August 2020
/Virtual Speaker: Needles 101 with Rhonda Pierce
Tuesday, August 18, 2020, at 7:00 PM via Zoom
Progress is being made in programming during this time of virtual meetings. We had such an informative lecture in July on thread. It was fun to see how we can stay connected and learn virtually. It appears that in the near future we will continue to be having virtual meetings and we are preparing for our first virtual workshop.
We have a guest speaker for our August 18th meeting. Join us with special guest Rhonda Pierce from Schmetz Needles as we learn about types of needles, how they are made, needle types for different applications, clues as to when to change the needles, and more. Bring your list of questions. This will be a great follow-up to our thread lecture.
At our September 15th meeting, Diane Murtha will present her lecture on challenges titled “Accept the Challenge & Win a Prize”. Diane will present an informative and humorous perspective on her quilt challenge experiences, including a trunk show via Zoom.
We are very excited to have our first virtual workshop on September 16th. We are changing the fee for this workshop to $35.00. Diane Murtha will provide a workshop called Modified Quilt as You Go. Diane will teach a technique of two-step quilting. This class yields 25 perfect 4 ½” quilted blocks embellished with a variety of applique options, then assembled. Hope that many of you will join us for this workshop.
Looking ahead you will not want to miss the lecture planned for our October 20th meeting by Sarah Evans. She will be talking about a very impressive quilt called Rita’s Quilt. There will not be a workshop in October.
Kate Brennan and Sharon Pierluissi, Programs
Christine’s Chatter
Already August! Where has the time gone? I know...self-isolation. I hope that means that you all are catching upon on long-forgotten projects, organized your sewing space, started something that inspires you and had time to relax instead of living in fear of our world. I’m sure we will have much to say about this time when the crisis is over, but for now, it seems unending.
I am enjoying a few vegetables from our little garden patch, loving our flowers, and spending time together. I have also spent some time sewing, but since I sew in the basement, it’s not very inspiring when the days are so beautiful.
Can’t wait to see more than 10 people at a time and meet together as a guild. Meeting on Zoom these past two months has been fun, but I miss all of you. Last month’s speaker, Karen Miller from Redbird Quilt Co. representing Aurifil was terrific! It makes me want to try all of those thread weights in my quilts. Hmmmm? I only have 14 tops to be quilted (gasp). I think I could try some of those techniques on at least one of them.
Looking forward to our next meeting on Zoom. Thank you, Kate, for making this possible. I haven’t had a chance to call the church yet to see when we could meet again, but the state says no more than 50 people and we have to distance ourselves. Sorry to say that is not possible yet with our group.
Hope to see you all soon,
Christine Tindell, President
Service Projects
Quilt of Valor Block of the Month
Thank you for your participation in the QOV program. We’ll begin this month by making two Flag blocks.
Block 1: Cut out a 6.5” square (unfinished) in your chosen fabric for the star area of the block.
Block 2: Use a 6” finished Sawtooth Star for the star area. A pattern for 6” Sawtooth Stars can be
found on the Diary of a Quilter website.
NOTE: There was an error in the July Newsletter. You do NOT have to purchase the pattern for fabric amounts.
Hopes and Dreams Quilt Challenge
Our Guild is entering this challenge where all donated quilts are given to ALS patients. Quilts are eligible for prizes. We are entering the category for most quilts donated by a guild, which gives a prize of $1000. Julie Milne regularly makes quilts for the challenge and has seven quilts ready to send. Thank you, Julie!
Details can be found on the Quilters Dream website.
Details for the Quilt of Valor and Hopes and Dreams service projects, including links, can be found in the Service Page of the Village Quilters website.
Kathy Sorkin, Service Committee
Quilts from the Village Show 2021
WOW!! Madge and I are so amazed with the many people who came forward to fill most of the jobs that were available. Thank you all for stepping up. The only position still open is Equipment transport – with tables/tumbler rental. Please consider filling this last position and as always it can be a team. Talk with a friend. Also be willing to say yes if/when asked by a friend to help or pitch in. We all depend on each other.
Contact Madge Pierce or me, Barb Jolley, to sign up or to ask questions. As reported last month, we will have our first official meeting in November, only three months from now! Fingers crossed, we will see something more normal by then.
Looking forward to seeing everyone again soon,
Your awesome Quilt Show 2021 co-chairs,
Madge Pierce and Barb Jolley
Birthday Blocks
We hope that all those who are participating in the Birthday Blocks activity have enjoyed working on their blocks. Since our being able to attend regular meetings at this point is still questionable, please remember to get your August blocks to the recipients. As mentioned before, the U.S. mail works well if we are not able to meet. To all, stay safe and well in these challenging times.
Nancy Smith and Edythe Hirasawa
Fabric Donation
Nance Koning lives in Waukegan and once owned a sewing machine repair shop and taught a lot of quilting classes. She is no longer able to sew and has some fabric to donate for charity quilts, etc. She has 3-4 storage containers that are packed full, with more fabric in bags, and a few on bolts. She has one bag of all black and white for a queen size quilt; the rest is various shades of calicos. Contact the webmaster, Margaret Martin (webmaster@villagequilters.org), if you would like the contact information for Nance Koning.
Treasurer’s Report
Balance as of 6/26/2020: $26,637.13
Income: $369.60
Expenses: $42.45
Ending Balance as of 7/27/2020: $26,964.28
Income this month was from Membership fees.
Expenses were for additional checks and Annual report to Secretary of State.
Respectfully submitted,
Alice Hutchinson, Treasurer
Membership
Greetings from the Membership Committee!
Welcome new member Mary McMillen! Mary lives in Lake Forest.
An updated membership list has been posted to the Village Quilters Members Only page. Please check the updated membership roster on the website in August to see that your information is correct.
If your name is not listed, it probably means you have forgotten to renew your membership! We are still collecting membership dues which are $50 for the year ($25 for active military or spouse). If you let your membership lapse you will not receive newsletters, will not have access to the VQ private Facebook group, and will not be given entry into our online retreats.
Please contact us if you have any questions. We look forward to welcoming you at the check-in desk ASAP!
Happy August Birthday to the following members!
Sally Evanshank – 8/4
Liz Greenhill – 8/17
Alice Hutchinson – 8/1
Laura Partridge – 8/1
Jean Rock – 8/26
Gayle Springer – 8/1
Membership co-chairs Sue Ann Kuby and Kathy Avellone