GODERICH QUILTERS' GUILD
CUTTING EDGE NEWSLETTER
Hello, fellow quilters. Monica told me that she found writing the monthly President’s message one of the hardest parts of this job. Now I know what she means. I am sitting here staring at the screen. This is similar to when I want to make a quilt for someone but not sure what to make—what would they like? What colors? What size? Sometimes I know right away and other times it takes a long time of pondering before it comes together.
I don’t want to talk about how Covid is affecting the guild or quilting. For me that would be like making the same quilt pattern, or worse, the same quilt pattern in the same color, a number of times over. One time I was getting tired of mending my husband’s work pants and coveralls, so, I appliquéd red hearts on some of the holes. I wanted him to know I loved him. Luckily he only wore those in the barn!
Enough rambling, I am looking forward to “seeing” you all at the next meeting. The first one went well. As we take small steps in finding a new way of doing this, meetings will evolve into being great, although virtual meetings will never replace face to face. Oops—did I mention the effect of the pandemic? Nancy
Notes from our first ZOOM meeting – Sept. 21, 2020:
After members signed into the meeting, Nancy Ridder welcomed everyone and commented on how pleased she was that so many were able to join in. She then explained how Zoom works and pointed out all the existing methods of moving around the program, i.e. mute/unmute, leave etc. She informed members that this method of resuming Guild meetings will be revisited in January when we should know how feasible it will be to go back to the Legion.
Attendance: There were 26 members present at the Zoom meeting. A great turn out for the first time. Thanks to Sarah Turvolgyi for setting this meeting up. This was new to her, but she managed to have it run quite smoothly.
Treasurer’s Report: Sarah Turvolgyi has accepted the role of treasurer, and had sent out the financial statement prior to the meeting. This report was put up onto the screen and she explained the contents and discussion occurred. The report was accepted as read.
Library: Liz Wulf informed members that access to the library is ‘on hold’ at the present. She did report that there were 12 new additions added, thanks to the estate of Judy MacMillan. Luz also asked members if they would please return any outstanding books, rulers etc. so that it is easier for her to keep tabs on our inventory throughout this pandemic. She is willing to pick them up – all you have to do is contact her (wulfea@hurontel.on.ca ) and leave them in your mailbox or let her know where. You can’t get a better deal than that!
At the Sept zoom meeting, Liz was asked if she would compile a list of Canadian on-line shops. The following all specialize in MODERN fabric but not exclusively. Also indicated is anything they might carry that differentiates them.
Fabric Spark – (Toronto ON) also carry garment and home décor fabrics and notions
Mad About Patchwork – (Stittsville ON) full range of KONA solids, sell by the yard, not by the meter
Keystone Modern Creative - (Winnipeg MB) prices listed as ¼ meter
Along Came Quilting – (Calgary AB) large batik selection, decent book selection
Stacked Fabric Co - (Moose Jaw SK) specialize in fabric bundles
Cottage Quilting – (Kelowna BC) Accuquilt supplies, cork, wide backs
Troll Brothers Quilt Designs – (Vancouver Island BC) bagmaking supplies including cork & cowhide
Pins and Needles Fabrics - (Vancouver BC)
Woven Fabric Gallery – (Pender Island BC) carry Charlie Harper fabrics
Stitch in the Ditch – (Kelowna BC) extensive inventory of quilt notions, sewing machine parts, WESTALEE machine quilt rulers. Not much in the way of fabric.
Dinkydoo – (Pitt Meadows BC) full range of Moda fabrics, will sell solids by the bolt, occasional FREE shipping weekends, slow delivery time
Quilted Christmas – (Germantown OHIO US) holiday fabrics and craft supplies, end of line fabrics, reasonable even with currency exchange, still shipping to Canada.
Care Quilt/BOM Block: “ There’s No Place like Home”- Betty Thomasson explained the pattern that had been sent out in Sept. and how this theme was going to be carried on throughout the year. The background fabric is to be the quilter choice – scrappy, or one colour, light or dark!
Marian Lane sent me the Oct. block. It is a paper-pieced “Wonky House” which is a 12” finished block. This pattern has been sent out via a separate email.
Outreach: It was reported that a recipient of a care quilt expressed his wishes that this quilt be left at the Huron Hospice Residence after his passing. Marie Webster read a very appreciative note to Outreach from him for our generosity.
Monica Mason reported that all our stock of backing and batting has been used and no more will be purchased until further notice. She still has labels if anyone is in need of them.
Program: Betty Thomasson announced that Edna Keown volunteered to join the program team along with Monica Mason and herself. A number of speakers have been contacted online and the team will get together this week to possibly make a decision. The cost appears to be $200 -$300 per speaker. It was also suggested that there would be no cost to the membership as the method used will be online. But if a “workshop” is scheduled, Marian Lane felt there should be a charge. A decision to revisit this at another time was made. A motion was made by Betty and Seconded by Marlene Mooy that $2000 would be taken from the budget to offset this cost. CARRIED
Monica Mason would like members to participate in the following at the next Zoom meeting in October:
Please take some minutes to think about the following questions and your answers to them. We’d like to spend some of our Oct. meeting sharing answers to these questions. It fits perfectly with our Show & Tell program!
Why do you quilt?
What is it about quilting that has kept you doing it for many years?
How has this pandemic affected this hobby of yours?
Betty inquired if members might be willing to prepare a virtual tour of their sewing rooms. No one “jumped up and down” on this suggestion but she asked that we give it some thought and she will bring it up again at a later date. Right now, it is being planned for our March meeting. Liz Wulf has volunteered to show her space. The hope is to get at least 2-3 more volunteers.
Show & Tell: Although there was no formal show & tell this month, some members had completed the School House B.O.M for Sept. and shared it with the membership. Next month, Nancy proposed that we send in our photos of any finished items and she will set them up as a power point presentation.
Update: Edna Keown has offered to do this for Nancy therefore the membership is to send their photos to her at whatsupdoc229@gmail.com as soon as you are able – only 2 projects per quilter can be submitted. Photos will be accepted up to Saturday, October 17th to give her time to put the presentation together. If you want to talk about your item 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.
Door Prize: The winner of the door prize was the member who has a September birthday. And the winner is…………Sarah Turvolgyi. Congratulations!
Donation to Legion: Discussion occurred regarding sending a donation to the Legion to help offset the lack of rent for the room and in gratitude for storing the Guild’s items until we can once again come back. A motion was made to send them $300. This was moved by Michele Hansen and seconded by Marg Fouts. CARRIED
Are you ready to sharpen your EQ8 skills? Edna Keown submitted this awesome offer to join this ZOOM group.
The Electric Quilt Company has spent over 25 years developing and evolving their quilt design software and the latest release, EQ8, is a game-changer! Have you purchased the software and tried it out? How adept are you at releasing the full power of the tool and unleashing your creativity?
Our Royal City EQ8 Users Group was created for just this purpose! We’d like to extend a welcome to other EQ enthusiasts to join us. Our group is intended for those who already own EQ8 software and want to become more proficient users of the program features. Individual study, followed by group discussions and group challenges are a regular feature of our bi-monthly meetings.
We meet via Zoom at 7 pm (Eastern Time) on the 4th Tuesday of January, March, May, September and November. We thank the Royal City Quilters’ Guild of Guelph, ON for sharing their Zoom account for this purpose, this year.
Fortunately, that also means you don’t have to live in or around Guelph, ON to become a Member! Your participation in our group is currently FREE! We do require each participant to make a small investment in the purchase of their own study materials for the year (e.g. workbooks). Want to learn a little more? The current EQ8 Users Group has created this video to introduce ourselves to others: https://vimeo.com/441869263
If you have more questions or would like to submit a request to join us, please send an email to eq8users@royalcityquiltersguild.ca for more details.
Links to Quilt Shows, Online Classes, etc.:
Please note: Martha Riesberry would like members to know that she gave the wrong name of the store that she & James got their mystery kits from as stated at the meeting. It is Sew Local Stitch Lounge in Sudbury.
Oct. 1-Nov 30 Woolie block Adventure starts. Free wool applique block patterns from different designers on the theme "Into the Woods"
https://rowbyrowexperience.com/wooly-block-2/
Calico Patch Design + 11 other designers have put their blocks into a table runner.
https://www.calicopatch.net/wooen-oak-joins-wooly-block.htm
Here is another one - a Christmas runner with some embroidery blocks.
https://jacquelynnesteves.com/falala-sew-along-starting-soon/
Links from Jane Dawson: thequiltshow.com ; cindyneedham.com ; freespirit fabrics (facebook).
All sites are excellent.
