DMAQG Piecetime News

Spring has finally arrived with summer hot on its heels!

We have a lot coming up quickly. Just take a look at my TTD list of projects.

1. Finish Christmas stockings for August Auction - Done
2. Quilt Rotary Cutups appliqué quilt for Aug auction - In progress
3. Make little quilt for show silent auction - Done
4. Finish Mariners Compass quilt for entry to quilt show - In progress
5. Finish Zoe portrait quilt for entry to quilt show - Done
6. Make quilt for the President Challenge - designed on paper
7. Attend both of Susan Cleveland's classes - Yay!
8. Take care of DMAQG business - on going
9. Make Preemie Quilts - 4 finished

Make a list and mark it off as you complete your projects for the August Auction, Quilt Show, and President's Challenge. I find it the only way to keep my sanity.

The June general guild meeting will be your last opportunity to order a 30th Anniversary shirt. Samples and order forms will be available or you can download an order form from our website.These shirts will be delivered at the July meeting. I think it would be fantastic for us to show our pride by wearing our shirts at the October show.

Susan Cleveland is coming this month. I have signed up for both of her workshops. There is space available in her Thursday workshop, which sounds like a bunch of fun. Be good to yourself take a class. You will be glad you did.

Take time to create. Quilts for the August Auction, the Quilt Show, Community Service, the President's Challenge, and for yourself and family. You don't have to do it all, but at least do some.

Peggy Kirk

President

Small Groups

Just a reminder that if anyone has started a new small group, or you have not updated your group information in the last year, I do have an info sheet that I would love to have you fill out and tell the Guild about your group. Maybe we can even get you to bring treats to a meeting!
Newcomers meeting is a good place to meet new people and perhaps start a new Small group that you can continue in the years to come.

Don't forget to order a DMAQG 30th anniversary shirt! We are taking orders for our anniversary shirts until our next Guild meeting on June 25th.

See you soon,

Mildred Agena

Vice President

Directors at Large News

If you are a Founding Member of Des Moines Area Quilters Guild, please mention this when you sign in at meetings and receive your Founding Member Name Tag, so we can all honor your 30 years with the Guild.

In honor of the Guild's 30th Birthday, the Guild is awarding $30 Gift Certificates. Each meeting--afternoon and evening--this year, a gift certificate will be awarded to one member wearing their name tag. The gift certificate may used towards workshops or retreats!

The lucky Winners for the May meetings were Judy D'Lapico and Kate Sullivan. Remember to wear your name tag and we'll see you at the June meetings!

Janora Hayes, Coleen Hayes,

Doris Coady, Nancy Kucera

Directors at Large

"Our Quilting Legacy" Quilt Show

October 2-5, 2013

This year is going by way too fast. It is late June and the quilt show is just 3 1/2 months away. Are you getting your quilts, preemie quilts, and little quilts ready? We hope so!

Our show committee is busy with preparations. Bookmarks that publicize our show have been printed. Our poster is in production. If you are traveling to a quilt shop, quilt show, or any other event that attracts quilters and are willing to drop off bookmarks/posters, please contact Donita Fredricks.

A special thanks to all the people who have been working on our show quilt these past few months. The quilt pictures that Marge has been sharing with us are great, but all of you really need to see this quilt in person. We are very proud of it. We will be displaying our legacy quilt at local quilt shops before the show---and we will let you know when and where later.

Upcoming important dates--

Volunteer sign up starts at our July Guild meeting - July 23.

Quilt show entry deadline is our July Guild meeting - July 23.

Please review the definitions page to determine what categories to use for your quilt entries. Remember that we have a new category for your "First Entry Into Our DMAQG Quilt Show". We also have categories for stationary quilting (home sewing machine) and track quilting (mid-arm or long-arm machine), in addition to hand quilting.

Please enter your quilts online with our easy-to-use online form. Forms will also be available at our June guild meeting.

Look for quilt drop off information in our July newsletter .

Happy Quilting!

Mary Martin Pat Hjemeland

Pat Hjelmeland

Quilt Show Co-chairs

Silent Auction

2013 Quilt Show

2013 is going to be another big year for "Little Quilts and More". Last year was very successful and we know this year will be even bigger and better!

The changes we made last year proved to be popular with our members and especially for those bidding on items. We increased the size of little quilts to 24 " per side or a total of four sides equaling 96". In addition to little quilts, we added bags, totes and purses.

Please remember that many of our pieces are mailed out at the close of the show. So anything you make must be able to be folded up and MUST fit one of the several post office "if it fits, it ships" boxes.

Like every other year, the guild depends on the generosity, great skill and creativity of our members to make outstanding pieces that we offer for sale at our show. These quilted objects are a main source of income for our guild. So, once again we are asking for your help in contributing to the success of our quilt show by making a little quilt, a bag, tote or purse for the silent auction.

Please contact me , Leigh Lussie, at 276-0041 or leighlussie@hotmail.com with questions.

Leigh Lussie

Quilt Show Silent Autcion Chair

2013 Show Quilt - Part 5

The final border or frame on a quilt has such a responsibility. It is to seal the quilt with harmony, while bringing your eye to all the work that has gone on before. On this particular quilt it is also the final verse of the Legacy of Quilting. I wanted to choose a pieced block pattern that has stood the test of time. It had to be a very versatile block pattern. It needed to be one that can make an entire quilt, while it could also be a great addition to many quilt patterns. Lets add to its praise that it is one of the most controversial block patterns. What other than the Log Cabin block.

It resurfaced to fame a number of years ago, when it was part of a myth about the Underground Railroad. A few years later, 2006, quilt historian Barbara Beckman clarified that it was a very sweet story, but that is just what it was, a story. There is no evidence of the log cabin block prior to the ending of the Civil War. (Facts and Fabrications) It is thought that the name came about in memory of the childhood home of President Lincoln. Or maybe that is another story.

As for the meaning of the often used red center, a couple years ago Gerald Roy was speaking at an event I attended and he addressed the subject. His thought was that women understood color and knew that a little red goes a long way. As for the block's use today, in Aug/Sept 2004, Fons and Porter devoted an entire magazine to all the patterns that use this humble block. Then in 2007 Judy Martin published a book that took the block beyond humble. While I paper pieced the blocks, I appreciated another piecing technique the helps produce accuracy.

While the blocks went on the design wall, I could see that something was missing. I wanted to re-emphasis the feathered border done in trapunto. In addition, the closing of the Legacy of Quilting should also include a little appliqué. The log cabins easily turned a curve to add the appliqué.

Quilt with Borders

As this is the last of my notes in the newsletter, I want to mention how much I have enjoyed sharing quilt history with you. It has been a real honor to help produce the show quilt that represents you as a member of our guild and the beautiful items you produce. May your loved ones enjoy the legacy you are providing for them.

Marge Pearson

Show Quilt Chair

Retreat

If you missed the event of the spring, "Our Spring Thing Retreat", stop kicking yourself and get out your calendar. Mark November 7, 8, 9, and 10 in red and get ready for "Our Fall Sleep-Over Retreat" featuring a pajama party, stretchercize, and mini-classes offered by local quilt shops. We can hardly wait for the fun to begin. The registration form will be available sometime in August.

I need to thank so many for adding their bit to the overall shebang. Hopefully I have not forgotten anyone - Adel Quilting,Creekside Quilts, National Balloon Classic, Crazy Redhead Quilting, Quilter's Cupboard, Quilt Block, Nan's Nummies, Quilts & Other Notions, The Stitching Place, Barb's Dairy Queen, Peggy KirK, Andra Sims, Susan Stainbrook, Susan Wedenower, and other who donated anonymously.

Now for a grateful, heartfelt, thank you to the Itchin' to Stitch Sisters, the Blue Ribbon Women who did an outstanding job of putting on the retreat and having fun doing so.

Terry Holt

Retreat Chair

Community Giving

You are keeping Community Giving quite busy with your generous donations! Thank you! To date, 65 preemie quilts have been donated, with many more out there being finished. If you are unable to make a quilt, consider donating some needed baby supplies, such as baby lotion and shampoo. We can display a basket of supplies as well as the quilts at the show. The Alzheimer Assn has thanked us for last year's donation quilt beautifully stitched by Carolyn Freeland and Val Russell. The quilt raised $1,000 for their cause. They are requesting another quilt for next year. If you or your small group is interested in this cause, and would consider making a quilt, please contact me. Again, thank you for your time and efforts!

At the May Guild meeting, Connie Sievers of the Des Moines Public School District gave a brief presentation about the needs for students taking sewing classes. They have around 5,000 students taking these classes, but the district does not have sufficient funds to provide material and notions for these students. With 70% of D.M. students qualifying for free or reduced lunches, you can imagine that they also may lack resources to buy these items. Students use the supplies for their own personal projects and community service projects. Recent community projects have included: baby quilts for Blank Children's Hospital, dresses for Children of Africa, and pillows for children that stay in youth shelters. The board has approved adding this to our "community giving list." We will collect donations at our regular meetings, and deliver them to Connie in the fall. Below is a list of items that would be appreciated. Thank you for all the generous things you do through the Guild.

Pajama Pants projects: 2-3/4 yards of fabric (flannel, cotton, etc.)
Middle School Projects: 1 yard fabric and 1/3 yard of contrast fabric (cotton, flannel)
1/2 inch ribbon
Knit fabric
Cotton fabric
Fashion Fabric
Interfacing
Insulbrite
Notions: zippers, thread, buttons, elastic, etc.

Karen Macon
Phyllis Blood

Community Giving

Co-chairs

June: Susan K. Cleveland

piecesbewithyou.com

Susan's enthusiasm for quilting is said to be contagious! Students enjoy her upbeat attitude, well-written instructions, and one-on-one attention in every workshop.

Her quilts have received many awards in international-level competitions since 1997, and she was named 2010 Minnesota Quilter of the Year! Her work includes many unexpected elements such as specialty threads, prairie points, piping, and great binding techniques.

Susan lives on 70 acres in southeastern Minnesota with her husband, two dogs, and a cat. Her two incredibly smart, talented children are in college.

Programs

Tuesday, June 25, 2013

West Des Moines United Methodist Church

8th & Grand, West Des Moines

1:00 p.m.: On With the Show

Susan's lecture at our afternoon meeting will give us a close-up look at many of her award-winning quilts that only are seen by those within driving distance of her home in Minnesota. She will tell us about the special details in each piece and some of the ridiculous stories of panic and elation involved in creating them.

Pageant 7:00 p.m.: My Eclectic Quilt Pageant

Join us in the evening for an interesting trunk show of many of Susan's award-winning quilts. She will share tips and tricks to add panache to simple quilts and take heirloom pieces to new heights. Many details will be displayed via video camera and projector.

Workshops

Wednesday, June 26, 2013 -- 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Piping Hot Curves - Macaroni -- View Supply List

Add piping to curves and avoid curved piecing! This technique is wonderful for traditional curved patterns and great for contemporary designs. In class, students will learn to make perfect piping and add that piping to the lively, curvy macaroni block.

Thursday, June 27, 2013 -- 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Prairie Point Pillow -- View Supply List

Learn to use heavy decorative thread through the needle to embellish prairie points. Then make perfect prairie points, and use a variation of foundation piecing to accurately piece many prairie points into a 14" pillow.

Registration
For any workshop, you may mail in your registration form along with your registration fee to Deb York, 28187 Prospect Ave., Adel, IA 50003. We will also be taking reservations at our meetings on the fourth Tuesday of each month. If you have any questions you can email Deb at yorkcovp@aol.com or call her at 515-993-4539 (home), 515-240-7653 (cell).

Location
Workshops are held at West Des Moines Christian Church at 4501 Mills Civic Parkway in West Des Moines. To get there from Interstate 35, exit at Mills Civic Parkway, exit 70. Turn east onto Mills Civic Parkway and drive about 0.9 of a mile. The West Des Moines Christian Church will be on the north side of Mills Civic Parkway. We will meet in Building #3 which is the one closest to Prairie Life Fitness.

Information on July through October workshops can be found in the Programs issue of the newsletter or on the Guild website.

Thank You

I want to say thanks to the Guild for the $30.00 gift certificate. I used it for the Spring Retreat. We had such fun - I'm sure people have mentioned that to some of you.

Sincerely,

Sandy Lanning

Our Website

Please stop by and visit our guild website often at www.dmaqg.org for news and information about DMAQG. Look for the photo albums in the blog from the photographers we've had documenting events for us! Also remember to check the calendar to keep up-to-date on all guild meetings and workshops.

If you have anything to contribute to the website, please send it to emma@etmcreative.com.

Newsletter

The Piecetime newsletter is published electronically twice a month. The Programs portion of the newsletter is sent on the Friday before the Newcomers monthly meeting held on the third Tuesday of the month. The News portion is sent out the Friday before the Guild's monthly meeting held on the fourth Tuesday of the month.

If you would like to submit news or articles, send them to kariadne@mac.com.

About Us

The mission of the Des Moines Area Quilters Guild is to stimulate an interest in quilts and quilt making, educate its members, provide for the interchange of information, and encourage community giving.

Meetings

The monthly meetings of the Des Moines Area Quilters Guild are held January through October on the fourth Tuesday of each month at the West Des Moines United Methodist Church, 720 Grand Avenue, West Des Moines.

We have an afternoon meeting and program at 1:00 p.m. and an evening meeting and program at 7:00 p.m.

Things to bring:

■ Name tag (required to win a door prize)

■ Membership renewal form
■ Workshop registration form
■ Items for show and tell
■ Items for Community Giving