Arnprior & District Quilters' Guild Newsletter - October 2024
President's Message
Welcome October!
October is one of the most beautiful months for us in Ottawa Valley. The spectacular views of the fall colours remind me of beautiful arrays of batiks that are available. The orange, reds, greens, and yellows of the fallen leaves make me think of fat quarter packs. All these stunning colours are inspirations to recreate and be captured in our quilts. After all, we are artists. We use fabric to express our creativity and our compassion.
I am very excited to attend the quilt retreat at the end of the month. For those who have been before, you know how much fun it is. If this is your first time, or you are wondering if you should attend, please do, you won’t regret it.
I can’t express enough how much the executive relies on each member to contribute to the success of our guild year. We have divided the membership into groups by last name. When it is your turn, kindly volunteer. For that one month, we ask that you bring treats for the break, to help set up tables and chairs and other responsibilities depending on what is happening that evening. When it is your turn, I hope you answer our call for help.
-- Anne Cruickshank, Co-President
October is one of the most beautiful months for us in Ottawa Valley. The spectacular views of the fall colours remind me of beautiful arrays of batiks that are available. The orange, reds, greens, and yellows of the fallen leaves make me think of fat quarter packs. All these stunning colours are inspirations to recreate and be captured in our quilts. After all, we are artists. We use fabric to express our creativity and our compassion.
I am very excited to attend the quilt retreat at the end of the month. For those who have been before, you know how much fun it is. If this is your first time, or you are wondering if you should attend, please do, you won’t regret it.
I can’t express enough how much the executive relies on each member to contribute to the success of our guild year. We have divided the membership into groups by last name. When it is your turn, kindly volunteer. For that one month, we ask that you bring treats for the break, to help set up tables and chairs and other responsibilities depending on what is happening that evening. When it is your turn, I hope you answer our call for help.
-- Anne Cruickshank, Co-President
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October Guild Meeting
When? We hope you'll join us on Wednesday October 23 for our second guild meeting of the 2024-2025 guild year. 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. |
October Meeting Program
Skills Demonstration
October’s program will be an evening of skill sharing with our talented guild members.
Skills Demonstration
October’s program will be an evening of skill sharing with our talented guild members.
- Gwen Pennings will demonstrate how to machine bind a quilt.
- Debbie Cauvier will share her appreciation for scrap quilting with a demonstration she is calling: "Scrap block building: Three different samples to use up those scraps!"
- Allison Kubiseski will be demonstrating a Flying Geese block.
- Jen from Happy Wife Quilting (also our shop of the month), will be presenting “Jen’s 5 Favourite Tools”.
Shop of the Month - Happy Wife Quilting
See any must haves at September’s Gadget Show and Tell? Continuing on our theme to share knowledge and help make sense of the dizzying array of gadgets lining quilt store shelves, Jen from Happy Wife Quilting, will be our shop of the month. In addition to sharing her 5 Favourite Tools, she will have a pop-up shop with items to purchase! Support your local business and buy local! Jen will accept credit card, debit, cash and cheque payments.
See any must haves at September’s Gadget Show and Tell? Continuing on our theme to share knowledge and help make sense of the dizzying array of gadgets lining quilt store shelves, Jen from Happy Wife Quilting, will be our shop of the month. In addition to sharing her 5 Favourite Tools, she will have a pop-up shop with items to purchase! Support your local business and buy local! Jen will accept credit card, debit, cash and cheque payments.
Scissor and Knife Sharpening
JC's Mobile Sharpening Service will be on site and available to sharpen your scissors and knives. He will be setting up in the parking lot of the hall at 6 pm.
Costs:
JC's Mobile Sharpening Service will be on site and available to sharpen your scissors and knives. He will be setting up in the parking lot of the hall at 6 pm.
Costs:
- Scissors: $4-7 - embroidering scissors, sewing and kitchen scissors, tailor shear scissors etc.
- Knives: $3-6 - from small paring and to large chef knives. They sharpen serrated and ceramic knives too!
- Place your items in a bag or Ziplock bag with enough money to cover the maximum amount for your items.
- Receipt and change will be provided in the bag upon returning the items to you.
- Sharpening will be completed on site and returned to you by the end of the meeting.
* * NEW ** Fat Quarter Club
Introducing a fun new way to build your stash: the ADQG Fat Quarter Club! This is how it works:
Introducing a fun new way to build your stash: the ADQG Fat Quarter Club! This is how it works:
- There will be a new theme or colour each month.
- Bring a fat quarter to the fat quarter table at the meeting.
- Receive a ticket for each fat quarter you bring and be entered in a draw.
- One name will be drawn and the winner takes home all the fat quarters!
- If we receive more than 20 fat quarters, they will be split into two piles, allowing more than one winner.
- Your fat quarter should contain the designated theme and/or colours, and they should dominate the fabric.
- Guests are welcome to participate.
- There will be no Fat Quarter Club at the winter/online meetings (January to March inclusive).
- Stay tuned to the guild website and monthly newsletter for the list of themes for the year.
Quilter's Recycling Table
Did you do any purging or cleaning in your quilting space over the summer? Our Quilter's Recycling Table will be available again in October! This is an effective way to engage in sustainable quilting practices by bringing or taking items to the Guild’s Quilter’s Recycle 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.
Did you do any purging or cleaning in your quilting space over the summer? Our Quilter's Recycling Table will be available again in October! This is an effective way to engage in sustainable quilting practices by bringing or taking items to the Guild’s Quilter’s Recycle 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.
* * NEW ** Two Part Show and Tell
Starting in October our Show and Tell will have TWO PARTS! We work hard on our quilts so why not show them off! For the first part (the new part), we are asking you to bring your fall themed quilts too! These can include pumpkins or witches, sunflowers or scarecrows, turkeys or apple picking, or fall colours which are absolutely spectacular right now. We will put your quilts on display at the beginning of the meeting with your name on them. Members can peruse the quilts during the meeting and know who to ask if they have questions about them.
The second part will be our regular Show and Tell. Bring a quilt or two to show members what you have been working on this summer and fall. Be prepared to say a few words about your quilts as they are being shown off.
Let’s take pride in our quilting accomplishments and inspire others!
Photos of Show and Tell quilts
Starting in October our Show and Tell will have TWO PARTS! We work hard on our quilts so why not show them off! For the first part (the new part), we are asking you to bring your fall themed quilts too! These can include pumpkins or witches, sunflowers or scarecrows, turkeys or apple picking, or fall colours which are absolutely spectacular right now. We will put your quilts on display at the beginning of the meeting with your name on them. Members can peruse the quilts during the meeting and know who to ask if they have questions about them.
The second part will be our regular Show and Tell. Bring a quilt or two to show members what you have been working on this summer and fall. Be prepared to say a few words about your quilts as they are being shown off.
Let’s take pride in our quilting accomplishments and inspire others!
Photos of Show and Tell quilts
-- Lucy Shorey, Programs
Tinners
Our Tinners program is starting up at the October meeting.
Tinners is an optional program where other Tinners participants will make blocks for you and you will make a block each month for a different Tinners participant. You decide the theme of your blocks and you'll load up your tin (or other container) with a list of the criteria for the blocks and any fabric you want to be included in each block.
Bring your tin to the October meeting and you'll go home with a different tin to make a block for someone else.
See the Tinners page for more information about this program.
-- Brenda Kellar
Our Tinners program is starting up at the October meeting.
Tinners is an optional program where other Tinners participants will make blocks for you and you will make a block each month for a different Tinners participant. You decide the theme of your blocks and you'll load up your tin (or other container) with a list of the criteria for the blocks and any fabric you want to be included in each block.
Bring your tin to the October meeting and you'll go home with a different tin to make a block for someone else.
See the Tinners page for more information about this program.
-- Brenda Kellar
Joyce with the tins October 2023
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Louise with her music-themed 2023-24 Tinners quilt
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Block of the Month
Be sure to bring your blocks of the month (and the bonus HSTs) to the meeting and enter a draw to win the blocks. The winner can choose to keep the blocks to make a quilt, or donate them to our Charity initiatives.
There's still time to make one or both of these "square in square" blocks in fall themed colours. The instructions are available from our Block of the Month page.
Thank you Vickie for these fun September blocks, pictured below.
Be sure to bring your blocks of the month (and the bonus HSTs) to the meeting and enter a draw to win the blocks. The winner can choose to keep the blocks to make a quilt, or donate them to our Charity initiatives.
There's still time to make one or both of these "square in square" blocks in fall themed colours. The instructions are available from our Block of the Month page.
Thank you Vickie for these fun September blocks, pictured below.
Block in a Block
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Square in a Square
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4 bonus HSTs
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And thank you to those of you who volunteered to lead a Block of the Month. We have a volunteer for each month's meeting!
The October block has been chosen by Jacquie and her sample block will be on display at the October meeting.
The October block has been chosen by Jacquie and her sample block will be on display at the October meeting.
Program Notes
Retreats
The October retreat is nearly here. As you are packing your projects, don’t forget to add your own placemat. See you there.
There's still time to sign up for the October 28 to November 1 retreat - either at the guild meeting or online.
See the Retreats page for more information.
-- Sue Hodgins, Retreats coordinator
The October retreat is nearly here. As you are packing your projects, don’t forget to add your own placemat. See you there.
There's still time to sign up for the October 28 to November 1 retreat - either at the guild meeting or online.
See the Retreats page for more information.
-- Sue Hodgins, Retreats coordinator
English Paper Piecing Workshop
Our English Paper Piecing workshop is coming up on Saturday November 2 at Sew Inspired in Arnprior from 11am - 2pm. It will be led by Brenda Payer, a long-time guild member and an award-winning quilter.
We will be working with hexagon templates to create a Grandmother’s Flower Garden block. Fabric pieces will be basted onto paper hexagon templates and then sewn together to create a shape. We will go over how this shape can be added on to or used separately in a quilt project.
See the Workshops page for more information. You can sign up online or at the October meeting.
We will be working with hexagon templates to create a Grandmother’s Flower Garden block. Fabric pieces will be basted onto paper hexagon templates and then sewn together to create a shape. We will go over how this shape can be added on to or used separately in a quilt project.
See the Workshops page for more information. You can sign up online or at the October meeting.
L to R: Brenda K and Brenda P at the September meeting
Quilt Show
Our next quilt show, which was tentatively planned for April 2025, is being postponed until 2026 because the two arenas at the Arnprior Nick Smith Centre will be under renovation next spring. This is very disappointing but we can make the most of it with an extra year to create more quilts for the show!
Our next quilt show, which was tentatively planned for April 2025, is being postponed until 2026 because the two arenas at the Arnprior Nick Smith Centre will be under renovation next spring. This is very disappointing but we can make the most of it with an extra year to create more quilts for the show!
Recent Guild Events
Check out our Blog for posts (and lots of pics) about these recent guild events
* * * * * * Schedule of Guild Meetings and Activities * * * * * *
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
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* * * * * * * Photos from our April 2023 Quilt Show * * * * * * *
Membership
We had a wonderful turnout of 51 members for our first meeting in September. Our newest members were warmly welcomed and we got to meet each of them and they were able to share some of their quilting experience and interests with us.
See the September 2024 Meeting blog post for lots of photos and information about our September guild meeting.
Currently, we have grown to 71 members registered for the 2024-2025 ADQG season. We continue to welcome new members throughout the year and also welcome back any previous members who have not yet registered for this season.
If you have not yet registered, please use this link to Register for 2024-25
-- Martha Palmer, Membership
See the September 2024 Meeting blog post for lots of photos and information about our September guild meeting.
Currently, we have grown to 71 members registered for the 2024-2025 ADQG season. We continue to welcome new members throughout the year and also welcome back any previous members who have not yet registered for this season.
If you have not yet registered, please use this link to Register for 2024-25
-- Martha Palmer, Membership
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Charity
We are continuing the distribution of our charity endeavours from our ambitious members.
Over one hundred Preemies were given to the Ottawa Hospital this summer. They were all gorgeous and welcomed. Now we will work on the next hundred to be displayed in our April 2026 quilt show before being presented to the hospital.
Many of you have taken a Panel Challenge quilt package, there are a few more! They are at our meeting location to be given out to anyone willing to take on this challenge.
We accept any quilts, Christmas placemats , fidget quilts and Preemies. Thank you.
Bird blocks are being handed in and they will be made into our Raffle Quilt for the 2026 show.
Need any supplies?? I have battings and quilt labels.
-- Marilyn Erskine, Charity 613-623-7833
Over one hundred Preemies were given to the Ottawa Hospital this summer. They were all gorgeous and welcomed. Now we will work on the next hundred to be displayed in our April 2026 quilt show before being presented to the hospital.
Many of you have taken a Panel Challenge quilt package, there are a few more! They are at our meeting location to be given out to anyone willing to take on this challenge.
We accept any quilts, Christmas placemats , fidget quilts and Preemies. Thank you.
Bird blocks are being handed in and they will be made into our Raffle Quilt for the 2026 show.
Need any supplies?? I have battings and quilt labels.
-- Marilyn Erskine, Charity 613-623-7833
Bird blocks at the June meeting
Gwen's Tip
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I have a tip that I think you might welcome.
I volunteered to bring home a lap quilt and a table runner from my daughter's place to wash for her. It was an "Oh NO!!" moment when I opened the washing machine. I had thrown in 2 Shout Out sheets with the quilt but the red/burgundy backing had run all through the beige background to make it a deep pink. I had prewashed all fabric before making the quilt. I washed it again with 4 Shout out sheets and another product. Not a whole lot better. I soaked it in the bathtub and it still looked awful. I prayed. How was I going to tell Jamie the quilt I made for him less than 2 years ago was ruined? Then I went to Google. Here is what I read: " I used my bathtub and let a quilt flimsy, donated to our church quilt group, full of red bleeding, soak for about 2 hours using Dawn and hot water. Then I refilled the tub with Dawn and hot water and repeated for another 2 hours. The cure was amazing. I would have repeated the process again if I had needed it." After several rinses in the washer, Jamie's quilt is back to the original colour. I thought I should share this in case it happens to you. -- Gwen Pennings |
Gwen with her September Show and Tell
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Note from Gwen re her upcoming Machine Binding Demo at the October meeting:
Machine binding may not be what you would like to do on a quilt that you are entering into a competition, but it saves hours for quilts made for charity. Like cursive writing and free motion quilting, it takes a little practice but with some patience you can achieve results that will please you. I will go over corners, joining strips, joining ends, (if there are new quilters in the group), sewing the second time around as well as faux binding if there is time. You may want to bring pen and paper to take notes.
Machine binding may not be what you would like to do on a quilt that you are entering into a competition, but it saves hours for quilts made for charity. Like cursive writing and free motion quilting, it takes a little practice but with some patience you can achieve results that will please you. I will go over corners, joining strips, joining ends, (if there are new quilters in the group), sewing the second time around as well as faux binding if there is time. You may want to bring pen and paper to take notes.
Quilts at Carp Fair
Congratulations to our guild member Brenda Payer who won first prize in the Handquilting category at the Carp Fair for her stunning red and white quilt! This quilt was also was awarded the Grand Champion ribbon and with that, the Mrs. T. R. Rivington trophy. Brenda's name appeared multiple times in the various prize lists. Well done Brenda!
Here are the blocks that will make up the Carp Fair 2025 Raffle Quilt. Can't wait to see this red, white and black quilt next summer!
Fabric kits were provided to participants in this competition category, who then made a block of their choice.
Fabric kits were provided to participants in this competition category, who then made a block of their choice.
Our guild treasurer Sandy Beach was awarded first prize for her quilt in the "Quilt: Any method" category. Congratulations Sandy!
The sideways camper sporting the red ribbon at the bottom right of the photo above, was made by a local youth quilter and grade 10 student Holly McDermid from Stittsville.
Holly was also awarded first place AND a new Janome sewing machine for this quilt in the 2024 Canadian Quilters' Association National Juried Youth show in Edmonton in June.
You can see a higher resolution photo and read more about Holly and her quilt here on the CQA website.
Holly was also awarded first place AND a new Janome sewing machine for this quilt in the 2024 Canadian Quilters' Association National Juried Youth show in Edmonton in June.
You can see a higher resolution photo and read more about Holly and her quilt here on the CQA website.
Thank you Gwen for providing these photos and information from Carp Fair, September 2024.
Quilts at the International Plowing Match 2024
Gwen didn't stop after Carp Fair. The next weekend she was at the International Plowing Match in Lindsay ON and she kindly captured and shared these photos of some beautiful quilts on display there. Thank you Gwen!
Tip: Click/tap on a photo in the gallery below to see it in full. Then click/tap to scroll through the full size gallery photos
Tip: Click/tap on a photo in the gallery below to see it in full. Then click/tap to scroll through the full size gallery photos
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.
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.
Browse the CQA Events Calendar for information about quilting events across Canada by province, territory, or date.
We were delighted that Rennie brought her Day Lilies quilt that was in the CQA juried show in Edmonton in June, to our September meeting Show and Tell so we could see it!
Bridget O’Flaherty, the "Sustainable Quilter" has recently posted Part 7 of her Sustainable Quilting series of articles. In this article she's challenging us to rethink our fabric accumulation habits through the concept of a "Fabric Offset".
You can read the article here on the CQA website.
Don't be frightened to read this article! Our guild is doing very well with our "fabric offset" practices!
Bridget was most recently a guest presenter to our guild at our January 2024 meeting. You can find links to her website and social media on our Links page.
-- Janet Brownlee
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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Toronto ON |
Jun 29-Nov 14 |
ROM: Quilts Made in Canada |
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Sudbury ON |
October 19-20 |
Sudbury and District Quilting and Stitchery Guild |
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Ottawa ON |
October 25-26 |
Out of the Box Fibre Artists |
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Mississauga ON |
June 18-21 2025 |
Canadian Quilters Association |
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.
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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. Our advertisers for this year are:
- Auntie Em's Scrapbooking & Quilting in Cornwall ON
- Bytowne Threads
- Happy Wife Quilting in Carleton Place ON
- Paisleys Quilt Shop near Carp ON
- Quilters Curve quilt shop in Combermere ON
- Sew Inspired quilt shop in Arnprior ON
- Watergirl Quilt Co quilt shop in Prescott ON
THANK YOU to Anne, Lucy, Sue H, Marilyn, Martha, 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 November 27