Arnprior & District Quilters' Guild Newsletter - May 2026
President's Message
Sherida Giddings quilt at our April meeting
The countdown to our quilt show is on, and final preparations are well underway! Excitement is building as we get closer to what promises to be a wonderful showcase of our creativity and talent.
We are thrilled to announce that we have over 350 quilts registered - an amazing achievement! Even more exciting, 13 members are entering quilts in the show for the first time. We are delighted to welcome these new exhibitors and can’t wait to see their work on display alongside our returning participants.
We also have 35 entries for the President’s Challenge - fantastic participation! Bring your President’s Challenge to the meeting (even if you didn't register it for the show), along with a printed copy of your colour palette attached to your quilt. All of the challenge quilts will be displayed for members to enjoy.
As we celebrate another successful Guild year, we are also beginning to look ahead to next year. A few positions will need to be filled to help keep our guild activities and fundraising efforts running smoothly. Please see the details further down in the newsletter and consider lending a hand if you are able.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed their time, talent, and enthusiasm to make this year’s show such a success already. We’re looking forward to an inspiring and memorable event!
See you at the meeting!
Amanda, President
We are thrilled to announce that we have over 350 quilts registered - an amazing achievement! Even more exciting, 13 members are entering quilts in the show for the first time. We are delighted to welcome these new exhibitors and can’t wait to see their work on display alongside our returning participants.
We also have 35 entries for the President’s Challenge - fantastic participation! Bring your President’s Challenge to the meeting (even if you didn't register it for the show), along with a printed copy of your colour palette attached to your quilt. All of the challenge quilts will be displayed for members to enjoy.
As we celebrate another successful Guild year, we are also beginning to look ahead to next year. A few positions will need to be filled to help keep our guild activities and fundraising efforts running smoothly. Please see the details further down in the newsletter and consider lending a hand if you are able.
Thank you to everyone who has contributed their time, talent, and enthusiasm to make this year’s show such a success already. We’re looking forward to an inspiring and memorable event!
See you at the meeting!
Amanda, President
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May Guild Meeting
When? We hope you'll join us on Wednesday May 27. 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 Annual General Meeting will be incorporated into our May guild meeting. The Presidents' Challenge projects will be on display. We expect to have an extensive Show and Tell so do bring your latest projects along - we'd love to see them and hear their stories from their makers. Important Note: The showing of your Magnificent Mystery Quilt Along projects, originally scheduled for the May meeting, is being postponed until the June 17th meeting. We look forward to seeing them first at the Quilt Show, and then a few weeks later at our June meeting. Volunteers Needed
We would love to see passionate members continue the wonderful work that has been built over the years!
If you are interested in helping out or would like more information about any of these vacant positions, please speak to a member of the executive. 
Charity Coordinator
Marilyn Erskine has done an amazing job as our Charity Coordinator over the past years, and we are incredibly grateful for her dedication, hard work, and passion for supporting our community and charitable initiatives. Sadly, she will be stepping down at the end of this season, leaving behind some big shoes to fill. This role is a wonderful opportunity to make a meaningful impact by leading our charitable initiatives, organizing fundraising efforts, and helping strengthen our connection with the community. We are looking for someone who is passionate, organized, creative, and eager to work with fellow members to support great causes. Raffle Ticket Sellers We are also looking for a dynamic duo to take over selling 50/50 and basket tickets next year. These activities are an important fundraiser for the guild and help support many of the programs and events our members enjoy. If we are unable to find volunteers to fill these roles, we will unfortunately have to discontinue these fundraising activities. Program Assistants As well, we are looking for someone to assist with Programs. Martha has done - and continues to do - an amazing job, but it is a significant amount of work for one person. Having an additional volunteer (or two) would help share the workload and ensure our excellent programming continues. |
Quilt As You Go Workshop with Marie-Claire, aka La Quilting Coach
Our Arnprior & District Quilters’ Guild hosted a second QAYG workshop on May 5 at the Arnprior Public Library. The participants all enjoyed the workshop very much with Marie-Claire coaching through the various effective methods she has developed for quilting as you go. The workshop provided both inspiration and practical techniques, and members appreciated the opportunity to learn and create together in a supportive environment.
QAYG Workshop
2025-2026 Activity Schedule
Here's what's coming up!
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Date |
Activity |
Details |
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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
Quilt Drop-off
You can drop off your quilts on Friday, May 29 at the Nick Smith Centre arena from 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM.
Ensure that the registration confirmation form with the item's assigned number (that you received via email) is pinned it to the bottom right corner of your quilt(s).
You’ll be asked to sign our register to confirm receipt of your quilt(s).
If this time doesn’t work for you, someone else may drop off your quilt(s) on your behalf, or you can contact Joyce Murray at 613-623-5513 to make other arrangements.
You can drop off your quilts on Friday, May 29 at the Nick Smith Centre arena from 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM.
Ensure that the registration confirmation form with the item's assigned number (that you received via email) is pinned it to the bottom right corner of your quilt(s).
You’ll be asked to sign our register to confirm receipt of your quilt(s).
If this time doesn’t work for you, someone else may drop off your quilt(s) on your behalf, or you can contact Joyce Murray at 613-623-5513 to make other arrangements.
Quilt Racks
As we prepare for our upcoming quilt show beginning with the set up on Friday, May 29, I am reaching out with an important request.
We have a wonderful collection of little quilties and charity quilts to display, and we need as many floor model quilt racks as possible to hang them all beautifully. If you have a floor model quilt rack, we would be so grateful if you could bring it to the set up on Friday, May 29th.
Every rack makes a difference — the more we have, the more of these special quilts we can showcase for our audience to enjoy.
Thank you,
Marilyn Erskine, Charity Coordinator
As we prepare for our upcoming quilt show beginning with the set up on Friday, May 29, I am reaching out with an important request.
We have a wonderful collection of little quilties and charity quilts to display, and we need as many floor model quilt racks as possible to hang them all beautifully. If you have a floor model quilt rack, we would be so grateful if you could bring it to the set up on Friday, May 29th.
Every rack makes a difference — the more we have, the more of these special quilts we can showcase for our audience to enjoy.
Thank you,
Marilyn Erskine, Charity Coordinator
Quilt Show Info on the Website
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 is 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.
You can access this page from a link just below the map on the main Quilt Show 2026 page.
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 is 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.
You can access this page from a link just below the map on the main Quilt Show 2026 page.
Charity
Quilt Show Raffle Quilt
Raffle Tickets
The sale of Raffle Tickets for our gorgeous quilt is going well, as expected. You may hand in your sold tickets and money at the May meeting or to me at my house. The quilt will be on display for a little longer at Paisleys Quilt Shop near Carp and then at our quilt show. Thank you Madonna for displaying the quilt and for selling raffle tickets at Paisley's.
The quilt is 92" x 92"
The draw for the winning ticket will be made at the show on Sunday, May 31 at 3 pm.
The sale of Raffle Tickets for our gorgeous quilt is going well, as expected. You may hand in your sold tickets and money at the May meeting or to me at my house. The quilt will be on display for a little longer at Paisleys Quilt Shop near Carp and then at our quilt show. Thank you Madonna for displaying the quilt and for selling raffle tickets at Paisley's.
The quilt is 92" x 92"
The draw for the winning ticket will be made at the show on Sunday, May 31 at 3 pm.
Quilties
Our guild recently received this lovely acknowledgement of the upcoming gift of some of our quilties to SchoolBOX a new charity for us. SchoolBOX will have a booth at our quilt show.
Founded in 2006 by a group of local Almonte area volunteers, "SchoolBOX has transformed resources into tangible achievements that positively impact the landscape of education for local communities, thus improving lives. We began this work in Nicaragua and have since pivoted to serve Indigenous communities here in Canada. The results are a testament to the power of unity, commitment, and the unwavering belief in education."
Our guild recently received this lovely acknowledgement of the upcoming gift of some of our quilties to SchoolBOX a new charity for us. SchoolBOX will have a booth at our quilt show.
Founded in 2006 by a group of local Almonte area volunteers, "SchoolBOX has transformed resources into tangible achievements that positively impact the landscape of education for local communities, thus improving lives. We began this work in Nicaragua and have since pivoted to serve Indigenous communities here in Canada. The results are a testament to the power of unity, commitment, and the unwavering belief in education."
Quilties, quilties and...
... more of our March Quilties!
Thank you for all your considerate hard work.
-- Marilyn and Carolyn
-- Marilyn and Carolyn
Quilts for Survivors
Two of our guild members have rented an RV and are planning a road trip to Quilt Canada in Winnipeg. What fun! They have volunteered to take along donations of orphan blocks and bindings from our members to the Quilts for Survivors booth at the show.
Quilts for Survivors requirements are that all items need to be new and 100% cotton.
Orphan Block details
For bindings:
Please bring along your donations of orphan blocks and bindings to the May meeting. Or they can be dropped off at Gwen's house in Kinburn - contact the guild for drop-off information.
Quilts for Survivors requirements are that all items need to be new and 100% cotton.
Orphan Block details
For bindings:
- Binding strips need to 2.5" wide.
- If using scrappy - join fabrics on the diagonal and open seams when pressing.
- Bindings need to be 234" long.
- Bindings can be secured with a rubber band or masking tape.
Please bring along your donations of orphan blocks and bindings to the May meeting. Or they can be dropped off at Gwen's house in Kinburn - contact the guild for drop-off information.
April Guild Meeting
Sherida Giddings and her quilts
What a night! Our guest speaker, Sherida Giddings (Seams Pieceful) had us saying 'wow' all night with her trunk show! She shared an incredible collection of stunning quilts, each one highlighting her remarkable skill and creativity. Hearing the stories behind her work and seeing her techniques up close was so inspiring. Sherida is a certified Quiltworx instructor. Sherida last visited our guild in October 2016 and we were delighted to welcome her back to see what she's doing now!
We loved having Happy Wife Quilting as our Shop of the Month!
And we enjoyed seeing your quilts at Show and Tell. See the Show and Tell page for the photos which are previewed below. 
Show & Tell Preview
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Women's Institute's Quilting Legacy
The discovery of this hand-made fabric book of quilt blocks and descriptions in the Bruce Mines Museum (about 40 minutes east of Sault Ste. Marie, Ont.) led Cindy Connell to research the quilting history of the Women's Institute and then write an interesting story that you can read on the CQA website.
Women’s Institute’s Quilting Legacy - Canadian Quilters Association
Wall Mural Quilt
The quilt in this photo of a wall mural in Pembroke caught my attention!
You can read the interesting story of this scene here. And there's another story here.
Do you know if there's a name for this quilt pattern?
-- Janet B
You can read the interesting story of this scene here. And there's another story here.
Do you know if there's a name for this quilt pattern?
-- Janet B
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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Kanata Quilt Guild Workshops
The Kanata Guild has asked us to share this information and invitation to attend their upcoming Terry Rowland workshops with our guild members.
This webpage refers to their May newsletter for additional information about the workshops. (Note that the webpage includes some updates to the info in the newsletter.)
This webpage refers to their May newsletter for additional information about the workshops. (Note that the webpage includes some updates to the info in the newsletter.)
Upcoming Quilt Shows
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Location |
Dates |
Presented By |
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Arnprior ON |
May 30-31 |
Our guild! ADQG |
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Beaconsfield QC |
June 5-7 |
Beaconsfield Quilters Guild |
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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 Quiltie 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, Martha, Marilyn, Carolyn, and Emma 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 June 17