Letter from the President

By Jeanne Vogel

Letter from the President - Jeanne Vogel 

April showers bring May flowers–-and lots of great donations of fabric, notions, patterns and more will be on the Bones Table May 9th, so bring some unwanted items and walk away with great prizes you do want and need.  Our tastes do change over the years so if you need more of an older line, you might just find it here!  A big Thank You for this crew who volunteered to help set up this fun activity:  Sue Rostosky, Carol Esch, Judy Curtis and Lisa Pruett.

The items not claimed will be donated to the International Rescue Committee that helps people affected by humanitarian crises recover and rebuild their lives.  If you have a working sewing machine that you would be able to donate, that would be greatly appreciated.  Our thanks to Denise Castelli for coordinating this effort to help women in need of sewing supplies. 

Need help registering your quilt for the Quilt Show?  Come with a picture on your phone and we’ll help you fill out the online registration!  How fun is that!!

Membership

By Raj Aggarwal and Barbara Goetz

April’s meeting was well attended for our speaker, Audrey Esarey.  There were 112 members, 16 on Zoom, and there were initially 10 guests, 3 of whom decided to join as members by the end of the meeting.  Welcome Joyce Jones, Janet Bockmehl, and Kay Smith!  By the way, we have a member who would love to have a ride to meetings if you live near the Frankford/Tollway area.  The May meeting is in need of Greeters.  Please contact Raj Aggarwal in Membership, or speak to her at the meeting if you are able to help with either of those needs.

The New Member Day Retreat was held on April 20th, even though we had to basically swim there through the storms!  Eighteen members spent a rainy Saturday sewing, sharing ideas and stories, and generally having a great time.  Lorrie Gray gave a demo on English Paper piecing, so new techniques for some to enjoy.  Door prizes were given, and two gift certificates to the Best Little Retreat Center in Texas were given as our grand prizes.  Sally Pitre and Donna Allenbaugh were our winners.  Thanks to all of you.  We had a wonderful time getting to know you.

Programs and Workshops

By Beth Swiatek and Linda Sullivan

Hope everyone enjoyed our April lecture about Audrey Esarey’s quilting journey.  Amazing that she started by filling in for a family member who couldn’t attend a quilting class, and has ended up a nationally known, award winning quilter, designer, and speaker….all while still working full time!!!  The quilting bug bit her really hard.  Workshops were full of laughter and fabric sharing as we tried to absorb Audrey’s tips on color theory and precision curved piecing.  Be sure to finish your projects and enter to display in Quilt Plano 2024 Special Exhibits to show everyone some of our workshop masterpieces.  (Not mentioning any names, but I know one lady on her third Watercolor quilt just since attending the workshop!)

In other news, (WOW!) our planned June Bag Making Fun sewing days coordinated with Chris Fredericks from Guild Activities appears to be a big hit!  Over 30 people signed Interest sheets at April’s meeting for Fun Days at BLRCT watched over by Donna Petrick and Dolores Williams!  If you gave us your info, you should have already heard from us thru email with a Registration Form and Experience Questionnaire.  Please return both for planning purposes.  Space is limited, so don’t wait to send them in; leftover spots will be opening up as you are seeing this newsletter.  Use the link below to print sign up paperwork.  See Guild Activities below for more details.  See you at the May Guild meeting as we hear Show and Judging Seminar details and start to sign up for Show volunteer spots.

May Guild Meeting - Thursday, May 9, 2024

Quilt Plano 2024 Show Rollout and Judging Seminar Info Talk

Details of the Show will be presented and there will be opportunities to be first in line to sign up for your favorite positions to help out Show days!

Guild Activities

By Chris Fredericks

The Pot Holder Exchange was a big success–it was so much fun to see what fellow quilters had sewed up and exchanged with fellow guild members.  The May 60’s Challenge has been extended to the June meeting.  Time to get your creative juices flowing and create an 18 x 20 wall quilt depicting an event from the 60’s.  Think JFK, MLK, Walking on the moon, music, etc. and start quilting.

June brings about a joint effort from our Programs and Workshop team of Beth Swiatek and LInda Sullivan and Guild Activities.  On June 14th and 15th, we will be hosting Bag Making Fun classes with Donna Petrick and Dolores Williams!  So much fun will be had at the Best Little Retreat Center in Texas as we gather with our resident experts to learn the art of bag making.  Refer to Programs and Workshops for all the details.

The July and August months bring about hot days, ice cream and most importantly Quilt Plano 2024.  With everyone’s focus on the show, and knowing we will all do our part to make the show a huge success, Guild Activities will be ready in September to kick out some exciting new projects for the remainder of 2024 and into 2025!

Want to be part of Guild Activities?  Email activities@qgplano.org and let me know you’d like to join in on the fun of planning out some ideas for next year!

Quilts of Valor

By Carolyn Cosgriff

We are honored to present 10 quilts in association with the DAR in April.  Quilts of Valor are presented as a civilian award to service men and women who were “touched by war”.  Anyone can nominate an honoree at QOVF.org.  Just add a comment so the nomination gets directed to our group among the many in the state if you want the recipient to get a quilt from our guild.  

The Quilters Guild of Plano stash of quilts is low again.  The recommended size of a Quilt of Valor is 60″ x 80″; it must be a minimum of 55″ x 65″ and maximum of 72″ x 90”.  Bold red, white and blue quilts are popular.  No flag fabric please as some service personnel are not comfortable cuddling up with a flag of any sort.   

Tops are welcome.  We have several guild long-armers who are happy to donate the quilting.  Please pin your name to the quilt and note what you contributed!  We have too many orphan quilts whose recipients deserve to know who gifted the lovely work.  We want to give you credit on the label!

Quilt Plano 2024

By Laurie Lumston

If it’s the month of May, then it means we’re ready for the Quilt Plano 2024 Roll-Out Meeting.  Think of it like a Volunteer Open House!  Browse the sign-up sheets and pick the time to volunteer during the show.  You’ll find a variety of options, including ones that are done seated and ones that get some steps in.

You’ll also be able to pre-order your lunches for Friday and Saturday while you’re at the show.  We heard your suggestions from last year, so this year the Plano Event Center has added a fancy lunch salad to the menu!  We’ll tempt your taste buds with Asian Chicken Salad (grilled chicken, red/green bell peppers, mandarin oranges, cilantro, chopped romaine with crispy wontons and sesame dressing). And of course, it will include one of their famous chocolate chip cookies, too!

There will be a duo of mini sandwiches, as well.  Choose from two chicken salad sandwiches (with cookie and chips) or the combo of one turkey and one ham mini sandwich duo (with cookie and chips).  So you’ll be well fed during the show!   Sing up at the May meeting!

We’ll also have the 2024 Quilt Plano Show Pins for sale, along with the Timeless Starburst raffle tickets and Show t-shirts. 

And we have a special treat in store for you at the May meeting!  Come hear from Diane Poor as she presents the Introduction to Judging Seminar that runs in conjunction with the Show.  We’ve had a LOT of interest in what the seminar is all about – especially from folks who don’t want to become a judge, but want to know more about how their quilts are judged.  So come to hear all about it!!

I’ll echo what Jeanne said in her opening comments.  Get those quilts registered before the end of the May meeting to avoid the registration fee!  If you wait until the June meeting, you’ll incur the $20 fee. 

Lastly, MINIS, MINIS, MINIS!  Keep working on them and bring your finished mini quilts to the May meeting.  This is a significant fundraiser at the Show and we want to exceed our success from last year!

Thank you to those volunteers who are already working hard as part of the QP24 Show Committee!  This group of volunteers are knocking it out of the park already!!! If you want to be part of this amazing team, please let me or Carol Truscott know.  We’d be glad to get you connected!

Community Service

By Val Schlake and Debbie Blair

Our collection for PISD was great!  The folks at PISD were absolutely thrilled with what we brought them.  Thank you to everyone that donated to this worthy cause.  We’ll be making some new parents very happy.

We still need help with longarming.  You can pick up quilts to longarm at our guild meeting or our community service sewing day.

Our next community service sewing day will be May 14th from 10 am to 2 pm at the Plano Sewing Center.  Everyone is welcome to come, just bring your sewing machine and basic sewing supplies.  We provide the kits to sew.

Thank you again to everyone for all the great work you are doing for community service!

Introduction to Judging Seminar - August 9-10, 2024

Do you enter quilt shows and want to understand what makes a winning quilt?  Are you interested in learning to judge quilts and wearables?  Do you know someone at another guild who coordinates their quilt show’s judging process?

The Quilters Guild of Plano is proud to once again sponsor a 2-Day Quilt Judging Seminar on August 9-10, 2024, at the same time as the Quilt Plano Show.  We offered this seminar last year at the same time as Quilt Plano 2023 and it was a huge success! 

During this seminar you will learn through a combination of discussion, lecture, PowerPoint presentations, and hands-on mock judging from qualified instructors certified by the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ). 

The 2-Day Seminar covers all aspects of quilt judging, including the job of judging, evaluating design and workmanship, categories and awards, judging systems, setting up the judging floor, and judging versus jurying.  Discussion includes certification requirements for the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ), the only national certifying organization for quilt judges.

Participants receive handouts including resource recommendations, art and design terms with definitions, a glossary, and sample contracts and invoices among others.  This seminar does not certify students nor is it a prerequisite for certification.

Stay tuned!  More information and online registration will be available in the coming weeks.

Education

By Liz Beaty and Lorrie Gray

In May, Liz and Lorrie will be at the Education table demonstrating how to make a simple quilt label, just in time for those quilt show entries!

If you missed Deanna Tucker’s demonstration on how to make a pillowcase, instructions can be found on the guild website here:  Simple Pillowcase

If you have a suggestion for a future demo or would like to volunteer to do a demo, please either talk to Liz or Lorrie at a guild meeting or fill out this simple Google form to give your ideas:  Education Demo Ideas

Record Your Volunteer Hours!

By Tisha Harms

We want to know what you are up to.  Record your volunteer hours and receive a volunteer bar for 30 hours of service!   For volunteering at Quilt Plano 2024, you will receive a charm for your bar! 

To record your hours just email volunteer_hours@qgplano.org.  If you do not have access to a computer, you can call Tisha Harms at 214.316.5066.

Record your hours at your convenience – daily, weekly, monthly or once a year noting the following categories:   Community Service,  Show, Education or Guild Work.

Send an email or make a call and we will keep track of your hours for you.    

When you have reached 30 hours, we will notify you that your bar can be picked up at the next general meeting!  

You can purchase a Vintage Sewing Machine pin for $5.00 at any guild meeting to hang you bar and charm on.For more information, contact Tisha Harms (214-316-5066 or volunteer_hours@qgplano.org).

Sunshine & Shadows

Happy May Birthdays to the following members:

• 7--Sue Rentz
• 8--Jeanne  Fletcher
• 10--Patricia Becerra
• 12--Becky Woods
• 13--Sally Ann Flak
• 14--Kimberly Pero
• 15--Sharon Tavana
• 17--Laurie Tanas
• 18--Leandra Carroll, Libby Triolet
• 19--Valerie Pearson
• 22--Caryn Schniederjan
• 23--Debbie Smith
• 24--Lori Hutyra
• 26--Nancy Worst
• 28--Sarah Vaughan
• 30--Joan Hammett, Margaret Lakie
• 31--Lisa Pruett, Barbara Goetz

News from the Zoom Bees

Pieceful Organization - Sarah Krauss, Jeanne Vogel, Monica Hendewerk

Every Wednesday from 1:30-3:30 pm -- Join us any week you can!

Need a friend to relieve clutter, stress, struggles and feelings of being overwhelmed?  We are Zooming using the inspiration from a workshop we attended.  Organization will change your clutter and chaos to start the day fresh with your stuff organized.  Less chaos leads to more productive quilt making!  Please contact mhendewerk@gmail.com for the zoom link.

Free Motion Quilting Bee (we actually sew during the meeting!) – Monica Hendewerk

Hoop It Up!  Come join us for a machine embroidery Zoom meeting.  Contact Donna Petrick – donna.petrick16@gmail.com to get the link for the monthly meeting on the third Thursday each month from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.  We share ideas and hints as well as sew during the call.  We are working on our challenge for the QP2024 show.

From the Bee Keeper -- In Person Meetings

Fourth Friday Featherweight Friends- Jeanne Vogel: pickincotton26@verizon.net

• Meeting at the Best Little Retreat Center in Texas  from 9am-9pm.
• Singer Featherweight sewing machines where we share tips for caring for the machine, our best notions, and have several members experienced with problem-solving both machine and quilting problems.
• Make your reservation by calling 469-708-2378 or email: info@blrcit.com   
• Either bring your lunch or we'll go out as a group to eat together.

Sew Happy Quilters - Aurora Chancy achancy@msn.com  

• • 1st and 3rd Thursday 9-4pm  
  • Sam Johnson Recreation Center @  401 W 16th St.  Plano, TX  
  • Bring your own project, sewing machine & supplies
  • We have lunch together at the Gazebo Cafe for $5 or less.

Sit N Sew Community Service Day–Val Schlake & Debbie Blair–communityservice@qgplano.org

• 2nd Tuesday from 10-2 pm
• Plano Sewing Center, 2070 Spring Creek Pkwy # 326, Plano, TX
• Bring your sewing machine and sewing supplies.

Monthly Meeting Photos

Access our monthly meeting photos and photos from the quilt show in our Gallery.

General Meeting Minutes

To read the minutes, use this link:  General Meeting Minutes

Then go to Guild Meeting Minutes and pick the last dated minutes.

Board Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes can only be accessed by guild members. Please login to your account.

Letter from the President

By Jeanne Vogel

Spring brings new beginnings for our days filled with sunlight, new flowers blooming, and getting such inspiration from attending the Dallas Quilt Show.  And with my work in doing some spring cleaning, I am going through all of my fabric stash to see what “no longer brings me joy” and getting ready to bring items to the Bones Table at the May 9th guild meeting.  Please send me an email/text/call if you or your small group would help set up the table and help with the leftovers to give to another charity. 

Quilt Show 24 online entries are open and ready for you to register your quilts.  Limit 4.

Dates to watch:

• April 9 -- Community Sew Day
• April 11 -- Guild meeting–bring your potholders for exchange, PISD donations
• April 12 & 13 -- Workshops
• April 13 -- Plano Art Quilt Group meeting
• April 20 -- New Member Day Retreat
• May 9 -- Guild meeting -- bring your unwanted quilting items & your 60’s challenge quilt
• August 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 -- Quilt Show Week 2024 and Quilt Judging Seminar

Membership

By Raj Aggarwal and Barbara Goetz

We had 64 members in attendance for our Zoom presentation in March, including one new member who joined us at the meeting.  Welcome, Susie Luttrell.  There were 8 members attending via Zoom.  Our current member count is 319.

We’re looking forward to the New Member Retreat on April 20th.  The space is now full, but if you are a new member and didn’t sign up in time, email Barbara Goetz or Raj Aggarwal and we will add you to a wait list in case of a cancellation.  See you there!

Programs and Workshops

By Beth Swiatek and Linda Sullivan

April Showers are watering our Flowers…

And ushering in our next Workshop Month!  Audrey Esarey will be at our April meeting to tell us about her path to becoming a Modern Quilter, and how she applies traditional techniques to her modern quilts.  Remember since she is one of our national speakers, there will be a $5 fee at the door for non-members to attend her lecture.  We have 1 slot left in each of her Friday/Saturday workshops.  (Hope all Saturday attendees saw in their email that the Saturday time is now 9:00am-4:00pm).  Online sign ups are now working, or you can print a registration sheet from the Guild website to mail or bring to the Guild meeting.  Speaking of Workshops, as announced at the March guild meeting, it appears the June workshops Love in Bloom and Bounce didn’t have much appeal to our membership.  We do have cancellation deadlines in our contracts, so we have gone ahead and canceled those workshops with Robin Koehler.  HOWEVER…we’ve planned a fun substitution event at BLRCT for those dates coordinated by Chris Fredricks from Guild Activities.

Stay tuned and see you at the April Guild Meeting!

April Guild Meeting - Thursday, April 11, 2024

Speaker:  Audrey Esarey – Finding My Voice in Modern Quilting

Workshop:  Friday, April 12, 2024, 10:00am - 5:00pm (1-hour lunch)

Audrey Esarey – Watercolor Quilt Workshop -- Fabric Gradation and Stress Free Curved Piecing

Workshop:  Saturday, April 13, 2024, 9:00am - 4:00pm (1-hour lunch)

Audrey Esarey – Ultraviolet Radial Workshop -- Paper Piecing on an Arc, Curved Piecing, Precision Piecing

May Guild Meeting - Thursday, May 9, 2024

Quilt Plano 2024 Show Rollout and Judging Seminar Info Talk

Details of the Show will be presented and there will be opportunities to be first in line to sign up for your favorite positions to help out Show days!

Guild Activities

By Chris Fredericks

The April Meeting will be so much fun as we’ll be holding the Potholder Exchange.  If you didn’t sign up but would still like to participate you can!  All you have to do is make two potholders and bring them to the meeting in a brown sandwich paper bag (I will have some extra at the meeting).  Put your name on the bag and then sometime during the meeting we will select a bag that does not have our own name on it and you will go home with two new potholders to enjoy for spring!

The Riley Blake Block Challenge is going strong!  The blocks have been interesting and I’ve enjoyed watching what fabrics other quilters are using on the Riley Blake FaceBook page.  The last block (#16) will be released on May 28th so we’ve rounded the corner and are headed towards the finish line.  Anyone interested in entering their quilt in the Quilt Plano 2024 Show should register online ASAP.  You can enter the quilt as a juried entry or as part of the Special Exhibits.  Wouldn’t it be fun to see all our quilts in the show?  

May brings about the deadline for the “60’s Challenge” and I hope many of you are working on a quilt that defines the 60s to you.  Quilt size is 16 x 20.

Community Service

By Val Schlake and Debbie Blair

PISD:  We are collectling donations for PISD, all donations need to be turned in at the April Meeting.  The young parents are so grateful to all that participate in helping them get a head start caring for their new family.  Items needed most are infant clothing and diapers.  Although, any items that will help them in their new journey of parenting will be appreciated.

Grab and Go Projects:  If you are unable to participate at Sew Day in person, a Grab and go can be finished at home on your schedule.  We appreciate any help you can provide.  All the Grab and Go's can be picked up during the guild meeting or at the CS sewing day.

• Quilts to be quilted
• Quilts to be bound
• Quilt tops to be completed
• Cuddle kits
• Pillowcase Kit
• Dog bed covers

Caring and Sharing:  Each member who donates a completed quilt (including quilting and binding) will be entered into a special drawing for a door prize (valued at $350 and growing).  The completed quilt should be from your stash and can be turned in at the Community Service Table at the guild meeting.  We can’t wait to see what you have created!  

Thank you for all you do, we could not do it without you!

Quilt Plano 2024

By Laurie Lumston

This month’s update is sweet and short.

• Minis
• Entries
• Judging Seminar Participants
• Special Exhibits from workshops and small groups

We need them all!  If you’ve thought about making a mini or a quilt to enter into the show, now’s the time!  The June deadline will be upon us quickly, so don’t wait to get started!  Bring your completed minis to the Guild meeting and leave them at the Quilt Show table. 

QP24 Volunteer shirts are for sale at the guild meeting and they’re going fast along with the Raffle tickets.  

At the May meeting, we’ll have our Quilt Plano 2024 Open House where you can sign up in the various volunteer slots, pre-order your meals, buy your coveted Show pins, and more!

Introduction to Judging Seminar - August 9-10, 2024

Do you enter quilt shows and want to understand what makes a winning quilt?  Are you interested in learning to judge quilts and wearables?  Do you know someone at another guild who coordinates their quilt show’s judging process?

The Quilters Guild of Plano is proud to once again sponsor a 2-Day Quilt Judging Seminar on August 9-10, 2024, at the same time as the Quilt Plano Show.  We offered this seminar last year at the same time as Quilt Plano 2023 and it was a huge success! 

During this seminar you will learn through a combination of discussion, lecture, PowerPoint presentations, and hands-on mock judging from qualified instructors certified by the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ). 

The 2-Day Seminar covers all aspects of quilt judging, including the job of judging, evaluating design and workmanship, categories and awards, judging systems, setting up the judging floor, and judging versus jurying.  Discussion includes certification requirements for the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ), the only national certifying organization for quilt judges.

Participants receive handouts including resource recommendations, art and design terms with definitions, a glossary, and sample contracts and invoices among others.  This seminar does not certify students nor is it a prerequisite for certification.

Stay tuned!  More information and online registration will be available in the coming weeks.

Education

By Liz Beaty and Lorrie Gray

In April, look for Deanna Tucker at the Education table.  She’ll be demonstrating how to make a pillowcase.

In case you missed it last month, here’s a quick YouTube video on How to Sharpen a Seam Ripper 

If you have a suggestion for a future demo or would like to volunteer to do a demo, please either talk to Liz or Lorrie at a guild meeting or fill out this simple Google form to give your ideas:  Education Demo Ideas

Record Your Volunteer Hours!

By Tisha Harms

We want to know what you are up to.  Record your volunteer hours and receive a volunteer bar for 30 hours of service!   For volunteering at Quilt Plano 2024, you will receive a charm for your bar! 

To record your hours just email volunteer_hours@qgplano.org.  If you do not have access to a computer, you can call Tisha Harms at 214.316.5066.

Record your hours at your convenience – daily, weekly, monthly or once a year noting the following categories:   Community Service,  Show, Education or Guild Work.

Send an email or make a call and we will keep track of your hours for you.    

When you have reached 30 hours, we will notify you that your bar can be picked up at the next general meeting!  

You can purchase a Vintage Sewing Machine pin for $5.00 at any guild meeting to hang you bar and charm on.For more information, contact Tisha Harms (214-316-5066 or volunteer_hours@qgplano.org).

Sunshine & Shadows

Sunshines:

Happy April Birthdays to the following members:

• 2 - Donna Petrick
• 4 - Jennifer Huser, Jaynee Eshbaugh, Connie Ryan
• 7 - Jeanette Grimm 
• 8 - Sara LIndsay
• 9 - Tina Connolly, Liz Beaty
• 13 - Sharon Holliday
• 15 - Laurie Becchtel, Mary Neflin
• 17 - Beverly Geise, Deanna Tucker
• 18 - Rose-Clair Fletcher
• 20 - Norma Bautista, Sharon Laney
• 21 - Barbara Washler
• 23 - Ann McDougal
• 27 - Mary Alice Caffarel
• 28 - Misty Cannefax, Dena Limpede, Elaine Henry
• 29 - Donna Demby, Deborah Skorepa, Pat Fowler

News from the Zoom Bees

Pieceful Organization - Sarah Krauss, Jeanne Vogel, Monica Hendewerk

Every Wednesday from 1:30-3:30 pm -- Join us any week you can!

Need a friend to relieve clutter, stress, struggles and feelings of being overwhelmed?  We are Zooming using the inspiration from a workshop we attended.  Organization will change your clutter and chaos to start the day fresh with your stuff organized.  Less chaos leads to more productive quilt making!  Please contact mhendewerk@gmail.com for the zoom link.

Free Motion Quilting Bee (we actually sew during the meeting!) – Monica Hendewerk

Hoop It Up!  Come join us for a machine embroidery Zoom meeting.  Contact Donna Petrick – donna.petrick16@gmail.com to get the link for the monthly meeting on the third Thursday each month from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.  We share ideas and hints as well as sew during the call.  We are working on our challenge for the QP2024 show.

From the Bee Keeper -- In Person Meetings

Fourth Friday Featherweight Friends- Jeanne Vogel: pickincotton26@verizon.net

• Meeting at the Best Little Retreat Center in Texas  from 9am-9pm.
• Singer Featherweight sewing machines where we share tips for caring for the machine, our best notions, and have several members experienced with problem-solving both machine and quilting problems.
• Make your reservation by calling 469-708-2378 or email: info@blrcit.com   
• Either bring your lunch or we'll go out as a group to eat together.

Sew Happy Quilters - Aurora Chancy achancy@msn.com  

• • 1st and 3rd Thursday 9-4pm  
  • Sam Johnson Recreation Center @  401 W 16th St.  Plano, TX  
  • Bring your own project, sewing machine & supplies
  • We have lunch together at the Gazebo Cafe for $5 or less.

Sit N Sew Community Service Day–Val Schlake & Debbie Blair–communityservice@qgplano.org

• 2nd Tuesday from 10-2 pm
• Plano Sewing Center, 2070 Spring Creek Pkwy # 326, Plano, TX
• Bring your sewing machine and sewing supplies.

Monthly Meeting Photos

Access our monthly meeting photos and photos from the quilt show in our Gallery.

General Meeting Minutes

To read the minutes, use this link:  General Meeting Minutes

Then go to Guild Meeting Minutes and pick the last dated minutes.

Board Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes can only be accessed by guild members. Please login to your account.

Letter from the President

By Jeanne Vogel

The purpose of the Quilters Guild of Plano is to unite individuals who have a passion for quilts and the art of quilting. Since quiltmaking is often a solitary effort, the moments spent with friends talking, enjoying, admiring, and dreaming quilts are most precious.

I was hesitant to take on the role of president of the guild as I was leading the guild retreat, but it worked with my great committee.  We had 70 quilters gather together at Retreat 2024.  Just for some history, the guild has been going to the Tanglewood Resort in Pottsboro since the early ‘90s (before I joined) and then took a break going to a couple of other venues before going back to Tanglewood last year.  We have made a retreat group committee instead of one person carrying the load and dividing the work before and after setup.  Thank you to this year’s team members helping me for a second year: Sara Lindsay and Linda Sullivan.  New to this year was Barbara Collins and Fran Levy.  Barbara Collins will be on the committee for 2025 with other new members.  Just as we rotate off other positions after 2 years, we found it best to do that with this committee also.  If you hadn’t heard, I was fine setting up Wednesday night and after helping folks unload their cars on Thursday morning, the Mountain Cedar got the best of me and I was left voiceless!!  So sweet Sara took the mic and we continued and had a wonderful 4 days.

Need to stay home and not come to a meeting?  We have moved the zoom link (that’s only accessible for members) to the website under the red menu bar at the top: Membership/Member Dashboard/Monthly Zoom Meetings–-hover over the words:  monthly zoom meetings.  How’s that for simplifying and not relying on a new email each month?  Thank you, Kris O’Connor!

 Keep these dates in mind:

• March 9 -- Art Quilters of Plano
• March 12 -- Community Sew Day
• March 13 -- Dallas Quilt Show Entry drop off
• March 14 -- Guild meeting
• March 15, 16, 17 -- Dallas Quilt Show–(needing volunteers)
• March 18 -- QP24 committee zoom meeting
• March 25 -- QGP board meeting
  • Make you Potholder for April meeting exchange
  • Bring your contribution for PISD pregnant students    
• April 11 -- Guild meeting
• April 12 & 13 -- Workshops with Audrey Esarey
• April 20 -- New Members Day Retreat 

Gather Those Bones!

Instead of having the Bones Table in April, we are going to have it in May.  So clean out your unwanted patterns, rulers, fabric and sewing notions to give to another while you search for a treasure all at no charge!

Membership

By Raj Aggarwal and Barbara Goetz

February’s meeting was well attended with 113 members present with six guests.  Many of you generously picked up packets to create nine patch blocks for farewell gifts.  We have a current need for brights and batiks in our blocks, as they are particularly desired by a few folks who are moving away (Julie Brooks).  If you can help us out there that would be much appreciated.  If your blocks are finished, please bring them in to the March meeting.

New Member Retreat will be held April 20, 2024 at the Best Little Quilt Center in Texas.  This is a wonderful opportunity to get to meet other new quilters and hear a little more about the guild.  If you haven’t signed up, do so soon, we’re excited to get to know you!  You should have received an email invite with a link to register.  If you didn’t get that, be sure to contact Barbara Goetz or Raj Aggarwal, Membership, whose email is on our web page.

Programs and Workshops

By Beth Swiatek and Linda Sullivan

Happy March and Welcome Spring!  Time for everyone to venture out of that sewing room and gather for a Guild Zoom with Carol Soderlund.  Carol will be joining us from Ferndale, WA with her lecture FIFTEEN ELEMENTS exploring, “What are the properties that underlie beauty in art, nature, and quilts?”  Join your quilty friends and watch together on the big screen!  Also be sure and come visit us at the Programs Table for Workshop signups.  Only 1 or 2 slots left in April workshops with Audrey Esarey. Online sign ups are now working, or you can print a registration sheet from the Guild website to mail or bring to the Guild meeting.  Remember to let us know early if you need to cancel your workshop spot so we can fill from the waitlist; refund policies are printed on the Workshop Registration Form.  You are also welcome (and encouraged!) to find a friend to take your spot if for some reason you end up with a workshop date conflict.  See you at the March Guild Meeting!

March Guild Meeting - Thursday, March 14, 2024

Speaker:  Carol Sunderland – Fifteen Elements

“This talk looks at architect Christopher Alexander’s Nature of Order, and how his ground-breaking ideas on what defines and creates life-force in everything from microorganisms to mountain ranges, Persian carpets to office buildings, have a lot to say about design in quilts.”

Community Service

By Val Schlake and Debbie Blair

Things are rocking and rolling within our Community Service Village!  We thank those of you that have stepped up and become part of our QGP-CS creating quilted items for those in our community in need of a little kindness!  It truly takes a village and we couldn’t do it without you!

A few reminders:

• PISD:  Drop off your items for PISD students in March & April so they can be delivered in May.  We can make a real difference in these new young parents' lives and appreciate anything you can do.  There is a big need for infant diapers and infant size clothing… or any other items a new mother or dad might need.  It is a wonderful program and we are proud to be part of it.
• Sew Day:  Join us the second Tuesday of the month for Sew Day.  (March 12th from 10am until 2pm).  Bring your sewing machine and basic sewing supplies and we will provide the rest.  We have a good time together doing what we love to do… SEW.
• Grab and Go:  Not able to come sew with us?  No worries, we have grab and go projects that can be completed at home.  Simply pick up at the Guild meeting and then drop off completed at the next meeting.  
• Sharing and Caring:  Is launched!  Make a quilt from your stash and turn it in complete as your gift to “share” and your name will be added to our drawing for a mobile sewing table and a basket of goodies valued at over $350 and growing.
• Donations:  Time to spring clean your sewing area?  We can always use fabric yardage, orphan quilt tops, supplies and any completed quilts that need a new home.  We will be happy to finish and gift them to someone in need in the community.
• February Deliveries:
  • Quilts-51  
  • Cuddles-8  
  • Pillowcases-42  
  • Dog Beds-48

We are so fortunate to have so many members dedicated to helping others through our Community Service Programs, your continued generosity and support is appreciated!

Valerie Schlake (804)-651-9026 and Debbie Blair (469)-226-9376

Quilt Plano 2024

By Laurie Lumston

The QP24 Planning committee continues to work on hosting a fantastic show! 

We’ll continue selling raffle tickets for Timeless Starburst.  $20 gets you 25 tickets this year, one extra!  Check out the QP24 table next to membership at the Guild meetings.

That’s also where you will find the QP24 Volunteer t-shirts!  Yes, they are in and selling fast!  The volunteer shirts are short-sleeve gray and super soft. If you see some shirts in royal blue, those are the Planning Committee shirts  so you can spot us easily at the show.

And make sure to put the May 9th Guild meeting on your calendar.  That’s our Quilt Show Open House where you can learn more about the event, sign up for your favorite Volunteer spot, buy beautiful Show pins, pre-order your Volunteer lunch during the Show, buy raffle tickets and T-Shirts….  It’s gonna be fun!

In the meantime, keep working on those mini quilts for the Silent Auction and on your quilt entries for the Show.  Entries registration goes live online March 1st!

Introduction to Judging Seminar - August 9-10, 2024

Do you enter quilt shows and want to understand what makes a winning quilt?  Are you interested in learning to judge quilts and wearables?  Do you know someone at another guild who coordinates their quilt show’s judging process?

The Quilters Guild of Plano is proud to once again sponsor a 2-Day Quilt Judging Seminar on August 9-10, 2024, at the same time as the Quilt Plano Show.  We offered this seminar last year at the same time as Quilt Plano 2023 and it was a huge success! 

During this seminar you will learn through a combination of discussion, lecture, PowerPoint presentations, and hands-on mock judging from qualified instructors certified by the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ). 

The 2-Day Seminar covers all aspects of quilt judging, including the job of judging, evaluating design and workmanship, categories and awards, judging systems, setting up the judging floor, and judging versus jurying.  Discussion includes certification requirements for the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ), the only national certifying organization for quilt judges.

Participants receive handouts including resource recommendations, art and design terms with definitions, a glossary, and sample contracts and invoices among others.  This seminar does not certify students nor is it a prerequisite for certification.

Stay tuned!  More information and online registration will be available in the coming weeks.

Guild Activities

By Chris Fredericks

It’s hard to believe that March is upon us!  In New York we truly take the saying “March comes in like a lion, and goes out like a lamb” to heart.  We usually wait for that one last Nor’easter to slam the east coast and cover the crocuses and daffodils with snow only to have it quickly go away.  We wait for the garden centers to slowly bring in spring and summer plants.  Now being in Texas, I’m enjoying seeing the garden nurseries already filling up with flowering plants and herbs and veggies!  This being said…..

Spring in the Guild?  What’s in store?  

March/April:  In March we will be handing out the insul-brite to those participating in the Pot Holder Exchange which will be taking place in April.  Think about putting tulips, daisies and other spring motifs on your pot holders. 

May:  The Riley Blake Challenge is heading into week 7 and will wrap up in May.  The fabric choices that everyone has selected are beautiful.   Again, think spring and summer colors, bright pinks, blues and fuchsia.  It will be interesting to see everyone’s quilt tops all sewn up and ready to enjoy!  Great news:  Everyone can choose to enter their Riley Blake Quilt in this year’s quilt show.  I’ve emailed everyone about entering a juried quilt or entering a quilt in the Special Exhibit area of the quilt show.  It would be fun to see all our beautiful quilts in this year's show!

June: will bring on the 60’s challenge.  Hope everyone is working on their submission!

And then we head into the summer months with Quilt Plano 2024. 

I am interested in hearing of other activities that might be fun to implement.  Stop by the Activities table at the next meeting and jot down any suggestions you may have.  Or email me with your ideas!

Happy Quilting!

Coming Soon.....

April Guild Meeting - Thursday, April 11, 2024

Speaker:  Audrey Esarey – Finding My Voice in Modern Quilting

Workshop:  Friday, April 12, 2024, 10:00am - 5:00pm (1-hour lunch)

Audrey Esarey – Watercolor Quilt Workshop -- Fabric Gradation and Stress Free Curved Piecing

Workshop:  Saturday, April 13, 2024, 10:00am - 5:00pm (1-hour lunch)

Audrey Esarey – Ultraviolet Radial Workshop -- Paper Piecing on an Arc, Curved Piecing, Precision Piecing

Education

By Liz Beaty and Lorrie Gray

Coming up this month at the Education table, learn how to sharpen your dull seam ripper with the aid of a bead reaming tool.  Bring your old, dull ripper with you and we’ll show you how it’s done!

We hope you enjoyed learning about the American Quilt Study Group from member Barbara Goetz in February.  If you missed her then, you can typically find her at the membership table if you’d like to learn more.

To suggest a future demo or volunteer to do a demo, please either talk to Liz or Lorrie at a guild meeting or fill out this simple Google form to give your ideas:  Education Demo Ideas

Record Your Volunteer Hours!

By Tisha Harms

We want to know what you are up to.  Record your volunteer hours and receive a volunteer bar for 30 hours of service!   For volunteering at Quilt Plano 2024, you will receive a charm for your bar! 

To record your hours just email volunteer_hours@qgplano.org.  If you do not have access to a computer, you can call Tisha Harms at 214.316.5066.

Record your hours at your convenience – daily, weekly, monthly or once a year noting the following categories:   Community Service,  Show, Education or Guild Work.

Send an email or make a call and we will keep track of your hours for you.    

When you have reached 30 hours, we will notify you that your bar can be picked up at the next general meeting!  

You can purchase a Vintage Sewing Machine pin for $5.00 at any guild meeting to hang you bar and charm on.For more information, contact Tisha Harms (214-316-5066 or volunteer_hours@qgplano.org).

Sunshine & Shadows

Sunshine:

Happy March Birthdays

• 2 -- Jeanne Vogel
• 3 -- Deb Lockwood
• 4 -- Janelle Garrett, Sheryl Vaughan
• 5 -- Cathy Daigle
• 6 -- Kathy Glover, Martha Jones
• 8 -- Barbara Collins
• 10 -- Shirley Gylleck
• 11 -- Evelyn Meany, Patty Griffith
• 14 -- Raj Aggarwal
• 15 -- Denise Green
• 17 -- Jana McBroom
• 18 -- Karen Woodard
• 19 -- Pam Walsh, Heather Maloney, Linda Chappell, Alice Payn
• 20 -- Marilou Wimmer
• 22 -- Fran Casey
• 23 -- Candy Mahaffey, Marty Crouch
• 25 -- Sharon McGinnis
• 27 -- Ashley Stovall
• 28 -- Denise Castelli

News from the Zoom Bees

Pieceful Organization - Sarah Krauss, Jeanne Vogel, Monica Hendewerk

Every Wednesday from 1:30-3:30 pm -- Join us any week you can!

Need a friend to  relieve clutter, stress, struggles and feelings of being overwhelmed?   We are Zooming using the inspiration from a workshop we attended.  Organization will change your clutter and chaos to start the day fresh with your stuff organized.  Less chaos leads to more productive quilt making!  Please contact mhendewerk@gmail.com for the zoom link.

Free Motion Quilting Bee (we actually sew during the meeting!) – Monica Hendewerk

Hoop It Up!  Come join us for a machine embroidery Zoom meeting.  Contact Donna Petrick – donna.petrick16@gmail.com to get the link for the monthly meeting on the third Thursday each month from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.  We share ideas and hints as well as sew during the call.  We are working on our challenge for the QP2024 show.

From the Bee Keeper -- In Person Meetings

Fourth Friday Featherweight Friends- Jeanne Vogel: pickincotton26@verizon.net

• Meeting at the Best Little Retreat Center in Texas  from 9am-9pm.
• Singer Featherweight sewing machines where we share tips for caring for the machine, our best notions, and have several members experienced with problem-solving both machine and quilting problems.
• Make your reservation by calling 469-708-2378 or email: info@blrcit.com   
• Either bring your lunch or we'll go out as a group to eat together.

Sew Happy Quilters - Aurora Chancy achancy@msn.com  

• • 1st and 3rd Thursday 9-4pm  
  • Sam Johnson Recreation Center @  401 W 16th St.  Plano, TX  
  • Bring your own project, sewing machine & supplies
  • We have lunch together at the Gazebo Cafe for $5 or less.

Sit N Sew Community Service Day–Val Schlake & Debbie Blair–communityservice@qgplano.org

• 2nd Tuesday from 10-2 pm
• Plano Sewing Center, 2070 Spring Creek Pkwy # 326, Plano, TX
• Bring your sewing machine and sewing supplies.

Monthly Meeting Photos

Access our monthly meeting photos and photos from the quilt show in our Gallery.

General Meeting Minutes

To read the minutes, use this link:  General Meeting Minutes

Then go to Guild Meeting Minutes and pick the last dated minutes.

Board Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes can only be accessed by guild members. Please login to your account.

Letter from the President

By Jeanne Vogel

The purpose of the Quilters Guild of Plano is to unite individuals who have a passion for quilts and the art of quilting.

We have increased the social time before the meetings and included a 10 minute break so we can meet our old friends and make new ones as we have new members joining every month.  What a crowd! 

Make sure you stop by each of the tables after checking in at Membership -- buy a pin, register for a workshop, turn in your mini-quilt, buy your raffle tickets, turn in/pick up in your community service, see the activities, see the demo, see the visiting guild’s raffle quilt.

Great that we were reminded at the January meeting that we leave a legacy by our speaker, Connie Keller.

The board members had two opportunities to hear presentations from an attorney (that also is a quilter) on how to manage a non-profit organization.  We covered topics regarding our mission statement, a code of ethics, conflict of interest, financial audits, and more.  We have already created a donation receipt form for the donation of fabrics/quilting supplies that we are accepting.  This was held in conjunction with the board members of the Quilter’s Guild of Dallas and the president of the Dallas Modern Guild.

The Dallas Modern Quilt Guild will also be visiting to sell raffle tickets for 2 grand prizes -- a freshly serviced Singer featherweight model 221 with a brand new case and a 2 night stay at the Whitehall Hotel in downtown Houston for the International Quilt Festival (November 1-3, 2024).  Plus, they have at least 15 wonderful mini-quilts which will be displayed to sell tickets.

And please bring either cash or a check to pick up a packet of 25 tickets for $20 for our Quilt Plano 2024 raffle quilt with the drawing on August 10, 2024.

Record Your Volunteer Hours!

By Tisha Harms

We want to know what you are up to.  Record your volunteer hours and receive a volunteer bar for 30 hours of service!   For volunteering at Quilt Plano 2024, you will receive a charm for your bar! 

To record your hours just email volunteer_hours@qgplano.org.  If you do not have access to a computer, you can call Tisha Harms at 214.316.5066.

Record your hours at your convenience – daily, weekly, monthly or once a year noting the following categories:   Community Service,  Show, Education or Guild Work.

Send an email or make a call and we will keep track of your hours for you.    

When you have reached 30 hours, we will notify you that your bar can be picked up at the next general meeting!  

You can purchase a Vintage Sewing Machine pin for $5.00 at any guild meeting to hang you bar and charm on.For more information, contact Tisha Harms (214-316-5066 or volunteer_hours@qgplano.org).

Programs and Workshops

By Beth Swiatek and Linda Sullivan

Happy February! 

Hope everyone was inspired by Connie Keller in January.  WOW! 27 years working at the same fabric store and building a business at the same time.  Just goes to show that if you start small, follow your passion (quilting, of course!), and accept help from friends, you can end up with something even bigger than you anticipated!  Join us in February to hear about one of Becky Goldsmith’s passions…THREAD!                                

In other news…did you notice online signup for workshops is now available on the guild website?  Registration sheets are also available to print off and mail in or drop off at a guild meeting for a cash/check discount.  Next workshop opportunity is in April with Audrey Esarey.  Don’t delay signing up since both of her workshops are already over half filled, and expected to reach capacity.  When we hit 20 students, we’ll start a waiting list. 

As a reminder, workshops DO have a cancellation policy.  So if you end up with a date conflict, let us know ASAP (also so we can move someone up from the waiting list).  For a full refund you need to email programs@qgplano.org at least 14 prior to the date of the workshop.  50% refund is given if notification of cancellation is 7-13 days prior to the workshop. No refunds will be made if cancellation is 6 or fewer days before the workshop, or for no-shows the day of the workshop.  Fees will be fully refunded if the instructor needs to cancel the workshop.  All these policies are also in print on the Workshop Registration sheet. Hope you can join us at the next guild meeting!

February Guild Meeting - Thursday, February 8, 2024

Speaker:  Becky Goldsmith – The Secret Lives of Thread and Needle

Learn all about the mysteries of Thread!”

March Guild Meeting - Thursday, March 14, 2024

Speaker:  Carol Sunderland – Fifteen Elements

April Guild Meeting - Thursday, April 11, 2024

Speaker:  Audrey Esarey – Finding My Voice in Modern Quilting

Workshop:  Friday, April 12, 2024, 10:00am - 5:00pm (1-hour lunch)

Audrey Esarey – Watercolor Quilt Workshop -- Fabric Gradation and Stress Free Curved Piecing

Location:  Best Little Retreat Center in Texas, 7989 Beltline Road #168, Dallas, TX

Cost:

• Member Online:  $50.00
• Member Cash/Check Discount Price: $45.00
• Non-member Online: $60.00
• Non-member Cash/Check Discount Price: $55.00

Workshop:  Saturday, April 13, 2024, 10:00am - 5:00pm (1-hour lunch)

Audrey Esarey – Ultraviolet Radial Workshop -- Paper Piecing on an Arc, Curved Piecing, Precision Piecing

Location:  Best Little Retreat Center in Texas, 7989 Beltline Road #168, Dallas, TX

Cost:

• Member Online:  $50.00
• Member Cash/Check Discount Price: $45.00
• Non-member Online: $60.00
• Non-member Cash/Check Discount Price: $55.00

Guild Activities

By Chris Fredericks

The annual guild retreat is being held from Feb. 15-18, 2024 at the Tanglewood Resort at Pottsboro, TX.  We have 71 members joining and/or rejoining the group from last year that returned to the Resort after several years of trialing other venues.  We will have Home a la mode as our retreat store, a “Bones” table, Trash to Treasure Sale, and of course some door prizes.  And four days of sewing, socializing, and eating while overlooking Lake Texoma!

The Riley Blake Block Challenge 2024 has 38 participants!  It has been a lot of fun and I look forward to seeing everyone’s quilts once we’re done with the challenge.  Coming up is the Pot Holder Exchange -- there is still time to enroll in this activity -- stop by to see what’s going on with Guild Activities, register and gear up to have a lot of fun.

Quilt Plano 2024

By Laurie Lumston

We all know that time flies!  I find myself asking where January went!  It’s  also a great reminder that the quilt show will be here before we know it!  I have folks asking what they can do to get involved, so I’ve created a Get Involved list for February.  How many of these items can YOU check off?

• Finish my mini quilt and turn it in at the next Guild meeting.  The Minnies are counting on me!
• Finish the quilt top for my entry in the Show and get a good photo of it so I’m ready to fill out the online registration on March 1st.
• Buy my $20 raffle ticket packet.  As a member, this is how I can spread the word and give the tickets to my family and friends.  Or I can put my name on them all and just give my family and friends the top half as bookmarks!  We strongly encourage every member to participate at the $20 level.  We’ve even got a bonus of an extra ticket this year! $20 will get you 25 tickets!  And don’t forget to sign the raffle ticket book that you’ve done your part.
• Decide what I’d like to do as a volunteer at the Show.  There are so many choices!!  Make my decision by the May meeting when sign-ups are open.  First-come, first-serve so I’d better be ready.

And one last thing. A shout-out to everyone who took approximately 3,000 total bookmarks out to the various quilt stores and other locations.  And a thank you to Roxy Gross for bundling them so nicely!

Great job, everyone!  February, here we come!!  🙂

Introduction to Judging Seminar - August 9-10, 2024

Do you enter quilt shows and want to understand what makes a winning quilt?  Are you interested in learning to judge quilts and wearables?  Do you know someone at another guild who coordinates their quilt show’s judging process?

The Quilters Guild of Plano is proud to once again sponsor a 2-Day Quilt Judging Seminar on August 9-10, 2024, at the same time as the Quilt Plano Show.  We offered this seminar last year at the same time as Quilt Plano 2023 and it was a huge success! 

During this seminar you will learn through a combination of discussion, lecture, PowerPoint presentations, and hands-on mock judging from qualified instructors certified by the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ). 

The 2-Day Seminar covers all aspects of quilt judging, including the job of judging, evaluating design and workmanship, categories and awards, judging systems, setting up the judging floor, and judging versus jurying.  Discussion includes certification requirements for the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ), the only national certifying organization for quilt judges.

Participants receive handouts including resource recommendations, art and design terms with definitions, a glossary, and sample contracts and invoices among others.  This seminar does not certify students nor is it a prerequisite for certification.

Stay tuned!  More information and online registration will be available in the coming weeks.

Community Service

By Val Schlake and Debbie Blair

Happy February!  With the holidays now behind us, we are excited to know Spring is right around the corner!  It is a great time to consider “giving back” to our community!  We have many ways to get involved whether a little or a lot. 

Community Sew Day:  We meet the second Tuesday of each month at Plano Sewing Center from 10 until 2pm.  Just bring your sewing machine and basic sewing supplies and we provide the rest!  Consider joining the fun with our village of passionate quilters!  

Caring and Sharing:  (formerly Birthday Quilt) has begun for 2024.  We have a fabulous prize for it so get busy on your quilt.  (A portable sewing table and a basket full of great sewing supplies and notions.)  Your quilt should be made from your stash and completely finished.  (One quilt entry per person.)

• * Child quilt: no larger than 40” x 60”.  (200 or less linear inches = (width + length) x 2) receives 1 ticket                                                                                                     
• *** Throw quilt up to  60 x 70  (201 to 275 linear inches = (width + length) x2) receives 3 tickets                                                                                                                                          
• ***** Twin size quilt minimum of  68” x 86” or larger. (minimum 276 to 350 linear inches = (width + length) x2) receives 5 tickets                                                                                                                                                               

We look forward to seeing what you create during show and tell!  So SHARE your stash and make a complete quilt to show you CARE!  Stop by our table and get the details of how to win a prize valued at over $250.00 while giving back to our community!

February Focus:  Pre-cut child quilt kits will be available for pick up at the guild meeting.  Each will take 2 to 3 hours to complete and can be turned back in the following month. 

Grab and Go:  Not able to come sew with us?  No worries, we have grab and go projects that can be completed at home.  Simply pick up at the Guild meeting and then drop off completed at the next meeting.  

Donations?  Time to spring clean your sewing area?  We can always use fabric yardage, orphan quilt tops, supplies and any completed quilts that need a home.  We will be happy to finish and gift them to someone in need of a little kindness in the community.

We are so fortunate to have so many members contributing to our Community Service program,  your continued generosity and support is appreciated…  We couldn’t do what we do without you!  Thank you.

Valerie Schlake (804)-651-9026 and Debbie Blair (469)-226-9376

Education

By Liz Beaty and Lorrie Gray

In February at the Education table, learn about the American Quilt Study Group from member Barbara Goetz.  American Quilt Study Group is member supported.  Its aim is to connect quilt enthusiasts who enjoy the study of quilts and textiles, from the earliest quilt fragments to the current era, through research and community.  Anyone who has an interest in the history of quilts, or indeed in women's studies, will find this may be a group for them.  Barbara will have information about the group and membership applications available.  She’s also bringing the quilt that she is currently studying! 

If you missed Julie Cohagen’s demonstration of several “disappearing” blocks last month, you can check out this YouTube playlist of Missouri Star videos to walk you through them:  Disappearing Blocks

To suggest a future demo or volunteer to do a demo, please either talk to Liz or Lorrie at a guild meeting or fill out this simple Google form to give your ideas:  Education Demo Ideas

Quilts of Valor (www.QOVF.org)

By Carolyn Cosgriff

First and foremost, the mission is simple- Cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.

A huge thank you to the lady who anonymously left dozens of quilts at the Plano Sewing Center for Quilts of Valor.  With funding from the State coordinator, we sent 11 quilts to Midland and 6 to Conroe to help those groups with their backlog.  And, we still have over a dozen quilts.  If anyone knows who made the quilts, please encourage her to come forward so we can properly say thank you.  (Maybe she’s from Prosper?)  The donation was an extremely generous gift of time, skill and financial resources.

Sunshine & Shadows

 Shadows:

Membership

By Raj Aggarwal and Barbara Goetz

Speaker Connie Keller entertained 77 of our current 194 members at our January meeting.  We welcomed two new quilters to the group, Mari Semrad and Kimberly Pero.  Glad to have you ladies.  Thanks to Ms. Keller for some great raffle prizes, and our targeted raffle kit, won by Rose-Clair Fletcher, was very popular.  We’ll be doing those every other month, while continuing our regular attendance raffles.  New members, keep an eye out for a new member day retreat on April 20th.  More info to follow.

Happy Quilting!

Happy February Birthdays to These Members

• Grace Culbertson and Judy Curtis -- 2/1
• Rosie deLeon-McCrady -- 2/5
• Nadine Darby and Deb Nordgren -- 2/9
• Linda Neal -- 2/11
• Anabel Garza -- 2/12
• Beth Schmiedel -- 2/16
• Julie Cohagen -- 2/19
• Azenath Wright -- 2/21
• Julie Schaefer -- 2/22
• Carole Bruce -- 2/23
• Cynthia Weisz  and Jamie Schmitz -- 2/25
• Valerie Schlake -- 2/26

News from the Zoom Bees

Pieceful Organization - Sarah Krauss, Jeanne Vogel, Monica Hendewerk

Every Wednesday from 1:30-3:30 pm -- Join us any week you can!

Need a friend to  relieve clutter, stress, struggles and feelings of being overwhelmed?   We are Zooming using the inspiration from a workshop we attended.  Organization will change your clutter and chaos to start the day fresh with your stuff organized.  Less chaos leads to more productive quilt making!  Please contact mhendewerk@gmail.com for the zoom link.

Free Motion Quilting Bee (we actually sew during the meeting!) – Monica Hendewerk

Hoop It Up!  Come join us for a machine embroidery Zoom meeting.  Contact Donna Petrick – donna.petrick16@gmail.com to get the link for the monthly meeting on the third Thursday each month from 10:00 am to 11:00 am.  We share ideas and hints as well as sew during the call.  We are working on our challenge for the QP2024 show.

From the Bee Keeper -- In Person Meetings

Fourth Friday Featherweight Friends- Jeanne Vogel: pickincotton26@verizon.net

• Meeting at the Best Little Retreat Center in Texas  from 9am-9pm.
• Singer Featherweight sewing machines  where we share tips for caring for the machine, our best notions, and have several members experienced with problem-solving both machine and quilting problems.
• Make your reservation by calling 469-708-2378 or email: info@blrcit.com49-708-237   
• Either bring your lunch or a group we go out to eat together.

Sew Happy Quilters - Aurora Chancy achancy@msn.com  

• • 1st and 3rd Thursday 9-4pm  
  • Sam Johnson Recreation Center @  401 W 16th St.  Plano, TX  
  • Bring your own project, sewing machine & supplies
  • We have lunch together at the Gazebo Cafe for $5 or less.

Sit N Sew Community Service Day–Val Schlake & Debbie Blair–communityservice@qgplano.org

• 2nd Tuesday from 10-2 pm
• Plano Sewing Center, 2070 Spring Creek Pkwy # 326, Plano, TX
• Bring your sewing machine and sewing supplies.

Monthly Meeting Photos

Access our monthly meeting photos and photos from the quilt show in our Gallery.

General Meeting Minutes

Click to read the General Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes can only be accessed by guild members. Please login to your account.

Letter from the President

By Jeanne Vogel

The purpose of the Quilters Guild of Plano is to unite individuals who have a passion for quilts and the art of quilting.

 A new calendar year is beginning but we are entering our 2nd quarter with the board members and getting to know everyone a little bit better.  So the board and some members offering their time to help now have QGP name tags to identify us at the meetings.  If you have a name tag, please wear it so we can get to know you better. 

Thinking I could share some things you probably don’t know about the board members as the months go along.  We have 14 board members: Raj, Liz and myself are native Texans.  From New York are Chris, Laurie, and Linda; Barbara and Val are from Illinois, Lorrie from Oklahoma, Kris from Wisconsin, Ginny from Minnesota, Donna from West Virginia, Beth from Michigan and Debbie was born in Germany! 

We plan to change around the room set up when we are back in the Fellowship Hall–-so come prepared for a fresh start!!   We plan to have those collecting funds to be together in the alcove with the best lighting:  Membership, Guild Products, Programs, and Quilt Show selling raffle tickets and collecting mini-quilts.  Community Service will stay close to the doors so carrying heavy loads in and out is the most convenient.  Guild Activities will be as you enter, along with Education so that you are not missing visiting all of the parts that make up the guild.

We would love for you to donate 15 minutes of your time to help greet members at the front door and also to help set up tables for these areas.  It’s a fun way to meet and make friends.  Let me know if you are willing to help.  Those helping greet can just rotate their time so the doors are covered and no one is missing the social time.

Reporting of Volunteer Hours is due by the end of January for the calendar year of 2023.  Please see the article in the newsletter from Tisha Harms and soon we will have this added to the website to explain the ways to earn the service bars to attach to the QGP sewing machine pin.

But what a great turnout we had for the in-person meeting in December!  And, yes, we are still working on the Zoom camera and volume for those not able to attend the meeting or who live far away.  Stay tuned.

Record Your Volunteer Hours!

By Tisha Harms

We want to know what you are up to.  Record your volunteer hours and receive a volunteer bar for 30 hours of service!   For volunteering at Quilt Plano 2024, you will receive a charm for your bar! 

To record your hours just email volunteer_hours@qgplano.org.  If you do not have access to a computer, you can call Tisha Harms at 214.316.5066.

Record your hours at your convenience – daily, weekly, monthly or once a year noting the following categories:   Community Service,  Show, Education or Guild Work.

Send an email or make a call and we will keep track of your hours for you.    

When you have reached 30 hours, we will notify you that your bar can be picked up at the next general meeting!  

You can purchase a Vintage Sewing Machine pin for $5.00 at any guild meeting to hang you bar and charm on.For more information, contact Tisha Harms (214-316-5066 or volunteer_hours@qgplano.org).

Programs and Workshops

By Beth Swiatek and Linda Sullivan

Hope your Holidays were Blessed and Happy!  Did anyone use Donna and Tisha’s Free Standing Lace ideas from the December Program to create some beautiful conversation starting gifts?  Their display was truly inspirational.                                                      

Now on to 2024!  January’s Program finds us being motivated by Connie Keller to not be afraid to experiment and enjoy in our own little quilty worlds.  Becky Goldsmith joins us in February to educate us on thread.  Thread weight DOES matter on different fabrics, battings, and projects—but lots of sewers don’t realize what those numbers mean! 

Workshops for this year: April 12, 13 and June 14, 15

PLEASE NOTE:  We are trying to be fiscally responsible with Guild funds.  Due to low interest, we have canceled the February workshops. Nationally known speakers are a big investment, so workshop sign ups really help cover those costs.  Our next workshops are on April 12 and 13 with up and coming nationally known quilter Audrey Esarey.  She creates gorgeously interesting quilts.  These classes on her techniques for curved and paper piecing are a bargain.  Sign up now and reserve your spot! 

Getting online Paypal Workshop Registration and a printable Registration sheet on the website is still in the works.  Meanwhile, try the snazzy Newsletter link below to connect to a printable Registration sheet.  Print it and then snail mail it in or turn it in at a Guild meeting.

       Workshop Registration Form

If the link does not give you a dialog box to select your printer when you try to print it, check your download folder as it may have downloaded a copy of the form that you can print.

See you at the January Guild meeting!

January Guild Meeting - Thursday, January 11, 2024

Speaker:  Connie Keller – Longarms and Legacy

“Love it, own it, don’t be afraid to leave your legacy.”

February Guild Meeting - Thursday, February 8, 2024

Speaker:  Becky Goldsmith – The Secret Lives of Thread and Needle

Learn all about the mysteries of Thread!”

March Guild Meeting - Thursday, March 14, 2024

Speaker:  Carol Sunderland – Fifteen Elements

April Guild Meeting - Thursday, April 11, 2024

Speaker:  Audrey Esarey – Finding My Voice in Modern Quilting

Workshop:  Friday, April 12, 2024, 10:00am - 5:00pm (1-hour lunch)

Audrey Esarey – Watercolor Quilt Workshop -- Fabric Gradation and Stress Free Curved Piecing

Location:  Best Little Retreat Center in Texas, 7989 Beltline Road #168, Dallas, TX

Cost:

• Member Online:  $50.00
• Member Cash/Check Discount Price: $45.00
• Non-member Online: $60.00
• Non-member Cash/Check Discount Price: $55.00

Workshop:  Saturday, April 13, 2024, 10:00am - 5:00pm (1-hour lunch)

Audrey Esarey – Ultraviolet Radial Workshop -- Paper Piecing on an Arc, Curved Piecing, Precision Piecing

Location:  Best Little Retreat Center in Texas, 7989 Beltline Road #168, Dallas, TX

Cost:

• Member Online:  $50.00
• Member Cash/Check Discount Price: $45.00
• Non-member Online: $60.00
• Non-member Cash/Check Discount Price: $55.00

Quilters Guild of Plano Social Media

By Bonnie Landon

Did you know that our guild has both a public and private Facebook page?  The public Facebook page is open to all who wish to like or follow our page and is full of information about upcoming events and programs, the annual Quilt Show, helpful quilting tips and tutorials and just plain fun posts.  You can like or follow our public page by going to:  QGoP Public Facebook Page

We also have a private, members-only Facebook group page.  It is open to QGP members in good standing.  You will need to answer three quick questions and agree to the group rules when you request membership in the group.  An admin will review your request and will either approve or deny your request.  Be sure to answer questions 1 and 2 and agree to the group rules.  Omitting one of these steps is what usually causes a request to be denied.  In the event your request is denied, the admin will try to provide you with a reason for the denial.

We encourage you to join the members-only group so we can keep our members “in the loop” when we have updates and information we need to share with the membership.  It’s a fun group where you can ask or answer quilting questions, comment on posts, or just check out all that’s going on in our Guild.  You can request membership in the group by going to:   QGoP Members Only Facebook Page

And if you’re on Instagram, we also have a presence there.  Follow us on Instagram by going to:  QGoP Instagram

Our Social Media Team looks forward to having you join us on Facebook and Instagram! And if you’re already following us . . . Thanks!

Guild Activities

By Chris Fredericks

Happy New Year everyone!  Wasn’t the December Holiday Meeting a wonderful event!  It was a fun evening filled with so many activities.  Fat Quarter Lotto was a huge success with 6 bundles going out to guild members.

For me, January typically brings about a time to organize/reorganize my quilting space -- cleaning, going through my fabrics, looking at my unfinished projects, figuring out what I want to accomplish in the coming year.  I’m so excited that this year there is something new on the agenda for when the New Year starts.   January brings about the start of the Riley Blake Block challenge.  We currently have 25 guild members enrolled in this activity and we’re all looking forward to the first block being released on January 9th.  There is still time to join in on the fun!  Email activities@qgplano.org if you would like to join the party!  

Get your brain cells working as we’ll be having another quilting quiz at the January guild meeting.  The November trivia game we held was fun and something similar is in the works for January.  It’s another opportunity for us to engage, laugh and test our quilting knowledge.  

Enjoy quilting!

Quilt Plano 2024

By Laurie Lumston

January marks the official kick-off for QP24!  Several of you have asked about the overall timeline, so here’s a preview:

• January:  Monthly QP24 Planning Meetings begin.
• March:  Registration opens!
• March – April:  Get those quilts done and buy raffle tickets!
• May:  The May Guild meeting is our Show Kick-Off and Volunteer Sign-Up (and time to get those quilts finished!)
• June:  Times running out!  Registration closes at the end of the June Guild meeting. 
• August 9-10:  Showtime!!  It’s also our Introduction to Judging Seminar (see more about this in this newsletter)
• September:  Wrap-Up and Debrief
• October – November:  Build out the QP25 Planning Committee
• December:  Get ready to do it all over again!

Raffle tickets are on sale now!  We like the beautiful aqueous front because it shows off the bright beautiful colors in the raffle quilt, but it can be a bit tricky to write on – so either use a Sharpie marker or just flip it over and write your name and phone # on the back beneath the perforation.  The winning ticket wins whether your info is on the front or the back!

Bookmarks are here, too!  They look amazing and they need to get spread all across North Texas!  The front shows off our raffle quilt and the back includes the Programs line-up for the year.  And a quick snap of the QR code will link you to the Guild’s website!  Please grab a BIG handful from the Programs table at the next Guild meeting and have fun distributing!!  We have some that flip up and down to view the back and some that flip right and left. You pick what you like best. The Programs team has worked hard to present a fabulous line-up for 2024, so keep a few bookmarks handy so you don’t miss anything!

Visit the Quilt Plano 2024 website for more details.  And a big thank you to Kris for getting it updated!  As we get closer to the show dates, we’ll enable more of the hyperlinks on the site.  In the meantime, if you have any questions about the show, please reach out to Laurie Lumston or Carol Truscott – or any of the fabulous QP24 Team members who you met at the December Guild meeting!

Introduction to Judging Seminar - August 9-10, 2024

Do you enter quilt shows and want to understand what makes a winning quilt?  Are you interested in learning to judge quilts and wearables?  Do you know someone at another guild who coordinates their quilt show’s judging process?

The Quilter’s Guild of Plano is proud to once again sponsor a 2-Day Quilt Judging Seminar on August 9-10, 2024, at the same time as the Quilt Plano Show.  We offered this seminar last year at the same time as Quilt Plano 2023 and it was a huge success! 

During this seminar you will learn through a combination of discussion, lecture, PowerPoint presentations, and hands-on mock judging from qualified instructors certified by the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ). 

The 2-Day Seminar covers all aspects of quilt judging, including the job of judging, evaluating design and workmanship, categories and awards, judging systems, setting up the judging floor, and judging versus jurying.  Discussion includes certification requirements for the National Association of Certified Quilt Judges (NACQJ), the only national certifying organization for quilt judges.

Participants receive handouts including resource recommendations, art and design terms with definitions, a glossary, and sample contracts and invoices among others.  This seminar does not certify students nor is it a prerequisite for certification.

Stay tuned!  More information and online registration will be available in the coming weeks.

Community Service

By Val Schlake and Debbie Blair

Hope everyone had a wonderful Holiday season and New Year’s celebration.

We thank you again for your generosity and sharing of your talents to create so many items to share with our community. In December we delivered 38 quilts, 29 cuddles, 36 pillowcases, and 29 dog beds!! 

Sharing and Caring (formerly Birthday Quilt) begins the new year in January.   We have a fabulous prize for it so get busy on your quilt.  It just has to be made from your stash and completely finished. The 2023 winner of the filled sewing basket was Mary Frances O’Neill.  Thank you to all that made a quilt to share.  So share your stash and make a complete quilt to show you care! 

PISD program collection continues with the new year.  These are baby items for student parents in high school.  They get to shop for items in a store in December and May each school year.  Baby clothes, diapers, bibs, baby quilts, etc. are collected now until April.

We invite everyone to come to our Community Service Sewing Day the second Tuesday of every month at Plano Sewing Center from 10 am to 2 pm.  Just bring your sewing machine and basic sewing supplies and we will provide the rest.  You can also drop off items you’ve made or pick up items to make on your own there during that time.

We look forward to another great year of Community Service with your help!

Valerie Schlake (804-651-9026) and Debbie Blair (469-226-9376)

Plano Community Home was the recipient of these quilts and pillowcases that we had the pleasure to deliver before the holidays.

Education

By Liz Beaty and Lorrie Gray

Welcome to 2024!  After a holiday break, Liz and Lorrie are gearing up to bring you lots of great educational moments during social time before the guild meetings.

First up, you don’t want to miss guild member Julie Cohagan as she demonstrates the Disappearing Nine Patch block in January.  If you’ve never witnessed the design versatility of this simple technique, prepare to be amazed.  There are so many possible variations depending on how you place your fabrics and rotate the blocks.  Trying to find new ones can become addicting, in a good way!  

If you have a suggestion for a future demo or would like to volunteer to do a demo, please either talk to Liz or Lorrie at a guild meeting or fill out this simple Google form to give your ideas:  Education Demo Ideas

Quilts of Valor (www.QOVF.org)

By Carolyn Cosgriff

First and foremost, the mission is simple- Cover Service Members and Veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor.

An anonymous donor brought in 38 finished Quilts of Valor to the Plano Sewing Center.  We are blessed and are looking at our guild first to see how many have husbands or family members that served in the military and were in the war arenas.  Please let us know so we can wrap and comfort them with a quilt!  Please email communityservice@qgplano.org

Sunshine & Shadows

A big shout out to Pat Wiant who has been a long time member of the guild and while she travels and is not as active at the guild meetings, she has been a long time unrecognized member that does all the mailing of cards to members of the guild. During the last 3 months, Pat has sent out 12 cards to our members.  So, if you know of someone that needs a card just email us to let us know: president@qgplano.org

Membership

By Raj Aggarwal and Barbara Goetz

There were 89 members at the holiday party, including 7 guests and two new members.  Welcome to the guild Peggy Keirstead and Deb Lockwood.  Also Janna McBroom has joined us online.

Membership has acquired a few door prizes that are likely to have limited appeal to our members.   For these door prizes, we are going to hold a limited raffle for these items as part of our door prizes.  We hope that in this way folks who are really interested in these items have a better chance of winning them.  In January, we will be raffling off a fabric Easter Egg kit.  If you are interested in this item, please pick up a special ticket when you check in.  Future prizes in this category include patterns for large, complex applique quilts and samplers.  Not for the faint of heart, but if you love hand applique, these may be a gold mine for you.

A friendly reminder to contact membership@qgplano or aggarwal.rajni0@gmail.com if you are having trouble logging into your account.  And, also, please contact us if you are not getting this newsletter in your email, and are relying on someone to forward it to you.  We apologize for the trouble some of you are having--and we will do our best to help you solve it.

And a friendly reminder that the logout button is located under Membership/Member Account--go there and scroll down and you should see it.

Happy January Birthdays

• 2 - Sherrie  Tootle
• 3 - Jo Wong
• 7-  Lily Gutierrez   and  Tina Steenburg
• 8- Sue McCormick
• 9- Donna Allenbough
• 10- Jeanne Kooda
• 13- Lisa Jones
• 15- Lorrie Gray
• 26- Peggy Cord, Joe Levy, and Marsha Reese
• 29- Roxanne Garrett
• 31- Michelle Parker
  

News from the Zoom Bees

Bag Making Zoom Group - Donna Petrick

The Bag Group is now meeting and we are looking forward to making bags and having fun.  We are meeting the 3rd Wednesday at 7:00 pm.  If you want to join in, please email me to be placed on the Zoom meeting notice.  petrickdl@outlook.com

Pieceful Organization - Sarah Krauss, Jeanne Vogel, Monica Hendewerk

Every Wednesday from 1:30-3:30 pm -- Join us any week you can!

Need a friend to  relieve clutter, stress, struggles and feelings of being overwhelmed?   We are Zooming using the inspiration from a workshop we attended.  Organization will change your clutter and chaos to start the day fresh with your stuff organized.  Less chaos leads to more productive quilt making!  Please contact mhendewerk@gmail.com for the zoom link.

Free Motion Quilting Bee (we actually sew during the meeting!) – Monica Hendewerk

Hoop It Up Bee – Donna Petrick

The machine embroidery group meets the third Thursday each month on Zoom.  We talk about problems or successes we might have had in using our machines as well as having show and tell.  We are open to all levels of users.  If you have an interest in machine embroidery, please join us.  Email me petrickdl@outlook.com so I can send you the Zoom invitation.

Chicks with Feathers — 3rd Saturday from 1-3pm (Not meeting in Nov. & Dec.) -- Jeanne Vogel

Sit & sew with your Singer Featherweight sewing machines.  Tips, tricks and advice to make straight stitch sewing simple and precise. Those who have not previously notified me, please email at pickincotton26@verizon.net to get the invitation to join the Zoom meeting.       

From the Bee Keeper -- In Person Meetings

Fourth Friday Featherweight Friends- Jeanne Vogel: pickincotton26@verizon.net

• Meeting at the Best Little Retreat Center in Texas  from 9am-9pm. (Not meeting in Nov. & Dec.)
• Singer Featherweight sewing machines  where we share tips for caring for the machine, our best notions, and have several members experienced with problem-solving both machine and quilting problems.
• Make your reservation by calling 469-708-2378 or email: info@blrcit.com49-708-237   
• Either bring your lunch or a group we go out to eat together.

Sew Happy Quilters - Aurora Chancy achancy@msn.com  

• • 1st and 3rd Thursday 9-4pm  
  • Sam Johnson Recreation Center @  401 W 16th St.  Plano, TX  
  • Bring your own project, sewing machine & supplies
  • We have lunch together at the Gazebo Cafe for $5 or less.

Sit N Sew Community Service Day–Val Schlake & Debbie Blair–communityservice@qgplano.org

• 2nd Tuesday from 10-2 pm
• Plano Sewing Center, 2070 Spring Creek Pkwy # 326, Plano, TX
• Bring your  sewing machine and sewing supplies.

Monthly Meeting Photos

Access our monthly meeting photos and photos from the quilt show in our Gallery.

General Meeting Minutes

Click to read the General Meeting Minutes

Board Meeting Minutes

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