake and Debbie Blair

Our Community Service Program is a charitable initiative undertaken by the guild using quilting as a means of giving back to the community. The program involves our members coming together to create quilts and other fabric items that are then donated to various charitable organizations in our local community. Whether you are a seasoned quilter or just getting started, your enthusiasm and willingness to contribute are what truly matter. Our projects are diverse and cater to various skill levels so there is a role for everyone. Together we can make a real impact in the lives of those in need of a little kindness. It’s a great way to meet new friends doing what we love to do…. SEW.

CS Sew Day.

We meet on the second Tuesday of each month from 10 until 2 at the Plano Sewing Center. Just bring your sewing machine and basic sewing supplies and we will provide the rest. You are invited to join the fun!

November Deadlines and Reminders:

Last Call: PISD Program: School Age Parent Program

All items for these new mothers and fathers must be turned in this month. Items needed are baby quilts, clothing, diapers, or anything brand new parents can use would be appreciated.

Last Call: Birthday Quilt Challenge entries due this month! We will draw the winner of the Sewing Gift Basket at the December Holiday Guild meeting.

Quilts in Progress - Roundup: We are hoping to “round up” as many “Grab and Go” projects as possible so they may be donated during the holidays. These are items that have been picked up at the meetings to complete at home such as quilt kits, pillowcase kits, quilts to be quilted and quilts to be bound.

Thank you for all you do to support our community and guild.

For more information on how to get involved in Community Service, join us on Sew Day, stop by our table at the guild meeting or give us a call, we would love to hear from you.

Valerie Schlake 804-651-9026

Debbie Blair 469-226-9376

Quilts of Valor

By Evelyn Cheek

The mission of the Quilts of Valor® Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing.

QOVF Core Values:

Treating people with respect
Promoting excellence
Valuing service over self
Being accountable

www.QOVF.org

Our guild is joining with the Rotary Club of East Plano for a Veterans Day Quilts of Valor presentation. The ceremony will start at 2 pm Saturday, November 11 with a Presentation of the Colors. This ceremony is the conclusion of the Rotary’s Flags of Honor, a week-long expression of gratitude. See planoflagsofhonor.com for the week’s schedule.

The public is encouraged to attend. The stage is near Red Tail Pavilion. There is plenty of parking off Spring Creek (east side) between Jupiter and East Parker—look for the field of flags. Please come support the guild and our veterans.

Education

By Liz Beaty and Lorrie Gray

At last month’s meeting, we did a demo showing the difference between using your seam ripper for seam unpicking versus seam ripping. We also took the mystery out of that little red ball at the end of your ripper. If you missed the demo or need a refresher, check out this YouTube video:

How to use a Seam Ripper Properly / Unpicking VRS Seam Ripping / Beginner Sewing Tutorial

Be sure to seek out our demo table at the November meeting. Sharon Holliday will be showing us how to make half-square triangles, flying geese units, triangle-in-a-square, and other shapes, perfectly-sized every time with no bunny ears to trim afterward. She’ll also include an easy, fast method of using two pieces of fabric to make both half-square triangles and squares for creating variety for faster scrap quilting.

Worker Bees - Third Thursday on Zoom - Sharon McGinnis

We are buzzing with excitement to start this new group! Held via Zoom on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Our next meeting will be November 16th at 7:00 pm. This small group is a great fit for anyone with time available in the evenings. This group will include ANY type of quilting activity—piecing, hand quilting, machine quilting, embroidery, you name it. The name of our game is friendship and fellowship around our virtual quilting circle. Contact Sharon McGinnis at sharon.mcginnis@verizon.net to be added to the roster and a Zoom link will be sent out a day or two before each meeting. Any questions can also be directed to Sharon at 972-467-5799.

Sew Happy Quilters - Aurora Chancy

Pieceful Organization - Sarah Krauss, Jeanne Vogel, Monica Hendewerk (Now we meet every Wednesday afternoon)

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

Hoop It Up Bee – Donna Petrick

Featherweight Fellowship Groups - Jeanne Vogel

Chicks with Feathers—3rd Saturdays in person at Sam Johnson Recreation Center at 401 W 16th St. Plano, TX or on Zoom from 1-3pm
Fourth Friday Featherweight Friends—4th Fridays in person meeting at Best Little Retreat Center in Texas all day

Membership

By Raj Aggarwal and Barbara Goetz

Welcome Fall!! Where have you been?

October welcomes new members. Welcome to Diane Nestande, Sue McCormick, Donna Hougen, and Evelyn Meany. There were 77 members in attendance to listen to our guest speaker, Karen Stone, as well as 5 guests.

We are still accepting renewals, and of course, any new members. You are always welcome to do so at the meeting. You can print a membership form for new or renewal online, or we’ll have some at the meeting. Membership is $35 for the year, payable by check or cash. Or you can always join on the Quilters Guild of Plano website.

Nov. 1 Pat Fenton
Nov.2 Roxanne Gross
Nov. 3 Terry Reisinger, Sally Pitre
Nov. 4 Angela Watts, Cindy Harkins
Nov. 5 Carole Murray
Nov. 6 Margaret Neyman
Nov. 9 Betty Rivero, Todd Allen, Libby Priddy
Nov. 10 LuGay Chiang, Victoria Dean, Ada Loetzerich
Nov. 12 Michael Davison
Nov. 13 Jeanne Smith, Loren Wilhelm
Nov. 14 Laura Vehige
Nov. 16 Judy Horton
Nov. 17 Lisa Terry, Holly Laughlin, Dana Ryan, Wanda Lankforg, Elizabeth Chaddick
Nov. 18 Deb Van Winkle
Nov. 19 Sue Dexheimer, Melinda Proper
Nov.20 Pam Crocker, Linda Newman, Debbie Weaver, Wendi Walthall
Nov. 22 Carol Surrells, Tya-Mae Julien
Nov. 24 Virginia Braley, Debbie Burns, April Trekell
Nov. 25 Kathie Wheeler
Nov. 26 Cathy Gilley, Stacey Procter
Nov. 27 Rose Davis, Diane Duda
Nov. 28 Chris Simon
Nov. 30 Susan Morris

December Holiday Party!!

The Board is looking forward to connecting with all guild members at the December Holiday Party! There will be lots of fun activities to enjoy including the Fat Quarter Lotto (see Guild Activities for details), the Birthday Quilt Raffle being awarded (see Community Services for details), and Donna Petrick and Tisha Harms giving a lecture about Free Standing Lace (see Programs for details)! How much better can it get you ask?

We’d like to have time during the December meeting to socialize and gather to share conversations, food and beverages. To that end, we’re looking for members to bring in a munchie so we can create a Holiday Snacks & Sweets Charcuterie Table!! Savory Ideas to bring: Cheeses and crackers, deviled eggs, olives, humus with dippers, nuts, bite size cold appetizers, raw veggies, dips, and chips. Sweet Ideas to bring: Cookies, cookies and more cookies! Did we mention cookies?

There will be a signup at the Activities Table where you can give us an idea of what you would like to contribute. This will allow us to make sure we’re not top heavy in one area. But who couldn’t use more cookies! So let’s gather, connect and make another great Guild Memory!

October 2023 Newsletter

Posted on September 30, 2023October 8, 2023 by Media

Hello and welcome Fall! I am taking on the job of president after being a member for about 27 years.

The Quilters Guild of Plano began in 1982 so we are beginning our 41st year with almost all new board members! We are happy to announce that the new board has replaced the two positions vacated after the election. VP of Community Service Bonnie Cook has stepped down and been replaced with Debbie Blair co-leader with Val Schlake. VP of Media, Dawn Wester has stepped down and been replaced with a new member, Kris O’Connor. We have a true village with 14 members to share some of the positions needed to run the guild.

We have decided to hire a church employee to run the zoom cameras to allow all our members to attend and to not have zoom running in the background at the meeting. Hopefully this will be welcomed by both those attending and those not able to drive in to the meetings, who are sick at home, or who are traveling. Please consider carpooling to the meeting with those unable to drive at night.

The meeting in October will be our first with the new board, so we will be emailing out the changes to the Policy and Procedures that have been approved by the old and the new board. Please read them so we can address any questions and then approve them without a lengthy discussion at the meeting.

Please renew your membership if you haven’t already paid for the 2023-2024 fiscal year.

Welcome to the start of another great year!

October Guild Meeting - Thursday, October 12, 2023

Speaker: Karen Stone

Karen Stone will join us in person on Thursday, October 12th to share her Evolution Trunk Show. In the lecture she will lightheartedly share old and new quilts that have taught her the important lessons as a quiltmaker and artist.

A quilter since 1986, Karen’s inspiration manifests equally of innovation and tradition. Her quilts have won numerous awards, including first prizes in international competitions, and her designs appear frequently in exhibitions. Her Clam Session quilt received the Master of Innovative Artistry award at IQF in 2009, and her Indian Orange Peel Quilt was People’s Choice at Quilt National ’95, and is now part of the QN collection at the International Quilt Museum. Her Sacred quilt was Best of Show in Dallas in 2020. Her pieces have juried into Quilts=Art=Quilts 2022, and won awards in QuiltCon 2022 & 2023. Her Las Almas Rotas won a judges award of Quilt National ’23, and she recently had the pleasure to judge for the Houston International Quilt Festival in 2023. Having enjoyed success in design, publication and teaching, she continues to teach, and reinvent herself in new work. Karen holds degrees in Piano from Baylor and Indiana Universities, has two beautiful daughters, three exemplary cats, and rides her bike from historic Deep Ellum in Dallas, TX.

Her Improvisational Machine Applique workshop October 14 is full, but Friday, October 13, the Maltese Cross workshop has a few spots left. Work with old ties, or other fun fabrics learning her glue basting technique. No sewing machine is needed during either of the actual workshops. See website for details.

For each Workshop…..

Workshop spots fill up very fast – register as soon as possible.

Supply list can be found at Workshop Supply List

Time: 10:00am – 5:00pm
Location: Best Little Retreat Center in Texas
7989 Beltline Road #168,
Dallas, TX 75248
Fee: Online -- $50.00 (member)
$60.00 (non-member)
Cash or Check -- $45.00 (member)
$55.00 (non-member)

How to register: Programs Table OR Guild Website Workshop Registration

What to bring: Supply List available at Programs Table and on Guild Website

Lunch: Bring your own OR bring cash for Jason’s Deli delivery

Questions: email to programs@qgplano.org

Guild Activities

By Chris Fredericks

Who would have thought that moving from New York to Texas in 2021 would have been the best move ever! Joining QGP last year and meeting so many wonderful members and being welcomed so graciously has allowed me to call Texas my new home state! So thank you, thank you, thank you!

And then to my surprise, I was asked to take on the position of VP of Guild Activities. I hemmed and hawed for a quick second or two (some might counter with ‘a week or two’) and finally took the plunge. I’m excited about the ideas that I have scheduled for this year and look forward to sharing the activities with you at the October meeting. A new mystery block challenge and a guild challenge are in the works along with some other activities which will allow us to stay connected and have fun!

I look forward to meeting more members and engaging in more guild activities including classes, community service sew days, retreats and, of course, Quilt Plano 2024! It’s going to be a great quilting year!!

Quilt Plano 2024

By Laurie Lumston

As you heard at the September Guild meeting, Quilt Plano 2023 was a resounding success and set us up to continue bringing in top-notch programs. Congrats and a hearty Thank You go out to the members of the 2023 Show Committee, led by Carolyn Cosgriff.

Now, it’s time to shift our focus to Quilt Plano 2024! I have the honor of leading the Show Committee this year, along with my Co-Chair, Carol Truscott. There are over 30 committee members who have stepped up to be part of this awesome team! You’ll meet them in next month’s newsletter!

One of our first tasks is to fill the remaining positions on the Committee. Whether you are a long-time member or new to the guild, this is a great way to get involved, meet new friends, and contribute to this community of quilters!

Below are the positions on the Committee that are available, along with a general description. Reach out to me if you are interested in reading the detailed job description and joining in on the fun!

Signs: Make sure our signage is properly placed to guide guests and volunteers.
Entries - Shadow: Spend the next year shadowing Tisha Harms in the current Entries Lead role so that you are ready to take over on the 2025 Committee. #mustlovespreadsheets
Ribbons: Coordinate with the Entries and Judging teams to order, prepare, and properly place the ribbons on the winning quilts. This person must be super OCD about the process to ensure accuracy.
Set-Up/Take-Down - Co-Lead: This role requires advance planning ahead of the show and is onsite during Show set-up and take-down to coordinate with the Entries team to organize the hanging hardware and guide the volunteers to properly hang/take-down the entries.
Program Ad Sales: Coordinate the sale of ads in the Program. A fun way to connect with the local vendors and quilt shops!
Raffle Quilt Roadshow: Visit local guild meetings during the year to display our Raffle Quilt and sell raffle tickets. The side benefit is being able to attend neighboring guild’s meetings and see bonus programs! Grab a quilty friend and make it a mini road trip!
Special Exhibits: Coordinate the special exhibits that are displayed at the Show, which includes curating, gathering, hanging and taking down the display. A fun way to share the samples from our programs during the year!

The plan is to fill out the committee in October, share detailed job descriptions and timelines in November, chill in December, and then kick off the Quilt Plano 24 (QP24) meetings in January. Now’s the time to get involved!! And don’t worry - if you don’t want a role on the Committee, we will have PLENTY of opportunities for you to be involved by volunteering at the event. 🙂

Community Service

By Val Schlake and Debbie Blair

I joined the Community Service team last year and the rest is history! I just couldn’t get enough so I signed on for another! This past year was so successful with quilts, cuddles and dog beds being donated to our worthy organizations. We are extremely thankful to all of you whether you cut fabric, pieced a top, quilted tops, sewed binding on a top, washed quilts, or, last but not least, delivered them. It does take a village!

I want to welcome 2 new appointments to our existing team, Debbie Blair as Co VP and Deanna Tucker as Special Projects. The Community Service team is gearing up for another successful year! So plan on participating, as it’s a great way to stay connected to other guild members while providing such a worthy service to our community.

Our mission is simple: We create quilts and quilted items that provide comfort and warmth to those in need of a little kindness throughout our community.

Sew Day: We meet on the second Tuesday of each month from 10 until 2 at the Plano Sewing Center doing what we all love to do… SEW. Just bring your sewing machine and basic sewing supplies and we will provide the rest.

Fall Focus

PISD Program: School Age Parent Program: We will be participating again collecting donations for the PISD Program. Our guild is supporting these new mothers and fathers by collecting donation items for new babies. Accepted are baby quilts, baby clothes, diapers, anything a new mom can use would be appreciated. Items can be dropped off at the guild meeting or at the Community Service Sew Day now through the end of November.
Birthday Quilt Challenge: A quick reminder to get those Birthday Quilts turned in by November… and you will be entered into our drawing for a Sewing Gift Basket valued at $250.

Quilts of Valor

By Evelyn Cheek

The mission of the Quilts of Valor® Foundation is to cover service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing.

QOVF Core Values:

Treating people with respect
Promoting excellence
Valuing service over self
Being accountable

www.QOVF.org

Oh my. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.

Words cannot express the gratitude we have for the outpouring of appreciation we saw at the September Guild meeting. The Veterans we honored were overwhelmed at the wrapping of the quilts and their family members in attendance were astounded at the love, care, and detail that went into the beautiful quilts as well as the ceremony itself. A member asked what we do with the leftover quilts. There are none. We donate each and every one to veterans in the north Texas area. That’s why our guild members made them. We have upcoming plans for more quilts and we’ll keep on making them and donating them. It’s an honor to do so.

**Worker Bees - Third Thursday on Zoom - Sharon McGinnis**

We are buzzing with excitement to start this new group! Held via Zoom on the 3rd Thursday of each month. Our next meeting will be October 19th at 7:00 pm. This small group is a great fit for anyone with time available in the evenings. This group will include ANY type of quilting activity—piecing, hand quilting, machine quilting, embroidery, you name it. The name of our game is friendship and fellowship around our virtual quilting circle. Contact Sharon McGinnis at sharon.mcginnis@verizon.net to be added to the roster and a Zoom link will be sent out a day or two before each meeting. Any questions can also be directed to Sharon at 972-467-5799.

Sew Happy Quilters - Aurora Chancy

Pieceful Organization - Sarah Krauss, Jeanne Vogel, Monica Hendewerk (Now we meet every Wednesday afternoon)

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

Hoop It Up Bee – Donna Petrick

Featherweight Fellowship Groups - Jeanne Vogel

Chicks with Feathers—3rd Saturdays in person at Sam Johnson Recreation Center at 401 W 16th St. Plano, TX or on Zoom from 1-3pm
Fourth Friday Featherweight Friends—4th Fridays in person meeting at Best Little Retreat Center in Texas all day

Membership

By Mary Alice Caffarel

Our Fiscal year ended Sept. 30 and our New year starts October 1. 2023. Happy Quilt Guild New Year!!!!

Please be sure to RENEW your membership this month if you have not already done so for the 2023-2024 year. Dues are $35 per year. Family memberships for others in the same household are $10 per year.

Ways to renew:

Print out the form from the website and bring to the meeting with a check or cash.
Print out the form and mail it in with your check.
Renew on-line, with a credit card. (Be aware this will create a Paypal account.)

Your new Membership Co-VPs , Raj Aggerwal and Barbara Goetz, have some new ideas. One will be a listing for ride-sharing. Since there are a number of members who do not like driving at night, it is hoped that this list will allow drivers and riders who live close to each other a way to connect.

We continue to need 9 patch blocks. Directions are on the website under Activities. Raj has put together a good number of kits with the small squares that just need to be sewn together. Please take a few back home with you and return to the Membership Table at the following meeting.

I thoroughly enjoyed being VP of Membership for the last 2 years. I’ve met a lot of really nice people (and I can even get the correct names with the faces for some of you).

Happy Birthday to members born in October. Happy Halloween too!

1 - Karen Finch
1 - JoAnn Langloys
1 – Lucy Wang
2 – Maggie Cole
3 – Pamela Lane
6 – Michelle Watts
6 – Rebecca Williams
7 - Jackie Galubenski
10 - Lauren Lindorm
13 – Caryn Pesek
13 – Beth Worley
14 – Marge Krempl
15 – Suzan Crocker
16 - Deborah Kay
17 - Monica Hendewerk
17 – Donna Morris
18 – Rachel Carithers
18 – Debbie Seher
19 – Bonnie Cook
22 – Ruth Bernabo
24 – Denee Nelson
24 – Sharon Newalu-Garcia
26 – Charlotte Key
26 – Deb Merrill
27 – Cheryl Morschauser
28 – Linda Castellano
31 – Sandra Vincent

Quilters Guild of Plano, Inc.

Letter from the President

Record Your Volunteer Hours!

Programs and Workshops

February Guild Meeting - Thursday, February 8, 2024

Speaker: Becky Goldsmith – The Secret Lives of Thread and Needle

March Guild Meeting - Thursday, March 14, 2024

Speaker: Carol Sunderland – Fifteen Elements

April Guild Meeting - Thursday, April 11, 2024

Speaker: Audrey Esarey – Finding My Voice in Modern Quilting

Workshop: Friday, April 12, 2024, 10:00am - 5:00pm (1-hour lunch)

Audrey Esarey – Watercolor Quilt Workshop -- Fabric Gradation and Stress Free Curved Piecing

Workshop: Saturday, April 13, 2024, 10:00am - 5:00pm (1-hour lunch)

Audrey Esarey – Ultraviolet Radial Workshop -- Paper Piecing on an Arc, Curved Piecing, Precision Piecing

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Guild Activities

Quilt Plano 2024

Introduction to Judging Seminar - August 9-10, 2024

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Community Service

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Education

Quilts of Valor (www.QOVF.org)

Sunshine & Shadows

Shadows:

Membership

Happy February Birthdays to These Members

News from the Zoom Bees

Pieceful Organization - Sarah Krauss, Jeanne Vogel, Monica Hendewerk

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

Chicks with Feathers — 3rd Saturday from 1-3pm -- Jeanne Vogel

From the Bee Keeper -- In Person Meetings

Fourth Friday Featherweight Friends- Jeanne Vogel: pickincotton26@verizon.net

Monthly Meeting Photos

General Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes

Quilters Guild of Plano, Inc.

Letter from the President

Record Your Volunteer Hours!

Programs and Workshops

Workshops for this year: April 12, 13 and June 14, 15

January Guild Meeting - Thursday, January 11, 2024

Speaker: Connie Keller – Longarms and Legacy

February Guild Meeting - Thursday, February 8, 2024

Speaker: Becky Goldsmith – The Secret Lives of Thread and Needle

March Guild Meeting - Thursday, March 14, 2024

Speaker: Carol Sunderland – Fifteen Elements

April Guild Meeting - Thursday, April 11, 2024

Speaker: Audrey Esarey – Finding My Voice in Modern Quilting

Workshop: Friday, April 12, 2024, 10:00am - 5:00pm (1-hour lunch)

Audrey Esarey – Watercolor Quilt Workshop -- Fabric Gradation and Stress Free Curved Piecing

Workshop: Saturday, April 13, 2024, 10:00am - 5:00pm (1-hour lunch)

Audrey Esarey – Ultraviolet Radial Workshop -- Paper Piecing on an Arc, Curved Piecing, Precision Piecing

Quilters Guild of Plano Social Media

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Guild Activities

Quilt Plano 2024

Introduction to Judging Seminar - August 9-10, 2024

Advertisement

Community Service

Advertisement

Education

Quilts of Valor (www.QOVF.org)

Sunshine & Shadows

Membership

Happy January Birthdays

News from the Zoom Bees

Bag Making Zoom Group - Donna Petrick

Pieceful Organization - Sarah Krauss, Jeanne Vogel, Monica Hendewerk

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

Hoop It Up Bee – Donna Petrick

Chicks with Feathers — 3rd Saturday from 1-3pm (Not meeting in Nov. & Dec.) -- Jeanne Vogel

From the Bee Keeper -- In Person Meetings

Fourth Friday Featherweight Friends- Jeanne Vogel: pickincotton26@verizon.net

Monthly Meeting Photos

General Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes

Quilters Guild of Plano, Inc.

Letter from the President

Happy December Birthdays