Guild Day, Tuesday, April 21, 2026

 This was another successful working day, albeit somewhat different than the usual. Fourteen members were present throughout the day working diligently on completing and joining the blocks for our fall raffle quilt. In order to complete the quilt, photograph it, print the tickets after obtaining the license and then getting tickets out for sale, we have to get down to business early! 

                                                 Those last few blocks are being assembled. 

                  The design wall was set up so the blocks could be arranged and switched as needed.

The blocks have been sewn into rows with sashing between them and now it’s time to add the horizontal sashing. This involves pinning and matching of points.

At days’ end, there was a horizontal row of stitching left to do, one more row of blocks to add and a border to go round all of it. By next guild day it will be ready to go to the longarmer. Well done, ladies!

As well as the raffle quilt, there was also work being done on the next Christmas raffle! Wow, and it’s not even spring yet when one looks outdoors. Moira and Iris were getting a good start in order to stave off a late rush and panic down the road.

This quilt top was put together by Rae from fabric bundles received from Christine Bell for making wildfire relief quilts. By the end of the day a backing had been prepared for it. The ladies used a piece of fabric that was too narrow, split it diagonally, slid the two resulting pieces by each other till the required width was achieved, then stitched, very carefully, the bias seam.

Rae is sharing a pattern using precuts to make this lovely top. There are always a number of things one can learn when you come to guild day and so many of them are spontaneous and unanticipated.

                                Judy is doing the hand stitching of the binding on this child’s quilt.

Comfort Quilts:

We now have thirty quilts in the tubs so have an excellent start on our November donation quilts. Following are the three added today.

We couldn’t be sure who to credit for this one, but it looks like this is Susan’s work. A happy little quilt for a little one!

Lynn had made up kits from fabric which had been donated by Nadine. I don’t know who stitched this, but it is one of those kits.

This Whirlwind quilt was a group effort by our members. The block was demonstrated by me, the members stitched the forty-two blocks, I joined them and added the borders, Nadine provided the backing and long arming and our hand stitchers did the binding.

We received a number of wildfire relief quilts, picked up by Audrey, which I will be putting in a separate post in order to keep this one at a reasonable length.

Show and Tell:

I decided to start early on my projects for the next winter season before this winter is even over. This set of placemats had been calling my name for some time. The pattern is Frosty Friends in the Nov/Dec ‘18 issue of Quiltmaker magazine.

                                                                

                                                                       The rest of the set.

Sandra and Rae stitched this lovely quilt from a free pattern. They have donated it to the guild. Thank you, ladies, someone will be very happy to receive this.

Sweater Weather is the name of this pattern. Sandra has done a beautiful job of stitching and colour choice on this quilt. 

  

    Laurie stitched this lovely denim look bag.

The bag also has an interior sleeve with a drawstring so that everything carried inside will be kept safe. The bonus for Laurie was that she learned to sew buttonholes for the handles! Good job, Laurie.

                      Cindy cut, pieced, stitched and quilted as well as bound this beautiful baby quilt.

Heather purchased some of the precuts donated by Christine and from the jellyroll created this lovely quilt.

Another quilt, the Plus Pop pattern, stitched by Heather from donated fabric she purchased. The panto is titled Radiance. She has donated both of these quilts to our guild. Thank you, Heather!

I don’t have a photo, but Marg donated several stitch rippers which she made at woodshop while in Arizona this winter. Thank you, Marg, they will certainly be put to good use!

Sandra stitched this lovely little bunny from a number of “freebies” that had been set out for our members.

Sandra tried her hand at fabric dying. The colour here was achieved by using onion skins. She says the temperature had to be closely watched to get the pale yellow colour.

The colour for this piece of fabric came from tree bark, I’m not sure of what type of tree it was from.

Donna completed her work in progress from some time ago. The pattern was from one of Marg H’s books and the quilt will go in Donna’s “tickle trunk” till such time as a baby girl is born to a friend or family member. It turned out beautifully!

Program:

Zoey demonstrated how to make a fabric bookmark and an easy makeup bag. She had instructions and kits made up for us to take home. These items will be used as sale merchandise when we set up at this summer’s markets .

Quilter’s Corner:

This evening Rae shared with us information on sewing machine needles and the different types and sizes that are available. Several members also shared tips on what to use or not use.

This handout is a quick and easy summary of what is available and what it can be used for. Note that Rae added the Embroidery, super nonstick which is what you want to use with fusibles so your needle doesn’t get all “gunked” up. Also, the leather needle should not be used on anything but leather. It has a chisel point on it that will leave holes and cut threads in fabric.

Remember everyone, that May first and second are our Spring Retreat days! Tammy will once again be serving a delicious catered supper on Friday and Lynn will be demonstrating a tissue holder pattern that can be used by ourselves or stitched for our merchandise table at the summer markets. Come out everyone and enjoy two days of sewing, creating and fellowship with our sister quilters!

Today’s Membership Draw winner was Sandra S.

Happy Quilting!

Gladys