SHOW & SHINE -- 09 March 2015

Show & Shine was busy again this month.  Altogether we had 9 quilters showing 13 projects!   Let's get started.

1.  Sharon Quinton
     a. Snowman Applique Quilt

Sharon is on the right and Heidi Sharp is on the left.

      b.  Bears Paw Quilt

What wonderful colours!  It was machine quilted by a friend.

2.  Corinne Allred
     a.  Cut the Scrap Quilt

Great way to use up those scraps. 
Absolutely wonderful Corrine.



Corrine used a fleece blanket to back her quilt.
You can see the stitch in the ditch quilting 
from the back of the quilt better than
from the front.

3.  Helen Wilde
     a.  Free Moda Bakeshop Quilt Pattern.  Click here for pattern.

What a gorgeously coloured, beautifully made quilt Helen!

     b.  Stars Pattern Quilt

Oops, it's the wrong way around.  Regardless of
which way you look at this quilt you've got to admire it.

4.  Joan Strang
     a.  This is a cross-stitched quilt she started when she was 18 years old. It took her 1 month to cross-stitch the first block. Joan said her mother is surely looking down at her saying, "Finished, she's finally finished."

Joan Strang's wonderfully quilted & cross-stitched quilt.
The first block she stitched was the corner piece
closest to her.

Joan answering a question from Guild
member Jo-Anne.

5.  Judy Salmon
     a.  Extra-long quilt in blues and browns.  This is a replacement to a quilt made by her mother-in-law for her husband.  Even though his mother's quilt is worn out he still uses it.

Judy, our round robin quilt top winner,
prepares to show her quilt.

Judy shows the lap quilt she made for her husband.

6.  Betty Trudeau
     a.  St Patrick's Day Wall Quilt.  Betty designed the pattern herself and offers it to anyone interested. I will ask Betty if she'd mind if I posted the pattern on the blog.

Betty's finished St. Patrick's Day wall quilt.

Close-up of applique.

     b.  "I Spy" quilt using the cathedral window pattern that Kathy Palmer demonstrated last month.

Betty showing her "I Spy" quilt.

7.  LaRea McKinnon
     a.  T-Shirt Quilt.  This quilt uses a special stabilizer. You can purchase the stabilizer at Marshalls.  It is 60" wide and under $5.00/m. She brought a sample of the stabilizer that was passed around.  

LaRea showing her T-shirt quilt top.

LaRae reminded anyone thinking of making
this quilt, to keep strips of leftovers to use
as fillers to lengthen the quilt rows as
required. 

Some of the T-Shirts have information on the back & front.  LaRea has appliqued the second image onto the first.  Take a look at the Kodiaks square. "Kodiaks" is appliqued onto the block.

8.  Jo-Anne Schindler
     a.  Charm Pack Patchwork Table Runner.   This is her first attempt at free-motion machine quilting.  Jo-Anne found that she had better luck using a standard presser foot.  Practice makes Perfect.  Our first try always looks better than we think.  Keep at it Jo-Anne!



Jo-Anne's quilting shows clearest near her left shoulder.

9.  Shirley Paulson
     a.  Charm Pack Star Quilt in red and cream with white surrounding the star.

Shirley Paulson holding her star quilt.

     b.  Black and Grey Purse with 12 pockets!

Joan Paulson bringing out  her purse.

Joan Paulson's quilted purse.

Thank you to all the quilters who brought their projects and 

thank you to Heidi Sharp for acting as associate quilt hanger.

Till next month ... Keep on quilting!

GENERAL MEETING NOTES -- 09 March 2015

Round Robin Quilt

We had the drawing for the Round Robin Quilt this meeting.  The winner was drawn from all those that participated in the creation of the Round Robin Quilt.  Approximately 10 guild members names were in the draw.  Sheila had the draw names in a small quilted bag ready to go. 

The round robin quilt top with Sheila Kimberley
preparing for the draw. 

 The winner was Judy Salmon. 

CONGRATULATIONS!

 

We can hardly wait to see the finished product Judy.



 

Wearing Fragrances at Guild Meetings

 

One or two of our members are asthmatics and allergic to a wide variety of fragrances.  We had one member rush home because of an asthma attack.  Your executive, along with many of the other members agree that we should have fragrance free meetings.

 

If we don't get any comments against the idea, we will proceed as follows:

Please refrain from wearing anything scented to all future Guild meetings.  Thank you.

 

 

Do you want to Expand Your Personal Quilt Pattern & Magazine Collections?

 

The founder of our Guild, Alma Wolsey, has recently moved into a seniors assisted living unit and needs to find new homes for all of her treasured quilting patterns and magazines.  Heidi has already brought several loads to our meetings for anyone to choose and take home n/c.  The last two meetings have seen all that was brought, rehomed. 

 

Heidi will continue to bring quilting patterns and magazines to each meeting. 

 

Don't forget to check them all out.

  Look for them on the back tables at the next meeting.

  

 

 

 

 

Take Judy Barnett's all day class, or make it a Sew Day and do your own thing!

 

Date:  23 Mar 2015     Time: 9:30 till 4:00     Location: Provincial Building

Cost: $10.00                Lunch: Pot Luck        Contact:  Donna Prince

Spaces:  Still room for more participants.

 

Thanks needs to go out to Donna Prince for all her hard work setting up all the classes we have had thus far and she's still at it.  There are several more classes scheduled. 

 

I'll get a list of the remaining classes and post them here on the blog, as soon as I can.

 

Thank you Donna!

 

If you'd like to sign up and work with Judy, we're creating a quilt top in a day, or so says Judy.  Yikes!  You will need to bring:
                             25 - 7" x 7" squares (all different printed fabrics) and
                             25 - 10" x 10" squares (all different printed fabrics). 
Some of the participants are going to make the quilt in B & W with Red.  I'll see if I can get a photo of the quilt and post it.

 

Calendar of Events

 

I would like to create a calendar of events that will remain at the top of our blog.  This might take me a bit to figure out but I should be able to do it.

 

  Is this something you'd be interested in?  What do you want included?

 

I would include local classes, the Guild meetings, any of the special events that we might be interested in.  Please give me some input.

 

 

Who's up for a Sew Day in April?

 

Heidi would like to check on member interest in scheduling a sew day sometime in April.  We would like to hear from you either sometime before the April meeting or at the meeting. Heidi will ask all members at this meeting whether or not we should have a Sew Day.  As usual, if there is enough interest and an appropriate venue can be found Heidi will move ahead with scheduling.

 

Are you interested in an April Sew Day?

 

 

 Just a Little Something to Brighten Your Day.

 

Check out the desk where Betty is sitting, next meeting.  She always has some appropriate decoration set out. 

 Did you miss this one?

 

Filled with Chocolate Mints.  Yummmmm!

Thanks Betty for all the goodies you bring!

 

 

Something I forgot to mention. 

 

I think we all owe LaRae a huge thank you for conscientiously taking pictures of all our Show & Shine projects. 

Thank You LaRae! 

 

 

 

 

TIPS & TECHNIQUES -- 09 March 2015

Our guild meeting was full, Full, FULL, of Tips & Techniques this month: 8 in all!

1. Book site to find inexpensive &/or out of print quilting books.
2. June Tailor Shape Cut Ruler demo.
3. Quilt in progress storage idea.
4. Making perfect triangle-squares using Triangle Paper.
5. Quick way to create the Twin Sisters Block.
6. Disappearing Nine-Patch Block.
7. Twirled Seam Allowances.
8. Mirror Manipulation tool works wonderfully on border prints.

1.  Dawn showed some quilting books that she had purchased on the used & antiquarian book sellers site abebooks.com.  This site describes the books condition but doesn't provide information on contents.  Content information can be obtained via other sites that sell books. With careful scanning of the abebooks.com site you can get fabulous books for ridiculously low prices.  One of Dawn's books only cost $1.00!

Thank you Dawn, for telling us about this used book web site.


2.  Helen demonstrated her June Tailor Shape Cut Ruler.  She cut 2 1/2" strips so quickly it made our heads spin.  5" squares were cut perfectly too. Cutting with this ruler would really inspire confidence.

a.  For a full demonstration go to
 Junetailor.com/shapecutvideo.htm.  The ruler cuts
5 different shapes, strips, squares, diamonds,
 triangles & hexagons.

 

b.  Helen Wilde demonstrating June Tailor
Shape Cut Ruler.

 

3.  Helen is all about getting things done quickly and precisely.  Part of her preparation for the next quilt is selecting her pattern and then gathering her fabric, etc. into a clear scrapbook case with a handle locking system.  These cases are readily available from local craft stores and occasionally they are on sale. (You can also purchase a rolling cart with openings specially made for housing approx. 6-8 cases.  Some carts come loaded with the cases.)  If you can't get a good price locally look at craft stores online under Scrapbooking Organizers.


a. Helen Wilde showing us the fabric, etc., for
her next project tucked into the
Scrapbooking Case.

b. Helen Wilde says don't forget to put
a copy of your pattern into the case.
 

4.  Triangle Paper - specific sizes are available.  Be sure to purchase the correct size for your project.  You can purchase these from at least one Quilt Store in this area.  The packaging says it all: Layer, sew, cut and tear (the paper away).

 





a. Helen Wilde loves using these papers.
Also available in rolls.



Place 2 fabrics, right sides together, place the Triangle paper over the fabric and pin.  Use the paper's dotted-lines to stitch and the solid lines to cut apart.  Stitching comes first.

b. Helen Wilde pointing out the stitch lines
and cut lines. 

 

In this case Helen needed 3 more sets of triangle-squares to get the number she needs.  She will cut the required number of rows of triangle-squares from a second page and tape them to the full page. Now she can economically, and efficiently sew and cut what is required from those fabrics all at once.  See the photo c. (below), for a good look at the pages.

c. Good look at the Triangle paper.

d. Helen Wilde cutting her sewn
 triangle-squares.

e. Helen Wilde shows the perfect
triangle-squares.

Thank you Helen, for demonstrating your technique for creating perfect triangle-squares, for giving us an excellent way to organize our next quilt projects and for demonstrating your 
June Taylor Shape Cut Ruler.



5.   Heidi demonstrated how to make quick Twin Sisters Blocks.  She suggested that if you require further directions you can watch an UTube Video to follow along with at home. (I'll try to find the url asap and update this entry. Dawn)

 

a. Heidi Sharp, President of the Guild,
demonstrates the first step in making
Twin Sister Blocks.

 

Stitch 2 - 2 1/2" strips together lengthwise.  As shown in photo b., the contrast between these two fabrics is really insufficient.  An adequate contrast is shown in the block in photo d.  Larger blocks can be made by increasing the width of the strips.

 

 

b.  Strips of insufficient colour contrast.

c.  Heidi Sharp is preparing to cut the
strips into squares by diagonally
folding the bottom left corner
across to the top edge. 
She uses the edge of the
folded piece to cut.



The squares are created by cutting 2 squares diagonally and reassembling in the pattern shown in photo d.  This square is made by two fabrics with good contrast.  Sewn together this is the Twin Sisters Block.

Twin Sisters Block

 Thank you, Heidi, for demonstrating the construction of the Twin Sisters Block.



6. Corrine showed the guild members how to make a Disappearing Nine Patch Block and what the block looks like in a rich, country colour-way and a pastel colour-way.

a.  Corrine Allred holds a standard
Nine-Patch Block.  This is the first step. 

Next, the 9-patch block is cut vertically and horizontally through the middle of the Nine-Patch Block.

b. This is 1/4 of the twice-cut Nine-Patch Block.

These smaller blocks are put together in whatever arrangement you choose.  Typically the quilt will look like the arrangement shown in the baby quilt and the country style quilt top in photos c & d below.  Colour distribution is the main consideration with these quilts.

c. Corrine Allred holding a baby quilt made
with Disappearing Nine Patch Blocks.

d. Corrine Allred holds the beginnings of
a country-style Disappearing Nine Patch
Block quilt top.

What a difference between the two colour ways!

Thank you, Corrine, for demonstrating the construction of a Disappearing Nine Patch Block and bringing in your samples.


7.  Donna showed each member what a twirled center of a multi-seamed block looks and feels like compared to a standard multi-seamed block where many seams intersect.

a.  Donna Prince showing the
twirled center seams.

Donna said,"... to get the twirled center you only need to undo 2 stitches at the end of each seam and then make a circle of the seam allowances".  You might need to repress one of the seams in a different direction to accommodate the twirl.  Compare photos b & c. 

b.  Notice the thickness of the seam allowances
in the middle of the block.

c.  Here the seam allowance has been twirled.
Donna Prince's thumb is holding the seam allowance
that should be repressed in the opposite direction.

Thank you, Donna, for showing us the difference it makes in thickness at the centers of our blocks when you twirl the seam allowances and for telling us how to do this.


8.  Sheila demonstrated how to check border print fabrics for 6 or 8 pieced blocks.  It's all about design repeats, two dollar store mirrors, a bit of duct tape and a triangle ruler.




 

a. Sheila Kimberley, Secretary of our Guild, shows
how to visually check whether or
not you will like the image created by 
cutting and sewing together repeated
 triangles from that particular spot
on the fabric.

The two mirrors are duct taped together on the back, see above, so that they will stand up on their own.

The most popular triangles used are 60 or 45 degrees.  By positioning either triangle between the two mirrors (and snugging the mirrors against either side of the triangle) you will see exactly what a circle created by these triangles will look like.

When you are ready to purchase your fabric it is essential to purchase enough fabric to provide you with the required number of repeats for each of the triangles.   Often these blocks will call for a straight cut across the widest side of each triangle.  When you do this the circle is changed into hexagons, octagons, etc.  The shape produced depends on the number of triangles the circle has been divided into. (Must be equal divisions.)  Photos b & c show a few more possibilities.  Look at the fabric reflected in the mirrors.

b.  Sorry, this photo wasn't very clear.  You can still see
via the mirror, the pattern created.



c.  Here's another example using a different border fabric.
Sheila actually made a project using this very fabric.
See below.

One of the projects you can create is shown below in photo d.  When these circles, made up of identical triangles of fabric, are put into quilts the effect is dazzling.

d.  Doesn't this table topper look great?!

The pattern used for above was a version of the instructions shown below, (photo e).



e. This pattern is from Veronica's Sewing Supplies in Saskatchewan.

Thank you, Sheila, for demonstrating the mirror technique.  It's a great, portable solution for discovering the perfect fabric for our projects.

Reactivating the Blog

Hello Everyone!

At last month's meeting I offered to take over the administration of our Guild's Blog Site.  This is my first experience in blogging, so likely I'll be fumbling along for a bit.  I'm convinced that my learning will proceed more smoothly if as many of you as can, participate in commenting on the entries I post.

To assist as many of our members to access sign-in and training to post comments, I offer my help to each of you that require it, on an individual basis if necessary.

I would like to thank our former Blog Administrator, Peggy Blackmore, for all her time in assisting me to access the Blog as Administrator.  Peggy and I agreed that we should be co-administrators until I'm completely comfortable with the blog. 

If anyone has any suggestions for additions or changes to the blog, I welcome them all.

Dawn Collins

P.S. (Peggy tells me that likely next year she will return to the Guild.)

Pat & Jane Demo

Nov Show & Shine -- 2012

Oct meeting -Presentation by Sugartown Quilt Co. of Raymond ---Lots of Christmas Ideas! -- 2012

September 2012 Show & Shine

I came across this today by Kimberly Winston of Belief Net that I thought I would share.

Time for full disclosure: I am not a quilter. I have dabbled here and there - made the odd patchwork square and even took a class once, though I have never actually completed a quilt. But I am a committed crafter who finds the time to work every single day in some medium, whether knitting, beading, needlepoint, or papercrafts. Working with my hands to create something I consider beautiful is, for me, as necessary as food, sleep, or love. It’s something that I simply cannot imagine not doing. And when I’m crafting, that’s the time I find myself most open and alert to discovering God moving in mystery through my life. When I take up a needle, I feel myself tapping into something divine inside of me.

What is it about crafting that brings me to such a special, sacred awareness? I think it’s the fact that when I’m crafting I feel most rooted and connected to my past. When I hold a needle, I’m aware of a line like a thread that runs from me back through the generations to all other women who came before me in the craft. For someone who’s moved from place to place most of her life and whose family tree is more like a family stick, this is a very powerful feeling. Practicing traditional crafts like quilting can bring a rootedness in tradition—the same thing that many of us find in our religious practices and in our churches. That sense of rootedness is not something easily found in fast-paced, technology-driven times.

I’m not alone in feeling this way. Untold numbers of crafters, many of them quilters, before me have discovered that there’s something about working with your hands that can bring a deeper understanding of God and of our purpose in God’s universe. Perhaps it’s because when we’re making something, we’re engaging in an act of creation—an act that we, then, share with God, our Creator. Our creations are extensions of God’s creations. And, when we craft, we’re using talents, skills, and abilities that came to us from the hand of God. To me, it isn’t a stretch to imagine that the use of these abilities can be a link to the Mystery that originally gave them to us. I don’t know. And it doesn’t matter. All that I know is that when I am crafting I feel more alive and more involved in my inner spiritual life than at any other time.

Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi is a quilter, quilt historian, and quilt curator at the forefront of the move to recognize and value the spiritual qualities of the craft.

"For me, as an artist, there is no separation between art and religion," Carolyn says. "To me, art is worship because both art and religion deal with man's self-understanding. Both spring forth from the spirit of humanity. There is a godly connection at work. You cannot create unless you are guided by the Spirit. That is the target of the finished product and that is the target of the soul"

Read more: http://www.beliefnet.com/Inspiration/2006/10/Wrap-Yourself-In-Prayers.aspx#ixzz1ygAATbxy

 

I thought there were some very profound thought here and some that resonated well with me. Have a wonderful Summer, looking forward to spending time with you all in the Fall.

Heide

June Show & Shine -- 2012

May Show & Shine -- 2012

Hi Everyone,

I have been out of the loop most of the winter. Sure hope everyone else has been in the loop.

Hope to see everyone on Monday April 16th for our meeting.

Ladies lets see some comments...

Jan Truck Show with Karen Bialik from Fabric Addict -- 2012

November Tip - Design Wall -- 2011

To make a portable design wall, put grommets across the end of a flannel backed tablecloth.

Hang on a wall, or in front of shelves or wherever you like, flannel side out. You now have a space to hold fabric pieces or blocks. They will stick to the flannel. You can move your wall when you need to and even leave the fabric on if desired.

Nov Show & Shine! -- 2011

Paper Piecing Demo-Thanks Barb! Nov 2011

 

Ready to Help someone with Christmas! -- 2011

Binding tools are in...

Corinne has our order and will bring them to the Nov 14th meeting. Due to the bulk order, they are only $8.25 each! Please bring your money. She knows how and would have made this post herself BUT her computer was down. Thanks Corinne

This is the link for the best youtube instruction http://youtu.be/ex2PajesRvU
Happy binding!

October Show & Shine -- 2011

Well Ladies---it was a great meeting this morning and I am really looking forward to our year ahead. It got me in the mood and I am excited to get going on another quilt

Gail

October meeting... -- 2011

Monday 17th--please bring some pins and scissors---

May 16 - Trunk Show with Dorothy Thomson -- 2011

Sept 12 Show & Shine -- 2011

April Show & Shine! -- 2011

Writing on Fabric with your printer?

The liquid you need to "google" is  "bubble jet set 2000"!

Feb Show & Shine! -- 2011

December Show & Shine! -- 2010

Hi Everyone

I am sorry Peggy that I can't help with your nine patch border but if you want to come over I have lots of how books and maybe we could find the answer.

Hope everyone had a great festive season and the New Year is going fantastic. I am quilting a new quilt and my shipment of 35 yards of fabric just arrived from Connecting threads so I am set for awhile. Hope to see you all at our next meeting which is Valentines Day. Maybe we can all wear something red.

Have a good day

Gail

Wow!!! It is great to see some more of us quilters on here. I think it can be fun and yes I will see if Alma will do another demo on the quilt she showed at the party. Any other ideas are welcome.

I thought maybe Carla could show us how she does all her applique so wonderfully. I am sure she has techniques that some of us could use.

Gail

PS So glad everyone had a good time at the Christmas get-together. WE will have to put it on the calendar for next year again.

I really enjoyed our Christmas party at Gail's house. Thanks Gail and all those who helped make it an enjoyable event!

Thank you everyone...I love our quilters quild!! I'm glad we had so much fun at our party. (Peggy can you believe I am in here!!) Maybe Alma could show us again how to do the quilt she showed. I would love to do one like that.
Vicki