Mennonite Church of Normal
805 S. Cottage
Normal, IL 61761
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September - May
​First Thursday of the month
7:00 - 9:00 p.m.
The Guild's next meeting will be held on Thursday December 5, 2019 at 7:00 p.m. Our guest is Lisa Bongean. Her lecture will be "Remembering the Past"
$10.00  fee for guest

President's Message

No UFO’s Left Behind!
Fall is here!  The farmers have been out in the field behind my house harvesting the corn, so it looks like we need to get ready to do out winter sewing. Do you find that you do more quilt making over the winter months than when we are able to get outside and do things?  I know that I do.


I was sorry that I missed the speaker this month, as I heard from several members that she was a great speaker.  I have not heard how the classes were, but I assume that they were just as great.  This month is Doug Leko and I have heard him and do know that our members will enjoy him, both as a speaker and an instructor.


Did you catch the article in the Pantagraph about the bed blitz quilts and the beds as the recipients that received the beds and quilts? Hopefully next year we can provide more quilts and maybe the Guild should sponsor building several of the beds.
 
Have you been working on your UFO’s for the Quilt Spectrum?  I know I was until I took the tumble last month and trying to figure out which ones I can definitely get finished and entered into the show.


Have you been organizing your sewing room and looking for items that can be donated to the silent auction in January?  I would like to see this be a successful auction as it will help


Don’t forget to bring your food donation for the grocery cart or for the Big Give that the church is helping Home Sweet Home Mission with. See you in November!


Connie Borth
President 

Library

The library has so many good books to lend. Check out our cart! If you are taking the November curved ruler mentor class, check out The Curved Two-Patch System by Joyce M. Schlotzhauer or Paper-Pieced Curves by Jodie Davis.
 
Did you take Mary Lou Weidman's Flower Power or Creative Cow classes last year? So much fun! Whimsies & Whynots by Mary Lou Weidman has been donated to our Guild library. Her "playful approach to quiltmaking" is enlightening and delightful. Will you be the first person to check this one out?
 
We will continue to take new or renewal subscriptions to Fons & Porter Love of Quilting magazine. Please be sure to pay with personal check, payable to Love of Quilting.
 
If you have books or magazines to donate to Library, please be sure to contact Mary Weakman due to the very limited storage space we have available.

​Connie J Carstens 
​Mystery Bags for Quilt ​Sprectrum
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We still want your fabric scraps!  Please bring your quilt scraps for the mystery bags for the 2020 Quilt Spectrum.  The MARCH meeting is the LAST time fabric will be accepted.  Fabric scraps need to be quality cotton and no smaller than 2 inches. You may put your scraps on the counter outside the kitchen.  Please, no clothing or books.  Thank you for helping us add an air of “mystery” to the Quilt Spectrum and earning over $500 at this year’s Quilt Spectrum.
 
This committee is looking for a few more hands to help sort, weigh, and label the bags.  You have been so supportive of this activity that is has grown beyond what the three of us can do!   The only criteria to be on this great committee is that you LOVE handling fabrics and can utter an occasional oh-h or ah-h when something spectacular comes to your attention!
 
Ary Anderson
Programs & Workshops

Mentoring

​Our guild is large and has many wonderful groups from which to choose. Whether you are a new member or have been in the guild for many years, you are welcome to come to the mentor class and meet quilters who enjoy quilting and learning new skills just like you.
 
November 21, 2019 – Quick Curve Ruler
The Quick Curved Ruler is used to cut the curved shapes out and square the blocks up after piecing.  It comes with a free pattern called ‘Urban Runner and can be used with all Sew Kind of Wonderful patterns.  Deanna has made a cute wall hanging that would be great for Christmas.  Now Kay always says she doesn’t do curves, but she is in love with this ruler.
 
IF YOU HAVE USED THE QUICK CURVE RULER – PLEASE STOP BY THE MENTORING TABLE AT THE NOVEMBER MEETING.
 
December – No mentoring class
 
January 15, 2020 – Sewing for your sewing room
 
February 20, 2020 – Twister Pinwheels
 

Mentor Survey

Help the Mentor Program plan this year's classes by taking the Mentor Survey. The information you provide will help in deciding what classes Guild members are interested in.

You can take the survey online or print off the pdf form. You can return the printed form at the monthly meeting.​

2019-2020
​Guest Speakers

Click image to go to speaker's homepage
REMINDERS
​Quilting 101:  All new members are invited to an introductory class to tell you about the Hands All Around Quilt Guild. We will be meeting at Mennonite Church of Normal on November 7 at 5:30. Hope to see all new members.
 
Quilt Spectrum Meeting: There will be a Quilt Spectrum meeting on November 7th starting at 5:30pm before our regular guild meeting.  We still have some committees that need volunteers if any other guild members are interested please feel free to join us as.  

​Silent auction to be held in January 2020

If you have resolved to start the New Year with a clean, organized sewing room, you can’t wait until December 31 to start cleaning!  The Executive Board and Programs have come up with an idea to help!  There will be a silent auction as part of the January 2020 general Guild meeting.  Here is your chance to donate that fabric that you are now asking yourself, “what was I thinking,” when you bought it.  Or that kit that remains unopened on your shelf. How about those duplicates of tools and rulers that you liked SO much that you have purchased TWO or maybe THREE of them, but use only ONE?

These are the types of items we are recruiting.  You may bring your donations to the October, November, or December meetings.  Please mark your items for “Silent Auction” and put your name on all items in case we have questions.  Your suggested price would be appreciated.

“Why are we having a silent auction,” you ask?  In case you missed it last month, here is the reason. 
Even though the Guild has maintained its high quality of programs for which it is known, the Guild has also been operating at a deficit for at least the last six years.  Therefore, to offset those losses and to help stop the flow of ‘red ink’, the Executive Board and Programs are planning a silent auction as part of the program for January 2020. The funds generated from the auction will help support the rising costs of presenters and keep the cost for classes as low as possible.

Once again, we hope everyone will participate in this much needed fundraiser.  Keep in mind, we will not accept used goods or leftover scraps.  
​
Ary Anderson
​Programs

Carribbean Quilt Cruisin'

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​We hope you will join us for this year’s winter retreat.  We know many members escape the cold Illinois winter so this year the retreat will be cruisin’ to the Caribbean (if only in our imaginations).  The registration will be open for the winter retreat at the October meeting.  You must fill out the registration form and turn it in with a check or cash to be officially registered. There will be a space set up at the meeting for you to turn everything in. 
 
There are a couple of different items that you must know when signing up.

1.Registrations for 1 day will ONLY be considered if there is room after we count all the 2 day registrations.
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2.If you will not be at the meeting but want to go, please try to get a friend to bring your form and payment to the meeting for you. Mail as a last resort and it should not be postmarked before October 2nd and arrive by October 5th.   If there are more than 50 applicants, there will be a lottery to choose who gets a cabin on the cruise. Any above the 50 will be put on a wait list.
 
3.You can cancel your cruise by November 3rd and still receive a full refund.  After that date, notify your travel agent/captains (Ruth Novosad or Cheryl Adam) and they will try to find a replacement.  If they find one you will be reimbursed for the full amount.
 
The crew is preparing the ship for an exciting 2 day adventure. Don’t miss out.
Happy Cruisin’,
 
Ruth and Cheryl
2020 Winter Retreat

Programs & Classes

​On a return engagement, Doug Leko from Blaine, MN, will be our November presenter and teacher.  Doug’s story is unique in the quilting industry.  He founded Antler Quilt Designs in 2008, when he was fourteen.  Working in his mother’s quilt shop helped him develop his skills and refine his art.  After pattern testing for various designers, he began to develop his own quilt designs.  Doug launched his full-scale design and marketing operation while still in high school. His web site is antlerquiltdesign.com.
 
Doug takes a distinctive approach to his quilt designs.  He enjoys incorporating secondary design elements and is passionate about color.  For Doug, there’s nothing like pulling together just the right mix of coordinating fabrics for a project.  He loves every aspect of the quilting process, from design to fabric selection to handwork to binding.  His work has been featured in McCall’s Quilting, Quiltmaker, and American Patchwork & Quilting. 
 
Here is his schedule.  There are openings in both classes.  To register for a class, contact Pam Riss, phriss1951@gmail.com.  The supply list for both classes is below and on our web site: haaqg.com.  The cutting directions have been sent to those registered.  If you register Thursday evening, you will get the cutting directions then.  His book, Stashtastic!, is required for either class.  You may purchase ahead of time or from Doug.
 
  • November 7 – Thursday’s Program– Scraps & Precuts
  • November 8 – Friday’s class- English Knot
  • November 9 – Saturday’s class – French Twist
 
Necessary Supplies for Class:
  • • Sewing Machine that has a straight stitch and is in good working order.
  • • Sewing Machine Needles – you just never know when they might break.
  • • 100% Cotton Thread that goes with your fabrics.
  • • Rotary Cutter with a sharp blade. (Cutting mats are available in classroom.)
  • • Rulers: 6” x 12”, 6” x 24” and a 12 ½” square ruler.
  • • Scissor, Seam ripper, Straight pins
  • • Marking Pencil – recommend Sewline
  • • Zippered bags to label and keep cut pieces in.
 
Looking Ahead
 Our December presenter/teacher is Lisa Bongean.  There are no openings for her “Snowman for Hire” class.  There are two spots in her “Jacob’s Ladder” class.  Those registered for her classes have received the class supplies.  Lisa will have all listed notions and threads available for purchase prior to and during class.  There are no pre-cutting instructions for either class.  REMINDER: If you are using your own fabric for “Jacob’s Ladder”, the ONLY thing you need to do before class is to starch your fabric.
 
Looking W-a-ay Ahead
Our April 2020 presenter is Sheri Cifaldi Morrill.  On her web site www.wholecirclestudio.com, you can sign up for her newsletter, “Three Things Thursday.”  On her October 17th posting, she announced her class on Missouri Star Quilt Academy, “Piecing Curves with Confidence.”  The cost is $14.99.  Many of
you might be interested in this class especially those who have registered for her classes.  This might be an opportunity to learn and practice her technique before class.
   
See the Hands all Around Quilt Guild Website for more details and the class registration form.
2019-2020 Programs & Classes
​November 2019-Doug Leko
Lecture: Scraps and Precuts
Workshops: English Knot and French Twist
 
December 2019-Lisa Bongean
Lecture - Remembering the Past
Workshops: Snowman for Hire Table Runner and Jacobs Ladder
 
January 2020-Winter Retreat 
January 3 & 4, 2020
Theme is Caribbean Quilt Cruisin'
February 2020-Christa Watson
Lecture: How do I quilt it?
Workshops: Walking Foot Wonders & Free Motion Favorites
 
March 2020-David Gilleland
Lecture: Foundation vs. Traditional Piecing
Workshops: Equinox & Star-Voyage
 
April 2020-Sheri Cifaldi-Morrrill
Lecture: Content, Concepts & Quilts
Workshops: Picnic Petals & Hawaiian Inspired Applique
​Ary Anderson
Programs & Workshops
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