Are you as ready for Spring as I am? It may not be here just yet, but it is right around the corner and with it comes the excitement of a fresh, new season. This doesn’t just mean new weather. It can also mean new ideas, new plans, new perspectives and new projects. Our guest speaker this month is Teresa Duryea Wong and she just may be the person to put a new spark into our creativity! She will present a quilt lecture based on her new book American Cotton: Farm to Quilt.

During her presentation and trunk show of new & antique quilts, she will take us on a journey through life on the cotton farm today to textile mills in the 20th century, to the story of a few intrepid individuals who dared to bring back “Made in America “ quilting cotton. We will relive the story of American farm women and their long road from a life of chores to lives of choice. We also will discover the fascinating options for fabric shopping in the 1920s through the 1950s…and see beautiful antique quilts made in those years.

Saturday, April 13^th workshop is Combing Through Your Stash. This truly is a magical way to put your fabric stash to work by making a wonderful scrap quilt. ANY fabrics will work using this template -free method.

Learn to feel comfortable putting many fabrics together, to distinguish "value" and be able to make many different scrap wallhangings or quilts. Based on Karen's book Combing Through Your Scraps.

You may work on a quilt in class using shared fabrics from your classmates. This is a great place to use "ugly" fabric, to use up older fabrics, to use favorite fabrics ; all while making a beautiful quilt. If you wish, bring extra fabric to class to share with your classmates.

It's a cold, rainy day today as I write this newsletter. I am having a cup of hot chocolate to warm me up. I don't enjoy rainy and cold days, but they are PERFECT for staying home and sewing. I can get so much done!

As always, we have lots going on in Community Service. At the last meeting we had an entire crate of pillow case kits to be sewn. I am happy to report that they were all given out to members to sew. Thank you to everyone who took a kit. Now we can give a pillowcase with each quilt. The agencies we serve have really enjoyed receiving them. Last year we gave out over 300 quilts -- if that is any indication of how many pillowcases we need!

Now for a few "housekeeping" issues..... Please remember to do your best work on community service quilts. Straight seams, clipped threads, and seams ironed correctly. We have had some issues recently with bindings not being applied well. Remember, these quilts are going to be washed frequently. The bindings need to be straight and sewed down tightly (including the corners) so that they look great and wear well. We have a very good tutorial online if you need instruction. For pillowcases, please make your French seams carefully. We have had several with very bulky corners and numerous loose threads sticking out of the finished seam. We have also had pillowcases with VERY wide French seams making the entire pillowcase too narrow to actually fit a pillow. We wash and check every quilt and pillowcase before it is donated. We are having to spend a lot of time making quilts/pillowcases ready for donation. We have had some problems with Christmas stockings too. PLEASE refer to the guild website and click on "Resources." Every item has detailed pictures and instructions under "How to...." You do not need to log in to use this portion the guild website.

At the next meeting we will have LOTS of quilts that need quilting. We will have spray basted quilts available too. We haven't had many quilted the last few months because of the holidays.

Thank you to Patty Kopeck, owner of Sew Let's Quilt it for her recent donation of 24 bolts of fabric. This is her 3rd time to donate bolts of fabric. This is great for us! It gives us large pieces of fabric for quilt backs. And it gives her room in her shop for new fabric -- and that's great for us too!

Thanks to everyone who has donated their time to community service. Remember to login in and record your hours.

Quilt Show

By Julie Brooks

Hi Everyone -

The Show is August 9th and 10th this year. Please mark your calendars as it takes a village to pull off a quilt show so all members will be needed to make this a success. One of the largest ways the Guild raises money is through our Raffle Quilt.

Pam Wingate has the quilt at The Best Little Retreat Center in Texas -- if you have an event or belong to another guild please get with Pam so that you can pick up tickets and the quilt to take to your event. We strongly suggest that all Members buy $20 worth of raffle tickets and then sell them to your friends. To date we have raised $1200. Our goal this year is $6000 – to reach this we will need everyone’s help to achieve this. Remember this money lets our guild have wonderful programs and workshops. Please help us meet our goals.

Texas Association of Quilt Guilds (TAQG)

By Jeanne Fletcher

Rally Day is a one-day event in July that brings quilters from all over the area into one room to hear a renowned speaker (this year it is Pam Holland!), share lunch, win door prizes and in general have a good time. Two days prior and two days following Rally Day, the speaker holds workshops. That is what TAQG means to many of you. But the organization is much more. It is a non-profit organization whose primary objectives are to celebrate quilting through education, ideas and fellowship to promote the exchange of ideas and view between member guilds. The membership is made up of about 30+ guilds ranging in size from several hundred to less than 10 members. Every one of you is a member.

The organization has evolved over its 20 years of existence. Each guild sends at least one representative to the bi-monthly meetings. The meetings are broken into a general business meeting and a special interest meeting. The special interest portion is usually started with a questionnaire completed by each guild. Many times, a knowledgeable speaker is brought in to educate the representatives on the subject. Afterwards there is a sharing of ideas and suggestions. The representatives bring back what they learn to their guild membership/board. A newsletter is published quarterly to keep members informed of upcoming meetings, reports from the Special Interest meeting as well as a Calendar of upcoming Quilt Shows, guild lectures and classes. In addition, check out the website – www.taqg.org.

TAQG also offers a Grant of $1000 to guilds to use for educational purposes, research and development projects or historical preservation project. The 2018 grant was awarded to Farmersville Quilt Guild. This group of 25 members will use the largest portion of the grant to create a Quilt Trail through Collin County. The remainder will be invested in their ongoing Quilts of Honor project.

Quilters Guild of Plano has always been an avid supporter of TAQG, and I expect this year will be no different. As one of the host guilds for Rally Day on July 13, you will have the opportunity to help, both before and on Rally Day. As this year Rally Day is one of the official tasks of the guild, you will be able to count your service hours as service to QGP. Please address any Rally Day Volunteer questions to Sherry Worley.

As I am new to the QGP, please stop by and see me at the TAQG table. I will have workshop registration forms, entry tickets, lunch reservation forms, news about this year’s pin and pre-Rally Day raffle tickets.

Retreat

By Julie Brooks

Thank you so much to the 114 ladies that joined Sandy and I for 4 days of quilting fun. It was so great to see the generous hearts donate over 2000 items to the Dennison Helping Hands.

Congratulations to Diana Poor who won the Pfaff Sewing Machine Donated by Happiness is Quilting. During retreat 11 dog beds were made with everyone’s scraps so there was no wasted fabric! Congratulations to Table 17 that won the Fat Quarter bundle for the Charity Quilts - 12 Quilts were made during retreat and will be going to the Community Service crew.

If you would like to get into the Retreat fun in 2020, please send your $50 non-refundable deposit to Carol Long. Registration is open to GUILD members only until September 1st. Please make your checks out to Quilters Guild of Plano.

Thank you so much for letting Sandy and I host you all – we had a great time and hope you did too.

See the pictures in our Gallery.

Guild Activities

By Leanna Williams

We are now at the end of our Quiltmaker’s Puzzle Block of the Month challenge! Due to popular request, all blocks have been released and are now available on the website as well as two options for quilt layouts. If you are still working on your blocks, no worries! This is meant to be a fun activity, and there is no definite deadline as of yet. At the next meeting, feel free to bring in some of your finished blocks for show and tell, or if you have it already, bring in your finished quilt top. If you are new to the guild, all the information and patterns for this free challenge can be found on our website at www.qgplano.org. Under the Activities tab, a drop down menu appears where you will click on “Challenge”. The retreat is over, and boy did we get a lot done! From community quilts, to dog beds, to block of the month blocks, and all the other beautiful projects being made; there was an abundance of talent, laughter and friendship shared. Let’s all take a moment to pat ourselves on the back for how far we have come not only as individual quilters, but how we have grown and flourished as a guild. At the retreat, you could turn in any direction and see techniques being used that we have learnt from speakers, through workshops, and through helping each other. Individually we can accomplish something great, but as a group we possess a wealth of knowledge that can truly come together to create something wonderful.

Our next three-day retreat will be Wednesday April 17- Friday April 19th at Best Little Retreat Center in Texas. If you would like to sign up for the three-day retreat, please head over to the website and click on “Day Retreats” under the Activities tab, to find out more information and print out a Day Retreat Registration Form. I will also have signup sheets available at the Activity table in the main hallway at guild meetings if you would like to sign up while there. Retreats are a great place to meet other members and learn new techniques while having a blast!

Last but not least, and probably not my favorite subject by any means, the Spring Cleaning Challenge. I issued a challenge last month to begin cleaning up by tackling the one room that is near and dear to our hearts. The sewing room. This is an ongoing challenge because let’s face it, that room isn’t getting cleaned in just one month! Just as soon as you get one surface cleaned, you turn and there is another area needing attention. Plus every time you pull out a project to work on, you’ve just created a new mess! So let’s take it slow, and don’t be discouraged when your room isn’t magazine cover ready overnight. One section at a time once or twice a week and before you know it, you will love walking into your beautifully organized and functional space. I believe you can do it!

February‘s meeting was on Valentine’s day this year and we had 102 members present, 4 visitors, and 1 new family member join.

We would like to welcome our visitors; Debra Fleming, Marie Rees, Melanie Sanford and Michelle Parker. It was nice to meet these ladies and we invited them to come back to another meeting. Please help welcome our new members; Tom and Marinetta DeMoss. Please look for the DeMoss’s at our next meeting and show them how the Guild welcomes them.

January Door Prizes were donated by Best of Bernina Plano, Quilt Country, Fabric Fanatics and several anonymous donors. The Guild appreciates all their donations. As you are shopping in the quilt stores remember to thank them for their donations.

There were several 2018/2019 membership cards picked-up, however, we would encourage each of you to check and make sure you have picked-up your new card. The cards will be available at the March meeting and were taken to the retreat.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at the March meeting.

80 Fabric kits for the 2020 guild raffle quilt were handed out at the January guild meeting. So far 34 members have returned their blocks — which is great! All blocks are due by the April 11^th guild meeting. So, you still have plenty of time to complete your blocks.

It is like Christmas morning opening each zip block bag to see what block is inside. Everyone has done a different block so far and all of them are amazing! We have a good diversity of sizes too. It will be fun to sew the quilt together with so many great blocks.

A big thank you to all of the members who took fabric kits to make blocks. I realize not everyone was able to get a kit that wanted one. But, our guild raffle quilt can only be so big!

Our stocking project is going very well. This time last year, I needed fabric. This year I have lots and lots to work with. I took 500 stockings to the guild meeting, handed out about 50, and received 150. Then I took 100 to the Saturday Sit n Sew at Plano Sewing Center. Good work y'all!

Among the stuffing items were some snack sized Ziplocks with a few Q-tips, some flat cotton balls, etc. GENIUS! A person could do this very easily, quickly, and cheaply, and there are lots of ideas for what to go into the baggie. A couple Band-Aids with a couple alcohol swabs, a few basic mending items, the list goes on.

I have been asked to address the issue of imperfect stockings. Truthfully, yes mistakes have been made. A ribbon hanger in the wrong place, a little wobble in the stitches, and something could fall right through the hole, etc. I am lucky to have a batch of ladies, my angels, who willingly help with any problems. But, to ensure proper construction of the stockings, please check out the illustrated How To instructions: Christmas Stocking Instructions. There are also a lot of outstanding kits. When I started doing stockings, I was told to make 2-3 times as many kits as I wanted finished stockings to come back. I handed out 3000, and received a little over 1200. This has been the pattern ever since I can remember. But, hey no judgie-judgie from me! Just please bring them back so someone else can enjoy.

I took 27 beds to Wylie and Sachse, and asked if there were any specific sizes that would be helpful. The guy in Wylie got a tape measure and told me that they could use some smaller, flatter ones to go in cardboard pet carriers: 11x15, and 9x17, respectively. The lady in Sachse was pleased to find that I had travel pillow sized, perfect for cats. Of course, any size would be great. Pets come in all sizes. I want to spread the love and am still looking for rescue societies who would like to have some PSBs.

Someone made me some pet bed bags ready to be stuffed and sealed. I had not realized that this was a thing, but it was very helpful, because I generate an awful lot of SPB's from scrap donations and stocking leftovers. We should each keep a small waste basket with a SPB bag as a liner by the sewing machine and cutting table ready for scraps. NO TRASH IN IT, please, though. Recently got a nice big bag of scraps mixed with paper, and such. Had to throw it all away.

Now that we have had our wonderful Wonky Dresden Neighborhood speaker and workshop, anyone up for me to prep some Dresden wedges? I do love me some Dresden! I will try it this month, and then we will see if anyone wants that. We are particularly efficient and productive in making these beds, So good work, guys!

February 14, 2019

President’s Business: Rose Davis

The meeting was called to order at 6:46 PM.
The general meeting of the Guild will be back upstairs in March. We are being flexible to accommodate the needs of the Church.
The minutes and the Treasurer’s reports of January 10th, 2019 were approved as written in the Newsletter and on the Guild website respectively.
It is nomination time for members of the Executive Board. Many board members will be leaving after their 2-year tenure. Jeanne Vogel is chair for the nominating committee. Please contact Jeanne if you will join her on this committee. pickincotton26@verizon.net

COMMITTEE REPORTS:

Mini Quilts for Quilt Plano 2019: Kaye Dunn

We still need mini quilts for the raffle at the show. We now have 25% (20) of the 80 mini quilts we need. The guidelines for making a mini quilt are on the QGPlano.org website.

TAQG: Jean Fletcher

Rally Day is July 13th held at Mimosa Lane Baptist Church in Mesquite. Jean has the tickets for entry ($5.00) and the lunch ($10.00). Members must have their membership cards with them or pay $20.00 for entry.
Pam Holland is the speaker and she will have 3 workshops: “The Woman” Thursday July 11th; “Whimsy of Wandering” Friday July 12^th ; “Geraldine the Giraffe” Monday and Tuesday July 15-16.
All information may be found on the website, TAQG.org.

2019 Retreat: Julie Brooks

Retreat is a week away. People may still sign up for a massage by contacting Julie Brooks. (icjules@yahoo.com) The male masseur will only be doing chair massages. There are also 2 female masseurs.
Don’t forget the scissor sharpener will be there to do scissors and knives.  All table groups are being asked to do a community service quilt. The kits and information will be on each table group.
Tickets may be picked up for the Raffle Quilt at retreat.
Happiness is Quilting is the onsite quilt shop.
Karen Freeman is in charge of the fat quarter games we will be playing.
You can stop at the Quilt Asylum Quilt Shop in Van Alstyne on your way to retreat.
To get a ticket for winning the Pfaff sewing machine by bringing items such as those listed previously sent to retreat members. (Shampoo, conditioner, Clorox Wipes, toothpaste, toothbrushes etc.) All items collected will be given to the Denison Food Bank.

Quilt Plano 2019: Julie Brooks

The 2019 Raffle Quilt will be kept by Pam Wingate at the Best Little Retreat Center of Texas. Members need to buy their 24 tickets for $20.00. Then you can sell the tickets or keep them for yourself.
The demos at the Quilt Show are worth the price of an admission ticket. If you have a skill and will demo it please contact Tina Connolly. quiltytina@msn.com
The Quilt Show is the 9th and 10th of August at the Plano Event Center.

Guild Activities: Leanna Williams

The Guild has many new members and it would be nice if all of us wore a nametag. If you don’t have one please make one and wear it.
It’s almost spring and along with your cleaning your house it also a good idea to organize your sewing room. While cleaning if you find some things you no longer need you can bring them to Retreat and sell them on the Trash to Treasures table.
There will be a 3-day retreat on April 17-19th
For the Block of the Month we are on blocks 9 and 10. She will also release 11, 12 and 13 before Retreat. There will also be layout suggestions on the Guild website.

Community Service: Linda Neal

Members may turn in their red and white blocks for the 2020 Raffle Quilt.
We are pushing making pillowcases. Every quilt that we donate to the charities we try to include a pillowcase with it.
In the holiday stocking kits there is written instructions on how to make them. You may also find instructions on the Guild website. If you are having difficulty contact Martha O’Grady. 972-422-4613 martha_r_ogrady@yahoo.com Stockings are given to Soldiers and Veterans. We also accept items that may be placed inside the stockings.
You may pick up quilts that need to be bound. You don’t have to do the binding by hand, but if you do bind by hand make sure your stitches are short. If you bind a quilt make sure you have a straight (not wonky) stitch line.
In March the sew days are: Sit and Sew on March 12th at the Plano Sewing Center; Saturday Sewing Group on March 16th at the Best Little Retreat Center in Texas.

Programs: Janet Carver

On Saturday our speaker for the night Martha Lindberg is having a workshop on Wonky Houses and there are 2 spots open.
There won’t be a workshop in March. But in April Karen Combs will have 2 workshops: April 12th “Patchwork Illusions” and April 13^thCombing Through You Scraps”.

Membership: Carole Glover and Sue Rentz

There were 102 members present. The visitors were: Debra Fleming, Marie Rees, Melanie Sanford and Michelle Parker. A couple, Tom and Marinetta DeMoss have joined the Guild.
If members haven’t paid their dues, they are $30.00 per individual and $40.00 for a family membership.
There are still a lot of membership cards to be picked up.
We received door prize donations from: Best of Bernina Plano (2), Quilt country, Fabric Fanatics (3) and anonymous donors (3).

The meeting was adjourned at 7:25 for a break with speaker Martha Lindberg to follow.

Quilters Guild of Plano, Inc.

Programs

Teresa Duryea Wong

March Program

April Program

Karen Combs

Patchwork Illusions

Sunrise Star

Quilt of Illusion

Community Service

PISD School-Age Parent Program

Quilt Show

Texas Association of Quilt Guilds (TAQG)

Retreat

Guild Activities

Membership

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March Birthdays

Red & White Raffle Quilt

February Meeting Photos

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Stocking Report

Pet Shelter Bed Report

February Workshop Photos

General Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes