September 4, 2014

Before I begin, I need to ask if there is anyone who would be willing to take pictures and notes at the October meeting. I can loan you my camera. Otherwise the blog may consist of my vacation pics. This could be good or bad. I usually don't remember to take many pictures. Or I can substitute with quilts I find on the web that I like. If you want valid information, I need a volunteer. Just email or call me. My info is in the book.

It was so nice to see so many faces at quilt guild! There were still some who couldn't make it this month, but many who had been busy during the summer were able to return. Our guild is continually growing, and that is a very good sign. This week we also had some very young visitors who showed off their sewing skills.

September 29 is a 5th Monday night. The Bin will be open for sewing 4pm to 10 pm. This is a great chance to work on Christmas projects or any other UFOs. The project of the night is a denim scrap bag for thread and fabric clippings. If you wish to participate in this project, please bring a pant leg cut from an old pair of jeans ( or denim fabric) plus a fat quarter of your choice. In case you have not seen these at the Bin they really are cute. The denim makes them stiff enough to stand open on your sewing table, yet they are soft enough to squash and put away when not in use. This project would make a cute, inexpensive gift for the sewer in your life.

October 2nd, our usual guild night, is our annual worknight. Start time is 5:30 pm with a short break at 7:00 pm for our guild meeting. Come for as long or short as you can. We have two sets of projects to work on. The first is the throws we will give, along with food baskets, to the two senior citizens (single or couple) we are sponsoring for Christmas. Please bring 5 strips any fabric. These need to be 2 1/2" x width of fabric. Please precut strips. A mixture of light, medium and dark fabric is needed. The fabric for the borders, binding and backing need to be donated. Since this is obviously a scrappy quilt, any design fabric is welcome. The batting also needs to be donated. Nancy will donate the longarm machine time to quilt.

The second project is to support the Freeman Cancer Center of Joplin. We will be making 50 heart shaped pillows. These are more than just decoration. They can be brought along during treatments, put between seatbelts and body in the car, between the knees when sleeping, etc. Bring 2 - 14" squares of fleece for each pillow you plan to work on plus fiber fill. Remember these pillows will be going to adults, so choose fleece accordingly. 50 pillow may sound like a lot, but they shouldn't take too long to make.

Bring your sewing machine if you can. Those who do not wish to sew can be kept busy cutting fabric, pressing seams, filling pillows, etc. There is something for everyone. The more we get done on this night, the less likely we will have to designate a second work night. As always, bring food (sandwiches, chips, salad, dessert) to share. We do need to keep our strength up! For any who have not participated before, this really is a fun night! It is amazing what we can turn out when we all pitch in.

October 10th is the Quilt and Sewing Expo in Kansas City. Those who have already signed up to go with the Extension Office group need to meet at the Extension Office by 7 am. Anyone not signed up will need to find their own transportation. Ask around, there may be someone else who wants to go, but doesn't wish to go alone. More information can be found at the Bin or on the internet.

The bus trip is happening November 8. The guild had voted to charter the 55 person bus hoping we could fill it. Looks like that was a smart move. There are some seats left, but they are going fast, so if you know of anyone who wants to go but hasn't signed up yet, remind them to do it soon. This is a first for our guild and we are all excited. This is an all day trip to Lamar and Hamilton, Missouri. Cost is $45  to reserve your seat on the bus. Bring enough money for your lunch and supper, plus any fabric you buy.

The Kids Sewing Camp needs donations of animal print fabrics ( 1/2 yard pieces) A to Z. This is fabrics with animals printed on them, not just zebra stripes or paw prints. Solid sheets are also needed for backing fabric.

Presbyterian Manor is looking for candidates for the "ageless art" contest. Contestants need to be 64+ years. The deadline is November 12.

The block of the month program is going strong. We have many people still entering their blocks each month.

There will be some cool quilts when we are done! This month's block requires 2 fabrics plus your background fabric. The pieces are all triangles.

Instructions and the dies for cutting are at the Bin or you can get a copy from someone who was at the meeting. Those who have joined recently can still participate. Just ask Nancy for instructions from past blocks.

Gloria presented a program on making a border of diamonds. She got her instructions from www.favequilts.com. There were many options. The pattern she chose is called a Seminole diamond pattern. Three strips are sewn together then cut into blocks. These blocks are sewn together in a staggered manner, the edges trimmed and stay stitching applied. It's an easier way to sew a bunch of triangles using squares and makes a lovely border. More specific instructions can be found on the above website.

This was a neat program and a technique I plan on using.

Nita showed a quilt she made for a wedding gift. It is called London Square. She said it was a little harder than it looked. It looks beautiful now.

Gloria and Karen both finished projects from our recent paper piecing class.

Peggy completed 3 t-shirt quilts made from her daughter's scrubs and sweatshirts. She had so many scrubs she used them to piece the backs.

I showed some tote bags I had made with a friend in anticipation of an upcoming trip.

Our young visitors had many projects to show. Shelby (10), Sydney (8) and Gavin (5) had clothing, bags, a miniature quilt, a pillowcase and a pillow to show. Each item was made by them (with some help). It just shows you are never too young to learn to sew. Their skills will be amazing by the time they are adults! Their grandmother was rightfully proud of them.