this looks so easy!!
Needle and Spatula: Roll-up Shopping Bag Sewing Tutorial
Friday, October 4, 2013
Thursday, August 22, 2013
A new season is about to begin
How can it be that the summer is almost over? Lamenting this is not such a worthwhile pastime, so I would rather focus on the fact that our guild will start meeting again next week! Monday, August 26, at our new time of 7:00 P.M., Loose Threads Quilt Guild will begin a new season. And what a busy one it looks like it will be.
Here is what we will be doing at the next couple of meetings:
Aug 26 Opening meeting
Sept 30 Program
Here is what we will be doing at the next couple of meetings:
Aug 26 Opening meeting
- Challenge
will be introduced (Gloria)
- Mystery
project (Carolyn)
- Kippot
Gloria
will give a brief workshop on Kippot, part of our Community project
As of today we have our very own Facebook page....I hope people will share info and ideas on it for all quilters to enjoy.
We have a few spots for new members - anyone who has a knowledge of quilting is welcome to join. Leave a message here or on Facebook and we will be glad to get in touch with you.
Sharon
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Sashiko Workshop
On June 3, our guild enjoyed a workshop led by member Debby Soll, who has been learning and experimenting with various techniques in quilting and fabric art. Debby taught us some basics about Sashiko, a traditional Japanese style of quilting.
First, Debby explained what Sashiko is and she showed us some samples of the technique:
Sashiko is a symmetrical repeated pattern, done with a thicker thread than one might use in usual quilting. Traditionally, it's done on a dark fabric (blue) with a light (white) thread.
After explaining the technique and what is involved in working on a Sashiko piece, we received a kit to learn for ourselves.
First, Debby explained what Sashiko is and she showed us some samples of the technique:
 |
| This beautiful wall hanging also has buttons for added interest. |
Sashiko is a symmetrical repeated pattern, done with a thicker thread than one might use in usual quilting. Traditionally, it's done on a dark fabric (blue) with a light (white) thread.
After explaining the technique and what is involved in working on a Sashiko piece, we received a kit to learn for ourselves.
While not difficult if you are an experienced hand quilter, the technique does need a bit of learning because of how it stops and starts, and how the stitching travels around corners and across intersections. Here is one finished piece:
Thanks to Debby for the lessons and maybe we'll see more of our members working on this old craft.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Touching Base
Happy almost summer!
As our guild season draws to another close, there
are a few things I would like to share with our quilting community....On May 6th we welcomed a former Loose Threads guild member, Pam Chasen, to our meeting. Pam gave a very informative presentation and beautiful trunk show entitled Appliqué and Collage. Pam is an accomplished quilt artist who draws inspiration from her background as an émigré from South Africa and her Jewish faith. Pam shared some of her techniques and thrilled us with several of her incredible art quilts done in the technique of appliqué and collage. Many of her descriptions of how a quilt came to be were very moving, while others were quite amusing. We hope Pam will come back to the guild and share more of her quilting expertise and beautiful quilts with us. In the meantime, check out her website, www.treasuresoutofthebox.com, to be inspired and to enjoy learning more about her.
We have two meetings left in this season and it is hard to believe how quickly time has gone by. The dates and programmes are:
-
May 27th - Debby Soll will give a short presentation on Shashiko and each guild member will
receive a kit with a piece of printed fabric, needle and thread to complete as
they desire.
-
June 10th - closing dinner. Joyce Ireman continues her great job of
organizing the hostess list and special dinners with another fun theme for this
closing dinner - Summer Picnic. Joyce
will be supplying the fixings for a fabulous dessert –make your own ice cream
sundaes!! We will have the sign up list at the May 27th meeting for
appetizers, salads, and main dishes......I am sure it will be another delicious
dinner. The special programme that
evening will be our “10 challenge”. I am excited to see who participated and what
they did within the guidelines, which were nothing more than celebrating Loose
Threads 10th year in a 10” X 10” quilted piece J
As always, we are looking for ideas for programming
(not necessarily quilting related but of general interest to ALL members), and
volunteers to help our guild continue to be active and vibrant. We gladly welcome new members, but do want to
stress that although we have demos and workshops, we are not a teaching guild.Over the summer you will be receiving an email with a file attached that will contain the original by-laws of Loose Threads. It is time to review these, and we hope people will take the time to read them and send any comments to me. We will update the by-laws, renamed Guild Guidelines, in the early fall.
Looking forward to seeing everyone on May 27th.
Sharon
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
International Quilting Day 2013
International Quilt Day, March 16, 2013
Sharing Our Love of Quilting
A warm welcome from Randi Lenet, Ruth Rosenblum and Roz Agulnik,
a cleverly designed quilter’s survival kit and a pocketful of raffle tickets
are sure signs that it’s International Quilt Day (IQD). This festival, celebrated
annually by Loose Threads Quilt Guild, with any remaining spaces joyfully
filled by members from West End Quilters and Cuilte Montreal, is a highlight of
early spring. Among the special guests was Francine Beauchamp of Courtepointe
Quebec Quilts (CQQ) who urged us to join the newly launched CQQ Facebook page.
With 183 friends already, her goal of 200 by the end of the day should easily
be surpassed.
Guest speaker Karen Desparois treated us to a trunk show
which spanned 21 years, starting when she was pregnant with her first child.
Leaving the world of finance and commodities trading for free Saturday mornings
when she could watch and learn to quilt through TV programs, she started with
traditional scrap quilts using memory fabrics like her great-grandmother’s
nightgown and her husband’s shirts. Soon she began designing quilts where her
minimalist style showcased her quilting patterns and special fabrics could be
featured. Her experience in materials and techniques and willingness to share
her knowledge led to a lively discussion about batting, patterns, flannel,
silk, bamboo, sheets, colour catchers, rust dying and more. We learned about
what’s available both in the quilting and the drapery departments at
Fabricville. Karen’s quilts proudly
sported the signs of use: nail polish, tea and coffee stains, and even a paint
smudge when painters mistook a quilt for a drop cloth.
After Karen’s presentation we visited each other’s tables for
a chance to catch up on life’s adventures and exchange information on our
latest projects, speakers, and workshops. IQD is always very productive. Quilts
in every stage, from the first fabric cuts to the last stitches of the binding,
were on display. People were piecing scraps, doing appliqué, beadwork, Sashiko.
Such fun! So many good ideas!
And nothing goes better with the warmth and camaraderie of a
quilt day than fine food, so IQD organizers host a food drive allowing us to share
our good fortune with others. Luckily this leaves us with empty canvas bags,
ready for prizes, parting gifts and the sale table, another highlight of the
day. Though the organizers expressed some apprehension, we were all invited to
view and choose the items for sale en masse.
It was all very civilized! We made selections and filled those empty
bags with new treasures and gently used magazines.
In addition to bringing food for the drive and homemade lunches
we all contributed to the snack table which, along with tea and coffee, was
available all day long. Tempting and delicious, it’s best to get started early.
After all, who says you can’t have a chocolate chip cookie, a banana muffin and
some chips at 9:15 am? And what better
way to console our self for not winning the grand prize of a lovely cutting mat
and a bag of fabrics than a quick trip to the snack bar?
After an exhilarating day, it was time to pack up and go
home. There was just enough room to cram the parting gifts into the bag of new
found fabrics. These gifts included rulers, pins, thread, quilting tools and gadgets
generously supplied by Fabricville, H.A. Kidd, and Symak Sales. Thank you so
much to all. They’ll be well used.
Once at home, it was time to spread out the new fabrics and
look more carefully through the new magazines. One of the Fons and Porter magazines
has directions for a guild activity: fabric bingo. The cards are made of
fabrics which are grouped into colour columns. The rows have a variety of
design needs –florals, novelty fabrics, stripes, retro. I’m ready to make a few
cards because my new fabrics fit categories. I’ve got some great prizes, too. Anybody
want to play?
Thanks to Anna for this most detailed account of a wonderful day.
I hope everyone enjoyed the recent Spring holidays. Come back for updates next week, as I will report on guild activities and upcoming events.
Happy quilting.
Sharon Gates
Monday, February 4, 2013
Brrrrrr....................hope everyone is staying warm.
Yesterday several of our members participated in a workshop led by Isabel Bernier on how to make a drawstring bag. It was a wonderful day - I think everyone managed to make 2 bags! Isabel was a great instructor, and had a couple of surprises for us, which was an added treat. She brought gifts and Valentine loot bags - thanks, Isabel, for a fun day. Looking forward to Show& Tell.
Here is a photo of the day:
Monday, January 7, 2013
Loose Threads Guild - Winter Newsletter
Loose Threads has been very busy since we began meeting again in the fall – we had Bee Nights and demos, as well as full day workshops given by guild members.
Carolyn Nassi demonstrated how to make leaves – she supplied each participant with a “kit” and showed how to make a leaf with a vein down the middle.
Gloria Stermer gave a demo on Pillow Pals – you can read more about these fabulous items below. And check out the photos of the Box Bags, made during a fantastic demo by given by Randi Lenet.
“Quilts of Valor” is an ongoing project for us. Loose Threads has already donated a few and we have one still in progress.
We have the “10” Challenge due at the end of our season – this is to commemorate our 10th year since we became a formal guild. The only rule for this challenge is to have a completed, quilted, and bound piece that measures 10 inches!!!!!!! This is proving to be quite a challenge and it should be a fabulous evening of show and tell when we present our pieces.
On a recent Sunday, many members of the guild gathered for a workshop to learn how to make box bags. Under the very patient guidance of the guild's own Randi Lenet, we each managed to complete at least one bag; many of us left with two.
As we began to construct the bags, we heard many calls for seam rippers and a few choice words every now and then, but we also heard many exclamations of pride as the bags started to come together and when the final product was produced. A few of us even put in our first zipper!!!!
Part of the fun of gatherings such as these is seeing the different fabrics that everyone uses for their projects. Some were learning how to make the bags just to learn a new skill, while others had specific gift recipients in mind.
Many thanks go to Randi for teaching the workshop, to the executive for arranging it, and to all the members who participated in this fun day. The best part of these workshops, aside from learning a new technique or skill, is getting together with others and having fun. A wonderful side benefit of this great day was the collection of several bags of non perishable food items for a local mobile food kitchen.
While we enjoy making quilted items for our community service (big surprise there, huh?), we also create in other ways, using these projects to brighten up the lives of others. This year our community service project didn't involve quilting, but it did involve something that all quilters have: fabric!
We were introduced to Pillow Pals by Gloria Stermer, who thought that these would make a quick and easy project. And it was quick and easy. It really only takes about a half hour to put one together and then maybe another half hour to put the pillow in the fabric "pal," and sew it up.
They're so easy to make. You need two 14 inch squares for the body, scraps for the eyes, nose, mouth, arms and legs, a few bits of fibrefill for the limbs, and a 14-inch square pillow form for the body.
Thank you to everyone who helped to make these delightful stuffed toys for children who will love them.
At a recent December meeting, we had a representative from Yaldei, a pediatric development centre providing therapies for children with autism and other special needs. The children who are a part of this program were the recipients of these special holiday gifts.
Our guild is extremely lucky to be in the City of Cote St. Luc, where we have a wonderful meeting space and incredible city workers who look after our needs so well and are genuinely interested in the work we do. Two of our “regulars” are James and Terrence, and in appreciation for all they do for us, we made each of them a rag quilt. We invited them to our annual Holiday Dinner and presented our gift of a quilt to them- they were so thrilled and we were so happy to show them how much we appreciate all they do for us.
Another fabulous “theme” dinner for our Holiday Celebration – this time it was Italian!! Many thanks go to Joyce Ireman for doing such a wonderful job of organizing and setting up. The food was plentiful and absolutely delicious, as always. As we do at all “special” meetings, we collected non perishable food items for MADA, a local food bank. Over the past several years our members have decided to take the money we would spend on each other for a small gift exchange within the guild and donate it to a local community organization that could benefit from this gift. Our recipient is Maison Shalom, a residence for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities in our community.
January
Movie Night – we invited 3 other guilds to join is for a screening of Superior Threads new DVD
February
Pizza Night
Drawstring pouch workshop by Isabel Bernier
March
Strip Paper Piecing demo by Marijke Vroomen Durning
International Quilting Day, an annual event for our members and invited guests to spend together sewing, sharing, laughing, learning
April
How to finish a Pillow (zipper/envelope) by Gloria Stermer
Petal Play Rose Brooch demo by Sharon Gates
Many of you are familiar with Benita Skinner of Victoriana Quilt Designs. Benita has generously given us 10 quilting designs to include in our newsletters. We included three in our last newsletter and here are three more for you, including one you may want to use for any Valentine's quilting. We hope you enjoy them.
Carolyn Nassi demonstrated how to make leaves – she supplied each participant with a “kit” and showed how to make a leaf with a vein down the middle.
Gloria Stermer gave a demo on Pillow Pals – you can read more about these fabulous items below. And check out the photos of the Box Bags, made during a fantastic demo by given by Randi Lenet.
“Quilts of Valor” is an ongoing project for us. Loose Threads has already donated a few and we have one still in progress.
We have the “10” Challenge due at the end of our season – this is to commemorate our 10th year since we became a formal guild. The only rule for this challenge is to have a completed, quilted, and bound piece that measures 10 inches!!!!!!! This is proving to be quite a challenge and it should be a fabulous evening of show and tell when we present our pieces.
Box Bag Fun
On a recent Sunday, many members of the guild gathered for a workshop to learn how to make box bags. Under the very patient guidance of the guild's own Randi Lenet, we each managed to complete at least one bag; many of us left with two.
As we began to construct the bags, we heard many calls for seam rippers and a few choice words every now and then, but we also heard many exclamations of pride as the bags started to come together and when the final product was produced. A few of us even put in our first zipper!!!!
Part of the fun of gatherings such as these is seeing the different fabrics that everyone uses for their projects. Some were learning how to make the bags just to learn a new skill, while others had specific gift recipients in mind.
 |
| A few of the completed bags |
Many thanks go to Randi for teaching the workshop, to the executive for arranging it, and to all the members who participated in this fun day. The best part of these workshops, aside from learning a new technique or skill, is getting together with others and having fun. A wonderful side benefit of this great day was the collection of several bags of non perishable food items for a local mobile food kitchen.
Pillow Pals - Community Service Project
While we enjoy making quilted items for our community service (big surprise there, huh?), we also create in other ways, using these projects to brighten up the lives of others. This year our community service project didn't involve quilting, but it did involve something that all quilters have: fabric!
We were introduced to Pillow Pals by Gloria Stermer, who thought that these would make a quick and easy project. And it was quick and easy. It really only takes about a half hour to put one together and then maybe another half hour to put the pillow in the fabric "pal," and sew it up.
They're so easy to make. You need two 14 inch squares for the body, scraps for the eyes, nose, mouth, arms and legs, a few bits of fibrefill for the limbs, and a 14-inch square pillow form for the body.
 |
| Before |
 |
| After |
Thank you to everyone who helped to make these delightful stuffed toys for children who will love them.
At a recent December meeting, we had a representative from Yaldei, a pediatric development centre providing therapies for children with autism and other special needs. The children who are a part of this program were the recipients of these special holiday gifts.
Rag Quilts – Thanks to James and Terrence
Our guild is extremely lucky to be in the City of Cote St. Luc, where we have a wonderful meeting space and incredible city workers who look after our needs so well and are genuinely interested in the work we do. Two of our “regulars” are James and Terrence, and in appreciation for all they do for us, we made each of them a rag quilt. We invited them to our annual Holiday Dinner and presented our gift of a quilt to them- they were so thrilled and we were so happy to show them how much we appreciate all they do for us.
Holiday Dinner
Another fabulous “theme” dinner for our Holiday Celebration – this time it was Italian!! Many thanks go to Joyce Ireman for doing such a wonderful job of organizing and setting up. The food was plentiful and absolutely delicious, as always. As we do at all “special” meetings, we collected non perishable food items for MADA, a local food bank. Over the past several years our members have decided to take the money we would spend on each other for a small gift exchange within the guild and donate it to a local community organization that could benefit from this gift. Our recipient is Maison Shalom, a residence for individuals with physical and developmental disabilities in our community.
Upcoming Events
January
Movie Night – we invited 3 other guilds to join is for a screening of Superior Threads new DVD
February
Pizza Night
Drawstring pouch workshop by Isabel Bernier
March
Strip Paper Piecing demo by Marijke Vroomen Durning
International Quilting Day, an annual event for our members and invited guests to spend together sewing, sharing, laughing, learning
April
How to finish a Pillow (zipper/envelope) by Gloria Stermer
Petal Play Rose Brooch demo by Sharon Gates
Victoriana Quilt Design Bonus
Many of you are familiar with Benita Skinner of Victoriana Quilt Designs. Benita has generously given us 10 quilting designs to include in our newsletters. We included three in our last newsletter and here are three more for you, including one you may want to use for any Valentine's quilting. We hope you enjoy them.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Box Bags Fun
This past Sunday, many members of the guild gathered for a workshop to learn how to make box bags. Under the very patient guidance of the guild's own Randi Lenet, we each managed to complete at least one bag, many of us left with two.
As we began to construct the bags, we heard many calls for seam rippers and a few choice words every now and then, but we also heard many exclamations of pride as the bags started to come together and when the final product was produced. A few quilters even put in their first ever zipper. ;-)
Part of the fun of gatherings such as these is seeing the different fabrics that everyone uses for their projects. Some were learning how to make the bags just to learn a new skill, while others had specific gift recipients in mind.
Many, many thanks to Randi for the workshop, for the executive for arranging it, and to all the members who came to the workshop. The best part of these workshops, aside from learning a new technique or skill, is getting together with others and having fun.
Part of the fun of gatherings such as these is seeing the different fabrics that everyone uses for their projects. Some were learning how to make the bags just to learn a new skill, while others had specific gift recipients in mind.
|
| A few of the completed bags |
Many, many thanks to Randi for the workshop, for the executive for arranging it, and to all the members who came to the workshop. The best part of these workshops, aside from learning a new technique or skill, is getting together with others and having fun.
Thursday, October 18, 2012
Pillow Pals - Community Service Project
While we enjoy making quilted items for our community service (big surprise there, huh?), we also create in other ways, using these projects to brighten up the lives of others. This year our community service project didn't involve quilting, but it did involve something that all quilters have: fabric!
We were introduced to Pillow Pals by Gloria Stermer, who thought that these would make a quick and easy project. And it was quick and easy. It really only takes about a half hour to put one together and then maybe another half hour to put the pillow in the fabric "pal," and sew it up.
They're so easy to make. You need two 14.5-inch squares for the body, scraps for the eyes, nose, mouth, arms and legs, a few bits of fibrefill for the limbs, and a 14-inch square pillow form for the body.
The before and after:
And a couple waiting to be sewn up at the top and then they can join their friends who are waiting for them:
Thank you to everyone who is helping make these delightful stuffed toys for children who will love them.
We were introduced to Pillow Pals by Gloria Stermer, who thought that these would make a quick and easy project. And it was quick and easy. It really only takes about a half hour to put one together and then maybe another half hour to put the pillow in the fabric "pal," and sew it up.
They're so easy to make. You need two 14.5-inch squares for the body, scraps for the eyes, nose, mouth, arms and legs, a few bits of fibrefill for the limbs, and a 14-inch square pillow form for the body.
 |
| Gloria modelling the latest in Pillow Pal innards. |
Hard at work:
Sharon introducing one of the Pillow Pals:
And a couple waiting to be sewn up at the top and then they can join their friends who are waiting for them:
Thank you to everyone who is helping make these delightful stuffed toys for children who will love them.
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
Welcome to a new season
We had our first meeting of the new season last night and it was a great evening!! So much to look forward to on our Monday meeting nights!!
We welcomed a new member, Isabel. And we had an out of town guest, Mattina, an exchange student from Sweden, who is staying with one of our members.
Show and Tell was inspirational, as always. We are going to try a new format for S&T this year - when we show our work, we will describe our inspiration, why we chose the fabric we did, and how we actually made the piece - this should be very educational!!
While surfing the net, I came across this great blog - check it out - http://freequiltpatterns.blogspot.ca/
Have you completed your guild name tag?? It was funny last night how some of us came with ours not complete:-)
Don't forget to work on your "Pillow Pals" to have for our Oct 15 meeting.
As always, we need volunteers to help the executive make Loose Threads the vibrant guild it is - won't you consider offering to help, whether it be doing a demo or organizing an event?? Contact me @ shemie@videotron.ca to let me know what you are interested in helping with.
Marijke will be posting the schedule and other info very soon. Be sure to check back often, and remember to leave a comment.
Sharon (shemie@videotron.ca)
Show and Tell was inspirational, as always. We are going to try a new format for S&T this year - when we show our work, we will describe our inspiration, why we chose the fabric we did, and how we actually made the piece - this should be very educational!!
While surfing the net, I came across this great blog - check it out - http://freequiltpatterns.blogspot.ca/
Have you completed your guild name tag?? It was funny last night how some of us came with ours not complete:-)
Don't forget to work on your "Pillow Pals" to have for our Oct 15 meeting.
As always, we need volunteers to help the executive make Loose Threads the vibrant guild it is - won't you consider offering to help, whether it be doing a demo or organizing an event?? Contact me @ shemie@videotron.ca to let me know what you are interested in helping with.
Marijke will be posting the schedule and other info very soon. Be sure to check back often, and remember to leave a comment.
Sharon (shemie@videotron.ca)
Sunday, August 19, 2012
A new season is about to begin
Hello to all Loose Threads members (and to future members, too!!)
Although it is hard to believe that our summer schedules are winding down, it is exciting to think that our guild will be celebrating our 10th year anniversary with a special challenge and other fun happenings!
Our opening meeting will take place on Monday, Aug 27 @ 7:15 P.M. in Chalet 1. Don`t forget to wear your name tag!! If you know of someone who might like to join our group, please invite them to the meeting.
Remember to let Randi know of any life cycle events, so that the guild can acknowledge them. Also, collect toiletries on your travels for Auberge Shalom, and keep your soda can tabs for Roz. Our community work is always ongoing, so please keep these in mind.
For any info regarding Loose Threads Quilt Guild, you can contact me at: shemie@videotron.ca
Sunday, July 15, 2012
Do You Have Your Name Tag?
During one of our last Loose Threads meetings of the 2011/12 year, we had a workshop on making name tags. It was sort of like making the postcards earlier in the season, but in an even smaller scale.
It was decided that it would be nice if all LT members wore their name tags during our meetings but how to encourage this? Well, how about an incentive? Every time you wear your name tag to a meeting, you will get a chance to win some fabric. The more times you wear your tag, the more chances you'll have. And who doesn't want more fabric? (Notice, I didn't ask who *needed* more fabric!)
So, wear your name tag! Don't leave it in your drawer or in your sewing room.
It was decided that it would be nice if all LT members wore their name tags during our meetings but how to encourage this? Well, how about an incentive? Every time you wear your name tag to a meeting, you will get a chance to win some fabric. The more times you wear your tag, the more chances you'll have. And who doesn't want more fabric? (Notice, I didn't ask who *needed* more fabric!)
So, wear your name tag! Don't leave it in your drawer or in your sewing room.
Sunday, July 8, 2012
What's Coming Up for Loose Threads?
A new season is always exciting, the freshness of starting new projects mingled with gathering with people we haven't seen for a few months. And what is coming up this season for Loose Threads? Its 10th anniversary - that's what!
The executive came up with a great idea to help commemorate the 10th year of Loose Threads, but you'll have to get on your thinking cap. Or maybe not. Maybe if you go with your instincts, your gut reaction, you may end up with something even better.
The idea is a challenge, but not an ordinary one. Most challenges involve having specific fabrics or techniques within certain specifications. This challenge is 10. That's it. The project should be 10 inches by 10 inches complete - but what you decide to do with 10 is entirely up to you and your imagination.
You'll all get more information when the we meet up again, but it's never too early to start letting your imagination run wild. It will be fun to see the various interpretations.
If you're planning ahead and want to put the upcoming meeting dates in your agenda, here are the dates listed so far, up to the end of January, when we'll be meeting for the 2012/13 season:
The executive came up with a great idea to help commemorate the 10th year of Loose Threads, but you'll have to get on your thinking cap. Or maybe not. Maybe if you go with your instincts, your gut reaction, you may end up with something even better.
The idea is a challenge, but not an ordinary one. Most challenges involve having specific fabrics or techniques within certain specifications. This challenge is 10. That's it. The project should be 10 inches by 10 inches complete - but what you decide to do with 10 is entirely up to you and your imagination.
You'll all get more information when the we meet up again, but it's never too early to start letting your imagination run wild. It will be fun to see the various interpretations.
If you're planning ahead and want to put the upcoming meeting dates in your agenda, here are the dates listed so far, up to the end of January, when we'll be meeting for the 2012/13 season:
Opening meeting: August 27, 2012. Remember, if you have a friend who would like to join, membership is open to new people.
September:
10
October:
15
29
November:
5
19
December:
3
17 (Holiday dinner)
January:
7
21
Sunday, July 1, 2012
Welcome Blog Mistress Marijke
Just a quick note to say thanks to Marijke for taking on the job of blog mistress :-)
She is already doing a great job!! I will continue to write on my own sometimes, as I have done for the past few years, but Marijke is the official LT blogger now.
This weekend was the Vermont Quilt Festival. I was lucky enough to be able to go with Roz and Ruth on Friday. What a wonderful display of artistry. And for us Montrealers, what a fantastic chance to shop at vendors who we don't have easy accesss to. It was a great day spent with two friends.
I hope everyone is enjoying the gorgeous summer we are having.
Stay safe and happy sewing.
Who's Who at Loose Threads ?
Yes, the Loose Threads season is over but planning for our 10th year is going strong. It takes a good bit of work to run a group, even a small, community group like Loose Threads. There's planning of logistics (where, how, when), managing registration, relationships with other community groups, and so on. Volunteers do so much but because it's behind the scenes, it's not obvious.
If you want to help out to keep LT going, don't be shy! You don't have to volunteer for a big job, start small if you don't know what you can commit to.
So, who's who for the upcoming year? Here is the proposed slate for 2012/13:
EXECUTIVE
Co-Presidents
Roz Agulnik, Sharon Gates
Immediate Past President
Barbara Amihod
Corresponding Secretary
Randi Lenet
Treasurer
Ruth Rosenblum
Member-at-Large
Joyce Ireman
Gloria Stermer
Gloria Stermer
CHAIRWOMEN
Membership Chair
Roz Agulnik, Ruth Rosenblum
Programming Chair
Gloria Stermer, Carolyn Nassi
Hospitality Chair Special Dinners
Joyce Ireman
SPECIAL PROJECTS COORDINATORS
Community Works Committee
Ronit Jacobson, Gloria Stermer
Communication
Sharon Gates
International Quilting Day
Roz Agulnik, Randi Lenet, Ruth Rosenblum
Name Tags
Roz Agulnik
Webmaster/mistress(?)
Marijke Vroomen Durning
If you are interested in joining Loose Threads - you don't need to be a quilter (yet!), but having basic sewing skills is helpful. You can contact Sharon Gates at shemie@videotron.ca or call her at 514-485-0718 for more information.
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Another season is over but...
...that doesn't mean Loose Threads members won't be crafting and coming up with ideas for our next - our 10th year as a guild.
Our final pot luck meal/meeting is always a bit bittersweet. It's a fun evening because we get to relax among like-minded friends and enjoy dishes made by others, clamouring for recipes and wondering what secret ingredients have made a certain food taste so good. But it's also a bit sad because another year has passed - and don't they seem to pass more quickly every year?
Some members have had wonderful news to share with the guild, others have had sadder, life-changing issues touch their lives. That being said, we all have something in common and that is what brings us all together the first and third Monday from September to June.
At this year's closing dinner, our show-and-tell was in a large part a sharing of what some of us learned and did during the Quebec Quilt Salon, that was held here in Montreal in May.
From all accounts from LT members, as well as quilters at the event, the show was a huge hit. The teachers were fantastic and the exhibition stunning. Some of those quilts were beyond description as quilters and non-quilters admired them.
Over the next few weeks, I'll be posting information about the guild's upcoming year and projects. If people send me photos of their work, I can post them too.
Why not share our work and let others see what we have accomplished? It's not bragging by any means - it's sharing in the joy of what we have learned and accomplished. Maybe some others who were thinking that they "can't" do this may see what we have been able to do and decide to give it a try.
I've volunteered to take over this blog, so if you ever would like to have something recognized or written about here, please feel free to email me. Also, leave comments! The best way to get a blog going is by having conversations that result from the posts. Share our blog with people in other guilds - it's always fun to have exchanges from people who share our passion but who live in other parts of the country or world. Quilters are everywhere!
So, that's it for today's post. I hope you all have a great St. Jean Baptiste weekeend and happy stitching!
Marijke
(mareyeka at gmail dot com)
Our final pot luck meal/meeting is always a bit bittersweet. It's a fun evening because we get to relax among like-minded friends and enjoy dishes made by others, clamouring for recipes and wondering what secret ingredients have made a certain food taste so good. But it's also a bit sad because another year has passed - and don't they seem to pass more quickly every year?
Some members have had wonderful news to share with the guild, others have had sadder, life-changing issues touch their lives. That being said, we all have something in common and that is what brings us all together the first and third Monday from September to June.
 |
| http://cqq.ca/salon_en/ |
From all accounts from LT members, as well as quilters at the event, the show was a huge hit. The teachers were fantastic and the exhibition stunning. Some of those quilts were beyond description as quilters and non-quilters admired them.
Over the next few weeks, I'll be posting information about the guild's upcoming year and projects. If people send me photos of their work, I can post them too.
Why not share our work and let others see what we have accomplished? It's not bragging by any means - it's sharing in the joy of what we have learned and accomplished. Maybe some others who were thinking that they "can't" do this may see what we have been able to do and decide to give it a try.
I've volunteered to take over this blog, so if you ever would like to have something recognized or written about here, please feel free to email me. Also, leave comments! The best way to get a blog going is by having conversations that result from the posts. Share our blog with people in other guilds - it's always fun to have exchanges from people who share our passion but who live in other parts of the country or world. Quilters are everywhere!
So, that's it for today's post. I hope you all have a great St. Jean Baptiste weekeend and happy stitching!
Marijke
(mareyeka at gmail dot com)
Thursday, January 26, 2012
It's a New Year
Can it be almost 1 year since I last posted on our blog????
Well, I am back and have lots to report.
Our guild has been very busy - we had:
-A Bee Night where Gloria showed us how to make place mats. Thank you to Gloria and Ronit for all their hard work in making the kits for us and assembling the beautifully wrapped packages of placemats and pillowcases for residents at Maison Shalom.These packages were donated to a member of the executive of Maison Shalom at our Holiday dinner. We were priveleged to view a video about the residents and it was a very moving experience for those of us at the meeting. It was wonderful to see photos of the residents receiving their gifts at their Chanukah party.
This year the monies we collected went to JWIC, and they were very appreciative of our donation. The non perishable food items were picked up by MADA. Thanks to all of our members for their participation in our Community works.
-We had demo by me on Trapunto by hand, by Gloria on Celtic quilting, and by me on needle turn applique.
-We had a Bee Night where we "played" with our Bingo game blocks and cut them down to size to assemble into a quilt for Quilts of Valor, an organization that collects for, and distributes quilts to, returning military personnel. The blue sashing fabric offsets the scrappy blocks beautifully (thanks to Roz for choosing the sashing fabric).
Well, I am back and have lots to report.
Our guild has been very busy - we had:
-A Bee Night where Gloria showed us how to make place mats. Thank you to Gloria and Ronit for all their hard work in making the kits for us and assembling the beautifully wrapped packages of placemats and pillowcases for residents at Maison Shalom.These packages were donated to a member of the executive of Maison Shalom at our Holiday dinner. We were priveleged to view a video about the residents and it was a very moving experience for those of us at the meeting. It was wonderful to see photos of the residents receiving their gifts at their Chanukah party.
This year the monies we collected went to JWIC, and they were very appreciative of our donation. The non perishable food items were picked up by MADA. Thanks to all of our members for their participation in our Community works.
-We had demo by me on Trapunto by hand, by Gloria on Celtic quilting, and by me on needle turn applique.
-We had a Bee Night where we "played" with our Bingo game blocks and cut them down to size to assemble into a quilt for Quilts of Valor, an organization that collects for, and distributes quilts to, returning military personnel. The blue sashing fabric offsets the scrappy blocks beautifully (thanks to Roz for choosing the sashing fabric).
The rest of this year looks like it is filled with some great activities!! We have a Pizza Dinner on Jan 30. During this meeting we will be discussing fabric postcards, and we will be seeing some from members who have received and made these little works of art. A full day workshop on fabric PC's will follow on Feb 4, at the ACC.
We have a meeting planned for Mar 5 entitled "Gab Fest" - here we will share tips, horror stories, learn how to make bias stems, ruched flowers, and give and receive help with UFO's.
On March 17 it is IQD, a day filled with lots of fun, friendship, and food. Participants will share more than just quilting, I am sure.
May 24-27/12 is CQQ's Salon 2012. There are some incredible teachers giving fabulous workshops. Here is a link to the workshops being offered: http://cqq.ca/workshop/
For general info about the salon: email:salon2012info@cqq.ca website:http://cqq.ca/salon_en/
I guess that's it for now.
Please leave a comment, share this with your quilting friends, send me anything you would like to post on the blog related to Loose Threads, etc.
Stay warm and safe.
Sharon
Monday, April 4, 2011
Game Night
Tonight was our guild's Game Night, and thanks to Randi for some inventive thinking, a great time was had by all. Lots of great prizes - everyone went home a winner! Thank you Randi, for the fun games, and thanks to Joyce Ireman, our new bingo caller :-)
Our Community Project, being co-chaired by Gloria and Ronit, is underway. We will be making pillowcases for Maison Shalom, which has approximately 20 full time residents, and several respite care residents, at any given time. At our next meeting, we will have another demo for those who may have missed it the last time. Several members have already made pillowcases for donation - thank you!! And after the demo, there will be a Bee Night in the early fall, so that we will have the pillowcases for Chanukah.
At this time, Tuesday quilting is on hold, due to a commitment Roz and I have.
If someone else would like to take over the responsibility for organizing the Tuesday get togethers, please email me privately.
At tonight's meeting, I again put out the call to you to consider stepping forward to assume a position on the executive, as life has thrown some of us a few curves we were not expecting. Please think about how you would like to help us out and keep the guild the vibrant group it is.
I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of Barbara, Roz, and myself, to wish everyone a healthy and joyous holiday, whether it be Pesach or Easter. May your family gatherings be filled with wonderful times, great food, and the making of wonderful memories.
Our Community Project, being co-chaired by Gloria and Ronit, is underway. We will be making pillowcases for Maison Shalom, which has approximately 20 full time residents, and several respite care residents, at any given time. At our next meeting, we will have another demo for those who may have missed it the last time. Several members have already made pillowcases for donation - thank you!! And after the demo, there will be a Bee Night in the early fall, so that we will have the pillowcases for Chanukah.
At this time, Tuesday quilting is on hold, due to a commitment Roz and I have.
If someone else would like to take over the responsibility for organizing the Tuesday get togethers, please email me privately.
At tonight's meeting, I again put out the call to you to consider stepping forward to assume a position on the executive, as life has thrown some of us a few curves we were not expecting. Please think about how you would like to help us out and keep the guild the vibrant group it is.
I would like to take this opportunity, on behalf of Barbara, Roz, and myself, to wish everyone a healthy and joyous holiday, whether it be Pesach or Easter. May your family gatherings be filled with wonderful times, great food, and the making of wonderful memories.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
International Quilting Day 2011
Today was International Quilting Day and Loose Threads once again did a great job of hosting this fun-filled day of quilting, sewing, knitting, chatting, and noshing :D
Ably co- chaired by Randi and Vikki, the day saw aproximately 35 participants from our guild and 2 others, West End Quilters and Cuilte Montreal, enjoy themselves immensely. The room was set up with a cutting station, ironing stations, a fabric sale table, and a seemingly endless snack table.
All of us left with a loot bag filled with goodies such as fabrics and threads. Six lucky participants each won a fantastic raffle basket.
Everyone brought non perishable food items for our guild to donate to MADA.
Wendy Foster, a quilter from Ottawa, was the guest speaker. Wendy sells threads and brought a vast selection for us to purchase........so many gorgeous colors to choose from!
After talking about the different types of theads for machine use, Wendy gave a splendid trunk show, highlights of which were her art pieces, fish purses and quilted clothing. She is a very talented woman!!
A big thank you to Randi and Vikki for their organizing of this day, and to the many other Loose Threads members who helped make it such a success.
Ably co- chaired by Randi and Vikki, the day saw aproximately 35 participants from our guild and 2 others, West End Quilters and Cuilte Montreal, enjoy themselves immensely. The room was set up with a cutting station, ironing stations, a fabric sale table, and a seemingly endless snack table.
All of us left with a loot bag filled with goodies such as fabrics and threads. Six lucky participants each won a fantastic raffle basket.
Everyone brought non perishable food items for our guild to donate to MADA.
Wendy Foster, a quilter from Ottawa, was the guest speaker. Wendy sells threads and brought a vast selection for us to purchase........so many gorgeous colors to choose from!
After talking about the different types of theads for machine use, Wendy gave a splendid trunk show, highlights of which were her art pieces, fish purses and quilted clothing. She is a very talented woman!!
A big thank you to Randi and Vikki for their organizing of this day, and to the many other Loose Threads members who helped make it such a success.
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
Pillowcase Demo
Last night at our guild meeting, Gloria demonstrated how to make a pillowcase, using the "sausage" method. It was a great evening. Gloria provided a comprehensive demo, complete with a detailed handout and step by step samples. Gloria, thank you for a wonderful project demo. The guild will be putting to good use your hints when we get together over the next season for our Community Project. And speaking of our Community Project for next year, Ronit and Gloria have graciously volunteered to be co-chairs. We will be making pillowcases for Maison Shalom, which is actually 2 group homes in the community, for Jewish adults who are developmentally challenged. Details of this project will be discussed at a later date.
Our next Tuesday get together, which had been scheduled for Feb. 15th, is CANCELLED, due to renovations taking place in the chalet. Please be sure to check the emails we send you re: meeting reminders and updates, as sometimes we may have to relocate or cancel a meeting.
If you have not as yet signed up for International Quilting Day, to be held March 19th, in Chalet 1, please contact Randi or Vikki to let them know you want to participate. And remember the special guest they have lined up - Wendy Foster, a "threadologist" from Ottawa, who is a rep for Superior Threads. There are a few spots still available, and if you have a friend who you think might like to come along with you, let Randi or Vikki know. As always, IQD promises to be a fun filled day of comaraderie, sewing, sharing and snacking!!!! Look for emails regarding the day as we get closer - Randi and Vikki will be asking for volunteers who will bake or bring goodies.
I have been thinking it might be a nice idea to reintroduce the coffee break - last week's pizza dinner was a real success, and last night people seemed to enjoy the danish, and some people even made tea!!! So, if you like this idea, please respond as such and we will reinstitute the practice.
As a special request, to those members who knit and would like to make hats for the Israeli soldiers, we have black wool available. Several members have generously helped out in the past, and unfortunately, there is an ongoing need, as the situation in the Middle East escalates. Betty Goldenberg would be the best person to be in touch with re: this project.
After last week's donation of quilts to Auberge Shalom, and in conversation with Roz, I thought it might be a nice idea to make a quilt for James, our incredible chalet attendant. This idea was well received by the members at last night's meeting. More details will follow as Roz and I discuss various ideas.
Joyce Ireman reported on the latest CQQ meeting. Salon 2012 needs volunteers.......please speak to Joyce if you think you can fill a need for this wonderful event.
If anyone has thought of a position they might like to have on the "executive" of the guild, please let me know. It is a lot of fun planning the meetings and activities and special projects we do. I am sure many of you have ideas - help Loose Threads be the best guild we can be, by getting more involved in the running of the guild.
Please remember I love to read your comments of the postings.
Stay safe and keep warm.
Happy sewing.
Sharon
Our next Tuesday get together, which had been scheduled for Feb. 15th, is CANCELLED, due to renovations taking place in the chalet. Please be sure to check the emails we send you re: meeting reminders and updates, as sometimes we may have to relocate or cancel a meeting.
If you have not as yet signed up for International Quilting Day, to be held March 19th, in Chalet 1, please contact Randi or Vikki to let them know you want to participate. And remember the special guest they have lined up - Wendy Foster, a "threadologist" from Ottawa, who is a rep for Superior Threads. There are a few spots still available, and if you have a friend who you think might like to come along with you, let Randi or Vikki know. As always, IQD promises to be a fun filled day of comaraderie, sewing, sharing and snacking!!!! Look for emails regarding the day as we get closer - Randi and Vikki will be asking for volunteers who will bake or bring goodies.
I have been thinking it might be a nice idea to reintroduce the coffee break - last week's pizza dinner was a real success, and last night people seemed to enjoy the danish, and some people even made tea!!! So, if you like this idea, please respond as such and we will reinstitute the practice.
As a special request, to those members who knit and would like to make hats for the Israeli soldiers, we have black wool available. Several members have generously helped out in the past, and unfortunately, there is an ongoing need, as the situation in the Middle East escalates. Betty Goldenberg would be the best person to be in touch with re: this project.
After last week's donation of quilts to Auberge Shalom, and in conversation with Roz, I thought it might be a nice idea to make a quilt for James, our incredible chalet attendant. This idea was well received by the members at last night's meeting. More details will follow as Roz and I discuss various ideas.
Joyce Ireman reported on the latest CQQ meeting. Salon 2012 needs volunteers.......please speak to Joyce if you think you can fill a need for this wonderful event.
If anyone has thought of a position they might like to have on the "executive" of the guild, please let me know. It is a lot of fun planning the meetings and activities and special projects we do. I am sure many of you have ideas - help Loose Threads be the best guild we can be, by getting more involved in the running of the guild.
Please remember I love to read your comments of the postings.
Stay safe and keep warm.
Happy sewing.
Sharon
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)