April 2025
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April Annual Meeting: Potluck!
Tuesday, April 15, 2025: 6:30 p.m. – In Person (Doors open at 6:00 p.m.)
Members bring a salad dish to share. Board members provide dessert and beverages.
April is upon us. You might think of Spring, but I’m going to ask you to think about our Annual Business Meeting! I’m hoping that many of you will attend. We have one new board member to elect and we will vote on our budget for our next fiscal year. This is a time for each member to participate in the decision-making process of Village Quilters.
We will enjoy dinner together, then have the business meeting and Show and Tell. I know you might be thinking it will be boring, but it’s not! Along with the business part of the evening, it is also a fun social time. So, please come and participate in this important function of being part of Village Quilters.
Sharon Pierluissi, President
May Program: Lynn Schmidt Trunk Show
Tuesday, May 20, 2025: 7:00 p.m. – In Person
Lynn Schmidt is the founder, owner and designer of A Different Box of Crayons in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She has been designing projects for over 15 years. She is known for her amazing eye for color and the use of various textiles in her work. Lynn’s trunk show will be a feast for our eyes! She will show us how she uses color and texture to create amazing quilts, pillows and wall hangings. Her use of piecing, appliqué and needlework will impress!
Andrea Krier and Marti Austin are your new Program Co-Chairs and have worked diligently provide a variety of speakers and workshops for the coming year!
May Workshop: LOGistics Pillow
Wednesday, May 21, 2025: 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Faith Lutheran Church, 680 Deerpath, Lake Forest
The project will complete as a pillow cover, a table mat or a wall hanging. You will construct 2 large two Log Cabin blocks. Each will finish piecing at 15” square. They finish smaller once they are sewn into the project of your choice. A silk chain will run through the blocks in one diagonal direction.
The LOGistics pattern for a pillow (23” square) or a table mat (27 ½” X 27 ½” square) is a true Eclectics project. This project will teach how to work with mixed medium textiles with dissimilar textures. The project will use twelve different fabrics with multiple weights and finishes. There will be two kitted color-ways. Each color-way will have contemporary and traditional fabrics, large and small-scale prints, reproduction prints, batiks, wools and silks. Some color-ways may vary slightly in their fabric types but the intent in all of them is not only to give you new freedom in mixing your textures but also in mixing your fabric styles. The chain is created with squares of Dupioni silk. The borders are wool and the binding is cotton.
Sign up for the LOGistics workshop!
Introducing our “Falling Star” Raffle Quilt! Original design constructed with EQ8 and inspired by the committee discussion about the April 2024 solar eclipse and the decision to use a sky or universe theme. The quilt is 90” x 90”, the stars are foundation paper pieced by members who also donated the multi-colored fabric, and the quilting emphasizes the movement of the galaxy and the falling star. The background fabric is a Jennifer Sampou ombre called “Celestial”.
Quilt Show Corner: News!
It’s April! What should you be doing this month to support the guild and the 2025 show? Keep sewing! Remember your quilts must be finished - pieced, quilted, and bound - to be registered by the July 16th deadline! Note the article below regarding quilt submission.
Raffle Quilt Travel: Nancy Giebel is busy lining up places to display our raffle quilt and to sell raffle tickets. She is in the process of contacting other quilt guilds, quilts shops, farmers’ markets, etc., to see if they will allow us to show off our quilt and sell raffle tickets.
Nancy has been posting a sign-up sheet for volunteers to take the quilt on the road. I would like each of you to commit to at least one event to display the quilt and to help sell tickets. Find a friend to join you – it will be easier to hang the quilt if you have company! If you have given up driving at night, then choose a daytime event. Is the event out of town? Make it a road trip by leaving early enough to stop at a local quilt shop and to have dinner before the guild meeting. Is the event in a quilt shop? Pull some bolts from the shop shelves to help customers see how they might use the colors of our quilt in their own quilts. If you know of a guild or quilt shop or other location that might host our quilt, please contact Nancy.
“Falling Star” Detail
Raffle Tickets: Susan Surdyk is organizing the raffle ticket process. The process will allow for online sales again this year. See Susan’s article below.
The postcards have a QR code that takes you directly to the web page to purchase tickets. If you have never used a QR code, it’s easier than you think! I challenge each of you the try using the QR code to buy your tickets.
New Event: We are trying out a new event at this year’s show – “Village Quilters Presents” (the title is still a work in progress). There is an opportunity for ten VQ members to give a 30 minute presentation on a quilting topic. The talks will take place only on Friday in the space set aside for the Quilts of Valor ceremony on Saturday.
“Falling Star” Detail
Consider sharing some aspect of quilting that you especially enjoy. Team up with a friend if you want. Not quite sure if you can do a presentation? Let’s talk!
Here are the members who have agreed to make presentations:
Kate Klein: machine applique
Kearstie Grenier: tech in quilting
Christine Tindell: wool applique
Erica Jarrett: antique./heirloom quilts
Feather Schroeder: simple, quick box jacket construction
Celia Stratman: color design
Post Cards – Note Cards – Note Pads: This year we are using postcards to advertise the show. These are not the mailable postcards of the past. The new postcards allow space for more information, including the QR code for raffle tickets sales. We will also have notecards and notepads printed with an image of the raffle quilt to sell at raffle events as well as at the show.
If you have questions about the show, please don’t hesitate to ask! My email and phone number are on the member roster. I’d love to hear from you!
Kathy Avellone, Quilt Show Chair
Quilt Show Corner – Submit Your Quilts!
Registration is open now!
Due Date for submitting your quilts: July 16, 2025
Due Date for Quilts of Valor that will not be hung: August 16, 2025
For all things quilt registration, check out the web page Show Info for Members.
Detailed instructions for submitting your quilt entries.
A printable checklist to collect all the required info about your quilt before you start filling out the entry form.
Instructions to help you upload your quilt photos.
New this year – you must submit two photos with your quilt entry:
Photo #1 – Full image view - this photo shows the entire quilt to assist with show design layout
Photo #2 – Detail image view - this photo shows a corner of the quilt to confirm that it is pieced, quilted, and bound at the time of submission
Questions? Contact Enid Mattimiro and Kearstie Grenier of the Cataloging Committee.
Quilt Show News: 3D Art Quilt Challenge Examples
Pictured above are examples of quilts with a “3-D” aspect - to help inspire you to complete and submit your Art Quilt Challenge project! Submissions must be quilted and bound, 12” x 12” finished, and incorporate a 3-dimensional element, in addition to the quilting, which rises off of the quilt. Co-Chairs for this challenge are Linda Spring and Sarah Solotoroff (our youngest member).
Quilt Show News: Quilts of Valor
Village Quilters will once again be honoring a few of America's Finest at the upcoming quilt show. We will award a Quilt of Valor to a several members of the U.S. Armed Forces who have been touched by war. If you are interested in nominating a veteran to be a part of our ceremony, you can find information on the show info for members page.
The recommended size is 60” x 80”. The minimum size is 55” x 65” and the maximum is 73” x 90”. Fabric must be high quality 100% quilting cotton. Do not use sheets or thin, stiff, metallic or scratchy fabric. The quilt must be machine or hand quilted - do not tie the quilt.
Please note the deadline dates in the quilt show submission article above. The label must say "QUILT OF VALOR" and include a blank line for the name of the recipient, the name of the quilt, and the name of the piecer (first name only with the state). Any questions? Please contact Cheryl Mercy.
Quilt Show News: Raffle Ticket Sales
As in previous years, raffle tickets will again be sold online at $1 per ticket. But new this year is a discount — purchasing six tickets for $5.
Purchasing online is strongly encouraged because our online sales are fully automated and tracked. But remember, all sales must take place in Illinois! State (and sometimes local) laws heavily regulate raffles; our raffle is only licensed in Illinois.
In-person cash sales of raffle tickets are possible, but this year you must turn in a paper receipt for each sale (for example, if someone purchases six tickets, only one receipt is needed). These receipts will allow us to track cash sales properly and ensure each purchaser receives their raffle ticket numbers. The paper receipts will be available to our membership in April.
The amazing quilt is a testament to the creativity and dedication of our guild. I know I’m planning to buy a lot of tickets.
Susan Surdyk
Featured Member Donna Fitzgerald
Members Meeting Members
Donna Fitzgerald is a woman filled with energy who makes everything around her look lovely, from her home to her quilts to our guild’s Brown Bag Hustle! Her Fort Sheridan condo has a sunny lower level where Donna has a quilting room. I love that she pulled out her antique quilts to share with me when I toured the sewing space. The quilts were made by her Grandmother Spilman and her husband’s Grandma Fitz. One of Donna’s quilts, the pink Rose of Sharon, was made from blocks she inherited from Grandma Fitz. Donna wanted a 5th block to make the quilt, and had her grandmother’s church ladies in Centralia, Illinois make a 5th block as well as quilt the top. As Grandma Fitz was an Illinois State Fair Quilt Competition award-winning quilter, Donna showed me the difference in the quality of the workmanship between the blocks. Grandma Fitz also made the orange basket quilt shown in the photo. Her grandmother Spilman made her the sunbonnet quilt using fabrics from dresses made for Donna and her sister when they were little.
Growing up in a small town in Illinois in the early 1930s, Donna was surrounded by quilters. Like many of us, she learned sewing as a young girl, but did not begin quilting until she was older. While working at New Trier East she was a substitute teacher in a freshman Home Ec class in 1988. The students were making a small quilt, and intrigued, she began quilting. She joined Village Quilters in 2002 when Kathy Tucker paid a dollar for her to attend as a guest!
Donna told me she likes to experiment – trying different techniques and making different styles of quilts. She is currently making a Puff quilt for a newly married grandchild, with directions downloaded from Etsy (which, mind you, were remarkably confusing and I too couldn’t figure out the next step). She showed off a lovely flannel Rag quilt she made with vintage hankies, a project I may have to copy as it was a beautiful way to showcase wonderful hankies.
This is a woman who keeps busy - she is blessed with 5 children, 11 grandchildren and 10 (plus one on the way) great grands. She is active in her homeowner’s association, Panhellenic group, DAR group as well as her church. She is the President of the Fort Sheridan Historical Society, and was thrilled to find out when I was there that her work pursuing a space for a museum was successful. No doubt she will manage the creation of the museum with the lovely flair she uses for everything. Make sure to attend our guild’s Brown Bag Hustle event, spearheaded by Donna for years with a smile on her face. She makes the event lovely, fun and profitable for the guild!
Submitted by Erica Jarrett
Spring Retreat Pop-Up Sale
On Saturday, April 5 from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. we will have a Pop-Up Sale during our retreat at Hilton Garden Inn in Mettawa, and everyone in the guild is invited to participate! Bring “like new” fabric, patterns, kits and/or notions and price each item. Customers will purchase directly from you, and it is your responsibility to take any unsold items home. Everyone in the guild is welcome. If you have a question email or call me.
At the retreat, remember to bring along a sweater or sweatshirt. If for any reason you are unable to attend this retreat, call me and I will offer your seat to a member on the wait list.
Marti Austin
Library Corner
I am thrilled by the response to the library this year. Members snapped up the books featured during the business meeting and those featured at the table. Members browsed after the meeting. Books are shelved alphabetically by author and they are color-coded by topic. The entire library is listed on villagequilters.libib.com. Finding a book to borrow is easy!
Here are 3 books you should know about:
The first is “Quilt Inspirations from Africa” by Kaye England and Mary Elizabeth Johnson. The book discusses classic African design elements and has patterns for making quilts using African fabrics. It shows many varieties of African fabrics and you will enjoy this colorful and informative resource, signed by the author in 2003.
Second is “Woman of Design” by Barbara Brackman. This book features monthly patterns featured in the Kansas Star in the 1920’s. The author includes a photograph and a biography of each quilter, together with a picture of her quit and a pattern for making the quilt, including template patterns. It’s quite a walk through quilting history.
Third is “More Quilts from The Quilt Maker’s Gift” by Joanne Larson Line. “The Quilt Makers Gift” by Jeff Brumbeau and Gail de Marcken is a delightful fable, beautifully illustrated, about a king who learns what is truly valuable. The quiltmaker makes beautiful quilts and gives them away. The king demands one and the story describes how he earns one. The book in our library contains patterns of some of these wonderful quilts and it’s a real treasure.
Linda Spring, Librarian
New Service Project
This year we are combining our Service project with “Birthday/Friendship Blocks” – instead of making blocks each month for fellow members, we will make blocks for quilts to donate to Staben House in Waukegan. Staben House has been providing transitional housing and enrichment services to homeless women with children since 1997. The organization provides each child with their own bedding, and would greatly appreciate small quilts (baby and toddler are most in need). In addition, since storage is an issue, the goal is to provide quilts as they are completed instead of waiting until the end of the year for a single donation.
The planned blocks are all 8” square (you will be turning in 8.5” blocks due to seam allowances). Each month (except October and December) directions will be provided via the newsletter, with an example and full-size pattern. A booklet will be available for members to pick up with all the patterns, and copies of “how to” directions from various sources (machine applique, half square triangles, paper piecing, string piecing, flying geese).
The blocks are of varying degrees of difficulty – the idea is to TRY new things! Feel free to make one or a dozen! The schedule is as follows:
May: I Spy in primary colors on white background
June: String Piece block in blues
July: Pinwheel Star in tones of one bright color
August: Applique flower basket on white with green corners
September: Roman Coins in brights with white setting
October: No blocks!
November: Paper pieced fish on blue water
December: No blocks!
January: Duck applique on white background
February: Boat w light blue sky and dark blue sea
March: Rail Fence in brights
April: Circle in pinks on yellow background
If you cannot bring your blocks to the monthly meeting, please contact Erica Jarrett for arrangements. The idea will be the monthly blocks will be available to any member to take home and make a quilt top – no specifications and creativity is needed! The top would then be returned to a meeting for another member to take home to quilt and bind. When a few quilts are finished, I will deliver them to Staben House. I hope to create at least 12 quilts, but feel free to donate any quilt tops you have or even finished quilts to the project! Staben House will be thrilled with all donations!
Erica Jarrett
Workshop Results – Members Preserving Memories
At the March workshop with Pat Bishop, we learned about abstracting memorable photos to make art quilts. Here are just a couple of the happy memories that were captured in fabric during our workshop - sitting on deck in Hawaii with a Mai Tai and a tropical bird and visiting Rockport, Massachusetts with family.
Sunshine Stitchers Invitation - Work on Quilt Show Projects!
You’re invited to join others to work on items for our Quilt Show such as the Boutique or Silent Auction! Of course, any project that you want to do in the company of others is welcome!
On the third Thursday of the month, members of Village Quilters meet at the State Bank of the Lakes, 50 Commerce Drive, Grayslake for an informal sew in. We meet from 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. It’s a drop-in affair. Show up when you can and leave when you must. We bring a sack lunch, sit, and chat. Some of us hand sew, and some bring a machine. There is an ironing board available to use and lots of tables to pin a quilt of lay out one. This is a great time to make new friends or meet up with old friends. All are welcome. Contact Marti Austin with any questions.
Treasurer’s Report
Bank Balance as of January 31, 2025: $35,608.69
Income: $240.00
Expenses: $2,017.46
Ending Bank Balance as of February 28, 2025: $33,831.23
February income included $165 in workshop fees and $75 in membership fees. The $2,017.46 in expenses above represent those that have cleared the bank as of February month end, the significant costs being $1,800 in speaker fees and $150 for March rent. However, there are $4,939.50 in checks which have not yet cleared the bank ($4,139.50 to CLC for show venue deposit and $800.00 for the February workshop fee). Therefore, the adjusted bank balance, after accounting for uncleared checks is $28,891.73.
Respectfully submitted, Melanie Houser, Treasurer
Membership Report
April is the start of membership renewal for all members. There is a $5.00 discount for the months of April and May where your membership renewal will cost $45.00 – so the time to renew is now! Effective June 1 the membership fee will return to full price at $50.00. Please note that military personnel and spouses are $25.00.
We had 48 members in attendance at our March meeting. New members Karen Schultz, Ellen Ewbank and Joan Lagedrost were additionally in attendance! Welcome ladies! We also had guests: Flo London, Carol Lynch, Mary Lee Khal and Ligia Colello joined us for the presentation. Ligia expressed interest in joining us in the near future.
Please don’t forget to greet our new members and please wear your name badges (we’ll take your quarters if you forget!) Lorraine Potts and Robyn McGarrigle are your membership co-chairs. If you have a question, please feel free to reach out to us!
Happy April Birthday to the following members:
Erica Jarrett- 4/6
Robyn McGarrigle 4/18
Linda McCabe - 4/20
Margaret Martin - 4/21
Julie Milne - 4/26
Edie Hirasawa - 4/28
Enid Mattimiro - 4/30