Arnprior & District Quilters' Guild Newsletter - February 2024
President's Message
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Hi everyone,
I have spent the last few days (okay…maybe weeks), cleaning/organizing my quilt room. It might not be up to the standard of some of my quilting friends, (I won't mention names), but for me, it is the best I can do. I realized that I have too much stuff for the size of my room. The only option is to sew more and stop buying fabric…or perhaps take over a second room??? I am sure, I am not alone in this situation. It is family day. Usually we spend it at the camp, but this year, due to various reasons, we will be getting together next Sunday..which for me, means I got to enjoy the entire day in my recently cleaned quilt room…win..win.. Today, I worked on the tinner that I received. I love looking inside the tin and seeing what my fellow quilter has chosen for their fabric and theme. Than I look at the blocks created by those who had the tin previously. What an inspiration! It is so much fun. I just wanted to give a shout out to Sue Hodgins for organizing the quilt retreat. It was so much fun. Thanks Lucy for organizing the trivia and sew and tell. For those who didn’t make it, Sue has already booked a fall retreat…I would highly recommend you joining us…like I said “it was a great time" Have fun quilting , -- Anne Cruickshank, Co-President |
Sue at the retreat
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Retreat
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February Guild Meeting
When? We hope you'll join us on Wednesday February 28 for our second winter meeting via Zoom. The meeting begins at 7 PM with "doors opening" at 6:45 PM Watch your email a day or two before the meeting for the link to connect to this meeting. How? A basic familiarity with Zoom is required by meeting attendees and can be acquired in advance of the meeting using the Learning resources on the Zoom website Win! The meeting will feature draws for "door" prizes, and a prize provided by Nancy on behalf of the Library. Visitors We are welcoming visitors to our winter Zoom meetings this year and we are waiving the usual $5 visitor fee. Visitors must register in advance of the meeting. 
Guest Speaker
Joanna Dermenjian – Quilting as to War Joanna Dermenjian holds a Master’s Degree in Cultural Studies from Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario. As a Research Fellow at the Modern Literature and Culture Research Centre at Toronto Metropolitan University, Joanna is investigating women’s domestic and charitable making in textiles and exploring Canadian women's cultural legacy at the intersection of world wars and women's labour. Her current project explores the quilt-making operation by women across Canada during the Second World War, when hundreds of thousands of quilts were made by women and donated to the British Women’s Voluntary Service (WVS) and the Canadian Red Cross to be distributed to soldiers, civilians and hospitals in Britain and Europe. Joanna's Quilting as to War presentation highlights her research into these quilts and their importance in consideration of war history, women’s work and quilting. Images showcase some of the surviving Canadian war-time quilts along with archival photos of the women, the domestic charitable work and the home front. Joanna's Suture and Selvedge Website |
Show & Tell
We'd love to see what you've been working on at our virtual Show & Tell.
To share your work at the meeting please send a photo of each item AND indicate if you would like to:
- Tell us about it during the meeting (this is the best!) OR
- Submit a written description that we will read during the meeting - if you go for this option please include the description with the photo(s).
Please send the photos to the guild email account arnpriorquilters@gmail.com by 12 noon on Tuesday February 27.
The photos will later be added to the web site Show & Tell page (just like after an in person-meeting), unless you specifically request in the email message that the photo not be.
Program Notes
Block of the Month (BOM)
The information for the next 2 blocks of the month will be available shortly after the February guild meeting.
The blocks are themed for each month of the year, and as there are only nine months in the Guild season, we will be providing two patterns in the months of January, February and March, so that when they are all done, you will have a full year of blocks.
The samples of the 2 Blocks of the Month issued in January are pictured below.
-- Mary DeVries and Emma Russell, BOM Coordinators
The blocks are themed for each month of the year, and as there are only nine months in the Guild season, we will be providing two patterns in the months of January, February and March, so that when they are all done, you will have a full year of blocks.
The samples of the 2 Blocks of the Month issued in January are pictured below.
-- Mary DeVries and Emma Russell, BOM Coordinators
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Tip: If you want to print the small or large photos of the BOM blocks it's recommended that you first download the photo(s) from the guild website to your computer/tablet/phone using the Download/Save function in your web browser. Then print the photos using the Print function on your device. The specific actions that you will need to take are dependent on your web browser and the type of device you are using.
Retreats
I have booked Spruceholme Inn in Fort Colounge, Quebec for two future retreats:
I will have signup sheets ready for our next in person meeting in April.
-- Sue Hodgins, Retreats coordinator
I have booked Spruceholme Inn in Fort Colounge, Quebec for two future retreats:
- October 28 to November 1 2024 for 4 nights
- January 27 to 31 2025 for 4 nights
I will have signup sheets ready for our next in person meeting in April.
-- Sue Hodgins, Retreats coordinator
Tinners
Joyce has been contacting the people who are participating in Tinners to arrange swapping of the tins during the winter months. If you have not heard from Joyce, please contact her at joycee.m1946@gmail.com
Joyce has been contacting the people who are participating in Tinners to arrange swapping of the tins during the winter months. If you have not heard from Joyce, please contact her at joycee.m1946@gmail.com
Guild Meeting - March 27 via Zoom
Guest: Sandra Mollen - Adapting an Image for an Art Quilt
Sandra is an award-winning quilter living in Northern California. In this 1 hour lecture, she will describe the process for adapting an image or photograph into an Art Quilt.
Refer to the Schedule page for information about future meetings.
Guest: Sandra Mollen - Adapting an Image for an Art Quilt
Sandra is an award-winning quilter living in Northern California. In this 1 hour lecture, she will describe the process for adapting an image or photograph into an Art Quilt.
Refer to the Schedule page for information about future meetings.
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* * * * * * Schedule of Guild Meetings and Activities * * * * * *
* * * * * * * Photos from our April 2023 Quilt Show * * * * * * *
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Thank you to the executive volunteers who have committed to join, or stay on the executive team.
Co-Presidents: Anne Cruickshank and Joyce Murray Treasurer: Rennie Hickey Program: Lucy Shorey Charity: Marilyn Erskine Librarian: Nancy Haley Membership: Martha Palmer Communications: Janet Brownlee Past President: Vickie MacNabb And YOUR NAME could be here too! Secretary: ??? Note: A special thank you to Betty Rehbein who attended our recent executive meetings to record the minutes. |
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Charity
The raffle quilt BIRD BLOCKS (for the Raffle at our 2025 quilt show) are due in June 2024. There are still background squares available.
There are still charity, CHEATER PANEL kits available, for new charity quilts. Please get in touch with me if you would like one, or any batting to go with them. At present, I am outsourcing backings to be given out, as well.
Preemie backings and batting is available.
We recently received the lovely thank you note below.
-- Marilyn Erskine, Charity
There are still charity, CHEATER PANEL kits available, for new charity quilts. Please get in touch with me if you would like one, or any batting to go with them. At present, I am outsourcing backings to be given out, as well.
Preemie backings and batting is available.
We recently received the lovely thank you note below.
-- Marilyn Erskine, Charity
 L to R: Marilyn, Nancy
Dear Arnprior & District Quilters Guild,
We just wanted to thank you for the beautiful Christmas Placemats that were given out to our Hot Meals and Frozen Meal Clients. They are so colourful and decorative, no doubt they put a smile on all our client’s faces. I bet you, some even use them all year round – they should, they are just that beautiful. I am attaching a photo of Marilyn, the kind lady who delivered them, and myself. Again, your kindness, warmth and thoughtfulness. It reaches near and far! Members of our Community are touched by your generosity, year after year, and they pass the word on to their family members, and friends and it is known country wide, just how loving and kind the Arnprior Community is to their seniors, special needs and those in need after surgeries etc. The Arnprior & District Quilters Guild is legendary for doing just that! Thank you from the bottom of our hearts! Sincerely, Nancy Peck Program Coordinator Arnprior-Braeside-McNab Seniors at Home Program Inc. Website: www.cssagency.ca |
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Library News
My February quilting has been smaller projects that finish quickly but now I’m thinking of doing something bigger. I’ve been looking through all my magazines and books for pattern ideas and …. Maybe I need our Library for more suggestions! April will be here soon enough and all our books will be at the meeting for you to look at and borrow. Meanwhile, you can look through our on-line catalog to pick out some “goodies” you’d like to borrow in the spring!
Thanks to those of you who have given me magazines and books that you’ve finished with. I will include them in our Library or give them as part of our monthly Library prize. This month’s prize has 3 books/magazines and a red print fat quarter – Valentine’s Day is past, I know, but red goes well with anything! I hope you are enjoying this rather erratic weather while still finding time to quilt and may your time spent “ripping out” be very short! (I have been doing that a lot lately!!) -- Nancy Hayley, Librarian Tip: If you're wondering if a particular book is in our guild library collection, use this web site's Search to look for the book name or author, or any other text that's in the new Library Catalog document.
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Membership
Martha at the retreat
We had 46 members attend the meeting on January 24th, as well as 3 guests registered on the Zoom call. Our speaker, Bridget O’Flaherty (the Sustainable Quilter), highlighted the many ways we can bring a sustainable habits to our quilting. Sharing information about practical uses for our material, projects and stash management was enjoyed by all attending.
Bridget's Website Bridget on Facebook Bridget's Youtube channel
We continue to accept visitor registrations without charge for our Zoom meetings held in February and March. We also continue to encourage registration for membership in our guild.
-- Martha Palmer, Membership
Bridget's Website Bridget on Facebook Bridget's Youtube channel
We continue to accept visitor registrations without charge for our Zoom meetings held in February and March. We also continue to encourage registration for membership in our guild.
-- Martha Palmer, Membership
Pantone Colour of the Year
With each new year comes the announcement of the Colour of the Year by the Pantone Color Institute. And the color of 2024 is Peach Fuzz!
Local Quilting History
In keeping with our focus on quilting history this month, I snagged this excerpt from a very recent email message from Michelle of Watergirl Quilt Co in Prescott. I hope Michelle won't mind me sharing it with you.
You can read all of this informative blog post written by One Stitch, One Step at this link onestitchonestep.wordpress.com
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Have you ever thought about how quilting came to Canada? I did a little google search and found this interesting blog post from an Ottawa Valley Quilter and this one part jumped out at me:
The first quilts arrived in Canada with immigrants to “New France” in the early 1600s. These settlers brought as much bedding, clothing and fabric with them as they could carry. There was always a shortage of fabric, needles and thread in the early days because it had to be imported from Europe. For this reason, thread and needles were part of the dowries of the “filles du roi”, young women sent from France to marry the male settlers.
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-- Janet Brownlee
You can read all of this informative blog post written by One Stitch, One Step at this link onestitchonestep.wordpress.com
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Have you ever thought about how quilting came to Canada? I did a little google search and found this interesting blog post from an Ottawa Valley Quilter and this one part jumped out at me:
The first quilts arrived in Canada with immigrants to “New France” in the early 1600s. These settlers brought as much bedding, clothing and fabric with them as they could carry. There was always a shortage of fabric, needles and thread in the early days because it had to be imported from Europe. For this reason, thread and needles were part of the dowries of the “filles du roi”, young women sent from France to marry the male settlers.
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-- Janet Brownlee
International Quilt Museum
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Our guild recently received this information from the International Quilt Museum which is located in Lincoln Nebraska.
------------- If you are a regular visitor to the International Quilt Museum, access our online resources or regularly attend the weekly virtual Textile Talks, THANK YOU! We appreciate your support and patronage. If you haven’t been to the Museum, or are unfamiliar with us, the International Quilt Museum has the world’s largest publicly-held collection of quilts and related items. Our collection spans 500 years and represents the quilt-making traditions of over 65 countries. We program six galleries with exhibitions that change every 4-6 months. We showcase traditional, modern, art, contemporary and international quilts in educational and artistic exhibitions. We invite you to enjoy and explore our past and current exhibitions here: www.internationalquiltmuseum.org/exhibitions Our extensive collection is also online. Whether you have questions about a quiltmaker, are looking for inspiration or want to know what quilts can be found around the Globe, you can search our database: www.internationalquiltmuseum.org/collections. (P.S. don’t forget to hit NEW SEARCH to clear all fields if you are conducting multiple searches!). Warmest regards, International Quilt Museum University of Nebraska – Lincoln 1523 N. 33rd St., Lincoln, NE 68583 www.internationalquiltmuseum.org 402.472.6342 Visit: Tuesday - Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Join us on our journey: Membership benefits here! Now Showing: World War I Quilts: The Sue Reich Collection, The Work of Katie Pasquini Masopust, A New Deal for Quilts, Feed Sacks: An American Fairy Tale, and Beneath the Tuscan Sun: The Works of Annamaria Brenti. |
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CQA Activities
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You can monitor the evolving plans for Quilt Canada 2024 here.
The Canadian Quilters' Association is very active on social media and you can follow along on Facebook or Instagram. Browse the CQA Events Calendar for information about quilting events across Canada by province, territory, or date. CQA Quilt Along
The CQA started a Mystery Quilt Along in December that is open to everyone. More info
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Upcoming Quilt Shows
I try to track down any upcoming shows in Eastern Ontario, and when requested, I publish information about shows that are further afield.
Here's a list of the upcoming shows that I'm aware of.
Here's a list of the upcoming shows that I'm aware of.
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Location |
Dates |
Guild |
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Oakville ON |
April 19-20 |
Oakville Quilters’ Guild |
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Paris ON |
April 27 |
Paris Quilting Bees |
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Edmonton AB |
June 19-22 |
Quilt Canada – Canadian Quilters’ Association |
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Almonte ON |
September 7-8 |
Fibrefest – Mississippi Valley Textile Museum |
See the Upcoming Quilt Shows page on our websitefor detailed information about the shows listed above.
Tips:
Tips:
- You can find the up-to-date quilt show information at any time on our web site More... --> Resources --> Upcoming Quilt Shows
- If you know of any upcoming local shows that are not listed on our web site, please let us know so we can share that information with all of our guild members. We are often asked by quilt guilds from both near and far to advertise their shows and we are always happy to do that.
- Browse the CQA Events Calendar for information about quilting events across Canada by province, territory, or date.
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Community Events
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Hintonburg Fabric Flea Market
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HFFM0505/ |
Kanata Great Ottawa Makers Destash Market
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/events/709355694671940?ref=newsfeed |
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Communications
I Sorted My Fabric!
by Janet Brownlee
by Janet Brownlee
Like Anne, I have just finished sorting and re-storing my quilting fabric!
I started quilting 18 years ago and all along I've been storing my fabrics in plastic bags pretty much by the project they were last used in. The only exception was my Christmas fabrics were all together spread between 3 plastic bags!
I've been wanting to do this for quite some time but I always found the next project more interesting than the sorting project. I finally started sorting at the beginning of February. I don't have a huge amount of fabric but I spread out the sorting over several days, inspired by Karen Brown's decluttering advice to only work at it for 30 minutes at a time. Since I was keeping most of the fabric I could focus for longer than that. I enjoyed seeing and touching all of my fabrics, including the surprise fabrics that I couldn't recall ever seeing before!
I sorted mainly by colour, with additional categories for kids/novelty prints, multi-coloured mainly florals, stripes/dots/plaids, batiks, and flannel. I folded the fabrics as I went but I did NOT take time to press them.
I started quilting 18 years ago and all along I've been storing my fabrics in plastic bags pretty much by the project they were last used in. The only exception was my Christmas fabrics were all together spread between 3 plastic bags!
I've been wanting to do this for quite some time but I always found the next project more interesting than the sorting project. I finally started sorting at the beginning of February. I don't have a huge amount of fabric but I spread out the sorting over several days, inspired by Karen Brown's decluttering advice to only work at it for 30 minutes at a time. Since I was keeping most of the fabric I could focus for longer than that. I enjoyed seeing and touching all of my fabrics, including the surprise fabrics that I couldn't recall ever seeing before!
I sorted mainly by colour, with additional categories for kids/novelty prints, multi-coloured mainly florals, stripes/dots/plaids, batiks, and flannel. I folded the fabrics as I went but I did NOT take time to press them.
I already had a number of containers that I opted to use for storing my fabric - 3 boxes that winter boots came in, a shoe box, a wicker chest type container, a few other wicker baskets, and a couple of clear plastic zippered bags that pillows or comforters came in. After filling all of those I was able to determine how many clear plastic containers I needed to hold the bigger categories. I got a set of 3 at Costco for $24.
I did leave the Christmas fabrics in their 3 bags and they're now shoved back on the shelf - I'm fully committed to sorting them the next time I tackle a Christmas project.
I did leave the Christmas fabrics in their 3 bags and they're now shoved back on the shelf - I'm fully committed to sorting them the next time I tackle a Christmas project.
Bigger bins fit under the cutting table
I am so happy that I've done this!
As I was sorting I set aside some bits and pieces that would be nice in preemie quilts, and I decided they would be my next projects. I'm working on one now.
A side benefit was that I was running low on plastic bags now that stores are not providing them, and I now have a replenished supply!
If you have any tips for sorting/destashing that you'd like to share with our guild members, please send them along for future newsletters.
As I was sorting I set aside some bits and pieces that would be nice in preemie quilts, and I decided they would be my next projects. I'm working on one now.
A side benefit was that I was running low on plastic bags now that stores are not providing them, and I now have a replenished supply!
If you have any tips for sorting/destashing that you'd like to share with our guild members, please send them along for future newsletters.
Plastic bags piled up beside my sewing machine!
Guild Facebook Group
Have you joined our guild members-only Facebook Group yet? If not you are missing out on all the fun. This is a great way to get to know your fellow guild members, to ask questions, learn a new block, a new tip or trick. Last year we saw some lovely photos of the Block of the Month quilts being assembled and finished off, and much more.
Thank you Tina for monitoring and facilitating the activity in this group to provide this wonderful guild initiative!
Hope to see you in our Facebook group soon. Click/tap here to join the group.
Thank you Tina for monitoring and facilitating the activity in this group to provide this wonderful guild initiative!
Hope to see you in our Facebook group soon. Click/tap here to join the group.
Advertisers
Thank you to our newsletter advertisers! Your support funds our Communications budget which includes the hosting of this web site. We are very grateful for this financial support. Our advertisers for this year are:
- Auntie Em's Scrapbooking & Quilting in Cornwall ON
- Bytowne Threads
- Happy Wife Quilting in Carleton Place ON
- Paisleys Quilt Shop near Carp ON
- Quilters Curve quilt shop in Combermere ON
- Sew Inspired quilt shop in Arnprior ON
- Watergirl Quilt Co quilt shop in Prescott ON
THANK YOU to Anne, Sue H, Marilyn, Nancy, and Martha for their guild updates, and other exciting news this month. And special thanks to Vickie for the retreat photos!
-- Janet Brownlee, Communications & Newsletter Editor
-- Janet Brownlee, Communications & Newsletter Editor
Our next meeting is on March 27