Ankeny Area Quilters' Guild

March is a wonderful month for AAQG workshops.   On Saturday, March 12, Sue Kluber will present an all-day workshop on embellishing.  This workshop was closed last week because Sue needs extra time to prepare the super supply packet.  HOWEVER, we have had a couple of cancellations and can take a few more.  Call Sharon Lesan at 965-5608 or email at sharonlesan@yahoo.com if you are interested.

On Saturday, March 19, Cathy Wierzbicki will present an all-day workshop on Pineapple Nine Patch.  Cathy is willing to take registration right up to the last minute.  Her book, Geometric Gems ($18.99) is required for the large quilt project and you can either purchase it before hand or get it from her at the workshop.  As a special bonus, Cathy is providing patterns FREE if you are interested in one of the smaller projects that were shown at the February meeting.  Copied below are the supply lists for both the large and small projects.

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Pineapple Nine Patch Quilt.   Cathy will bring books for those who wish to purchase one.  The book is NOT required for the workshop, but it will be required for those who choose to make the large quilt.  Following is the materials list as printed in the book:

6 yards TOTAL of assorted dark fabrics (recommend about 1/2 yard EACH of 12 different dark fabrics).  This is for blocks and borders.

5 1/2 yards TOTAL of assorted light fabrics (recommend 1/2 yard EACH of 11 fabrics).  This is for blocks and borders.

3/4 yard for binding

8 yards for backing

The finished quilt size is 84” x 97 1/2”

Remember to bring TRI-RECS TOOL…widely available at quilt stores.  Cathy WILL NOT have extras on hand.  The alternative to this is transparent template plastic, but TRI-RECS is easier to work with.

Also, bring a regular ruler for cutting strips.

Sewing machine

Rotary cutter and mat

Iron

Basic sewing kit that a quilter needs at any sewing event.

Pineapple Table Toppers

She will give a copy of the three patterns to everyone who attends, whether they have the book or not.  These projects use some, but not all, of the elements from the large quilt.  Attendees should bring the same equipment mentioned above, but less fabric.  How much less is hard for me to say since I don’t know which project(s) they will choose to make.  However, in broad strokes, the following fabric list should be enough for all 3 of the small projects.

From dark fabrics, bring a scrappy assortment of strips that are at least 6 3/4” wide, plus inner and outer border strips…2 yards total should be enough.  Figure about 1/2 yard x width of fabric for outer borders.

From light fabrics, bring a scrappy assortment of strips that are also at least
6 3/4” wide, plus a couple strips 1 1/2” wide which is required of just one of the projects.   1 yard should be enough.

 Louise called the meeting to order and requested cell phones be turned off.  There were 58 members present and 4 guests.  The guild is looking for a volunteer to audit the books.  Please advise Louise if you are able to help out.  Director-At-Large Elect Sharon awarding the fat quarter drawing.  February’s fat quarter fabric was Valentine fabric theme.  The door prize awarded was from our speaker tonight.  Birthdays for February were honored.  The May challenge was announced—Color “in” the Lines.  Each person choosing to participate drew a crayon to be the inspiration color for a small quilt.  The quilt can contain no more than four colors and be no larger than 18” x 24”.  We have some wonderful quilters in our group that are sure to surprise us with their creations.  The President’s challenge for February was won by Karen Brockelsby.  She plans to enjoy her mini quilt in her camper—that is a good reminder of warmer weather to come.  Retreat Chair MaryLee reminds members to sign up for retreat. There are 2 or 3 rooms still available.  You can send your money and registration sheet to MaryLee in the mail. Planning for the event is going great and she is excited about all the door prizes.  Retreat is only 2 months away, so now is the time to get involved.

Program Chair Sharon introduced our speaker.  Angela Lawrence enchanted us with her needle-turn appliqué designs and quilts at February’s meeting. Angela talked about the long history of women doing handwork, usually in the company of other women, and of her own quilting journey born in a Minneapolis quilt shop. She showed us her stunning quilts, frequently in cheerful bright colors, and often embellished with embroidery and beading.  Her pattern design business “Appliqué After Hours”, acknowledges what most busy women know–lots of creative quilting takes place “after hours”, when other responsibilities have been met.  Her original designs can be found on her website appliqueafterhours.com and at area quilt shops.  Angela will be teaching an all-day workshop Saturday, Feb. 12 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Ankeny.

We were lucky to have Joan Naylor from Winterset join us to share her award winning appliqué quilt.  Joan was unable to attend last month because of our Iowa weather. 

Quilt Show Co-Chair Tamara shared a sample of one of the classes to be held during Quilt Fest this summer.  The class is to be taught by Ilene Bartos on Friday.  The next Friday Free Sew will be held March 18^th and sponsored by Adel Dry Goods. 

Show and Tell and refreshments finished out the meeting. 

Respectfully submitted,

Kathy Evers

Rules & Guidelines:

1. Draw a crayon from the bag to decide your project color when you sign up. You can NOT switch to a different color. If so, you will be disqualified.

2. Color scheme – You may use black, white and ONLY one other color in addition to the color of the crayon drawn when you signed up for a total of 4 colors.

3. Embellishments may be used but they must fall within your color restrictions.

4. No fabric purchase is required.

5. The project may be your own design but does not have to be. No design restrictions.

6. Dimensions or Size – the project must be no larger than 18” x 24”.

7. All projects entered must be 100% complete.

8. You will be given a number when signing up. Attach this number to your finished project. Enclose it in a colored bag and bring to the May meeting to enter the competition.

9. Voting will be done by those attending the May meeting.

10. All projects entered will be gathered up and kept for display at the AAQG Show in July. These will be for display only and will not be part of any voting in the show.

Our Feb. 8th meeting was great. We voted on the Presidents Challenge, Color My Name. We had 7 beautiful entries and the winner was Karen Brockelsby with her embellished twister
wall hanging. The hand appliqued quilts by Angela were beautiful and I would encourage everyone to sign up for her class. She assures me that even I could become an applique person and I am one that is intimated by the small stitching and intricate work. She did inspire me to give it a try.
The May Challenge was presented and it should be a fun time to see what everyone comes up with for their project. You can still get your color and sign up at the March meeting. The challenge is to pick a crayola and use 3 other colors. (black, white and one other color) in addition to the color of your crayola.
Fairfield donated 8, 120/120 quilt batting for us to use for donation quilts.
Thank you Fairfield.
Pieces with you and keeping sewing.
Louise

Angela Lawrence enchanted us with her needle-turn applique designs and quilts at February’s meeting. Angela talked about the long history of women doing handwork, usually in the company of other women, and of her own quilting journey born in a Minneapolis quilt shop. She showed us her stunning quilts, frequently in cheerful bright colors, and often embellished with embroidery and beading.

Her pattern design business “Applique After Hours”, acknowledges what most busy women know–lots of creative quilting takes place “after hours”, when other responsibilities have been met. Her original designs can be found on her website appliqueafterhours.com and at area quilt shops.

Angela will be teaching an all-day workshop Saturday, Feb. 12 at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Ankeny.

Angela Lawrence brings “Adventures in Applique” to us at our February 8 meeting. Angela is a gifted applique artist, based at Creekside Quilting, who teaches widely. Many “Best of Show” winners with applique credit Angela for teaching them their skills.

Join Angela for an early supper before the meeting, 5:00 pm, at Okoboji Grill. Everyone’s welcome; please contact Sharon Lesan at 965-5608 or sharonlesan@yahoo.com if you would like to join the group.

There is still time to sign up for Angela’s workshop on Saturday, February 12 from 9:00-3:00 in room 200 of HTLC. Please see Sharon Lesan at Tuesday’s guild meeting or contact her at 965-5608 or sharonlesan@yahoo.com for more information.

No board meeting was held due to inclement weather.

Respectfully submitted,
Kathy Evers

Hi Everyone:
Are we all enjoying this lovely winter weather? I have to admit I do like the beauty of the snow and when the sun shines it really sparkles. It is a good time to sit and work on those projects you have been meaning to get done. When it is warm outside my mind wonders to the outside more.
We will be doing the Presidents challenge at our February meeting so I am hoping for lots of projects to see at our Feb. meeting…”Color Your Name”.
Make sure you put your name on the back of your project with the names of the colors used to spell your name.
If you haven’t signed up yet for retreat be sure you do soon. I am excited to go and am looking forward to it.
Hope the weather cooperated Tuesday the 8th and we can all attend the meeting.
Happy sewing
Louise