TWILIGHT QUILTER'S GUILD MEETING

Twilight Quilter's Guild April, 2007 Vol. 18, #4

FUTURE MEETINGS

The Twilight Quilter's Guild meets at 6:30 p.m. on the first Monday night of every month. Meetings are held at the Warner Park Community Center, 1625 Northport Drive, Madison, Wisconsin. Guests and new members are welcome.

If a meeting has to be cancelled due to weather conditions, an email will be sent to members by late afternoon on the day of the meeting. Members should check their email before coming to the meeting. If anyone does not have access to her email, call one of the Presidents (Katie, Rose or Ginny) or the Newsletter Editor (Donna) before coming to the meeting.

April 2, 2007 The program for the April meeting will be a discussion of Quilt Settings and Sashing facilitated by Helen: When I first learned about quilting (back in 1975 when the earth was cooling), I was intimidated by the idea of making a full-size quilt, so I started out just making quilt blocks to get comfortable with that part of the process. These many years later, I’m extremely efficient at chain piecing and SO mellow with block-making. As a result, the house is overflowing with UFOs (unfinished objects). Sometimes it’s fun to combine different fabrics and to see each block as a little art project of its own. Or I just start making blocks, get in some kind of zone and wind up with enough finished blocks for 2, 3 or more full-size quilts.

What to do with all these blocks? Somewhere along the line, I decided to explore different types of settings for quilt blocks. Set them straight? Or on point? Add sashing between blocks? How many

alternatives are there? What happens if you just use fabric squares instead of pieced blocks? What works? What doesn’t? So many quilt possibilities, so little time.

Come to the April meeting and let’s look at quilt settings and sashings together. I’ll bring along LOTS of projects, finished and unfinished, to illustrate alternative ways to set your quilts. In addition to your normal “Show and Tell” projects, please look through your projects for a quilt setting that you can share with the group. It may be one you particularly like – or one that you think just didn’t work. Or bring your own stack of blocks that are waiting to be set into a quilt. They won’t be lonely.

After being inspired by the work of Helen and others, members will be able to participate in a Fabric Give-Away. Donna will be bringing several large bags of fabric to the meeting that members can use for charity quilts or just add to their own stash. Note: If you have fabric that no longer appeals to you, bring it to the meeting. It may be just the thing that someone else is looking for.

Treats will be provided by Annette, Mary, and Caroline.

And, of course, we will have Show and Tell.

More Future Meetings:

May 7: Ideas for gifts that quilters can make. This is discussion facilitated by Ginny. Ginny would like everyone to share ideas for gifts they have made or in the process of making.

June 4: Blended quilts; presented by Brenda. July 9th: Threads for quilting and embellishment, by Rose Mary Huber Pauls at Walcotts. August 6: Program at Millhouse in Waunakee. September 10: Trunk show by Elaine (Sam) Sample. October 1: Election of Officers and Quilto or other game.

PREVIOUS MEETINGS

March 5, 2007

Business and Announcements:

The meeting was facilitated by President Katie.

Katie announced that our schedule for programs for this year has been filled and thanked everyone who volunteered to present/facilitate programs. (The programs are listed above under "Future Meetings.") The treat list was passed around and the remaining openings where filled.

We wished a happy birthday to Vonnie and Mary who had birthdays in February and to President Rose who came to our meeting on her birthday. Sharon announced that we have $906.09 in the treasury. Donna announced that she would like to start a "Tips for Quilters" section in the newsletter and asked members to send her tips.

Rose brought several Amish and whole-cloth quilt tops to the meeting. She asked for volunteers to quilt them and then donate them to a charity.

Sam announced that there are enough people signed up for the retreat that it will not be cancelled. However, there still are some openings. Both members and non-members may sign up for these openings. Contact Gretchen for information and to sign up.

Program:

Cindy Imhoff, owner of The Quilt Shop, 145 W. Main St., in Cambridge, presented the program (which was sponsored by Judy Imhoff.) Cindy opened her store eleven years ago. The store features quilting, knitting and punchneedle embroidery. Cindy also organizes the Cambridge Quilts on Ice quilt show.

Cindy demonstrated punchneedle embroidery, an old crafting technique that is new again. To get started, you need a special punch needle, weavers cloth fabric, a sturdy hoop, embroidery floss and a design. Cindy showed several types of needles that are available and discussed their features. She advised that a normal embroidery hoop is not strong enough for this technique and that the fabric will easily pop out. A locking hoop with a ridge or lip works better. Weavers cloth is the fabric of choice. It is 55% polyester and 45% cotton. It is stronger than 100% cotton and less likely to develop holes as the floss is punched into it. If you do not want a white background for your design, you can tea dye the fabric. Different teas (and coffee) will give different effects. Baking the fabric at 200 degrees or ironing it with a hot iron will also give different effects. Hand-dyed fabrics are also available and Cindy showed a range of lovely pastels that are available for sale at her shop. DMC cotton embroidery floss can be used. However, it is thinner than hand-dyed floss and will require more floss to fill-in a design. Hand-dyed floss will also give better shading. It costs about two dollars a skein. You can also use cotton thread such as pearl cotton #8.

There are several books with designs; Cindy also sells patterns by local designers. The patterns often include the fabric needed for the project. Designs can be transferred to the cloth with a Pigma pen. Designs are reversed since you do the needle punching from the back of the fabric. The shaft of the needle punch pen is hollow. You use a needle-threader to pull the floss through the shaft and then to thread the eye of the needle. You then punch the floss through the fabric, holding the pen at a ninety-degree angle and then pulling the needle point to the surface of the fabric and sliding it to the next punch point. The floss is not knotted. Small designs can be framed to stabilize them. Fusible interfacing can also be used on the back to stabilize the floss. With a little practice, this is a fun craft that is very easy and very portable. Cindy also showed a series of applique designs that feature charming hand-made buttons.

Our thanks to Cindy for this very interesting and fun program.

Projects:

We then had our fabric exchange. Donna passed around paper bags for the twenty-two members who were participating in the exchange. Participants then dropped a packet with 10" by 9" rectangles from three different "country" fabrics in each bag. Donna went over the directions for cutting the exchanged fabric for the Mary's Triangles blocks. Judy went through the sewing instructions again and answered questions. Donna then distributed a handout with twenty-three layout options (in black-and-white) for the Mary's Triangles blocks.

Show and Tell:

Helen showed her Jewel Box quilt. Guest Marlene Messling showed her quilt "Snow Babe" that won Viewer's Choice first place at the Cambridge quilt show. She also passed around a box of fabric postcards that she had made. Nancy showed some of the silver and gold jewelry and the embroidery on cards that she is making. Sharon showed a baby quilt made with the postage stamp pattern, a piano keys border, and Minke on the back. She also showed her Jewel Box quilt. Rita showed a needlepunch design that was a gift from her sister. She also showed a quilt in blues and green with gold sashing that she made using the Quilt-As-You-Go technique. Mary showed a quilt that she pieced and quilted for herself featuring flowers. Guest Bethany, the daughter of Annette, showed a four-patch quilt in pinks and golds that she made. It also has Minke on the back. Caroline showed two quilts that were quilted by Sue. Her Seeds of Time quilt used gold rather than black "beads" on a white background. She also showed a quilt with stars in gold and greens. Katie showed a log cabin quilt made in purples and greens.

Door Prizes and Treats

Eileen and Bev brought treats. Sam Sample, Bethany, Nancy and Wendy won fat-quarter bundles as door prizes.

GUILD PROJECTS

Project Linus from Helen

Make blankets of all-new, washable, non-wool materials in child-friendly colors. Blankets may be knitted, crocheted, quilted, or fleece. Blankets should measure at least 36" by 36". A suggested size is 40" by 60." Free patterns for Linus quilts can be found on the Project Linus website: http://projectlinus.org . Click on "Just for Fun", then on "Patterns and Links."

Project Linus quilts are distributed to children in Dane County, including children at the UW Children's Hospital and St. Mary's Hospital and through the Domestic Abuse Intervention Services, Interfaith Hospitality Network, Ronald McDonald House, Dane County Human Services, Meriter Hospital, Juneau County Human services and the Red Cross. Since 1998, the Madison-Area Project Linus has given away over 13,000 blankets.

Wisconsin chapter: http://www.projectlinus-madison.org

Elder Care Project from Bev

Elder Care of Dane County is a non-profit organization with over 200 elderly participants in their homecare and resident care programs. Many of these people are low income, wheelchair-bound, and have no family to share the holidays. The quilts that we make are given to their clients at a holiday fair. This is a very special event for the staff and for their clients. Our quilts are greatly appreciated. Elder Care quilts should be approximately 36-40" wide and 40-45" long. Usually they are used by people who are sitting, often in a wheel chair. So, they should be big enough to cover laps and legs, but not so large that they get caught in wheels or drag on the ground. We need a variety of quilts that will appeal to both men and women. Elder Care quilts for 2007 should be given to Bev Monigal no later than the December meeting. Elder Care homepage: http://www.elderc.org

Operation Snuggles from Donna

Operation Snuggles gives quilts to the children of Wisconsin military reservists who are serving abroad. Kris, whose son is in his second tour of duty in Iraq, works with military personnel and leaders of units to distribute the quilts. There will be over 2000 soldiers deployed from our area in the coming months. Operation Snuggles would like to give each of their children a quilt to snuggle in. Several quilt stores are helping by being donation sites, including Mill House Quilts in Waunakee. Quilts should be appropriate for babies and children through the age of 12; quilts for teenagers are also welcomed. Crocheted and knitted afghans are also welcome. Quilts may be brought to any meeting. Donna will deliver them to Mill House Quilts.

GUILD MEMBERSHIP AND NEW MEMBERS

Membership dues are $20 a year, payable to the Twilight Quilter's Guild. Send dues to Sharon Please provide your name, full address, home and work telephone numbers, email address and the month and date (no year) of your birthday.

Twilight Quilters Guild Website: http://geocities.datacellar.net/twilightquilt/

April Birthdays

2 Nancy 21 Caroline 26 Joan

AREA EVENTS

Thru May 31 "Beyond Boundaries," over 90 pieces of fiber art by Madison artists Deb, Karen, Mary Jo and Joan. Promega Biopharmaceutical Technology Center, 5445 Cheryl Parkway, Fitchburg http://www.promega.com/pressrelease/20070221_artshow.htm

March 25-27 Prairie Heritage Quilters Show St. Alberts Parish Center, Sun Prairie Sunday – noon to 4 p.m.; Monday – 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Tuesday – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. To enter, send a SASE to Klaudeen Hansen. P.O. Box 253, Sun Prairie, WI 53590 (608) 837-2298 Email: klaudeen@wmconnect.com

March 24-25 A Quilter's Alley Manitowoc County Expo Center, 5201 Vista Road, Manitowoc, Wisconsin Guest artist: Mary Ellen Bebee http://geocities.datacellar.net/patchoflakeshorequilters/Quiltshow.html

March 29-April 1 (Thur-Sun) Twilight Quilters Quilt Retreat Bethel Horizons Prairie Center Cost - $135.00. Covers 3 Nights, Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner, Fri. and Sat. and Brunch on Sunday. Contact Gretchen Hennessy at hd4ever@charter.net

March 30-April 1 Spring Fever Quilt and Antique Show, Cedarburg, WI Cedarburg Chamber of Commerce and the Wisconsin Museum of Quilts and Fiber Arts. Cedarburg Community Center, W63 N641 Washington Ave. Judged quilt show, Antique and Quilt vendors, Make It-Take It activities. For more information call the Chamber at: 262-377-5856.

March 31-April 1 Hilldale Spring Show and Sale Madison

March 31-April 1 Quilt Journeys Rock Valley Quilter's Guild Milton High School, 114 W. High Street, Milton http://webpages.charter.net/rvqg

April 13-15 International Quilt Festival, Chicago http://www.quilts.com

There are three bus trips from our area to the quilt show on Friday, April 13th: Walcotts in Madison, Loose Threads in Milton, and Mill House Quilts in Waunakee. Contact the stores for more information.

April 21-22 "Quilts of Life," Monroe, WI Sponsored by the Courthaus Quilters. Monroe High School, 1600 26th St., Monroe. Hours Sat. 10-5 and Sun. 10-4. For more information, contact: courthausquilters@tds.net

April 25-28 American Quilter's Society Quilt Show and Contest, Paducah, KY http://www.AmericanQuilter.com

May 3-4 Quilting at the Park Joanie Zeier Poole, author of "Elegant Machine Quilting; Innovative Heirloom Quilting Using Any Sewing Machine" is offering classes at the Town of Burke Hall, 5365 Reiner Road Madison, WI 53718. You can find out more about the classes on her website: http://www.heirloomquiltingdesigns.com/

May 5-6 Sinnissippi Quilters Guild Quilt Show Rock Valley College PE Center 3301 N. Mulford Road, Rockford, IL. http://www.sinnissippiquilters.org/

May 5-6 It's a Stitch Quilt Guild Show Washington County Fair Park, 3000 Highway PV, West Bend For more information, contact Maribeth Schmit at materialgirl@wi.rr.com

May 10-12 Nancy's Notions Sewing Weekend Expo Beaver Dam http://nancysnotions.com (click on "Events", then on "Sewing Weekend Expo")

May 18-20 Syttende Mai Quilt Show, Stoughton Contact the Saving Thyme quilt shop in Stoughton for information, entry forms, and the new Quilt Challenge with the theme "Celebrating Syttende Mai." http://www.savingthyme.net

June 1-2 Sewing & Quilting Expo Southwest Wisconsin Technical College, Fennimore Special guests: Shirley Adams, June Colburn, Karen McTavish Call: 800-362-3322, ext. 2469 or 2361 http://www.swtc.edu

June 7-9 Annual National Quilting Association Quilt Show, Columbus, OH http://www.nqaquilts.org/

June 14-16 "Explore Minnesota," Minnesota Quilters Quilt Show & Conference St. Paul RiverCentre http://www.mnquilt.org/mq2007

June 22 Entry forms are due by June 22 for quilts entered into the 3rd Annual Quilt Expo, September 13-15, Alliant Energy Center, Madison Entry forms available at: https://www.nancysnotions.com/NNVia/CustomPages/nnquiltexpo.htm or at: http://wiquiltexpo.com

July 25-29 9th Annual Quilter's Road Trip. Contact any of the eleven participating shops for information. Contact Saving Thyme in Stoughton for information about bus tours for the event.

August 23 Entry forms are due for quilts entered in the Olbrich Botanical gardens Fall Quilt & Flower Show on September 21-October 7. Contact Rosemary Schmidt, 608-233-6021 or Olbrich Botanical Gardens, Fall Quilt & Flower Show, 3330 Atwood Avenue, Madison, WI 53704.

WEB SITES

There are many, many sites about punchneedle embroidery. However, most of them appear to be selling products and/or books. These two sites will give you a starting point to learn more about this craft.

Punch Needle Embroidery Resource Guide http://www.prettyimpressivestuff.com/punchneedle.htm

Dancing Needle Designs http://www.punchneedleembroidery.com/

BOOKS

Area libraries have several recent books on punchneedle embroidery:

Getting Started in Punch Needle, 22 Motifs to Make a Miniature Quilt, by Becky Johnston. "Minature punch needle embroidery, an appealing art form rich in color and texture, is enjoying widespread renewal. To get started, all one needs is an inexpensive embroidery hoop, a piece of weaver's cloth and this inspiring new book. Beginning with punch needle basics, the book teaches the fundamentals needed to begin, including all about supplies, floss, cloth, designs, transferring the designs, choosing-and -working with a hoop, punching the motif and finishing."

Punchneedle Embroidery : Dancing Needles, by Pamela Gurney. "Designs come to life with punchneedle embroidery, a technique that produces exquisite textural results using an array of threads and ribbons. Lovely full-color photographs, basic information on supplies and stitches, and 20 beautiful projects allow all embroiderers to enjoy the rewards of this unique needleworking method. Select the appropriate specialty tools, practice working in a circle, and learn to make flowers, stripes, and special effects. A collection of magnificent project designs, including daisies, nasturtiums, and other flowers butterflies, bears, giraffes, hearts, and more can be used as wall hangings or to adorn clothing, linens, and other items."

Russian Punchneedle Embroidery : with Instructions and 32 Transfer Patterns, by Gail Bird. "Complete guide to the old Russian folk style of punchneedle embroidery contains simple instructions, easy-to-follow diagrams, and 28 delightful iron-on transfer patterns of flowers, birds, butterflies, leaves, and more. Needleworkers can decorate purses, belts, and clothing as well as home furnishings such as pillows, wall hangings, table cloths, napkins, and more."

Punchneedle Embroidery : 40 Folk Art Designs, by Barbara Kemp & Margaret Shaw. "Punchneedle embroidery is back—and it still features the same quick and simple technique as before. But credit for its modern revival must go to today’s increasingly appealing designs, which result in charming works of miniature art. It’s easy to get started: all that’s needed are a punchneedle tool, embroidery hoop, fabric, floss, and the basics found here. Even beginners will soon be able to create exquisite projects that showcase timeless motifs, from flowers and crows to primitive stars. In addition to frameable punchneedle pieces, there are also a handful of wearable accents and a gallery of the authors’ works."

Simply Primitive : Rug Hooking, Punchneedle, and Needle Felting, by Pat Cross. "Hook, punch, and poke your way to the popular primitive look! Get a complete introduction to three super-simple crafts: rug hooking, punchneedle embroidery, and needle felting. Get expert advice for all three crafts with "Hooker’s Hints" sidebars, sprinkled throughout the book."

TIPS FOR QUILTERS

It's inevitable that if you are going to quilt, there will be times when you have to "unsew" and rip out your stitching. No matter what method you use to cut the stitches, you will have little pieces of thread clinging to the fabric. A quick way to clean up these threads is to use masking tape. Just tear a small piece of tape off the roll and dab it on the threads. You may have to do this on both sides of the fabric. The tape will pick up the threads and hold them from scattering all over. When the tape is no longer sticky, just discard it and tear off a new piece of tape.