Arnprior & District Quilters' Guild Newsletter - May 2025
President's Message
I just started my first scrappy quilt. When Canada celebrated our 150 years, I picked up a pattern and knew that one day, I would make it with the scraps or left over material pieces that I have been saving since the beginning of time. That time has come, and my goodness, is it addicting. I can’t describe the complete satisfaction and enjoyment I am experiencing by using these left-over bits and pieces to create a new quilt. It just amazes me how thrilled I am with this process. Pieces that have been stuck in drawers, fallen on the floor, all scrunched up, neglected have been given a new life. It is bringing me so much joy to witness these pieces that may have otherwise ended in the trash, come together to create my next quilt. I now understand when I hear that scraps multiply and you never really make a dent into your stash…but let me tell you, using your leftovers is just magical!
And if I am being very honest, I don’t really mind that the warmer weather isn’t upon us yet. With the warmer weather, comes the tug between spring chores or spending time in my quilt room….and since I am being honest, all I want to do is finish my scrappy quilt before July 1st. I know that I can confess this to all of you, as you are the only friends that will truly understand the joy of quilting.
Looking forward to our meeting
Annie Cruickshank, Co-President
And if I am being very honest, I don’t really mind that the warmer weather isn’t upon us yet. With the warmer weather, comes the tug between spring chores or spending time in my quilt room….and since I am being honest, all I want to do is finish my scrappy quilt before July 1st. I know that I can confess this to all of you, as you are the only friends that will truly understand the joy of quilting.
Looking forward to our meeting
Annie Cruickshank, Co-President
April Meeting Trunk Show
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May Guild Meeting
When? We hope you'll join us on Wednesday May 28 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 and Blocks of the Month if you participate in these optional activities. Bring
Visitors We welcome visitors to our meetings for a $5 fee payable in cash at the door. Program
Our Annual General Meeting will be incorporated into our May guild meeting.
We'll be back to our usual Show and Tell so do gather up all of your stunning creations that you made over the winter and early spring and bring them along. We'd love to see them and hear their stories.
Our Quilter's Recycling Table will be available again in this month. This is an effective way to engage in sustainable quilting practices by bringing or taking items to/from the recycling table. It’s a win for everyone! A reminder that if the item you brought is not picked up, you are responsible for taking it back home with you. |
Double Disappearing 9 Patch - April
Block of the Month
Elizabeth Couture introduced her Double Disappearing 9 Patch block at the April meeting. Instructions and photo(s) are posted on the website Block of the Month page. There's still time for you to make this pair of blocks.
Bring your completed blocks along to the meeting. You'll get one draw entry for each block that you bring in, so the more blocks you make, the higher your chance of winning the blocks.
The May block will be introduced at the guild meeting by Allison Kubiseski. Instructions and photo(s) will be posted on the website shortly after the meeting.
I'm still fascinated by Brenda's January Potato Chip block - here's another design that I came across pictured below.
-- Janet Brownlee, BOM Coordinator
Elizabeth Couture introduced her Double Disappearing 9 Patch block at the April meeting. Instructions and photo(s) are posted on the website Block of the Month page. There's still time for you to make this pair of blocks.
Bring your completed blocks along to the meeting. You'll get one draw entry for each block that you bring in, so the more blocks you make, the higher your chance of winning the blocks.
The May block will be introduced at the guild meeting by Allison Kubiseski. Instructions and photo(s) will be posted on the website shortly after the meeting.
I'm still fascinated by Brenda's January Potato Chip block - here's another design that I came across pictured below.
-- Janet Brownlee, BOM Coordinator
Potato Chip Blocks
Open Leadership Positions
As the end of the guild year approaches, it is time to fill the vacancies on the executive team. The President and Secretary spots are available.
President - We are looking for someone to represent our guild and guide our meetings.
Secretary - We are looking for someone to take notes at our meetings…both at the monthly guild meetings and at the executive meetings
Full executive duties can be found on our website ADQG Position Descriptions
Please let us know if you would be interested in joining our fabulous existing executive.
We are also looking for someone to work with Marilyn to help out with the Preemie part of our charity work.
-- Anne
President - We are looking for someone to represent our guild and guide our meetings.
Secretary - We are looking for someone to take notes at our meetings…both at the monthly guild meetings and at the executive meetings
Full executive duties can be found on our website ADQG Position Descriptions
Please let us know if you would be interested in joining our fabulous existing executive.
We are also looking for someone to work with Marilyn to help out with the Preemie part of our charity work.
-- Anne
Preemie Quilt Coordinator
After eight wonderful years leading the Charity Quilts program, I’m ready to begin stepping back—and I’m looking for a kind soul to take over just the preemie quilt portion of the job.
The Preemie Quilt Coordinator role includes:
This is a truly heartwarming role that supports some of the tiniest and most vulnerable lives in our community. You’ll have full support from me during the transition, and I’ll continue handling the other half of the Charity Quilts work until 2026.
If you’re interested or have questions, please reach out to me directly. I’d be so grateful to pass this torch on to someone who can give it the same care and love.
Warmly,
Marilyn Erskine, 613-406-8650
After eight wonderful years leading the Charity Quilts program, I’m ready to begin stepping back—and I’m looking for a kind soul to take over just the preemie quilt portion of the job.
The Preemie Quilt Coordinator role includes:
- Collecting preemie quilts at monthly guild meetings
- Cutting and preparing backings and battings for kits
- Organizing “Preemie Month” in March (encouraging donations, handing out kits, tags etc.)
- Delivering completed quilts to Queensway Carleton and Ottawa Hospital once a year
- Storing preemie quilts and supplies at your home
This is a truly heartwarming role that supports some of the tiniest and most vulnerable lives in our community. You’ll have full support from me during the transition, and I’ll continue handling the other half of the Charity Quilts work until 2026.
If you’re interested or have questions, please reach out to me directly. I’d be so grateful to pass this torch on to someone who can give it the same care and love.
Warmly,
Marilyn Erskine, 613-406-8650
Upcoming Guild Meetings
Mark these dates on your calendar for the 2 remaining guild meetings of the 2024-2025 guild season: May 28, June 18
The June 18th guild meeting will be our end of year potluck meeting, a fun and social evening.
We're asking members with surnames beginning with the letters A-L to bring a dish to share at the potluck.
There will be an additional draw at this meeting, for 2 free memberships for our 2025-2026 guild year. Members who renew their membership by June 18th will be eligible for this draw. Registration for next year will open in early June - you'll be notified by email when it starts.
The June 18th guild meeting will be our end of year potluck meeting, a fun and social evening.
We're asking members with surnames beginning with the letters A-L to bring a dish to share at the potluck.
There will be an additional draw at this meeting, for 2 free memberships for our 2025-2026 guild year. Members who renew their membership by June 18th will be eligible for this draw. Registration for next year will open in early June - you'll be notified by email when it starts.
Recent Guild Events
Star Strip Paper Piecing Workshop
Our guild had a wonderful day on Tuesday, May 20, as 17 eager participants gathered at the Horton Community Centre in Renfrew to take part in a Millennium Star workshop led by Helen Gunn. The workshop focused on a beautiful yet complex strip-piecing technique, and everyone was keen to learn.
The community centre was perfectly set up for us, with individual tables for each participant and plenty of space for lunch tables. We were especially grateful for the many outlets and extension cords provided—perfect for our sewing stations!
We started the day at 9:00 a.m. as Helen walked us through the detailed steps of creating the star.
The community centre was perfectly set up for us, with individual tables for each participant and plenty of space for lunch tables. We were especially grateful for the many outlets and extension cords provided—perfect for our sewing stations!
We started the day at 9:00 a.m. as Helen walked us through the detailed steps of creating the star.
Helen Gunn, seated
Then it was time to get to work. The process involves nine steps, and most participants made it to step six by the end of the day. A few standout stars, like Emma Russell, finished early—her completed block became a great teaching aid for Helen as she demonstrated the final assembly steps. We were so inspired by Emma’s beautiful finished star!
Emma
The stars that emerged were absolutely stunning—crisp points, vibrant fabrics, and plenty of shining talent on display. It was inspiring to see so many variations come to life using the paper piecing method.
It was a sunny, and cool day, and, with plenty of natural light in the hall, we were delighted to spend it together, learning and creating. We’re looking forward to seeing all the completed stars soon—hopefully during Show and Tell at our next guild meeting.
Great work, everyone! A special thank you again to Helen Gunn for arranging the hall rental and for teaching us this star strip technique! Keep those stars shining !
-- Martha Palmer
Great work, everyone! A special thank you again to Helen Gunn for arranging the hall rental and for teaching us this star strip technique! Keep those stars shining !
-- Martha Palmer
April Guild Meeting
Wednesday April 23
Wednesday April 23
There was an energizing buzz in the hall on April 23 when we came together for our first in person meeting of the year after our 3 winter Zoom meetings.
We had a marvelous trunk show by 3 Snyder sisters, Joyce, Marilyn and Jacquie. They showed quilts they had made, and some made by their mother Edna. All 4 have been members of our guild; Joyce and Marilyn both currently serve in guild leadership positions, and Jacquie was visiting from Calgary.
We had a marvelous trunk show by 3 Snyder sisters, Joyce, Marilyn and Jacquie. They showed quilts they had made, and some made by their mother Edna. All 4 have been members of our guild; Joyce and Marilyn both currently serve in guild leadership positions, and Jacquie was visiting from Calgary.
L to R: Jacquie, Marilyn, Joyce
Marilyn and Joyce
Many of the little preemie quilts made during our March Preemie Challenge were on display and they are gorgeous.
Browsing the Mad Moody Shop-of-the-Month
Check out many more photos in the April Meeting Blog Post.
-- Janet Brownlee
-- Janet Brownlee
* * * * * * Schedule of Guild Meetings and Activities * * * * * *
Check out our Blog for posts (and lots of pics) about previous guild meetings.
- April 2025 Guild Meeting
- Winter 2025 Zoom Meetings
- December 2024 Guild Meeting - Christmas Potluck
- November 2024 Guild Meeting - Joan O'Malley who sewed the first Canadian Flag
- October 2024 Guild Meeting - Skills Demonstration Night
- September 2024 Guild Meeting - Favourite Gadget Show and Tell
- Photos of Show and Tell quilts
Charity
We have 214 Preemie quilts waiting for homes and seeing that our quilt show isn’t for another year, the guild has decided to send 50-60 to the Queensway Carleton Hospital. They have no quilts for their Preemie babies.
Our other donation this month is to the CDKL5 Awareness Society. Here's a picture of the chosen quilt.
We have 214 Preemie quilts waiting for homes and seeing that our quilt show isn’t for another year, the guild has decided to send 50-60 to the Queensway Carleton Hospital. They have no quilts for their Preemie babies.
Our other donation this month is to the CDKL5 Awareness Society. Here's a picture of the chosen quilt.
And we've received this gracious thank you note for our donation.
There is information about CDKL5 on this website.
-- Marilyn Erskine, Charity Coordinator
-- Marilyn Erskine, Charity Coordinator
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Tips From Gwen
Submitted by Gwen Pennings
Submitted by Gwen Pennings
The Quilters is a powerful new Netflix documentary that takes you inside a maximum-security prison in Missouri where a group of incarcerated men find purpose, expression, and redemption through quilting in a space that becomes more than just a sewing room, it becomes a lifeline.
This movie was recently released on Netflix.
Watch The Quilters | Netflix Official Site This link also includes a short trailer.
Here's an article about the movie.
Netflix Acquires Documentary Short 'The Quilters'; Sets May 2025 Release
And Gwen has this positive review.
"We just finished watching "The Quilters" on Netflix. It is men in prison making quilts for foster children and charity. It is a short movie but well worth your time watching."
This movie was recently released on Netflix.
Watch The Quilters | Netflix Official Site This link also includes a short trailer.
Here's an article about the movie.
Netflix Acquires Documentary Short 'The Quilters'; Sets May 2025 Release
And Gwen has this positive review.
"We just finished watching "The Quilters" on Netflix. It is men in prison making quilts for foster children and charity. It is a short movie but well worth your time watching."
haileystitches.com
There are a lot of resources on this website, including quilt math resources, tutorials, free patterns and more, including some resources for purchase.
Here's a useful example Sawtooth Star Quilt Block Cheat Sheet
There are a lot of resources on this website, including quilt math resources, tutorials, free patterns and more, including some resources for purchase.
Here's a useful example Sawtooth Star Quilt Block Cheat Sheet
Machine Quilting Tips Galore
Tips and tutorials all related to machine quilting.
Tips and tutorials all related to machine quilting.
- Just getting started? Try this Machine quilting guide for beginners
- These Top 10 Tips for Quilters are great to keep in mind
- Need to see how big to make your quilt? Check out this Ultimate Quilt Size Chart
- Quilting with Rings this will help move the fabric for FMQ (free motion quilting)!
- Check out this Spiral Quilting with a Walking Foot tutorial - so easy!
- Not interested in quilting your latest finish yourself? Well, check out these Tips for Choosing a Longarm Quilting Design
- I love my walking foot for quilting on my domestic machine. Here's a Beginner’s Guide to Using a Walking Foot for Quilting
- Considering adding a border to your quilt? Here's how to piece strips for borders & binding
- Looking for some fresh inspiration for how to quilt your quilt? (All using your walking foot!) Here's 14 Must-See Quilting Designs
CQA Activities
Photos of the award winning projects from Quilt Canada 2024 can be found here.
Click/tap on a photo for details about the maker and the project.
You can monitor the evolving plans for Quilt Canada 2025 here.
The Canadian Quilters' Association is very active on social media and you can follow along on Facebook or Instagram.
Dates are June 18-21 2025. More info on our website here.
Browse the CQA Events Calendar for information about quilting events across Canada by province, territory, or date.
Click/tap on a photo for details about the maker and the project.
You can monitor the evolving plans for Quilt Canada 2025 here.
The Canadian Quilters' Association is very active on social media and you can follow along on Facebook or Instagram.
Dates are June 18-21 2025. More info on our website here.
Browse the CQA Events Calendar for information about quilting events across Canada by province, territory, or date.
Are you interested in this bus trip to Quilt Canada in June?
Upcoming Quilt Sale
Click/tap to enlarge
Here's an opportunity for our guild members to sell your quilted or other crafty items. And to attend this quilt and craft sale.
Red Barn Quilt Show/Sale
Date: Sept 27 & 28
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: Ben & Anja Berends Farm, 10461 French Settlement Rd., Mountain ON
Locally made quilts, handbags, wall hangings, fibre arts, pottery, woodwork, local produce and more.
Free will donation to help Beth Donovan Hospice add beds to their facility.
If you are interested in selling your quilts/quilted items, or if you have any questions, please contact:
Anja Berends anja@ripnet.com or caret002@rogers.com
Red Barn Quilt Show/Sale
Date: Sept 27 & 28
Time: 10am-4pm
Location: Ben & Anja Berends Farm, 10461 French Settlement Rd., Mountain ON
Locally made quilts, handbags, wall hangings, fibre arts, pottery, woodwork, local produce and more.
Free will donation to help Beth Donovan Hospice add beds to their facility.
If you are interested in selling your quilts/quilted items, or if you have any questions, please contact:
Anja Berends anja@ripnet.com or caret002@rogers.com
Upcoming Quilt Shows
I try to track down any upcoming shows in Eastern Ontario, and when requested, I publish information about shows that are further afield.
Here's a list of the upcoming shows that I'm aware of.
Here's a list of the upcoming shows that I'm aware of.
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Location |
Dates |
Guild |
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Lindsay ON |
May 30-31 |
Lindsay Creative Quilters Guild |
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Petawawa ON |
May 31- June 1 |
Pembroke Log Cabin Quilt Guild |
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Mississauga ON |
June 18-21 |
Canadian Quilters Association Quilt Canada |
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Smiths Falls ON |
July 11-12 |
Lanark County Quilters Guild |
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Conn ON |
July 16-19 |
Creekbank Sewing Centre |
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Almonte ON |
September 6-7 |
Mississippi Valley Textile Museum |
See the Upcoming Quilt Shows page on our website for detailed information about the shows listed above.
Tips:
Tips:
- You can find the up-to-date quilt show information at any time on our web site More... --> Resources --> Upcoming Quilt Shows
- If you know of any upcoming local shows that are not listed on our web site, please let us know so we can share that information with all of our guild members. We are often asked by quilt guilds from both near and far to advertise their shows and we are always happy to do that.
- Browse the CQA Events Calendar for information about quilting events across Canada by province, territory, or date.
ADQG Leadership Team 2024-2025
Co-Presidents: Anne Cruickshank & Joyce Murray
Charity: Marilyn Erskine charity@arnpriordistrictquiltersguild.com
Treasurer: Sandy Beach treasurer@arnpriordistrictquiltersguild.com
Programs: Lucy Shorey programs@arnpriordistrictquiltersguild.com
Membership: Martha Palmer membership@arnpriordistrictquiltersguild.com
Library: Jacquie Lavictoire
Communications: Janet Brownlee arnpriorquilters@gmail.com
**** The Secretary position remains unfilled and we continue to look for a volunteer.
Key Volunteers
Photographer: Emma Russell
Social Media: Tina Matte
Raffle Ticket Sales: Liz Gray & Jan Smith
Programs team: Brenda Kellar, Sue Hodgins
Co-Presidents: Anne Cruickshank & Joyce Murray
Charity: Marilyn Erskine charity@arnpriordistrictquiltersguild.com
Treasurer: Sandy Beach treasurer@arnpriordistrictquiltersguild.com
Programs: Lucy Shorey programs@arnpriordistrictquiltersguild.com
Membership: Martha Palmer membership@arnpriordistrictquiltersguild.com
Library: Jacquie Lavictoire
Communications: Janet Brownlee arnpriorquilters@gmail.com
**** The Secretary position remains unfilled and we continue to look for a volunteer.
Key Volunteers
Photographer: Emma Russell
Social Media: Tina Matte
Raffle Ticket Sales: Liz Gray & Jan Smith
Programs team: Brenda Kellar, Sue Hodgins
Communications
Guild Facebook Group
Have you joined our guild members-only Facebook Group yet? If not you are missing out on all the fun. This is a great way to get to know your fellow guild members, to ask questions, learn a new block, a new tip or trick. Last year we saw some lovely photos of the Block of the Month quilts being assembled and finished off, and much more.
Thank you Tina for monitoring and facilitating the activity in this group to provide this wonderful guild initiative!
Hope to see you in our Facebook group soon. Click/tap here to join the group.
Thank you Tina for monitoring and facilitating the activity in this group to provide this wonderful guild initiative!
Hope to see you in our Facebook group soon. Click/tap here to join the group.
Advertisers
Thank you to our newsletter advertisers! Your support funds our Communications budget which includes the hosting of this web site. We are very grateful for this financial support.
We welcome a new advertiser this month - The Needle and Thread Emporium on Storyland Road near Renfrew.
Our advertisers are:
We welcome a new advertiser this month - The Needle and Thread Emporium on Storyland Road near Renfrew.
Our advertisers are:
- Bytowne Threads
- Happy Wife Quilting in Carleton Place ON
- Lori's Quilting Shop in Kanata ON
- Paisleys Quilt Shop near Carp ON
- Quilters Curve quilt shop in Combermere ON
- The Needle and Thread Emporium near Renfrew ON
- Watergirl Quilt Co quilt shop in Prescott ON
THANK YOU to Anne, Martha, Marilyn, Gwen and Emma for their guild updates, photos, and other news this month.
-- Janet Brownlee, Communications & Newsletter Editor
-- Janet Brownlee, Communications & Newsletter Editor
Our next meeting is on June 18