Monday, September 23, 2013

September! Time to Sew

You won't want to miss out on the guild fun planned for Saturday, September 28th!  First on deck is our combined effort for the Tea and Auction Quilt!  The fun begins at 9:00 am in the Home Ec room!  Many hands make light work ... and we are expert at making it fun!
President Sara has also planned a fun way for members to celebrate Christmas with one another!  A Stitchin' Secret Santa Swap!  What fun!  Here are the details:


Well, the Northwind Quilters Guild is hosting its first Annual Stitchin’ Secret Santa Swap!!

WHAT: Prepare a quart sized Ziploc bag by filling it with scraps and a folded index card with your name inside.  Meet to exchange scrap packs anonymously and then have three months to prepare a secret gift for a fellow guild member.  Meet back up for the final exchange, with a finished project and any unused scraps.

WHEN: Bring bag of scraps to the next Time to Sew in the CHS Home Ec. Room on September 28, 2013.  The exchange will take place at 2:00 p.m. (absent members may still participate with a little pre-planning).  The final (completed project) exchange will take place at the last Time to Sew of the year: December 28, 2013 at 2:00 p.m.

WHY: A fun way to clear out your scraps and receive a unique fabric item. 

HOW: If you want to participate just show up at the next time to sew with your baggie of scraps. Any questions, call Sara at 424-5787.


Things to think about:
When you prepare your scrap bag:
You can put as many scraps in your bag as you would like, and whichever variety suits you…but remember….if you put a ton of itty bitty bits….you’ll probably really challenge your secret Santa (i.e. frustrate them!) …if you only put one or two fabrics with yardage, that could be a challenge, too.  Be considerate of your Santa, a good variety of sizes and fabrics could spark a more creative final product.

When you sit down to prepare a final product:
Try to think about items your recipient might like and that would include colors, themes or styles they would value.  Any finished product will be treasured, so any size or variety will work, don’t feel limited.  Call Sara if you have questions or quilter’s block!

Get Going Ideas: things to make
Placemats, tote bag, table topper, Christmas ornaments, wall hanging, hot pads, table runner, lap quilt, tea cozy, pin cushions, appliquéd art quilt, candle mat, mug mat, supply and project organizers, thread catcher, string quilts, paper pieced blocks…brainstorm or search the internet for more optionsJ







Tuesday, September 3, 2013

Going Crazy at Fall Retreat 2013!

It was crazy!  Crazy fun!  It all began with traveling in Alaska ...

... ferry complications prevented Marguerita McManus from arriving in time for the events Friday evening!  It was really touch and go until late that evening whether or not she would make it for Saturday's events!  We Alaskans are used to this ... if anything we are flexible!
 But when we arrived Saturday morning ... Marguerita was there to greet us!
As she shared her quilt journey and many beautiful samples, our excitement grew!
Under Marguerita's instructions ...
... we immediately got busy ...
... getting crazy with our 10 inch squares!
A lot of progress was made!










By the end of Day 1, nearly everyone had finished piecing their crazy blocks!  It was fun turning "Layer Cakes" into 20 crazy blocks!
On Sunday, we began the process of quilting our blocks.  Marguerita is famous for her "quilt-as-you-go" techniques.  She is a "Quilt Rock Star"!  Many of our members got to use and explore new stitches!  What fun!





After the blocks were quilted and trimmed, members began exploring different layout options!  It really was such fun!
Marguerita's demonstrations were very effective.  She was great at breaking things down into manageable steps and her instructions were clear.  All characteristics of a great instructor!
There were 15 members in the class, and she gave everyone the personal attention they needed!  Wonderful!

 Blocks were turned into rows!
Rows were pieced together!
 Several members got their quilt pieced together ...
... and a few even got as far as applying binding!
Marguerita was such a joy to have as our Fall Retreat Instructor!  We were so inspired by her talent, that there will be a separate blogpost highlighting her later this week!
A HUGE thank you to Guild President Sara!  She made all the many arrangements for this weekend!  Single-handedly ... without a committee!  This woman knows how to make great things happen!

Thank you President Sara!  
We all grew as quilters because of your efforts!



Monday, August 26, 2013

Fall Retreat Update!

There are only FIVE spots remaining in this weekend's 
Quilt-As-You-Go class!  
This is an opportunity you won't want to miss!  
Call Sara at 424.5787 to reserve a place!  
Do not delay!
The fun begins this Friday!

Friday, August 9, 2013

Big News!

It has been an amazing summer here in Cordova!  And ... just when you thought it couldn't get any better ... it does!  Our Executive Board has been busy planning an exciting event to kick off the quilting season this fall!


Northwind Quilters Guild
Fall Retreat 2013
Friday, August 30-Sunday, September 1



Guest Teacher Margeurita McManus will be the highlight of the weekend as she shares her Quilt As You Go Method during a two-day class.  Bring your sewing machine and fabric and walk away with a finished quilt utilizing a unique method of construction.  

Schedule of Events

Quilt-As-You-Go Demonstration & Trunk Show
$5 for public, free for members
Friday 8/30, 7-8 p.m. in the Home Ec. Room

Two Day Workshop: Make a Crazy Shortcut Quilt
$40 for members/$60 for non-members
Saturday and Sunday, 8/31 & 9/1, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.

Quilt in Comfort Lecture & Demonstration
$5 for public, free for members
Saturday 8/31, 7-8 p.m. in the Home Ec. Room

Time to Sew
Sunday 9/1, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in the Home Ec. Room

NWQG Quarterly Business Meeting
Sunday 9/2, 4 p.m. in the Home Ec. Room



To register for this event call President Sara at 424.5787.  She will provide you with a supply list and answer any questions you have!


What a wonderful way to end the summer and welcome fall!  Happy Quilting!