QUILTERS GUILD of PLANO
February 2025 Newsletter
This month’s meeting will be held on Thursday, March 13, 2025.
Social time starts at 6:15pm and the meeting starts at 7:00pm.
We will be meeting in person at Hunters Glen Baptist Church, 4001 Custer Road, Plano, TX and via Zoom.
If you prefer to attend via Zoom, log into your
Quilters Guild of Plano account/Membership/Member Dashboard/Monthly Zoom Meetings.
Click on the words “Monthly Zoom Meetings.”
LETTER FROM GUILD PRESIDENT – Jeanne Vogel
QGP President, Jeanne Vogel
Dates to mark on your calendar:
Today–enter your quilt into the show!
March 11–Community Sew Day 10-2
March 13–Guild meeting—-bring quilts for CA & items for PISD
March 24–Board meeting
April 8–Community Sew Day 10-2
April 10–Guild meeting—bring quilts for CA & items for PISD
The purpose of the Quilters Guild of Plano is to unite individuals who have a passion for quilts and the art of quilting.
Texas is a great place to be especially in winter time, but with that comes unexpected changes in the daily weather. What a twist this gave the members attending the annual retreat held with the wind blowing unusually cold wind off of Lake Texoma while we are tucked inside the Tanglewood Resort in Pottsboro. At quilt shows you see the completed quilts, but at a retreat you see all the moving parts, the colors, the pattern, the length of time it takes to stitch it all together and the feeling of being a part of their creation! It’s a great experience when you see it hanging at the quilt show.
And when you read this on March 1st, it is the opening day to enter your quilt in the Quilt Show 2025. All online on the website! Take a picture of your top to enter on time.
On the new website we have members that have longarm as a business. After you log in as a member, go to Resources (in the blue menu bar), Longarm Quilters, and you will find quilters that live in Plano, Allen, Anna, Dallas, Denton, Lucas, McKinney and Savoy. Get your quilt scheduled so it’s ready for the quilt show August 8 & 9th.
What a great community to be with–sharing our quilts and loving what we do! Quilts going to the victims in CA and to the students becoming mothers while attending PISD. Thank you for your heartfelt caring of those in need.
Greeters at the doors in March will be members of the Art Quilters of Plano (AQOP).
– Jeanne
Thank you!
Thank you to everyone who has supported the effort to send quilts to the victims of the recent California wild fires. I am overwhelmed with the response and can’t thank you enough. To date, I have 49 quilts (29 from QGP)!
I will continue to collect your generous offerings (any size, any theme) through the May meeting. I plan to leave for California with a car full of quilts the beginning of June. Please call me if you need me to come pick up your quilts.
Again, so many thanks and hugs to all,
Roxy Gross
COMMUNITY SERVICE
What a very busy and cold February! We are sure that we’re all looking forward to warmer temps and anxious for “Spring” to show her head! Promise, it is just around the corner.
February was full of great classes, meetings, retreats and gatherings with friends even with the cold blast of record temps… but it didn’t stop us (QGP) from quilting!
NC and CA Update:
North Carolina and California are requesting quilts for so many that lost everything to Mother Nature’s scorn. We are continuing to accept gently used quilts to forward on to those affected. We have collected 63 so far and have an additional 12 that were made and donated by members specifically for these areas.
Sew Day:
You are invited to join us the 2nd Tuesday of each month from 10 till 2 at the Plano Sewing Center and do what we love to do… sew. All you need to bring is a sewing machine and basic sewing supplies and we will bring the rest. Come meet new friends and enjoy the time with us.
Attention Longarm Quilters:
We are a bit behind since we did not meet in January and have received so many beautiful tops that we need help getting them quilted and bound. We are asking all of our longarmers to consider taking a couple extra to quilt during the month of March so that we can get caught up.
Grab and Go Projects:
A perfect option if you are unable to participate on Sew Day. Grab and go can be finished at home on your schedule. We appreciate any help you can provide. Plus, it is a great feeling to be able to be part sharing a little kindness with those in need in our community. All the Grab and Go’s can be picked up during the quilt meeting or at the CS Sew Day.
- Quilts to be quilted
- Quilts to be bound
- Cuddle kits
- Pillowcase Kit
- Dog bed covers
Thank you for all you do! Our members make such a difference in our community and beyond!
Valerie and Debbie
QUILT PLANO 2025
It’s time! Quilt entries and Special Exhibits are officially open! Visit the fabulous Quilt show website for more information and links. Enter your quilt anytime between March 1 and the June guild meeting. Guild members can take advantage of early registration at no fee between March 1 and the May guild meeting.
Don’t forget about the mini quilts too! We still need quite a few more. We’re counting on you!
This year we will also be offering quilt appraisals during the quilt show. If you’re interested in having a quilt appraised, visit the quilt show website for more information about reserving an appointment.
We will begin focusing on volunteer positions in April, so heads up that there are plenty of places for you to get plugged in!
And lastly, don’t forget about the quilt show T-shirts on sale for $20 and the raffle quilt ticket bundles of 25 tickets for $20.
Reach out to Laurie (laurie.lumston@gmail.com) or Carol (caroltruscott80@gmail.com) if you have any questions.
EDUCATION
All quilters make scraps, it is a never ending cycle. What do you do with all those leftover pieces, toss them or stuff them in a bag or basket thinking someday you will do something with them?
We spend a lot of money for our fabric so instead of tossing your scraps, you can have an organized precut stash you can shop from. It will be like making a bonus quilt.
At the March meeting you will learn how to manage your scrap fabric stash. Get tips on how to sort and process your scraps, and how to efficiently cut scraps into usable precuts. Then how to store your new organized fabric stash.
Now that you have processed all of your scraps into useable precut sizes, at the April meeting we will share some great ideas on how to use your scrap fabric stash to create some beautiful quilts without spending more money but shopping from your own stash.
Lorrie Gray and Debbie Burns
GUILD ACTIVITIES
BRRRR – this weather reminds Chris of New York with all the brisk winds and cold days we’ve been feeling in Texas. The only thing missing is the 1-2 feet of snow.
Let’s talk Retreat 2025! What an amazing job our Retreat Committee, spearheaded by our one and only Pam Walsh, did this year! Such fun was had by everyone! It’s always great to be surrounded by such gifted quilters knowing we all go home learning something new from each other! If you’re a newbie to the guild – or have just never attended a retreat – then you should plan on attending next year Feb. 26–March 1, 2026.
Which leads to a great time to plug for volunteers for a couple of Guild Activities positions. We’re looking for a team who would be willing to take the lead on being VP’s of Guild Activities. We’ve had such a great time being VP for these past two years and our terms end this fall. It’s time to pass the torch to a new team who will work on bringing fresh new activities for our members to enjoy next year. We’re also in search of a team to handle Retreat 2026! Chris secured some names of people who are willing to help out but we’re in need of a Retreat Chairperson and a few other volunteers to round out the team. Please let us know if you are interested in stepping up and either of these positions. Join in on the fun – be part of a great board – chair Retreat 2026!
We’re gearing up for some spring activities. The Moda Blockhead 2 challenge has begun and the first four blocks were released in February. It’s not too late to join in on the fun – just email Guild Activities and we’ll send you the block patterns. It’s so much fun to be involved in these challenges.
Speaking of Challenges – the Guild’s Stained Glass Challenge is in full swing. We’re hoping everyone has been working hard to complete their (approximate) 30×30 quilt tops. Please remember that they need to have “lead” piping – which is what makes a stained glass quilt so amazing to look at. Plan on having your quilts ready for the April meeting where we can all share our artistry with all the guild members. And gear up to enter the quilt in the Special Exhibits of the Quilt Show!
Looking for just one more activity! Plan on participating in May’s Fat Quarter Raffle. Bring 1 or 2 fat quarters to the meeting and you’ll be entered to win a bundle of fat quarters. We’re suggesting that folks bring in fat quarters in spring prints and spring neutrals. This has always been a guild favorite so please plan on participating.
And with all this fun, please remember that Spring is right around the corner! We’re looking forward to all the wonderful scents that Spring provides ~ flowers, mowed lawns, garden soil as we prepare to plant luscious plants! All the wonderful colors of spring seem to pop up which then opens the doors to a world of quilting possibilities with all the spring colors! What quilting project are you thinking of doing this spring? Whatever it is, have fun quilting and creating!
Chris Fredericks and Anna Marie Larrabee
PROGRAMS AND WORKSHOPS
March Guild Meeting
Alex Andersen: Living the Quilty Life
April Guild Meeting
Rosie deLeon-McCrady: Redwork Legacy
April Workshop
Rosie deLeon-McCrady: Redwork Embroidery by Machine
And the old is new again! Lots of good feedback from both Nova Montgomery’s in-depth lecture sharing with us the history of Singer Featherweights, and her skill during her Maintenance Workshop. Attendees that had previously rarely used their machines, now plan to put that little workhorse to work!
Next up is a visit with Alex Andersen of The Quilt Show fame. While she doesn’t travel anymore, Alex will be Zooming in to share her program Living the Quilty Life. Bet she has some great stories!
Come join us in April with QGP’s very own Rosie deLeon-McCrady of Redwork Plus for a Thursday lecture on Redwork’s Legacy. Saturday will be a workshop on how to do Redwork on your domestic machine! She can also give tips on handwork, but in this workshop use the “triple stitch” on your machine to achieve results that look like handwork. If you have an older machine the stitch may be called a “stretch stitch.” It’s the one that goes forward/backward/forward to make a thicker stitch. You only need to be able to do a straight stitch. Stop by the Programs Table in March to see a sample! See you at Guild Meeting!
Beth Swiatek & Linda Sullivan
March Guild Meeting — March 13, 2025
Alex Andersen – Lecture: Living the Quilty Life
April Guild Meeting — April 10, 2025
Rosie deLeon-McCrady – Redwork’s Legacy
April Workshop — April 12, 2025
Rosie deLeon-McCrady – Redwork Embroidery by Machine
MEMBERSHIP
Sunshine & Shadows
Continued prayers are requested for a couple of members with health problems.
We are saddened to share that our Featherweight Quilting Friend, guild member and Quilt Show committee member Evelyn Cheek passed away on February 6, 2025.
WELCOME NEW MEMBERS – Liz Isam, Jane Bridge, & Debbie Nichols.
We now have 300 members!
WELCOME TO OUR GUESTS
- Ellyn Zinmeister
- Deborah Pankey
- Angela Gafford
- Lara Cooper
- Dan Florence
- Sue Foley
- Marsha Kammeyeo
- Alice McElroy and Sherry Searcy from the QG of Dallas.
ROCKING BOBBIN QUILT SHOP— A gift certificate for $10 off $20 was given to everyone attending the February meeting. Be sure to use your gift certificate before March 31. A reminder that the Guild will receive 7% of all the money you spend to purchase door prizes for you.
QUILT COUNTRY QUILT SHOP – Donated gift certificates to us and you will be seeing them in the drawings over the year.
NEW MEMBER RETREAT — Our next retreat has been scheduled for May 3, 2025. If you were unable to attend in November and are a new member since last August, be on the lookout in a few weeks for your invitation. IMPORTANT! Add Membership@qgplano.org to your address book so that your invitation does not go to spam.
NINE-PATCH BLOCKS — Thank you to everyone who turned in nine-patches last month. Sue McCormick, our committee chair for Nine-Patch, was able to send out three sets of 100 nine-patches. Sue wanted to see how they would look all put together. She laid some out. Here is one of her pictures. Aren’t they lovely?
SPECIAL DRAWINGS — In addition to our two regular door prizes, we will have a SPECIAL DRAWING at the March meeting of a quilt kit donated by Julie Schaefer – Arabian Nights – with the pattern and beautiful fabrics.
Ann Lau and Christi Ables — Membership@qgplano.org
FEBRUARY MEETING RECAP
We had 82 members in person, 19 on Zoom, 11 guests and 2 new members.
Thank you to the Featherweight Friends small group greeters, Linda Benson and Misty Cannefax.
Door Prize Winners:
Lara Cooper (guest), Margaret Konecny. The winners of the special drawings were Sharon Laney and Liz Beaty.
LONE STAR AWARD
This month the Lone Star Award is presented to our photographer, Dena Smith. She has been present at every meeting (well, all but one) to photograph members and quilts as a record keeping event. We seem to be the only guild that has this type of gallery photos on the website, all thanks to Dena.
Dena was also past Co-VP of Programs, is a volunteer at the annual quilt shows and such a lover of the color purple that you want to make a purple quilt! She has learned how to long arm (without being an owner) and also works at learning free motion quilting. And is now a happy owner of a featherweight from a family member. Our hearts are so happy to recognize her for her photography skills and being our newsletter editor for years and all the hours spent to record the QGP.
March Birthdays
| 2– Jeanne Vogel
3 – Deb Lockwood 4 – Nancy Minish 4 – Janelle Garrett 4 – Sheryl Vaughan 5 – Cathy Daigle 6 – Kathy Glover 6 – Martha A. Jones |
8 – Barbara Collins
11 – Evelyn Meany 11 – Patti Griffith 14 – Raj Aggarwal 15 – Denise Green 17 – Jana McBroom 17 – Karen Freeman 18 – Karen Woodard |
19 – Pam Walsh
19 – Alice Payne 19 – Linda Chappell 22 – Fran Casey 23 – Marty Crouch 27 – Ashley Stovall 28 – Denise Castelli |
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BEEKEEPER BUZZ
From The BeeKeepers:
March and the start of spring is a great time to start something new, meet new quilters and enlarge your circle of friends. Fran Levy and Kelly Ann Hebeler are available to help you form a small group if you are interested. Please contact them or chat with them at the guild meeting.
Great news!! Bonnie Cook is interested in hosting an evening Small Group (Bee) for women who aren’t available during the day.
Please email her at bcook111698@gmail.com
News from the Zoom Bees
From the Bee Keeper — In Person Meetings
Sew Happy Quilters
Aurora Chancy
1st and 3rd Thursday 9-4pm
- Sam Johnson Recreation Center @ 401 W 16th St. Plano, TX
- Bring your own project, sewing machine & supplies
- We have lunch together at the Gazebo Cafe for $5 or less.
Fourth Friday Featherweight Friends
Jeanne Vogel
Meeting at the Best Little Retreat Center in Texas from 9am-9pm.
- Make your reservation by calling 469-708-2378 or email: info@blrcit.com
- Either bring your lunch or we’ll go out as a group to eat together.
Sit N Sew Community Service Day
Val Schlake & Debbie Blair
2nd Tuesday from 10-2 pm
- Plano Sewing Center, 2070 Spring Creek Pkwy # 326, Plano, TX
- Bring your sewing machine and sewing supplies.
Our Advertisers
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Longarm edge-to-edge and custom quilting available. Call for more information.
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(214) 532-1394
Member Ads
FOR SALE
Like new HandiQuilter Sweet Sixteen quilting machine (16-inch sit-down longarm)
with Table, TruStitch Stitch Regulator, and Bobbin Winder
Call or text Dena Smith at 972-699-1902
General Meeting Minutes
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Monthly Meeting Photos
Access our monthly meeting photos and photos from the quilt show in our Gallery.
Board Meeting Minutes
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