February 2020
/Speaker: Marla Yeager, “Seams”
Tuesday, February 18, 2020, at 7:00 PM
Join us on February 18th as we welcome award-winning quilter Marla Yeager. Her presentation and trunk show, entitled “Seams”, will share the highlights and lessons from her 35-year journey into (some may say addiction to) the art of quilt making. She will touch on drafting a design, the use of color, careful piecing, and the role of quilting, highlighted by a show of quilts that are markers of her growth as she traveled along the journey.
On Wednesday, February 19th, Marla will lead a workshop on the Fractured Fat Quarter quilt. This is a quick and easy method of making a quilt from 18 to 21 fat quarters, so it’s a great stash buster. You won’t need fabric for the workshop, though, as she is bringing small kits for us to learn the basics at no additional cost to the participants. They will take home a small sample quilt and the knowledge of techniques needed to make many lovely quilts from their own fat quarters. The workshop is open to members and non-members alike, and there are still several openings. If you’re interested, you may register and pay online.
In March we will have a return of the popular “Best of the Best” program. Everyone attending should bring one quilt that is special to her and we will have a show and tell for everyone. It may be your latest and greatest, or a quilt you have inherited, or one someone has given you, or your first quilt, or just because you love it. You show your quilt and tell us why you love it. This isn’t meant to be a long speech, just a few words, but it will give us a chance to know more about each other and enjoy seeing different quilts. Don’t miss this one!
Kathy Avellone and Kearstie Grenier, Programs
Brown Bag Hustle – Ways and Means Committee Report
“We couldn’t have done it better” were the words I heard quite often. There was a reason behind that statement and it is the fabulous committee that worked so hard to make the Brown Bag Hustle a huge success this year. The next time you see Cheryl Mercy, Celia Stratman, Christine Tindell, Donna Derstadt, Jo Bailey, Kathy Sorkin, Mary Dietz, Kate Klein, Kimberly Jurco and Rae Bradley, please give them a pat on the back. The biggest award, however, goes to you, the Village Quilters membership, for the unprecedented donations you so generously gave to the event. It was beyond belief! Everything added together made for a fun and profitable time had by all. We topped our $800 profit from last year - this year’s proceeds were $1082!
Gleefully submitted,Donna Fitzgerald, Ways & Means chairperson
News from the President
Welcome February? What do we expect from the weather? I haven’t a clue. Stay warm and stay healthy.
Through the grapevine I heard that the Brown Bag Hustle was a huge success. Thanks to Donna Fitzgerald and her committee for managing this fundraiser. The committee that is working on the quilt for Lake Bluff’s anniversary has planned the design and is collecting fabric. If you are interested in being a part of this group, contact Linda Spring. I signed up for February’s workshop - have you?
Last month I told you that I was turning 70 this year. Last Sunday I tripped (didn’t slip on the ice) and fractured my shoulder. It looks as if surgery will not be needed, but a sling seems to be my newest fashion statement! Is this an omen, or am I just getting over the bumps early?
My piecing and quilting have temporarily come to a halt. Don’t let this happen to you. I encourage you to take time to express yourself, stay active in your creativity, and continue to share your skills and friendship with others.
I am looking forward to seeing you all in February.
Marti Austin, President
Request for Longarm Quilting for Auction Quilt
As many of you know, I volunteer at the Harbour House. This organization provides shelter and guidance for homeless teenage girls in the northwest suburbs. For the fourth year, the girls involved in The Harbour have pieced a quilt top which is then quilted, bound, and auctioned off at The Harbour’s annual spring fundraiser. My two fellow volunteers and I are looking for a long-arm quilter who would donate her services for a large lap quilt with an overall pattern. If this interests you, please call or see me at the February meeting. Thanks!
Marti Austin
Service Project – Quilt Blocks for Australia
The Wollongong Modern Quilt Guild is collecting tree blocks to be made into quilts and distributed to families that have lost everything in the Australian bushfires.
Basic information about the tree blocks:
Unfinished size – generous 12.5 inches square (0.25-0.5 inches larger is fine)
Background should be white/low volume white or light gray
Any tree block of any color can be made
The Wollongong chapter of the Modern Quilt Guild at wmqg.tumblr.com has an article about the bushfire blocks project. The article includes links to some suggested block patterns, their Facebook organizing page, and a detailed FAQ. Please check the FAQ for more details about what your block should and should not contain.
Village Quilters will submit our quilt blocks as a group. Please turn in the blocks at the February 2020 guild meeting to Kathy Sorkin.
Thank you so much and feel free to contact me for any questions or help.
Kathy Sorkin, Service Committee
Quilt Retreat April 3 – 5, 2020
Our next quilt retreat is coming up in April. It will once again be held at the Hilton Garden Inn in Mettawa. The retreat date was announced at the January guild meeting, and 20 people signed up that night for the retreat. The retreat is now full.
If you want to attend the retreat but did not get in, give your name to Sharon Pierluissi and you will be put on a waitlist. In the past there have always been cancellations and people from the waitlist have been able to attend.
We will not be having any food catered in this year, so you will be on your own for meals. We have been told that service has improved in their restaurant. If you have signed up for the retreat and want to stay overnight at the hotel, let Sharon Pierluissi know.
Treasurer’s Report
Balance as of 12/20/2019 $22,406.59
Income: $1,743.95
Expenses: $608.51
Ending Balance as of 1/24/2020 $23,542.03
Income this month was from the Holiday Party and Brown Bag Hustle.
Expenses were for the Holiday Party, Brown Bag Hustle, and meeting space rental.
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Ellin Innes, Treasurer
Membership
Happy February Birthday to the following members!
Kathy Avellone – 2/05
Dorie Botimer – 2/12
Debra Dodd – 2/24
Kathy Heusinkveld – 2/03
Eleanor McMurrin – 2/23
Cheryl Mercy – 2/25
Carole Quille – 2/18
Dorothy Roderick – 2/16
Membership co-chairs Celia Stratman and Kimberly Jurco