June 20, 2023 Guild Day

We had people coming and going throughout the day so please forgive me for not having a definitive number for members in attendance. The day was one of those ooo and awwww kind of days, particularly in the morning. We were greeted by a large box sitting on the table. It was our new Juki sewing machine!

It has a larger throat area so more quilting of larger pieces can be done. There are no fancy stitches, just straight, excellent for piecing. The construction is all metal, no computer in it, all the various feet are metal as well, no plastic. Every one is anxious to try it out.

As well we received the Ott lights that were ordered so now our hand stitchers will be better able to see their work.

                           

                              These will be excellent as certain parts of the room have dim lighting.

Someone jokingly referred to them as the old lady lights, but most of us agreed that we need them, especially if using dark coloured threads. I find I need much more light to work than I used to!

Maxine Long stopped in with a very special gift for us. In 2004 this was the Guild’s raffle quilt and Maxine won it. Now she is moving to a new home in Warman and will not have room to display it there so has gifted it back to us.

   On the label are the names of the members who worked on each square. The quilting was done by Kathy Schwartz before she had purchased her longarm machine.

Maxine also brought a bag of fabric which she donated to us, so we had that and a donation from Marg H. and one from Bev B.’s sister. There was a lot of fabric to sort and exclaim over! We quilters love fabric!

Thank you ladies, for your donations. We will put them to good use!

The bulletin boards in the church hall were in serious need of repair so Randy Beever agreed to fix them. He did a wonderful job! Thank you, Randy!

There is new cork board , the outside of the doors are beautifully white and everything is painted and straight with new hinges and properly closing doors!

                                                  And he left a special message for us as well!

Lynn has a Juki machine so she gave us a demonstration on its use. A free motion table was purchased which is larger than the one in the picture. 

Bev took the opportunity to test drive the new machine while assembling the house blocks that members had stitched.

Lynn has completed our fall raffle quilt. This pattern was one that did not lend itself well to multiple sewers so the task fell to Lynn to stitch the entire top. Thank you, Lynn, for all your hard work and time. Nadine did the quilting and supplied the batting. Beautiful work ladies!   

Tickets will be printed and be available for sale by our July guild day.        

                                                                     

This is one of the baby quilts we completed. Sandra S. did the machine quilting and our hand stitchers were able to complete the binding this morning with the help of the new Ott lights!                                

Baby quilt number two was made from a panel that was donated by a previous member. Sandra S. again did the machine quilting.                                                                                                                                

This is the second heart quilt we’ve stitched. We arranged the hearts a little differently for this one.

Show and Tell was once again a popular time.

Rae completed her Lone Star quilt. She used fabric left from her star to make the binding.

This quilt is from a pattern called Antelope Canyon. The black, white and gray make an intriguing pattern. According to Rae the hardest part of making this quilt was ensuring that all the pieces she cut were put in the correct baggies to keep them organized! Both this and the star were quilted by Michelle at Mami’s.

    This Stash Buster pattern is a free pattern from the Fat Quarter Shop. There is a lot of sewing in this top         and by the way, she says it didn’t  make much of a dent in her stash!                                                           

                                                                                                                       

Eileen was able to stitch this quilt from fabric she had purchased from Faktors and had in her stash. It was a mystery quilt-along. The quilting was done by Lori from Night Owl Quilting And Dye Works.

              Rather than purchase new fabric, she used what she had left from other quilts, for the backing.

Sandra stitched this table runner using the quick curve ruler. She made it for a friend who helped them out when she and her husband had car trouble on their recent trip to Winkler.

Donna completed her second Star cushion in the dark version to match the light colour way she completed last month. Beautiful pair, Donna.

Evelyn and Audrey shared the mesh bags they completed at the Cranberry Portage retreat that was held in Creighton in early June. These bags will be perfect to carry quilt projects!

June has been busy making baby quilts. This one was made from a pillow panel she had. A little slashing, some adding, and she has a lovely quilt some little one will love.

She calls this her wild one. I would say colourful with those bright pretty colours. Little girls love pink and purple!

I completed the baby quilt for our soon to be born great-grandson. Thank you to Marg F. for helping me with border width and binding choices. This is very pastel compared to other quilts I have made. It would be safe to say I was out of my comfort zone.

After backing my previous quilt with this Winnie the Pooh fabric, I had enough left to make a receiving blanket.

And finally, I stitched some burp cloths from a flannel fat quarter bundle that I picked up at Walmart. All I have to do is make some bibs and my baby bundle will be complete.

Sandra shared with us this quilt made for her by her late mother. It is pieced by machine and quilted by hand. Sandra said her mother was an exceptional quilter. She completed a Star quilt for each of her five children as well as many others gifted to various people. If you look closely at the quilt you can see what a wonderful quilter she was. She added more stars and borders because she was not a fan of square quilts.

To honour both her mother and also her late mother-in-law, Sandra created a very special memory quilt. This is a reversible quilt. On this side she used fabrics from clothing worn by her mother-in-law, in her favourite vibrant pink and purple colours. The pattern she used was Not Your Mothers Rail Fence from Highway 10 Designs. Because the fabrics were mostly rayons, Sandra had to mount them on muslin to stabilize them so she used a quilt as you go method to assemble the blocks.

On the reverse of the quilt she created a pattern to remember her mother. Because both these ladies quilted with whatever fabric they had on hand or could repurpose from elsewhere, Sandra chose to use the sheets that were used on her mother’s bed in the care home she was in. Everything she had was marked with her room number, 4032, which still can be seen in the corner of the quilt. After going through a bag of fabric bits and pieces that her mother had, she found some of the extra partial stars that her mother used on her star quilt, and added them to the memory quilt. There were five of them to match the five siblings. When Sandra placed the strips with her mother’s information she did it to match the position of the rails on the reverse side so that when it came to the quilting she could stitch in the ditch on the rails and the stitching highlighted the information bars. By using free motion quilting around the florals in the clothing fabrics she was able to fill the negative space around the information bars.

By very careful thought and placement she was able to create not only a memory quilt but was also able to reflect the personalities of the two women. She created a true family heirloom. Stellar job, Sandra!

A reminder everyone, there will be no UFO days in July and August. We will all be busy doing our summer things!

Gladys

Tuesday, May 17, 2023 Guild Day

 This is a very busy time of year! Gardening needs to be done, spring clean up time is here and somewhere we find time for our quilting! Guild day was well attended. During the day we had as many as 13 people coming and going. Everyone was multi-tasking, quilting, running errands, shopping and whatever else needed doing. We pin basted 4 quilts ready for members to take home and hone their quilting skills. Another group was busy putting together the batik comfort blocks which needed sashing and corner stones. Sandra S. quilted another baby quilt and applied binding so it is now ready for the hand stitching.

                Sandra is getting very proficient at the quilting, both free motion and walking foot method.

Rae is laying out the batik squares and pinning the sashing and corner stones so Sandra D. can stitch them. 

The finished top is very attractive. Now it needs to have a backing cut, batting cut and then be sandwiched and pin basted in preparation for quilting. Assembling the top is just the first big step ( after the members have stitched the individual blocks) in the process of making a quilt.

                          Today was also the draw date for the teal bear paw quilt we were raffling. 

The draw was made at the Flinty statue at 4:00 PM by Lynn and Phyl.  Mix them well! We sold all the tickets that were printed. Thank you to all the purchasers!

                                 And the winner is Christine Williams. Congratulations Christine!

Christine came to our meeting where we presented her with the quilt. She was very happy with her win! 

Our meeting was held in the Sanctuary this evening as the church ladies needed the hall to prepare for a funeral, so you will notice a somewhat different setting than usual.  We had a good number of Show and Tell items this evening.

                              Patty B. completed this animal quilt for the guild. Thank you Patty.

Melanie shared this beautiful quilt and its story with us. She started the quilt in 2013 as a mystery quilt and as the name of the quilt, Alternate Routes, suggests, there were many for Melanie. As often happens, life can get in the way of our quilting and so it was with her. She persevered and made those many, many triangles and was able to finish it in time to share with us before she will be moving. We wish you happiness in your new home in Winnipeg and are sorry to see you go. Thank you for sharing your journey!

                 The pattern Melanie used is Alternate Routes from Highway 10 Designs.

Patty E. is making bags. She is using her late father’s jeans and fabric her mother brought from Germany. What a beautiful way to remember her father. She will share the bags with her family members.

                      This quilt, quite aptly named Raindrops, was Sandra D.’s project at the retreat.

                            This bag from the Posies line is another of Sandra’s completed projects.

Eileen says that is quite okay to give fat quarters or fabric as a gift to someone so they can stitch a gift for you. This is what her sister did so Eileen could make a new tree skirt for her. Well played, sister!

This is a receiving blanket I stitched for my great grandson who will be born the end of August. This is a warm up project for the nursery quilt I am planning. The nursery theme will be Winnie the Pooh.

This is not the nursery quilt, lol! Grandson number 2 is getting married on September long weekend so I made up Petal Junction from Highway 10 Designs in the Smoke and Rust fabric line from Moda. Thank you to Pauline from Mama Bears for putting the kit together for me.

Audrey constructed this handy little tote with pockets that are open on the bottom so that taller items like water bottles will fit in, slip right to the bottom of the bag and not tip over or make the bag fold over with the weight.

Phyl put this quilt together at our retreat. She did some ruler work on the quilting. This will be gifted to her sister who is in care.

Another one of Phyl’s projects is this beautiful quilt in the Home Quarter pattern from Highway 10 Designs. Their patterns have been very popular this month! The fabric is Smoke and Rust from Moda and looks lovely in this pattern.

Patty B. has completed her Lone Star quilt which was our latest guilt-along. Beautiful work, Patty!

On May 27th the United Church Ladies held their Strawberry Shortcake Tea. We took advantage of their invitation to display our comfort quilts in the Sanctuary so that attendees at the tea had an opportunity to view our work. We are always happy to share our endeavours with community members and raise awareness of what we do as a guild.

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This is what we have completed so far. We have kits out with members and a number of sets of completed blocks so should have just as many more by donation time in November.

Happy quilting everyone! See you at UFO day on June 3rd. Enjoy our lovely weather.

Gladys

Retreat and Anniversary

 Friday and Saturday, May 6th and 7th, were our spring retreat days. The snowbird members were back home, and the winter birds were anxious for spring! Nineteen members turned out to stitch, visit and create. Lynn and Phyl made up some kits for a simple project so those who wished worked on those.

Retreat days give us a chance to work on projects that often get laid aside when working at home.

It’s always fun to work on pieces when you have company. When you need a wee break the opportunity is there to see what others are working on and have a chat.

There are people who can offer advice or help as needed, there are new things to see and no matter how long you have been a quilter, there is a helpful tip or idea to be had.

A catered supper was held on Friday evening for those who wished to partake. After a day of stitching it’s nice to relax and have a meal cooked by someone else! After the supper there was a Show and Tell of members’ first or oldest quilt still in their possession. There were very interesting stories to go with the quilts shown.

Saturday was a special day for the guild as we chose that day to mark the 25th anniversary of the North Star Quilt Guild. Cake and coffee or tea were served to 31 members and guests.

                           Thank you to the North of 53 Co-op for the beautiful and delicious cakes!

Lorna, Marg H., Marg F., Rae, Sandra and Evelyn are proud to say they have been members from day 1!

Sandra had the honour of cutting the first slice. The decorator created a beautiful quilt cake for us to enjoy!

Eric Westhaver was invited to take photos for The Reminder and a story of our quild’s history was submitted to him.

For those of you who do not have access to The Reminder, a copy of the story follows.

It was an exciting day on March 17, 1998. On that day, 25 years ago, the North Star Quilt Guild held its first meeting in what was then the Art Room of the Community Hall. A group of ladies who shared a love of fabric, creating and collaborating wanted to gather to share, learn, and create together. Among the group were Rae Baumgartner, Sandra Dixon, Evelyn Black, Lorna Heuchert, Marg Faktor and Linda Lautimus who remain as members to the present day. Initially meetings were held the first and third Tuesday evening of each month. A short business meeting was followed by a program and fellowship. The program included a Block of the Month, a draw for blocks, a demonstration of a new technique or project, and the highlight, Show and Tell. During Show and Tell members would bring quilted pieces or ones in progress, where advice and direction were needed. Challenges posed by members, mystery quilt alongs, and other sew alongs introduced members to new techniques and enhanced their artist talents.

Over the past 25 years the North Star Quilt Guild has evolved. The meetings have remained very similar but now instead of meeting at the Green Room, the Community Hall, or McIsaac School home ec. room, the guild works on projects and holds meetings at Northminster United Church. The first Saturday of each month is UFO day (unfinished objects) when members work on personal projects from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The third Tuesday of each month is Guild day from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, followed by a meeting from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. During the day members work on comfort quilts which will be donated to local organizations in Flin Flon, Creighton, Denare Beach and Cranberry Portage for distribution to families and children in need. As well the quild donates to more far reaching groups such as refugees, victims of wild fires and floods, Quilts of Valour for wounded veterans, and Quilts of Remembrance for families of military lost in active duty. After the bus crash of the Humboldt Broncos hockey team, the guild contributed a number of quilts to those distributed to victims, their families and first responders who attended the crash. Also receiving quilts are individuals and families who have serious illnesses or who are victims of house fires. In addition, the guild has sewn wheelchair quilts for the Northern Lights Manor and Flin Flon Personal Care Home, lap quilts for the Lions Handivan riders, placemats for Meals on Wheels, as well as quilts for the chemo centre and dialysis centre at Flin Flon General Hospital. Quilts have been donated to local organizations to aid in their fund raising efforts. The most recent project is to provide emergency agencies such as the RCMP and local fire departments with quilts to provide victims warmth and caring during devastating situations.

The first quilt show was held in September of 1998 with biennial shows thereafter. The focus of the quilt shows was to showcase the members’ personal artistic talents. Quilt shop vendors were invited to sell their wares to satisfy the quilting needs of members and the public at large. The last show was held in September of 2018. The implications of the pandemic, declining membership, more people travelling to warmer climes for the winter, plus the increasing ages of our members, necessitated an alternate format to showcase our personal artistic talents and our commitment to support our community. Most recently we displayed our 24 x 24 challenge pieces at NORVA and have coordinated displays at Culture days and other community events.

The guild has been fortunate to have new members join the guild over the years and more are always welcome. Learn to Quilt classes resumed this fall after Covid stopped in person gatherings and necessitated meeting via Zoom.

The pandemic also forced another adjustment as the desire to create and provide warmth and comfort to those in need remained. Kits with fabrics and instructions were compiled and distributed to members so quilt tops were being sewn and quilted even though we couldn’t demonstrate a monthly comfort block or gather to sew as a group. This allowed us to complete enough quilts for our annual donations.

During the past 25 years of the North Star Quilt Guild’s existence, in excess of 1250 quilts have been donated. Because of the enthusiasm of North Star Quilt Guild members and their love of sewing, the guild hopes to continue these services for many more years. The North Star Quilt Guild provides fellowship, new friends, the learning of new techniques, fires our creativeness, hones our skills, and gives good reason to continue with our sewing passion! Here’s to another 25 years! Cheers!