Letter from the President

By Donna Petrick

Didn’t we have a wonderful program last month?  Have you ever wondered who makes this all happen?  You have a group of dedicated board members who continue to do their best to make the guild an exciting, fun and helpful organization.  The current programs are from the past program chairs, Jeanne Smith, Janet Carver and Sharon Schenke.  But be assured the current chairs are doing their best to continue the wonderful programs we enjoy.  The rest of board members do their respective jobs just as well.

Then how do we pay for those programs? Our dues do not begin to cover the expenses of this business.  And regardless of how much of a hobby it is to us individually, this is a business.  We have a quilt show to “foot the bills” of running our business.  Thus far, we have been very successful having a quilt show and supplying the needs of the guild.  We have continued to do all the community service projects, teach new techniques and keep our quilting community together.

So how do we put on this quilt show?  We have another bunch of very dedicated individuals who work a number of months each year to produce this wonderful event.  And guess what??—it takes leaders.  We need a co-chair, who will be show chair for 2023, to work along with our current chair, Carolyn Cosgriff.  This co-chair will have a group of experienced chair people who can well handle their own portions of the show.  But someone has to sign contracts, make sure no steps are forgotten and communicate with the team to keep everyone headed in the same direction.  Working with the show committee is a wonderful way to meet members of the guild and to learn more about the guild and it’s activities.

Please consider being that person who will step up and help lead the show to another successful year.  Contact either Carolyn Cosgriff or Donna Petrick…….we will be happy to explain the duties and responsibilities of the co-chair. 

Keep on Quilting,

Programs

By Tisha Harms

As a long time collector and dealer, as well as the caretaker of several other quilt collections, Julie has had access to some of the greatest antique quilts ever made.

Her lecture will feature extraordinary historic quilts, some of them never published or exhibited before. Examples include true Baltimore Album Quilts, other Pre-Civil War quilts, museum quality Amish quilts, Depression-era examples, quilts with tens of thousands of tiny pieces, and unique pictorial and other one-of-a-kind quilts.

Learn more at: https://TeresaDuryeaWong.com

• Japanese Contemporary Quilts and Quilters: The Story of an American Import
• Cotton and Indigo from Japan
• American Cotton: Farm to Quilt
• Magic and Memories: 45 Years of International Quilt Festival and the Story of Two Women Who Changed Quilt History
• Stitching Stolen Lives: The Social Justice Sewing Academy Remembrance Project (Available late 2021. Co-authored with Sara Trail.)

Lecture – Hello Modern Art. Meet Antique Quilts

Mid-century modern artists are widely cited as innovators who forged new ground in art history and created entirely new genres of art. The majority of those who succeeded and became well-known are male and were mostly concentrated in New York and Europe. Their ideas, and their art, are seen as inventive and completely original. However, some elements of this new graphic style of contemporary art created during the middle of the 20th century is most certainly inspired by quilt art from the previous 100 years. Even if the artists were unaware of grandma’s quilts, there is substantial evidence to show her influence was profound. This lecture will dissect the art created by women quiltmakers and how their designs, patterns and colors forged new ground in fine art design, yet their voices and art were completely unheard by the art establishment.

Quilt Show

By Carolyn Cosgriff

Quilt Plano 2022 will be August 12th and 13th.

It’s Publicity time.  The bookmarks are being distributed.  If you can take an envelope to a shop outside of Plano, please check with Rose-Clair Fletcher.

We are looking for a Social media person to join the publicity team.  If you want to develop content to post on Facebook/Instagram/Twitter/whatever, please contact me—the old-fashioned way, phone or email -- 469-387-0033 or cosgriff.ce@gmail.com

The Show Co-chair position remains open.  The 2023 show will benefit from the Chair’s experience as Co-Chair in 2022.  Please contact Donna to discuss the role.  

Sherry Worley is getting the raffle Bag Bonanza out to events and working on getting us booked with organizations to sell tickets.  Tickets are printed and waiting to be sold.  If you are available to help or know of any group meeting, please notify Sherry. 

The Children’s area is not likely to be offered this year.  Regardless, Sara Lindsey has some ideas to make the Activity Booklet even better than last year’s.  We are looking forward to seeing what she creates.  Thanks Sara.  

Now is that time to think about how your mini can snag a few extra $$$.  If you have finished a mini, please bring it to any Community Service Sew Day or in-person guild meeting.  

Lastly but importantly, entry registration is open as of February 1.  The Registration form and guidelines are on the web site.   Plus, Special Exhibits entry forms will be available soon.

Special Exhibits

by Jeanne Vogel

Special Exhibits are for display only and are the non-judged portion of the Quilt Show. There are 10 different areas to showcase:

• Featured Quilter:  We choose a quilter to feature and their display is hung at the entrance of the show and has a photo and an article in the program. 
• Memorial quilts for members that have passed in the previous year are hung with a short bio. 
• Guild workshop display from previous teachers at the guild. 
• Guild Activities challenge using the panels for Community Service quilts. 
• Small group challenges.
• Art Quilters Of Plano display of monthly projects with fiber and fabric.
• Quilting Sisters of Color—25th Anniversary Celebration in 2022
• Quilts of Valor—our newest community service program donating quilts to honor veterans.
• Community Service & Christmas Stockings—typically hung in the Children’s Area.
• Judges each provide one of their quilts for display.

Special Exhibit Entry forms will be available on the website in a few months, so keep completing your started projects to display.  Please email me at pickincotton26@verizon.net for suggestions.

Community Service

By Linda Neal

Community Service  has hit bottom…………. The bottom of the bin that is!  The last 44 tops were paired with backings. Some of them are now being quilted.  If you are a long armer and would like to help,  we have 14 ready for quilting.  We also have 27 quilts ready for binding and pillowcase kits available.  They can be picked up at the next Community Service day at Plano Sewing Center on February 8th from 10-2.  We would love to see you there!

Community Service/Guild Activity Panel Challenge

I still have a few panels left if you are interested in joining the Community Service Panel challenge.  They will be available at the Community Service sit and sew on February 8th.  Entries can be turned in at any of our in person meetings or at the Community Service sit and sew day.  Please remember to attached a piece of paper with your name, quilt size, and contact information.  You may turn in the top or a completed quilt.  You may use your own panel and donate the top to community service.  Due date for the challenge is the May 12 guild meeting.  Have questions?  Contact Linda Neal -- lindanealmck@hotmail.com

Quilts of Valor

By Carolyn Cosgriff

Our collection of quilts ready to be awarded is diminishing.   It would be great to have a handful more completed by summer.  Those on our waiting list include 2 women and 4 gentlemen.  The women are an Army nurse who served in Kuwait, now working in a local COVID unit; and a retired Air Force Lt Colonel. 

We have an extensive stash of nine patches and some star blocks available to anyone who wants a jump start for a quilt top.

QGP Volunteer Hours for 2021

By Donna Petrick

It’s time to submit your guild volunteer hours for the calendar year of 2021.  Any work you performed for the guild counts.  For 30 hours you will receive our year bar to attach to the black sewing machine pin, or whatever you are displaying them on.  Then for the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, there are several levels…….150 hours to 249 hours gets a bronze pin, 250 hours to 449 hours gets a silver pin and 500+ hours gets a gold pin.  Once you reach an accumulation of 4000 hours you will receive a lifetime pin.

Please submit your hours by email to Tisha Harms, tisha.harms@gmail.com as soon as you can.  I had announced earlier by January 31st, but some people missed that information, so please get them submitted by February 15th.

Education

By Cindy Skarin

TIP – CARING FOR YOUR SELF HEALING MAT.  Fill your bathtub with room temperature water (not hot, not warm, and not cold).  In the water add ¼ cup vinegar and a squirt of dove dish soap.   Use a soft bristle brush and scrub the mat gently getting a good lather with the soap.  Then rinse your mat with cool water getting all residue off the mat.  You can dry it with a cotton towel, or air dry.  Lay mat flat and do not dry it in direct sunlight.  This method will help your self healing mat absorb water and make the mat supple again. Not only does this make your mat last longer, it keeps your blades from dulling so quickly because you are cutting into a softer surface.

News from the Bees -- Zoom and In-Person

Worker Bees - Sharon McGinnis

Join us on February 15 at 6:30 pm.  Come enjoy being with other quilters from the comfort of your home.  We will share tips and tricks, answer questions about your project, have show and tell, and encourage each other.   Contact Sharon McGinnis at sharon.mcginnis@verison.net for Zoom login information.

Sew Happy Quilters - Aurora Chancy

We meet at Sam Johnson Senior Center corner of 75 and 16th Steet on  first 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

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 pickincotton26@verizon.net to get the invitation to join the Zoom meeting.

• Chicks with Feathers—3rd Saturdays Zooming 1-3pm — (Formerly at Sunrise of Plano)                                                                                                                                                                                         
• Fourth Friday Featherweight Friends—4th Fridays @ 1-3pm on Zoom or in person meeting at Best Little Retreat Center in Texas all day.

Pieceful Organization - Sarah Krauss & Jeanne Vogel   (Now we will meet twice a month!)

If you are feeling “abode overload," we will:  relieve clutter, stress, struggle and feelings of being overwhelmed.  We are Zooming on the 3rd and the 4th Wednesday's 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 pickincotton26@verizon.net 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

Hand Applique Small group - Linda Neal

We meet the first Monday of each month at 10:00 on Zoom. Our next meetings are February 7th and March 7th.  We work on our individual projects and  offer encouragement with lots of hints and tricks.   If you are interested in joining our hand applique Zoom group, please email Linda Neal (lindanealmck@hotmail.com) for the link. 

English Paper Piecing Small Group - Linda Neal

We meet on the third Tuesday at 10:00 on Zoom.  February 15th and March 15th are our next meetings.  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) for the link.

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.

Membership

By Mary Alice Caffarel

Welcome our new members who joined in December and January:  Asha Andy, Cande Hodges, Laurie Lumston, Bonnie Landon and Susan deLarios.  I hope you will enjoy the guild members and activities as much as we do. 

That brings us up to 272 active members for the 2021-2022 year!

Please be sure to go into the website and update your information: address, phone, birthdate (month and day only).  And importantly, check the box that says we can share the information.  Only paid members can see the information, and I use it to get in contact with people in the guild over a number of concerns.  That’s where I get information to mail out doorprizes from the meetings.

 

Monthly Meeting Photos

Access our monthly meeting photos and photos from the quilt show in our Gallery.

 

General Meeting Minutes

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Board Meeting Minutes

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