Arnprior & District Quilters' Guild Newsletter - April 2026
President's Message
As we welcome the arrival of warmer weather (and in person meetings), I want to highlight the energy and generosity that filled our guild throughout March. Our “Quiltie Madness” challenge wrapped up with an incredible total of 244 quilties - an amazing showing that truly highlights the creativity and enthusiasm within our Guild. That spirit of giving is what makes this guild so special, and I couldn’t be prouder of what we accomplished together.
April is a quieter month for the guild in terms of scheduled activities, but I know that behind the scenes, many of you are hard at work. With our upcoming quilt show on the horizon, this is a time of preparation, creativity, and anticipation. Whether you’re finishing a long-awaited project or starting something new, I encourage you to enjoy the process and take inspiration from the fresh beginnings that spring brings.
Thank you all for your continued passion, generosity, and dedication. I look forward to seeing the beautiful work that will soon be on display.
Can’t wait to see everyone at the meeting!
Amanda, President
April is a quieter month for the guild in terms of scheduled activities, but I know that behind the scenes, many of you are hard at work. With our upcoming quilt show on the horizon, this is a time of preparation, creativity, and anticipation. Whether you’re finishing a long-awaited project or starting something new, I encourage you to enjoy the process and take inspiration from the fresh beginnings that spring brings.
Thank you all for your continued passion, generosity, and dedication. I look forward to seeing the beautiful work that will soon be on display.
Can’t wait to see everyone at the meeting!
Amanda, President
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April Guild Meeting
When? We hope you'll join us on Wednesday April 22 The meeting begins at 7 pm with doors opening at 6:30 PM. Where? 257 John Street, Arnprior Ontario (Christian Education Centre) Parking is available on the nearby streets. Please do not park in the adjacent church parking lot. Win! The meeting will feature draws for door prizes, and a Guess-the-Number of Pages book sponsored by our Library. Tickets will be sold for draws of a basket of quilting goodies, and 50-50. And you can win fat quarters if you participate in the optional Fat Quarter Club. Bring
Visitors We welcome visitors to our meetings for a $5 fee payable in cash at the door. Program
Our guest speaker will be Sherida Giddings and her trunk show with a wide variety of Quiltworx projects from small to large. Sherida is a certified instructor of Judy Niemeyer/Quiltworx. She last visited our guild in October 2016 and we look forward to welcoming her back. Happy Wife Quilting will be our Shop of the Month at the meeting, so come prepared to shop! Programs
Quilt as You Go Workshop with Marie-Claire, aka La Quilting Coach
Being held again by popular demand, the Quilt As You Go workshop with Marie Claire is coming up on May 5 at the Arnprior Public Library (and we're pretty sure that this one won't end up on Zoom due to inclement weather like the first time!) This workshop is fully subscribed. |
Reveal Parade Sample
Quilt Along
We look forward to seeing your finished Magical Mystery Quilt Along quilts at the May meeting (and in our quilt show).
Meadow Mist Designs has posted many photos of completed quilts in their "Reveal Parade".
You can still make this project; you can access the monthly instructions from Meadow Mist Designs here. Or you can access instructions for individual months from the links at the bottom of our Quilt Along page.
The individual downloadable PDF instruction files are no longer available but the complete pattern can be purchased here Magnificent Mystery Quilt – Meadow Mist Designs
We look forward to seeing your finished Magical Mystery Quilt Along quilts at the May meeting (and in our quilt show).
Meadow Mist Designs has posted many photos of completed quilts in their "Reveal Parade".
You can still make this project; you can access the monthly instructions from Meadow Mist Designs here. Or you can access instructions for individual months from the links at the bottom of our Quilt Along page.
The individual downloadable PDF instruction files are no longer available but the complete pattern can be purchased here Magnificent Mystery Quilt – Meadow Mist Designs
2025-2026 Activity Schedule
Here's what's coming up!
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Date |
Activity |
Details |
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April 22 Wednesday 7 PM Doors open 6:30 PM |
Guild meeting |
Location: 257 John Street, Arnprior Ontario (Christian Education Centre) Guest: Sherida Giddings trunk show with a wide variety of Quiltworx projects from small to large Happy Wife Quilting will be our Shop of the Month at the meeting Fat Quarter Club: Colour GREEN |
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May 5 Tuesday 10 AM to 4:30 PM |
Workshop FULL
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Quilt As You Go techniques workshop with Marie-Claire, aka La Quilting Coach Location: Arnprior Public Library, 21 Madawaska St., Arnprior ON |
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May 13 Wednesday 7 to 9 PM |
Sewcial Night via Zoom |
Join us via Zoom for a fun evening of sewing in the comfort of our own homes. Zoom link will be sent by email. |
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May 27 Wednesday 7 PM Doors open 6:30 PM |
Guild meeting |
Annual General Meeting Location: 257 John Street, Arnprior Ontario (Christian Education Centre) Fat Quarter Club: Floral prints |
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May 29 Friday |
Quilt Show Set-up |
Volunteers needed to help with quilt show set up Location: Nick Smith Centre, 77 James St., Arnprior ON |
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May 30 to 31 Saturday to Sunday |
Our Quilt Show |
Location: Nick Smith Centre, 77 James St., Arnprior ON |
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June 3 Wednesday 7 to 9 PM |
Sewcial Night via Zoom |
Join us via Zoom for a fun evening of sewing in the comfort of our own homes. Zoom link will be sent by email. |
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June 17 Wednesday 7 PM Doors open 6:30 PM |
Guild meeting |
End of year potluck Location: 257 John Street, Arnprior Ontario (Christian Education Centre) Fat Quarter Club: Quilter's Choice - ANY fat quarter! Unofficial President s Challenge projects due |
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November 16 to 20 2026 Monday to Friday |
Retreat |
Come for 3 or 4 nights, and quilt from morning until night! |
For up to date information on all of our events, including past events, refer to the online Schedule which is regularly updated as new information becomes available.
Quilt Show
Registering Your Quilts Online
The online registration will be available April 27th to enter your quilts into the show and will close May 17th. Get a head start by making a list of the quilts to enter, and compose your descriptions ready to submit. Tip: Type the descriptions of each quilt into a word processing document or email message etc. and then you can copy and paste them into your registration forms. The word count limit has been set to 350 words to have the descriptions fit the cards.
Volunteering
To have an wonderful quilt show, for our guild to be proud of, we need volunteers. Volunteers will enter at no charge when showing up to scheduled volunteer shifts at the show.
We encourage you to wear comfortable shoes to enjoy volunteering, to browse the show, promote guild awareness, purchase raffle tickets, buy goodies at the vendors' tables, and have a tasty lunch at the tea room.
The volunteering schedule will be available to sign up at the April meeting. If you are unable to attend the meeting please let a friend know to sign you up or let us know by an email with your position choices and we will sign you up.
Viewers’ Choice Awards
At our Guild Quilt Show we will be asking visitors to fill out a ballot with their favorite quilt for our Viewers Choice award. There will be first, second and third ribbons for the winning quilts.
Pie Plates
Pie plates will be handed out at the April meeting to members who are volunteering to make pies for the tearoom.
Raffle Baskets
Just a reminder to please bring items to donate to help fill our raffle baskets. The items can be brought to the April meeting and Allison will be set-up to receive them.
We plan to offer 10-15 baskets, each basket with its own theme in mind and filled with quilting and sewing supplies and other goodies to entice our guests to lay their tickets down. Past themes have included: Christmas, Halloween, New Baby, Movie Night, Games Night, Gardening, Tea Time, Sewing Basket, Quilting supplies, Winter, Fall, Spring, and “sew” on.
What can you offer to help fill these baskets? Through your generosity you could donate:
- Fat Quarters,
- Sewing/quilting gadgets...
- Create small sewn items like pin cushions, needle books, mug rugs, pouches…
- Gently used books, rulers, templates, Patterns
- Goodies and Treats (Sweets, Tea, Mugs, biscuits, etc.)
The online registration will be available April 27th to enter your quilts into the show and will close May 17th. Get a head start by making a list of the quilts to enter, and compose your descriptions ready to submit. Tip: Type the descriptions of each quilt into a word processing document or email message etc. and then you can copy and paste them into your registration forms. The word count limit has been set to 350 words to have the descriptions fit the cards.
Volunteering
To have an wonderful quilt show, for our guild to be proud of, we need volunteers. Volunteers will enter at no charge when showing up to scheduled volunteer shifts at the show.
We encourage you to wear comfortable shoes to enjoy volunteering, to browse the show, promote guild awareness, purchase raffle tickets, buy goodies at the vendors' tables, and have a tasty lunch at the tea room.
The volunteering schedule will be available to sign up at the April meeting. If you are unable to attend the meeting please let a friend know to sign you up or let us know by an email with your position choices and we will sign you up.
Viewers’ Choice Awards
At our Guild Quilt Show we will be asking visitors to fill out a ballot with their favorite quilt for our Viewers Choice award. There will be first, second and third ribbons for the winning quilts.
Pie Plates
Pie plates will be handed out at the April meeting to members who are volunteering to make pies for the tearoom.
Raffle Baskets
Just a reminder to please bring items to donate to help fill our raffle baskets. The items can be brought to the April meeting and Allison will be set-up to receive them.
We plan to offer 10-15 baskets, each basket with its own theme in mind and filled with quilting and sewing supplies and other goodies to entice our guests to lay their tickets down. Past themes have included: Christmas, Halloween, New Baby, Movie Night, Games Night, Gardening, Tea Time, Sewing Basket, Quilting supplies, Winter, Fall, Spring, and “sew” on.
What can you offer to help fill these baskets? Through your generosity you could donate:
- Fat Quarters,
- Sewing/quilting gadgets...
- Create small sewn items like pin cushions, needle books, mug rugs, pouches…
- Gently used books, rulers, templates, Patterns
- Goodies and Treats (Sweets, Tea, Mugs, biscuits, etc.)
Raffle baskets at our 2023 quilt show
Hangers
The Quilt Show committee is in need of hangers and have asked for our help.
While you are shopping, please ask if the hangers could be included with your purchase, and do enlist your family members to help out as well.
You can bring the hangers along to the April and May meetings.
Thank you!
The Quilt Show committee is in need of hangers and have asked for our help.
While you are shopping, please ask if the hangers could be included with your purchase, and do enlist your family members to help out as well.
You can bring the hangers along to the April and May meetings.
Thank you!
Quilt Show Info on the Website
There is plenty of quilt show information for show visitors, and detailed information for our guild members will be on the website soon.
The Quilt Show 2026 page contains all of the general information to attract and guide visitors to our show. If you are promoting the show to your friends or on your social media please include a link to this page.
You can access the Quilt Show page from a link at the top of the website Home page, in the Schedule, and from Activities+.
The ton of information that is relevant only to us guild members will be soon available on the "Quilt Show Information for Guild Members" page. This page will continue to be updated as more information becomes available - this is where you'll find the most current information, and access to the Registration Form.
You'll be able to access this page from a link at the top right of the main Quilt Show 2026 page.
Thanks!
-- Vickie MacNabb on behalf of the Show Planning Committee
There is plenty of quilt show information for show visitors, and detailed information for our guild members will be on the website soon.
The Quilt Show 2026 page contains all of the general information to attract and guide visitors to our show. If you are promoting the show to your friends or on your social media please include a link to this page.
You can access the Quilt Show page from a link at the top of the website Home page, in the Schedule, and from Activities+.
The ton of information that is relevant only to us guild members will be soon available on the "Quilt Show Information for Guild Members" page. This page will continue to be updated as more information becomes available - this is where you'll find the most current information, and access to the Registration Form.
You'll be able to access this page from a link at the top right of the main Quilt Show 2026 page.
Thanks!
-- Vickie MacNabb on behalf of the Show Planning Committee
Charity
Quilt Show Raffle Quilt
Raffle Tickets
The sale of Raffle Tickets for our gorgeous quilt is going well, as expected. At our April meeting, you may hand in your sold tickets and money, I will be there to collect them. If you haven't finished yet, no worries, you may hand them in at the May meeting or to me at my house. We have tickets left to sell and if you haven't picked them up yet, I have extra to hand out. Thank you.
The sale of Raffle Tickets for our gorgeous quilt is going well, as expected. At our April meeting, you may hand in your sold tickets and money, I will be there to collect them. If you haven't finished yet, no worries, you may hand them in at the May meeting or to me at my house. We have tickets left to sell and if you haven't picked them up yet, I have extra to hand out. Thank you.
Quilties
Our March challenge was a great success with our guild producing 244 Quilties, Almonte made 394, so the final for the Almonte hospital is 638 Quilties ahead for the coming year. Our Quilties will be held until after the show, then they will distributed along with our present inventory of Quilties. They will be going to the Almonte hospital, the Pembroke hospital and the Wabauskang First Nation Reserve north of Kenora Ontario.
With all our Quilties gone in the summer, we'll be ready for another year of charitable sewing for the children, come next season.
Our March challenge was a great success with our guild producing 244 Quilties, Almonte made 394, so the final for the Almonte hospital is 638 Quilties ahead for the coming year. Our Quilties will be held until after the show, then they will distributed along with our present inventory of Quilties. They will be going to the Almonte hospital, the Pembroke hospital and the Wabauskang First Nation Reserve north of Kenora Ontario.
With all our Quilties gone in the summer, we'll be ready for another year of charitable sewing for the children, come next season.
Charity Quilts
To-date, I have in my possession, 13 charity quilts that have been made by members through our "Cheater Panel Challenge" or just goodness of heart which will also find homes after the show. We have been giving them to places like Bernadette McCann House in Pembroke, or Interval House in Carleton Place, but if you know of somewhere where you would like to see a few to go, please let me know. All suggestions are great. Also, any quilts of twin size that you are willing to part with, I'll add them to these.
Thank you for all your considerate hard work.
-- Marilyn and Carolyn
To-date, I have in my possession, 13 charity quilts that have been made by members through our "Cheater Panel Challenge" or just goodness of heart which will also find homes after the show. We have been giving them to places like Bernadette McCann House in Pembroke, or Interval House in Carleton Place, but if you know of somewhere where you would like to see a few to go, please let me know. All suggestions are great. Also, any quilts of twin size that you are willing to part with, I'll add them to these.
Thank you for all your considerate hard work.
-- Marilyn and Carolyn
In Town Retreat
The recent In Town Retreat was a sold-out success, bringing together guild members for a wonderful blend of productivity and laughter. From stitching together the final pieces of mystery quilts to working on a wide variety of “quilties,” there was no shortage of inspiration or accomplishment throughout the two days. The room was filled with energy, camaraderie, and the shared joy of quilting. Attendees also enjoyed an abundance of delicious food, adding to the warm and welcoming atmosphere. Heartfelt appreciation goes out to Martha and the many dedicated members who worked tirelessly behind the scenes - their efforts ensured a smooth, enjoyable, and memorable retreat for all.
March Guild Meeting
Our March Quiltie sewing guild meeting was a lot of fun and very productive!
We started off with a very inspirational Show and Tell and then the sewing frenzy and some conversation.
We enjoyed seeing your quilts at Show and Tell. See the Show and Tell page for the photos, some of which are previewed below.
We started off with a very inspirational Show and Tell and then the sewing frenzy and some conversation.
We enjoyed seeing your quilts at Show and Tell. See the Show and Tell page for the photos, some of which are previewed below.
Charm Pack Quiltie
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Show & Tell Preview
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Sewing Activities
Our guild has a lot going on! Here are the sewing opportunities for you:
Our guild has a lot going on! Here are the sewing opportunities for you:
- Magnificent Mystery Quilt Along
- Presidents' Challenges - Formal and Informal
- Retreats
- Fat Quarter Club
- Charity Projects
- Workshops
- Personal projects for our Quilt Show
Thank you to the financial support of the businesses who advertise in our newsletters.
You can click/tap on any of the advertisements in this newsletter to access the vendor's website. Please support our advertisers!
You can click/tap on any of the advertisements in this newsletter to access the vendor's website. Please support our advertisers!
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Upcoming Quilt Shows
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Location |
Dates |
Presented By |
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Ottawa ON |
May 3 |
Hintonburg Fabric Flea Market |
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Orillia ON |
May 8-9 |
Orillia Quilters Guild |
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Peterborough ON |
May 8-9 |
Kawartha Quiltmakers Guild |
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Malone NY |
May 15-16 |
Adirondack Quilters Guild |
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Rochester NY |
May 15-17 |
Genesee Valley Quilt Club with Aurora Sewing Center |
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Arnprior ON |
May 30-31 |
Our guild! ADQG |
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Brighton ON |
June 6-7 |
Trent Valley Quilters Guild |
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Ottawa ON |
June 12-13 |
Common Thread Quilt Guild |
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Renfrew ON |
June 13-14 |
Quilters Guild of Renfrew & Area |
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Winnipeg MB |
June 18-20 |
Canadian Quilters Association Quilt Canada |
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Wellington ON |
July 11-12 |
Prince Edward County Quilters Guild |
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Brantford ON |
Sept 25-26 |
Brant Heritage Quilters |
CQA Activities
Quilt Canada 2025
Photos of the award winning projects can be found here. Click/tap on a photo for details about the maker and the project.
Quilt Canada 2026
Photos of the award winning projects can be found here. Click/tap on a photo for details about the maker and the project.
Quilt Canada 2026
You can monitor the evolving plans for Quilt Canada 2026 here.
Dates: June 18-20 2026
Location: Winnipeg Manitoba
The Canadian Quilters' Association is very active on social media and you can follow along on Facebook or Instagram.
You can monitor the evolving plans for Quilt Canada 2026 here.
Dates: June 18-20 2026
Location: Winnipeg Manitoba
The Canadian Quilters' Association is very active on social media and you can follow along on Facebook or Instagram.
Browse the CQA Events Calendar for information about quilting events across Canada by province, territory, or date.
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ADQG Leadership Team
President: Amanda Vajda Contact Charity: Marilyn Erskine Contact Treasurer: Sandy Beach Contact Secretary: Pamela Friedrich Programs: Martha Palmer Contact Membership: Johanne Vajda Contact Library: Jacquie Lavictoire Communications: Janet Brownlee Contact Key Volunteers
Photographer: Emma Russell Preemie Quilt Coordinator: Carolyn Prince Raffle Ticket Sales: Brenda Payer Retreats: Sue Hodgins |
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Communications
Our primary means of communication with you, our members, and amongst our leadership team is by email.
If you have a question or concern, you can direct it to a specific member of our leadership team using the respective Contact link above. If you're unsure of who to contact, please send it to the general guild email address, arnpriorquilters@gmail.com
If you have a question or concern, you can direct it to a specific member of our leadership team using the respective Contact link above. If you're unsure of who to contact, please send it to the general guild email address, arnpriorquilters@gmail.com
Social Media
Have you followed us on Facebook yet? It’s a great way to stay up to date with our upcoming events and guild news.
To follow us on Facebook click/tap here.
To follow us on Facebook click/tap here.
Want even more? Join our Members-Only Facebook Group! It's a special space where you can share your creations, ask for advice, and connect with fellow members for support, inspiration, and friendship.
To join the Members-Only Group click/tap here.
To join the Members-Only Group click/tap here.
THANK YOU to Amanda, Vickie, Marilyn, and Carolyn for their guild updates, photos, and other news this month.
-- Janet Brownlee, Communications & Newsletter Editor
-- Janet Brownlee, Communications & Newsletter Editor
Our meeting next month is on May 27