Hopefully this photo of Pam W.’s Snowflake is the last we see of the white stuff for a while. According to the weather gurus, March came in like a lamb – nice and quiet. That might be true for the weather but certainly doesn’t describe the level of activity in our Guild. Our activity level continues to stay more lion-like than something akin to a little lamb, don’t you think?
Our regular weekly and biweekly lineup of slow stitching, sew socials, and other Zoom project groups continue to keep many of our Members busy and give the chance to connect. It is never too late to join in. This month, there has been the added attraction of a two-day workshop with Melissa Marginet, sharing her tips and techniques on machine quilting with a walking foot. Stay tuned for information on more upcoming workshops.
Our meeting on March 7th introduced us to Joanna Dermenjian, Quilt Historian and curator of the website – Suture and Selvedge. Information on Joanna was included in the March newsletter. She spoke on the topic of Red Cross quilts – nearly half a million quilts made during the war years and sent as ‘comforts’ to soldiers and others in need. If you missed it, take a look at her website here. Her recent podcast Canada’s Forgotten Quilts provides even more insight into this fascinating topic – one that few of us have heard about before. Don’t forget the March Sew and Share Album, to be found here.
“Ugly” quilt by Vicki B.
Cuddle Quilt Day is just around the corner. Have you finished up those UFO’s in time for this year’s donation drive? There is still time, even if you haven’t started. Take a look at the ‘ugly’ quilt above – made from scraps and pieced with a lot of flexibility. Just Get It Done Quilts is the place to find this free pattern and others – check it out here.
Raiding the Quilt Cupboard
I have another option for those, like me, who have been procrastinating this winter and have few charity quilts made and ready to give. With Cuddle Quilt Day looming, I have raided the dark corners of my ‘quilt cupboard’ to find quilts that I made ‘just because’ and that could use a home where they can be useful rather than lingering on a dark shelf. Amazing what you find when you try – and just like that, my contribution to Cuddle Quilt Day is ready!
If making more quilts is just not on your to-do list right now, you might want to follow Katina C’s lead. She is making pillowcases and bravery bead bags on a regular basis for donation later in the year, using up her bits and pieces of fabric and novelty fabrics she finds at local shops. More information and patterns can be found here.
This weekend, on the heels of St. Patrick’s Day, the Guild will benefit once again from the Global Quilt Connection’s All-Star Virtual Sampler Platter. Two days of half-hour sessions with quilt teachers across North America are yours at no cost – just use the Zoom connection that will be sent to you by email on March 18th. Can’t make it during the scheduled times on Saturday and Sunday? No worries! Each session will be recorded and may be viewed up to 24 hours following the times shown below. You’ll find more details on the teacher line-up in your March newsletter.
Our next meeting is on April 4th. For many of us, with restrictions dropping away, that should be in person (Yay!) but hopefully we will have a hybrid option for those who can’t make it. Either way, we hope you can join us.
See you in April.
