Arnprior & District Quilters' Guild Newsletter - April 2020
President's Message
Happy April! Spring is here!
Sadly, COVID-19 is still here and so we are all still socially distancing and staying indoors (for the most part). I'm (luckily) working from home doing on-line training so I've been indoors 23.5 hours a day, only getting out when Paulette goes for her daily walk as she gets over her first knee replacement surgery.
I have always told people how I am at least a 5th generation quilter (but the first manquilter) in my family.
Here is a picture of me (43 years ago) standing next to my Mom who was handquilting a Confederation Quilt.
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So we have another month without a Quilt Guild Meeting. I miss our meetings and seeing everyone and what everyone has been up to. A lot of people have been busy making face masks and not a day goes by that I haven't seen another dozen videos on Youtube on how to make them. Paulette made me one so that I can be safe when I head to the store for groceries. Handi Quilter (a major maker of longarms) has even figured out how to make masks doing a fair amount of the work on a longarm. (There's currently information about this on the Handi Quilter Home page.) Stay healthy everyone! Hopefully this will pass soon and we can get back to a more normal life and back to our monthly get togethers! -- Frank McCarron, President |
Charity
Thanks to those of you who are pulling together to support our charity work. Shirley Fedoruk has been receiving many masks for the Arnprior &District Memorial Hospital and The Grove Nursing Home which is a great way for us to serve the community during this pandemic.
If you have also been busy practicing you machine or hand quilting skills on preemie quilts with your orphan blocks, keep them coming and we will collect them at our next possible meeting. Maybe we can add the preemies to our show and tell.
Should you like to change the pace and think outside of the quilting box try one of the tactile or touch quilts, instructions can be found on the Charity page. They are fun, you can use many of your quilt scraps and old clothing for: zippers, buttons, and pockets, wool, (old chip bags for crinkle noise). It is actually fun being creative no pattern required and there are many ideas on Pinterest or just Google images.
Please note that the new charity block "Pick Up Sticks", cannot be started yet because we require the distribution of the same white background.
Sew keep busy, stay safe and we will see you are the charity table in the near future.
Vickie MacNabb and Jane Wickware
Your Charity Team
Shirley
Face Masks
Shirley reports that she has received about 230 face masks in the bin on her front veranda. Guild members Anne C, Jackie and Joyce who either currently work or are retired from ARH have made and personally delivered 106 face masks. That makes a total of more than 330 face masks!
The next delivery of masks will be at the end of April so Shirley is asking those who are sewing to bring the masks to her house before the end of April. Refer to recent email messages for delivery details.
We've had a few questions about the construction of the face masks.
Question: Do you want tie up masks or just elastic ear loops?
Answer: Both types are being accepted but the preference is elastic.
Question: Are we supposed to put in the pipe cleaners for the nose piece?
Answer: You can put in the wires if you wish. It's optional.
Question: Where can I find the instructions?
Answer: Here
Shirley reports that she has received about 230 face masks in the bin on her front veranda. Guild members Anne C, Jackie and Joyce who either currently work or are retired from ARH have made and personally delivered 106 face masks. That makes a total of more than 330 face masks!
The next delivery of masks will be at the end of April so Shirley is asking those who are sewing to bring the masks to her house before the end of April. Refer to recent email messages for delivery details.
We've had a few questions about the construction of the face masks.
Question: Do you want tie up masks or just elastic ear loops?
Answer: Both types are being accepted but the preference is elastic.
Question: Are we supposed to put in the pipe cleaners for the nose piece?
Answer: You can put in the wires if you wish. It's optional.
Question: Where can I find the instructions?
Answer: Here
Made by Anne, Jackie and Joyce
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Debbie C's masks under construction
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Block-of-the-Month
Basket BOM
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The Block-of-the-Month for March is this cute Basket block - perfect for spring. And there's still time to make the You Sew Girl block. It makes a lovely pillow as illustrated or a charming wallhanging for your sewing area. Refer to the Block-of-the Month page for details on both of these blocks |
You Sew Girl BOM
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Virtual Show-and-Tell
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Many thanks to those of you who have sent in photos of your recently completed projects for our Virtual Show-and-Tell. While we can't see your new creations live in person just yet, we would very much like to see what you've been working on since we last saw each other so long ago in January. So please send in photos of your completed projects to us at arnpriorquilters@gmail.com. We would love to see whatever you've been working on, including any premie quilts. And we look forward to also seeing these projects live at our next real time show-and-tell. Here are just a couple of the photos that you sent along. |
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Eleanor and her High Tech Tucks
Eleanor's High Tech Tucks
When we were in Mexico earlier this year I decided to take a course at the San Francisco Quilt Shop in Mazatlan. The course was called 'Hi-Tech Tucks' and here is the almost finished product from my course. This photo was taken in our suite at the resort in Mazatlan. When we arrived home I put a black binding on it which really looks great.
The quilt shop is a real treat, very different materials, lots of beautiful batiks and has a resident dog named Annabella, fondly referred to as 'carwash' as she loves to lick anyone who passes by. The courses in this shop are held on the second floor and take up the entire floor. Although the shop is very well stocked with material, their notions are not. Part of this wallhanging is done with a walking foot, or for those folks who have a Pfaff machine and IDT, so I had to use a regular foot.
The day before we left Mazatlan, we went to a quilt show which was truly fabulous !
When we travel to Mazatlan next year I am going to take another course as it's so cool getting together with other quilters from different environments.
-- Eleanor
When we were in Mexico earlier this year I decided to take a course at the San Francisco Quilt Shop in Mazatlan. The course was called 'Hi-Tech Tucks' and here is the almost finished product from my course. This photo was taken in our suite at the resort in Mazatlan. When we arrived home I put a black binding on it which really looks great.
The quilt shop is a real treat, very different materials, lots of beautiful batiks and has a resident dog named Annabella, fondly referred to as 'carwash' as she loves to lick anyone who passes by. The courses in this shop are held on the second floor and take up the entire floor. Although the shop is very well stocked with material, their notions are not. Part of this wallhanging is done with a walking foot, or for those folks who have a Pfaff machine and IDT, so I had to use a regular foot.
The day before we left Mazatlan, we went to a quilt show which was truly fabulous !
When we travel to Mazatlan next year I am going to take another course as it's so cool getting together with other quilters from different environments.
-- Eleanor
And here is one of several inspiring photos sent along by Joanna V.
-- Janet Brownlee
-- Janet Brownlee
Joanna V
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Library News
Lucy
I hope everyone is staying healthy and quilting up a storm! I know many are making masks for the local hospital and nursing home. I am helping my hubby make ones as he is a member of the Men’s Shed and they are helping out as well. Who would have ever dreamt we would be doing this !!
On the lighter side here is a little poem.
Foot Note
This foot was made for walking
But not on my machine!
It turns out the weirdest quilting
That I have ever seen!
It sews along quite nicely,
I stop holding my breath,
Then it does a little dance step
And scares me half to death!
I see a section of stitches
Too small for ripping out
Then a leap and then a skip - -
What is this all about??
A seam on top?
The batting?
Am I doing something wrong?
I didn’t dream that machine quilting
Would ever take this long?
The answer is out there somewhere.
I’ll seek till I understand,
But until I get it sorted out
I just must quilt by hand !
By Jacquie Seuitto
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I had fun checking out Quilting web sites and found “ScrappyGirlsClub”. I love it and maybe some of you will too! It is amazing what one can do with scraps.
Another idea I found was this. Never Have I Ever Give yourself 1 point for each thing you have NOT DONE. 1. Cut your finger will a rotary cutter. 2. Sewn blocks together incorrectly. 3. Broken a sewing needle. 4. Made a quilt entirely by hand. 5. Gotten mad at someone for using your fabric scissors. 6. Bought too little fabric. 7. Driven pass a quilting shop. 8. Worked on a project in a waiting room. 9. Finished only part of a quilt. 10. Found a mistake in a finished quilt. 11. Sewn through a pin. 12. Quilted at 3 a. m . 13. Swallowed a pin. 14. Used a seam ripper. 15. Entered a quilt show. 16. Sat on a pin. I know a friend who sat on a pin! It was the day John Kennedy died she was doing some hand quilting and watching TV hearing the Breaking News alert she got up to turn the volume up, returned to her chair and sat on her quilting. She ended up in hospital with a pin you know where!! Keep quilting, call your neighbours and friends and stay healthy. -- Lucy (and Nancy) |
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Zara's Quilt
We are always delighted to hear from the families of babies who have received one of our premie quilts at the Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus. This recent message and photo was a delightful reminder of the longevity of these little quilts and the continued happiness they provide.
"Hello Arnprior quilting group,
Miss Zara takes comfort during these difficult times with her wonderful blankey. Thanks again."
I also came across an email message that Zara's mom had sent us in May 2018 shortly after Zara was born.
"My husband and I wanted to thank you and all your members for the lovely quilt our daughter Zara-Kathryn received in the nicU at the civic hospital. She was in a hurry to make her grand entrance and decided to join us 5 weeks early. Thanks to your guild's generosity she was able to regulate her temperature rather quickly and join us at home within 3 days of being born. We've attached a picture of her staying cozy at home with your beautiful gift.
Many thanks from our family to yours."
Happy Birthday to Zara who will be 2 years old in early May!
Do any of you recognize this cute little cupcake quilt?
We are always delighted to hear from the families of babies who have received one of our premie quilts at the Ottawa Hospital, Civic Campus. This recent message and photo was a delightful reminder of the longevity of these little quilts and the continued happiness they provide.
"Hello Arnprior quilting group,
Miss Zara takes comfort during these difficult times with her wonderful blankey. Thanks again."
I also came across an email message that Zara's mom had sent us in May 2018 shortly after Zara was born.
"My husband and I wanted to thank you and all your members for the lovely quilt our daughter Zara-Kathryn received in the nicU at the civic hospital. She was in a hurry to make her grand entrance and decided to join us 5 weeks early. Thanks to your guild's generosity she was able to regulate her temperature rather quickly and join us at home within 3 days of being born. We've attached a picture of her staying cozy at home with your beautiful gift.
Many thanks from our family to yours."
Happy Birthday to Zara who will be 2 years old in early May!
Do any of you recognize this cute little cupcake quilt?
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-- Janet Brownlee, Communications
Face Masks Over the Years
Janet
As quilters we are aware of the long history of our craft either through the work of a mother, aunt, or grandmother, or simply through our interest and curiosity about the evolution of quilts and fabric over the years. Many of us, including me, were avid sewists long before being introduced to, and hooked on, quilting.
As we are constructing face masks I've been thinking about those who made face masks during the Spanish Flu epidemic 100 years ago. Our tools and fabric have evolved but the similarity is striking, and the goal is unchanged - stay safe and save lives.
-- Janet Brownlee
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Upcoming Quilt Shows
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Due to the Covid-19 virus situation a number of shows have been cancelled, postponed indefinitely, or rescheduled. Refer to the Upcoming Quilt Shows page for the latest information. Quilt Canada has been rescheduled to September 1-4, 2020. More information The Common Thread Quilt Guild has cancelled their 2020 Mother's Day weekend show and has instead organized a 3 day virtual shop hop from Friday May 1 - Sunday May 3. Information will be available on their Facebook page. Participating vendors include some of our advertisers - Sew Inspired, Apple Hill Quilting, Bytowne Threads, and Paisley's Quilt Shop. To access their respective web sites, click or tap on their ad in this newsletter. |
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Meeting Notes
Cancellation - If a guild meeting is cancelled due to the Covid-19 health situation, or inclement winter weather, guild members will be notified on the day of the meeting by email. Also, a cancellation notice will appear on the web site Home page by 12:30 PM. If you are unable to access email or the internet you can phone a friend who does have access, or Janet Brownlee at 613- 623-7948 to determine if the meeting is cancelled.
Parking - Please DO NOT park in the church parking lot that is adjacent to the hall. Our lease does not include the parking lot - it must be available for church-related activities. There is plenty of on-street parking nearby.
Cancellation - If a guild meeting is cancelled due to the Covid-19 health situation, or inclement winter weather, guild members will be notified on the day of the meeting by email. Also, a cancellation notice will appear on the web site Home page by 12:30 PM. If you are unable to access email or the internet you can phone a friend who does have access, or Janet Brownlee at 613- 623-7948 to determine if the meeting is cancelled.
Parking - Please DO NOT park in the church parking lot that is adjacent to the hall. Our lease does not include the parking lot - it must be available for church-related activities. There is plenty of on-street parking nearby.