GODERICH QUILTERS' GUILD
CUTTING EDGE NEWSLETTER
Hello fellow quilters and Guild members. Happy New Year!. As I look back over 2020 for the Guild, I see us going from regular guild meetings, to wondering if we would have meetings again to holding meetings virtually. Quilters are determined people--if can't do something one way, find another that works--or go at it in totally different direction.
Last month was a bit more festive and uplifting. I had participated in the morning workshop. It was great to meet up with a few members and chat in our own sewing rooms. The bonus with that was that if a different fabric or tool was needed, I just needed to get up and find it. I also didn't need to lug my machine to the legion. The other bonus of virtual meetings is that the weather is not a factor in holding meetings. We can also get speakers from anywhere.
Rather than making New Year resolutions, I choose a Word of the Year. I then spend the year thinking on the word and applying it my life. My word this year will be "Hope" . I am quite hopeful that we will be able to meet in person again. Let us continue to create community while apart, so when we can finally meet again, we will be that much stronger.
Nancy
Afternoon Program - Brandy Maslowski - She is a quilt teacher & fibre artist, speaker, judge and the author of a children’s picture book Kristy’s Quilt. From a clumsy beginner quilter all the way to showing her fibre art in galleries, Brandy has a passion for fabric, stitch, colour, texture and everything quilting. She loves to host her annual Ignite Okanagan Quilting Retreat and travel the world with quilters to ignite their creativity with the tag line “More JOY, less OVERWHELM.” You can find her as the Quilter on Fire on Youtube, Facebook and Instagram or visit her website at www.quilteronfire.com.
‘STUDIO MAGNIFICENT’ LECTURE: Published in Studios magazine Spring 2011 and the Summer 2012 issue and most recently in Quilter's Connection Magazine in 2017, Brandy explores clearing clutter, organizing your stash, and managing your creative space. She inspires with tips on storage and ideas to make your space a creative sanctuary that you will want to return to again and again.
Reminder of etiquette for zoom meeting with a speaker:
- Everyone other than the meeting host and presenter will be muted during the presentation.
- No videotaping is permitted.
- There will be no questions during the presentation, but audience members are encouraged to submit questions using the “chat” function.
- The presenter will remain on-line to address all questions after the presentation for whatever time is available.
Morning Program - 9:30 a.m.: Fabric box tutorial
This tutorial is based on this blog: http://seaside-stitches.blogspot.com/2013/03/fabric-box-tutorial.html The morning workshop is also an opportunity for a practice zoom encounter for anyone who has had trouble or has been hesitant to “attend” meetings. You could do a practice run and get help if needed with the zoom experience.
Materials needed:
- 2 - 10” coordinating squares of fabric –please have these cut beforehand
- Piece of batting same size or bit bigger (bigger makes easier to trim)
- 4 coordinating buttons (optional)
- A walking foot is helpful, but not necessary
- Tool to help push out corners such as chopstick.
- Hand stitching tools as well
Sometimes you just have to slow down and enjoy your own company.
Now is that time!
Notes from the Dec. 14, 2020 Meeting:
After greeting everyone, Nancy Ridder opened the meeting with a Christmas sing-a-long called “The 12 Days of Quilting” and members “attempted” to follow along. It was a charming way to start off the meeting, putting everyone in a jovial mode.
Attendance: We had 30 members attending the ZOOM meeting today along with one guest from New York. She was interested in hearing about the origin of Shweshwe fabric from our guest speaker, Celeste Compion.
Marg Fouts has informed me that she changed her email address which is amfouts49@gmail.com so please update your membershp list. By the way, I don’t remember if I sent out the current membership list or not, therefore if you do not have a copy, let me know.
Treasurer’s Report: Sarah Turvolgyi sent out the Financial Report for November via email prior to the Dec. mtg. and at the meeting it was accepted as read.
Morning Program: There was a ZOOM small project sew-along this morning which was a means of getting members together. A Christmas ornament was sewn which could also be use as a gift card holder or gift tag. Unfortunately, there were only six members who took part in this, but those who did, expressed how they appreciated being able to sew with their friends once again.
Every storm runs out of rain.
Guest Speaker, Celeste Compion: Celeste gave a very interesting talk on the history of Shweshwe fabric. Its beginnings began in Europe when cloth was imported from India for clothing production. The fabric became popularized in the 19th century and the name is associated with the rustling sound that the fabric makes when it is worn.
The three original colours are: chocolate brown, indigo, and vibrant red, although in the 1990s bright colours were introduced – check out Kaffe Fassett’s line of Shweshwe. Imitations of shweshwe are a real thing! Be sure to check for authenticity by looking for the Three Cats backstamp on the reverse side of fabrics. The stiffness of the new fabric (a waxy starch to prevent bugs) washes out and the material becomes soft after the traditional starch used in production, is removed. This fabric plays nicely with other fabrics and has good drape ability. For those members who did not get to hear Celeste, goggle The Bolt and the Beautiful:The Shweshwe Saga and you can read the history again. Celeste emailed a discount coupon for her website, Meerkat Shweshwe, to everyone. Do check it out if you haven’t already done so – the material is fabulous.
Outreach: Marie Webster read a lovely thank you card regarding a care quilt that had been received.
Care Quilts - The family of a previous guild member, Betty Bodaly – a founding member, has given a monetary donation and asked that a quilt be given to someone in memory of their mother. We have selected an appropriate quilt made by Carol Reed that we had on hand. The quilt is blue and white which we were told were favourite colours of Betty. It will be presented to an individual who has strong ties to Lakeshore United (as Betty did). A label will be added to the quilt to indicate that it is in memory of Betty. I am sure the family will appreciate seeing a picture of the quilt and know that it is given to someone who will treasure it.
We have several wonderful quilts available to be distributed. If you know of anyone who could use one, please contact Betty Thomasson and she will arrange to help you get one. With covid- 19 lock down, you might have a neighbour or friend that could use a quilt to cheer them up. The quilts are made to bless others.
Block of the Month: The B.O.M. had been circulated prior to the Dec. meeting by Betty Thomasson which was for a 12½” church block. This B.O.M. series could become a one-of-a-kind quilt, don’t you think? It’s all up to your imagination.
Program: Edna announced that our January speaker is to be Brandy Maslowski talking about organizing your studio space. We felt it would be a good start to the new year for some of us if we could get organized. Also this would lead us into the ‘Studio Tour” which is being planned for March....we need a few more people to volunteer to show us their space.
Door Prize: Marie Webster won the door prize for her very festive dress to celebrate the season.
Show & Tell: Today’s slideshow was entertaining. It is so wonderful to see that members are accomplishing projects and keeping themselves busy.
For the January meeting, please send your photos to Edna Keown at whatsupdoc229@gmail.com as soon as you are able. Photos will be accepted up to Sat. January 9th 6:00 pm to give her time to put the presentation together.
If you want to talk about your project when it comes up in the presentation, you’ll be given the opportunity to tell the story behind the item. Also if you are unable to attend and still wanted to participate, please include the story of your quilt. This will be included in the presentation.
Other:
Did you pick up your “Christmas Gift” at Peggy’s garage or have a
package hand deliver right to your door? Wasn’t that a sweet surprise?
- Sandy Sowerby (sanricsowerby@hurontel.on.ca ) inquired from members if anyone would have a 16.5” square ruler that they would be willing to sell. She would love to purchase it.
- Peggy Allin announced she has pieces of flannel that she is willing to give away so if this appeals to you then give her a call or send an email (peggyallin@gmail.com /226-421-2344).
- Monica Mason (monica@hurontel.on.ca ) wants to remind members that she now has batting and backing available. Members just need to contact her to arrange for pick-up.
Tip of the Month: Thread delivery. Sensitive or decorative threads, such as metallic threads, may need more care than others. Spools and cones are wound differently. Most spools are wound with a straight or parallel wind whereas cones are wound in a criss-cross pattern. On home machines, straight-wound spools perform better with the spool positioned on the vertical pin spool holder so the thread unwinds straight from the side. If you position the spool in the usual manner on the horizontal pin, the thread unwinds over the end of the spool and puts a twist on the thread as it unwinds. This twisting action may cause problems with a sensitive thread. If your machine unwinds the thread over the end of the spool and not from the side, it is strongly recommended that you use cones. Spools are not intended to unwind at high speed over the top or end of the spool.
Speed: Machines are getting faster and faster. Reducing the sewing speed often solves breakage problems.
Other factors. Some high-sheen threads don't do well with adhesive sprays. Some fabrics have a denser weave and are more abrasive in nature, while other fabrics have sparkling or UV coatings. On longarm machines, the tautness of the fabric between rollers affects the results. All these variables contribute to the end result. Fortunately, we have control over most of them and with minor adjustments, can solve most sewing-related problems on our own.
Copied from Marilyn Boycott’s (former member who now lives in the Alabama) facebook page. Chuckle as it inspires you to do so.
1. When one door closes and another door opens, you are probably in prison.
2. To me, "drink responsibly" means don't spill it.
3. Age 60 might be the new 40, but 9:00 pm is the new midnight.
4. It's the start of a brand new day, and I'm off like a herd of turtles.
5. The older I get, the earlier it gets late.
6. When I say, "The other day," I could be referring to any time between yesterday and 15 years ago.
7. I remember being able to get up without making sound effects.
8. I had my patience tested. I'm negative.
9. Remember, if you lose a sock in the dryer, it comes back as a Tupperware lid that doesn't fit any of your containers.
10. If you're sitting in public and a stranger takes the seat next to you, just stare straight ahead and say, "Did you bring the money?"
11. When you ask me what I am doing today, and I say "nothing," it does not mean I am free. It means I am doing nothing.
12. I finally got eight hours of sleep. It took me three days, but whatever.
13. I run like the winded.
14. I hate when a couple argues in public, and I missed the beginning and don't know whose side I'm on.
15. When someone asks what I did over the weekend, I squint and ask, "Why, what did you hear?"
16. When you do squats, are your knees supposed to sound like a goat chewing on an aluminum can stuffed with celery?
17. I don't mean to interrupt people. I just randomly remember things and get really excited.
18. When I ask for directions, please don't use words like "east."
19. Don't bother walking a mile in my shoes. That would be boring. Spend 30 seconds in my head. That'll freak you right out.
20. Sometimes, someone unexpected comes into your life out of nowhere, makes your heart race, and changes you forever. We call those people cops.
21. My luck is like a bald guy who just won a comb.
