Friday, March 25, 2016

Quilt Company East - Newsletter for March

Please forgive any formatting errors...
some formatting - including pictures, do not translate to blogger from pdf files.

Quilt Company East Quilt Guild
NQA Chapter 797
www.quiltcoeast.org
quiltcoeast.blogspot.com

HelloEveryone!
Yes, that is me in the photo. Honestly, I am not smoking a cigar, nor do I have a mustache. I am, however, pictured having fun at the recent retreat. My hat is off to those on the committee for organizing the event, the menus, and the vendors. And I loved the welcoming gift bag made by Carol, Martha, Denise and Lorrie. If you haven't attended a retreat anywhere, you should give it a try. You can sew at home I know, BUT at retreat you get free comedy, therapy, meals, no dishes to do, no phones unless you want to and inspiration everywhere. I want to invite any member with a concern or with a suggestion on how to improve our guild to come to the Board meeting this Monday at the Monroeville Library at 6:30. Also, I want to encourage each and every one of you to get involved with the workings of your guild based on your own talents. Like the saying goes, many hands make light work. See you all at the next meeting. I will do my best to remember names!
Donna

Quilt Retreat - Many thanks.
The Quilt retreat was great fun. As usual the staff at the Gilmary Retreat Center could not have been more wonderful to those that attended. A special thanks is extended to the committee that made the drawstring bed gifts with water and snack in them. They were just fabulous. The time and energy you spent on the project did not go unnoticed. Many people look forward to the sewing and laughter they have when they go. Thanks ladies. Marylouise Turano

2016 Guild meetings and Workshops:
MARCH Meeting 3/21/2016; Karen Kay Buckley
March 21 – Karen Kay Buckley to Lecture on “To Border or not to Border” 7:30 pm
With over 300 quilts to her credit, and her personal work has received numerous awards; nine Best of Show awards, including the 2013 Best of Show at the American Quilter’s Association Show in Paducah, Kentucky. Voted teacher of the year by the PROFESSIONAL QUILTER MAGAZINE in 1997. Her work has been featured in numerous magazines and calendars.” I have fourteen cover quilts, one was chosen by Senator Wofford’s wife to be placed on display in the U. S. Capitol in 1992, and another was chosen for the same display in 1993; also appeared on Simply Quilts and AQS show American Quilter.”
March 22 – Workshop – Karen Kay Buckley “Mexican Fiesta Block” – First Baptist Church of Monroeville, – 10 am to 4:30 pm. Limited to first 25 sign ups.
 Cost of workshop to the members of the guild; 65.00, non-members 75.00.
 Fee payable to Karen Kay Buckley for her pattern and supply kit; 24.00
 Supply list here;
 March 22 – Workshop – Karen Kay Buckley “Mexican Fiesta Block” – First Baptist Church of Monroeville, – 10 am to 4:30 pm. Limited to first 25 sign ups.
PATTERN PLUS FEE: $24.00 (Does not include fabric) It does include the full Fiesta Mexico pattern (12 patterns in all), 2 sheets of Templar, a brush, the border pattern, glue pen and 5 pages of border instructions.
SUPPLIES Package of Perfect Circles™ Scissors, both paper and fabric Small sharp pins to position appliqué Fabric markers Pencil Emery board Sandpaper-optional Tape Iron and pressing board FABRIC White background fabric 12” x 12 4 green fat quarters 2 pink fat quarters 3 gold/orange fat quarters 5 blue shades, scraps
I will have the Perfect Circles available to purchase in class, at a discounted price, if you don’t already have them. I will be providing each student with one of my favorite needles and the use of my favorite appliqué threads.

April Meeting 4/18/2016Vikki Pignatelli
April 18– Vikki Pignatelli to lecture on “Lecture Interpretations of a Nature Lover
She is the author of two books featuring this technique, "Quilting Curves” (Quilt Digest Press, 2001) and “Quilting by Improvisation” (Dragon Threads, 2006). Also, Vikki has written “how-to” articles published in Quilting Arts, Quilter’s Newsletter, and AQS magazines.
Vikki also founded the national biennial Sacred Threads Quilt Exhibitions in 1999. She and chairwoman, Wendy Bynner, developed the vision for the two-week display of original artwork that explores themes of spirituality, joy, inspiration, peace, healing and grief. The show is now held in Herndon, VA, outside Washington, D.C.
http://vikkipignatelli.com/Workshops.htm
April 19– Workshop -- Vikki Pignatelli – “Crazy About Curves
First Baptist Church of Monroeville, 10 am to 4:30 pm.
Cost to guild members; 37.50, non-members 42.50.
Crazy About Curves Supply List--6 hrs
Students are provided with one complimentary teaching pattern (choice of dancing star, tulip, abstract design or leaves).
Sewing machine is required (one capable of machine blind-hem stitch ---^---^---^ ) Sewing machine foot—please bring an open-toe appliqué foot if you have one! Fabrics--100% cotton fabrics. Batiks and multicolored hand-dyed fabrics. Bring a variety of favorite fabrics and include all colors in at least three values (light, medium and deep dark (not black) with a noticeable color contrast from a distance of approx.10 ft.) Be aware that all prints “read” as a medium value… and too many prints positioned together are busy, so also bring fabrics that “read” plain but aren’t a completely solid color. With this technique, you do not need fabric in large amounts—½ or ¼ yards, large scraps or fat quarters will do. Stabilizer—one or two yards of Pellon sew-in regular lightweight or mid-weight stabilizer …(Vilene stabilizer… outside of the USA) – Do not bring interfacing (too flimsy) or choose a product that is fusible or tear-away. If the stabilizer does not shrivel when pressed with an iron on cotton setting, it is OK to bring. Freezer paper -- 1-2 yards Needles -- (for sewing machine) use regular 80/12 or 70/10 for piecing Scissors-- paper and fabric Spray bottle for water Straight pins—appliqué pins work good Threads -- bring a variety...for matching or blending the colors of stars, flowers, leaves and background. Bobbin -- wound with neutral thread Stitch Witchery -- only if you already have it (comes on a roll, about 5/8" wide). This product is also known as hemming tape outside of the USA. Eraser, pencils, ruler, notebook Iron and ironing mat.

May Meeting 5/16/2016– Amy Winsor
May 16 – Amy Winsor to lectureConfessions of a Precision Impaired Quilter
Her first book, Frazzled Fancies Quilts, and first pattern, Good Neighbors, were published December 2014, and are now available on her etsy shop, www.etsy.com/shop/WinsorArtQuilts. She teaches nationally, and enthusiastically encourages her students to find the techniques they enjoy most, and to spend their quilting time frolicking in the fabric instead of stressing out.
May 17 – Amy Winsor workshop custom designed for our guild, a combination of Playtime Neighborhood Houses for the “Precision Impaired and Curved” piecing and borders. First Baptist Church of Monroeville, – 10 am to 5:30 pm.
Cost of workshop to guild members; 35.00, non-members 40.00. You will learn to use fusible webbing, fabric, embroidery and numerous embellishment to make houses, and how to use them in whimsical quilts. You will see numerous examples from Amy’s quilts. Also, learn how to make Amy’s “Haphazard Piecing” for the background. You will create several fusible appliqué houses of your own design. Create whimsical houses using no rulers or patterns while you learn to do curved piecing. Each unique house, with several surrounding borders, will be cut freehand with gentle curves using your rotary cutter. Great embellishments (such as fusible windows, beading, couching, and yoyos) and creative machine quilting designs (such as bricks, grass, and sky) will be demonstrated. Sewing machine required (Straight stitch is all you need for piecing.)

Amy Winsor Supply List REQUIRED  Sewing machine , extra machine needles  Basic sewing supplies, thread, bobbins, pins, seam ripper  Rotary cutter, rotary mat (every person should bring these)  Fabric (see instructions below)  (Classroom must have iron, ironing board) Instructions for Choosing Fabrics  (Please bring only good-quality quilting cottons. Other types fray too much Chalk marker (preferred) or disappearing wash-out marker
All fabric measurements are approximations. The bigger the pieces, the more free you will feel because you won’t be worrying you will run out. Bring an abundance of fabrics that appear “solid”, but also include several stripes, polka dots, or wild or busy prints. When choosing your borders, remember that each border must have a high contrast in color with the borders on either side of it. For example, if your sky is light, the first border is dark, second border is light, outer background is dark. The following is the bare minimum that you would need. (It is better to bring more.)  At least 8 inch square for house  At least 12 inch square for roof  1/3 yard or Fat quarter for sky  At least 14” x 6” for grass  1/4 to 1/2 yd. for first border (not a fat quarter- must be long)  1/4 to 1/2 yd. for second border (not a fat quarter-must be long)
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Events and Shows: March 16-19, 2016
Join Us at the 2016
Lancaster Quilt Show
@ The Continental Inn
The Continental Inn 2285 Lincoln Hwy Lancaster, PA 17602 * We are not affiliated with the AQS Show Shuttle Service to the AQS Show $2 each way
Wed – Fri 9 a.m. -6 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. www.lancasterquiltweek.com _______________________________________________________________
Salvation Army Fabric Fair, Saturday April 9 2016. New Location! Here’s the link to the information The Fabric Fair this year will be held for the first time at The Salvation Army's Pittsburgh Temple Worship and Service Center, located at 1060 McNeilly Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15226 (in the Mount Lebanon suburb of Pittsburgh near Seton LaSalle Catholic High School). The event will run from 8:30 am to 2:00 pm on Saturday, April 9, 2016 http://wpa.salvationarmy.org/WesternPennsylvania/the-fabric-fair ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
North Pittsburgh Quilters Guild, April 15-17 Location Ross Township Community Center 1000 Ross Municipal Drive Pittsburgh, PA 15237 http://www.npqg.org/quilt-shows.html ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Request for volunteers Pole2Polls.com, the 2016 An activity of the “Knit the Bridge” organizers. Make a “Vote” yard sign using fabric. Here’s the abbreviated notice: Greetings from your crew at Pole-2-Polls! We decided to do an all out blitz of Vote! signs for this November election. What are we making? We learned that not everyone is up for yarn bombing so this election cycle we are adding Vote! Yard signs to our repertoire. They are colorful and easy to make. Live in an apartment? Make one for a window. We are reaching out to quilters plus the knit and crochet community who love the idea! BUT you don't need special skills we're here to help so: Our first making workshops will be: Sunday March 13th 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm at The Spinning Plate Gallery 5821 Baum Blvd. East Liberty (close to Whole Foods) Thursday March 26th 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm at The Spinning Plate Gallery 5821 Baum Blvd. East Liberty (close to Whole Foods) Our first Pole-2-Polls strategy MEETING will be: THURSDAY March 26th 7:00 pm at the Spinning Plate Gallery 5821 Baum Blvd East Liberty (close to Whole Foods) Please RSVP if you plan to attend a meeting or workshop: pole2polls@gmail.com Hope to see you soon! Many thanks, Penny Mateer

Travel and collect rows: June 21 - Sept. 6, 2016 Bring in completed quilt for prize: June 21 - Oct. 31, 2016
http://www.rowbyrowexperience.com/
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Sep 10-11, 2016 -- Fourth Annual Saxonburg Quilt Show during the Saxonburg Festival of the Arts Show . . at St. Luke's Centennial Hall behind the church, 110 State Street, Saxonburg, PA 16056 . . 10AM-5PM Saturday and 12PM-5PM Sunday . . Free admission to the quilt displays, vendors, raffles . . For more information call Betty Learn 724-352-2651, mopar340w2@zoominternet.net
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Mini Group News and Progress Reports
COMMUNITY OUTREACH:
Our group meets the second Saturday of the month at the Monroeville Library from 9 AM till noon. We work as a group to explore a block and make quilt tops. All are welcome. Just bring your machines, mats and rotary cutters, rulers, extension cords and other sewing tools. Next meetings are March 12 and April 9 Kits for quilts are available at each meeting if you would prefer to sew at home. Also you are always encouraged to design your own thing as well Thank you to all those members who braved the weather and help cut fabric. Also thank you for the fabric donations.

On Going Projects - Dresses for Africa. We will be collecting these at the March meeting. Thank you to those who have already made these Quilts for Africa: Beulah Church supports a school for the deaf in Africa. The school is in need of quilts for children of all ages. We have agreed to support this cause. The quilts need not be any larger than a twin and can certainly be smaller. The quilts will get fairly rough treatment- washing is done on rocks - so the designs need to be simple and certainly use up your stash. Our goal is 30 quilts. We do have some on hand
Sally Martin - sally13martin@Gmail.com

Appliques Group:
The applique group meets the first Monday of each month from 7 pm until 9 pm at Creative Stitches Café in Monroeville. Our next meeting will be April 4, 2016, when Amy Mayberry will be teaching how to create several types of three-dimensional flowers. Judy Smith plans on leading our meeting in May, and Janet Sutton will be teaching her class on making perfect circles in June. Watch the newsletter and your email for more information about upcoming meetings. If you would like more information, or to be added to the email list, please contact Amy Mayberry (mayberryal@gmail.com). We hope you can join us!
Machine Embroidery Interest Group There is an Embroidery Interest Group. The purpose of the group is to keep track of members that own embroidery machines. I will send out information on classes, new techniques, software and others of interest. There will be no formal meetings. Communication will be online among members of the group. I am encouraging all to contribute ideas. Everyone that signs up will receive a list that includes member’s names, phone numbers and types of machines they own. Elmira Sizemore Elmirasizemore@ hotmail.com

MOD SQUAD 2016:
Special announcement regarding the April meeting "April's plans for Mod Squad on April 9th will be sent to the entire guild once the program has been determined. Please watch for an announcement after April Fool's Day."
Mod Squad is a subgroup of QCE interested in furthering and sharing their development of modern quilting design and sewing skills. We meet on the second Saturday of each month on the lower floor of the Monroeville Library from 1-4pm. Current members of the group have assembled a series of presentations for each month. Those labeled “Workshop” (below) will involve actual sewing and you will be encouraged to bring your fabrics, machine and tools. Other months will involve demonstrations and instruction. Our meetings always involve a show-and-tell, sharing of interests, problem-solving and are often loosely structured. There is no obligation to participate in any of the projects and some Mod Squad quilters may simply wish to bring and work on their own projects. Hank is not expected to be sending monthly emails about Mod Squad to the entire guild this year. If you wish to be informed, check the newsletter the month before a scheduled meeting, hold onto this schedule and, best of all, email Julie to have your name placed on the mailing list (juliamountweitz@comcast.net). If you wish to learn more feel free to contact Julie (412-371-0513) or any current members of the group.
DATE TOPIC PRESENTER BRING
March 12, 2016
Improvisation and free-form piecing, Rayna Gilman redux.
TBA
WORKSHOP:
Sewing machine
Fabric
Apr 9, 2016
???
May 14, 2016
Funky Wonky Log Cabin
Nancy Olsen
June 11, 2016
Donation Quilt: block construction
WORKSHOP:
Sewing machine
Fabric
July 9, 2016
Open
Aug. 13, 2016
Open

Creative Quilters: The Creative Quilters group meets each month at The New Covenant Church, 2500 Grandview Ave., Monroeville, Pa. 15146 from 10:00 am-2:00 pm. The meetings are usually held on the last Wednesday of the month. The dates for this year include:
March 30, 2016  April 27, 2016  May 25, 2016  June 29, 2016
At our meetings, members share recent works, various techniques, and resources. We participate in ongoing challenges using different themes and techniques. This year we expect to participate in lessons involving screen printing, curved piecing and other interesting methods we can apply to fabrics.
We encourage all guild members to come and share ideas with us! See what fun you can have with some different approaches to quilting and sewing.
If you would like to be added to the email notification list, please send an email to Marlene Fenoglietto at mdfeno@gmail.com

Treasurer’s Report February 2016
The amount of cash on hand for March = $24,951.86 This figure includes retreat deposits but all expenses have not been disbursed yet. Respectfully Submitted, Debbie Frick, Treasurer ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quilt Company East
Guild meeting minutes
February 15, 2016
Called to order 7:05 PM
Ladonna and Peg were welcomed as new members.
Adrienne Hunter won the name tag drawing.
Ann Fields reported on future programs:
March- Karen Buckley, To Border or not to Border, Workshop “Fiesta Block”
April – Vicki Pignatelli Interpretation of Nature Lovers. Workshop “Crazy about Curves” $37.50
May - Amy Winsor -Confessions of an Impaired Quilter” Workshop “Wonky Houses” $35.00
Anne stated that payment plan would be accepted but all fees must be paid be the May meeting.
Donna stated the '”Curious Quilter’ will be traveling to various quilting guilds around the
March- Karne Buckley, To Border or not to Border, Workshop “Fiesta Block”
April – Vicki Pignatelli Interpretation of Nature Lovers. Workshop “Crazy about Curves” $37.50
May - Amy Winsor -Confessions of an Impaired Quilter” Workshop “Wonky Houses” $35.00
Anne stated that payment plan would be accepted but all fees must be paid be the May meeting.
Donna stated the '”Curious Quilter' will be traveling to various quilting guilds around the United States Some of her destinations will be Yellville, Alabama, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Idaho, and Pickens, South Carolina. We are excited to hear what other guilds are doing.
Virginia stated there are still vacancies for the retreat. Contact her if you are interested.
Sally Martin present the programs for Community Outreach. The members were to cut Strips of fabric in 2.5 inch strops . They were then sorted into coordinating color groups to be made into quilts such as 'Jelly Roller” and “Around the World”. Members were encouraged to take a batch home and make a quilt top.
Show and tell.
Adjourned 9PM
Respectfully Submitted,
Suzanne Luxbacher
 Secretary


2015-2016 Officers and Committee Heads
PRESIDENT
Donna Schellhammer
dxiesc@hotmail.com
VP/PROGRAM CHAIR
Anne Fields
msverizon@msn.com
SECRETARY
Suzanne Luxbacher
sluxbacher1@comcast.net
TREASURER
Debbie Frick
dljc1071@comcast.net
COMMITTEE CHAIRS / MINI GROUP LEADERS / misc.
NEWSLETTER
Betsy Straitiff
newsletterqce@gmail.com
MEMBERSHIP
Karen Luce
karenjluce@hotmail.com
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Sally Martin
sally13martin@Gmail.com
ON THE WEB
Virginia Hendricks
macbeaner@gmail.com
PUBLICITY
Marlene Fenoglietto
mdfeno@gmail.com
QUILT SHOW CHAIR 2015
Janet Sutton
janetsquilter@aol.com
RETREAT
Laura Raftery
dashingfabrics@yahoo.com
MOD SQUAD
Julia Mount Weitz
juliamountweitz@comcast.net
APPLIQUE GROUP
Amy Mayberry
mayberryal@gmail.com
CREATIVE QUILTERS
Marlene Fenoglietto
mdfeno@gmail.com
WEBSITE COORDINATOR
Thea McCurry
grannygoodstuff@ymail.com
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Hank VanDeusen
hankpat@comcast.net
Quilt Company East Quilt Guild
Monthly meetings - Third Monday of each month September through June
Time: 7:00 P.M.
Beulah Presbyterian Church
2500 McCrady Road
Pittsburgh, Pa. 15235
Churchill Boro--just off the Parkway Churchill Ex