March 2008
Issue No. 198
Web Address: http://www.aaqg.net
Web Address: http://www.aaqg.net
Mailing: Ankeny Area Quilters' Guild, P.O. Box 961, Ankeny, IA 50021
"Sharing a common thread!"
"Sharing a common thread!"
The next board meeting will be Tuesday, March 4, 2008, 6:30 p.m. at Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Ankeny.
Our March speaker is Weeks Ringle part of the husband/wife duo who created FunQuilts. FunQuilts is a contemporary design studio in Oak Park, Illinois. Owners Weeks Ringle and Bill Kerr design and make heirloom-quality contemporary quilts, design fabric, author books and teach nationwide. They have a wonderful website— that lets you know what they are all about.
Weeks' lecture will trace the transformation of early american quilts to vibrant, contemporary art forms of today.
Be sure to check out the February 2008 issue of American Patchwork & Quilting magazine. Weeks Ringle has an article on solid color fabrics and a quilt pattern in it. Watch for the Spring 2008 issue of "Quilts and More" magazine where they will have an article on "Pure Color".
That's what we will be enjoying for our April 8th guild meeting. This year's theme is "A Silk Purse from a Sow's Ear!" The details about the annual Spring Challenge are on page 4 of the newsletter.
Happy Leap year Fellow Quilters!!!
I certainly will be happy when we leap into Spring!
Wasn't Ami Simms great? She’s got it all, talent, a sense of humor, personable. And, she still finds time to support a good cause, i.e. Alzheimer's awareness and research.
The time is really flying; it's hard to believe I've been President 6 months already! Retreat is coming next month, then our Challenge show will be here, and in only 5 short months, Quilt Show. It's not too early to start thinking about what you might want to enter. The Country Store is in need of more items, and we don't want to forget to make donation quilts—they will be proudly displayed at Quilt Show as well. Children and Families of Iowa's women's and children's shelter is still in need of suitcases, travel bags, overnight cases, etc. They donate clothing, linens, etc. to the families before they leave the shelter, and they need something to carry the items home.
TIP of the month: If you have one of the wooden thread holders that mounts on the wall you can hot glue a piece of a drinking straw, a little taller then the spindle, to each one of the spindles.
President's Letter cont.
That way you can put your bobbin with the matching thread. It works great to put 2 spools of thread on top of each other too.
Happy quilting!
Cyndee Davis——President
A big thank you to Bonnie Barry, Jennifer Peil, Kelly Snyder, Judy Pierschbacher, Patti Whitham and Lois Harmon for our March treats! Please bring 2 dozen cookies or bars and 2 liters of pop. Feel free to substitute items-like juice for pop. Please also bring the cups and napkins (plates are optional).
909 Prairie Street in Adel, IA
phone: 515-993-1170
131 Ankeny Blvd., Ankeny, IA 50021
515-963-8758 or quilterscupboard@yahoo.com
Hours:
Mon.-Sat., 10 am-5 pm
Thurs: Until 7:00 pm
The 2008 Quiltin' Fever Retreat is Thursday March 27th through Sunday, March 30th at the Christian Conference Center in Newton. We still have 5 more spots open. The cost is $125 for 4 days, 3 nights or $90 for 3 days, 2 nights. Brunches and dinners are prepared for us, so NO COOKING! Hours and Hours of sewing time. You can get lots done, during one retreat I completed four large tops.
Join the fun and spend lots of time sewing, doing some shopping (we have discounts arranged at local shops for retreaters), a little dancing and having a great time with fellow quilters. The retreat is also an opportunity to improve your quilting skills as there are so many quilters at the retreat who are willing to help if you get stuck on one of your quilting projects.
Come and join the fun, you'll get hooked on retreating! If interested call Sharon Hawthorne at 491-8382 or sign up at the March meeting.
Block Lottery was won by Cathy Dimit.
February's Door Prize winners: Susan Body & Pam Messer.
515-276-1977
Hours: Mon-Wed 10 am-5:30 pm, Thurs 10 am-7 pm
Fri-Sat 10 am-5 pm, Sun 1-4 pm
975 W. Lincolnway; Suite B
Nevada, Iowa
515-382-1815
Classes, Retreats, Workshops
641-774-2116 or carolsampler@mchsi.com
Hours: Mon-Fri 10:00 am-5:30pm, Sat 10:00 am-3:00pm
Checkbook Balance 2/20/08--------------$1,274.94
Money Market Account 2/20/08----------$14,524.16
2/12/08 AAQG Board Meeting
Present: Randie Bartleman, Susan Body, Cyndee Davis ,Therese Lumley, MaryLee Martz, Sharon McCarthy, Lenae Rohwer, DonnaJo Smith
Meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. by President Cyndee Davis.
It was moved and seconded that the reading and approval of the October Board minutes be tabled until the February meeting, since January Minutes were not available.
Our Treasurer Randie Bartleman announced that the credit cards have been received from the bank. They can only be used as debit cards, since there are names on each card.
Sharon announced that the quilting on the Raffle Quilt has just been completed. It was pointed out that the website needs to be updated to the 2008 Quilt Show.
It was suggested that out Guild submit it's upcoming program to other Guilds to be included in their monthly newsletter, and in return, we would advertise their speakers in ours. This should probably be the responsibility of the Program Chair, since she would have the most current information on each month's speaker.
The next meeting will be held Tuesday, March 4, 6:30 p.m., weather permitting.
Respectfully submitted,
Cyndee Davis, President
If the Ankeny schools are cancelled (or evening activities at the schools are cancelled) due to weather there will be no quilt guild meeting or guild activities in the evening.
Unique products for quilters including hand printed fabric, patterns, kits
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1503 West K Avenue, Nevada
800-419-2812
check our website for directions to our store
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515-221-2737
Long-Arm Machine Quilting
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Ankeny, Ia
515-277-0187
peil3104@msn.com
Call for a free estimate.
It's time again for our annual AAQG Spring Challenge. This year's theme is "A Silk Purse from a Sow's Ear!" We challenge you this year to go outside your comfort zone (and your stash!) and include an item from a thrift store (Goodwill, Salvation Army, DAV, etc) in your challenge entry. You can use as little as a button, or an entire piece of cloth. You must also embellish your item (beads, buttons, stitching, lace, trim, etc.). So the thrift store item could be your embellishment (button, lace, trim, ric-rac, etc.).
There are 4 CHALLENGE categories:
1. Purse/tote
2. Quilted Wearable (jacket, vest, etc.)
3. Quilt/Wall hanging At least 40" in perimeter, but no more than 120".
4. First time EVER doing our challenge—for you Newbies.
We have a limited number of packets for sale for $3.00. Challenge item will be due at the April 8th meeting, so if haven't bought a packet, you may purchase one at the March meeting.
Complete rules can be found in your packet. Questions: Call Diana Weirich at 289-1189 or Donna Jo Smith at 963-9224.
Let's get sewing!!
Clear Day Pattern designer and quilter, Suzanne Sievers, has opened a shop in Jefferson at 217 E. Lincolnway called "The Stitch". It features quilt and wearable patterns and kits by Suzanne and others. Janome sewing machines are sold and serviced there, and Tin Lizzie quilting machines are available for sale or rent. Emphasis at the shop is on education and fun! A large state of the art classroom provides a wonderful space for sewers and quilters to come together and share their love and expertise of all things involving fabric, sewing, gadgets, embellishments, and new techniques.
Want more information, call 800-736-2578 or visit their website:
Submitted by Anne Kruse and Sharon McCarthy
2008 Quilt Show co-chairs
Friday July 11, 2008 10 a.m.—Beading Embellishments on Quilts presented by Sue with Grinnell Fiberworks
Friday July 11,2008 2 p.m.—Painting Embellishments on Quilts presented by Sue with Grinnell Fiberworks
Saturday July 12,2008 10 a.m.— 3X3 Quilt Pattern presented by our guild members, Jan Heddinger and Belinda Rinehart.
Saturday July 12,2008 2 p.m.—New Tools of the Trade presented by fellow guild member, Jacque Johnson of Adel Quilting & Dry Goods
The raffle quilt has been sewn and quilted and just needs the binding to be complete. This beauty should be unveiled at our March meeting. The raffle quilt is in keeping with the quilt show theme of black and white and has a fairly intricate design. We think you will enjoy selling tickets for this quilt. Raffle tickets and packets will be ready for distribution at the March meeting.
In keeping with previous years, prizes will be given for selling the most raffle tickets so make your list of contacts and sell as many tickets as possible. This is our one of our greatest fund raisers for the guild and allows us to have such wonderful speakers and programs.
2/12/08 AAQG Guild Meeting
President Cyndee Davis called the meeting to order and welcomed our two new members and 14 guests. Directories are still available. Spring Retreat has 6 openings for March 27-30 at the Christian Conference Center in Newton. For those attending remember to bring a baby picture of your self. Pat Lucas from Algona will be doing a trunk show Saturday. Phyllis Jensen will be offering Chair Massages.
Secretary's Report Cont.
It is a great weekend to spend time with fellow quilters, get to know new friends and have LOTS of fabric fun. It's a Win-Win for everyone. Announcements of upcoming Shop-Hops were: Sweet Creations, March 21-22; Central Iowa, March 27-28 and I-80 Shop Hop this coming weekend. Ankeny Area Chamber's Annual Dinner is February 28 ($35) and as Guild members we can attend. Member Julie Miller spoke to us about a quilt display, Feb. 4-29 at Polk County Heritage Gallery in Des Moines. 100 quilts made by 50 area quilters to benefit the C-on Kinshuko, a Christian Bible Camp in Iwate, Japan. The quilts will also be on display at The Lutheran Church of Hope in October. Deb P. announced we have 16 donation quilts so far and there are kits still available. Anne Kruse showed an example of a beautiful black & white quilt to go along with this year's Pieceful Days & Pieceful Nights Quilt Show. The Quilt Show Committee is accepting Country Store donations. Jenna I. introduced the nights speaker, Ami Simms and her program "How not to make an award-winning quilt". This was a very entertaining slide show and humorous lecture on quilts. Amy also shared with us a more personal discussion on Alzheimers and how this has impacted her life and affected her mother. Ror more information on the traveling quilt exhibit called "Alzheimers; Forgetting Piece by Piece, visit www.AlzQuilts.org. The evening ended with our members colorful show and tell and refreshments.
Charlotte S., Secretary.
Cyndee Davis won 1st Place in Mettler Corporations's International Embroidered Postcard contest. There were more than 100 postcards entered from all over the world. Cyndee's original design is entitled "Serengeti Sunset." Her prize was a Bernina Aurora 440 sewing machine.
BY COLLEEN B. HUBERT
Submitted by Cecilie Vogt
IN THAT LONG AGO TIME WHEN THINGS WERE SAVED
WHEN ROADS WERE GRAVELED AND BARRELS WERE STAVED,
WHEN WORN-OUT CLOTHING WAS USED AS RAGS,
AND THERE WERE NO PLASTIC WRAP OR BAGS,
AND THE WELL AND THE PUMP WERE WAY OUT BACK,
A VERSITILE ITEM, WAS THE FLOUR SACK.
PILLSBURY'S BEST, MOTHER'S AND GOLD MEDAL, TOO
STAMPED THEIR NAMES PROUDLY IN PURPLE AND BLUE.
THE STRING SEWN ON TOP WAS PULLED AND KEPT;
THE FLOUR EMPTIED AND SPILLS WERE SWEPT.
THE BAG WAS FOLDED AND STORED IN A SACK
THAT DURABLE, PRACTICAL FLOUR SACK.
THE SACK COULD BE FILLED WITH FEATHERS AND DOWN,
FOR A PILLOW, OR T'WOULD MAKE A NICE SLEEPING GOWN.
IT COULD CARRY A BOOK AND BE A SCHOOL BAG,
OR BECOME A MAIL SACK SLUNG OVER A NAG.
IT MADE A VERY CONVENIENT PACK,
THAT ADAPTABLE, COTTON FLOUR SACK.
BLEACHED AND SEWN, IT WAS DUTIFULLY WORN
AS BIBS, DIAPERS, OR KERCHIEF ADORNED.
IT WAS MADE INTO SKIRTS, BLOUSES AND SLIPS.
SHE MADE RUFFLED CURTAINS FOR THE HOUSE OR SHACK,
FROM THAT HUMBLE BUT TREASURED FLOUR SACK!
AS A STRAINER FOR MILK OR APPLE JUICE,
TO WAVE MEN IN, IT WAS A VERY GOOD USE,
AS A SLING FOR A SPRAINED WRIST OR A BREAK,
TO HELP MOTHER ROLL UP A JELLY CAKE,
AS A WINDOW SHADE OR TO STUFF A CRACK,
WE USED A STURDY, COMMON FLOUR SACK!
AS DISH TOWELS, EMBROIDERED OR NOT,
THEY COVERED UP DOUGH, HELPED PASS PANS SO HOT,
TIED UP DISHES FOR NEIGHBORS IN NEED,
AND FOR MEN OUT IN THE FIELD TO SEED.
THEY DRIED DISHES FROM PAN, NOT RACK
THAT ABSORBENT, HANDY FLOUR SACK!
WE POLISHED AND CLEANED STOVE AND TABLE,
SCOURED AND SCRUBBED FROM CELLAR TO GABLE,
WE DUSTED THE BUREAU AND OAK BED POST,
MADE COSTUMES FOR OCTOBER (A SCARY GHOST)
AND A PARACHUTE FOR A CAT NAMED JACK.
FROM THAT LOWLY, USEFUL OLD FLOUR SACK!
SO NOW MY FRIENDS, WHEN THEY ASK YOU
AS CURIOUS YOUNGSTERS OFTEN DO,
"BEFORE PLASTIC WRAP, ELMERS GLUE
AND PAPER TOWELS, WHAT DID YOU DO?"
TELL THEM LOUDLY AND WITH PRIDE DON'T LACK,
GRANDMOTHER HAD THAT WONDERFUL FLOUR SACK!
It's time to start planning now—entries for our quilt show must be received by June 9,2008. More details and entry forms will be available soon!
Thursday & Friday 10:00 am—8:00 pm
Saturday 10:00 am—6:00 pm
Participating Shops:
Adel Quilting & Dry Goods, Adel
Ankeny Sewing Center, Ankeny
Creekside Quilting, Clive
The Quilt Block, West Des Moines
Quilting Connection, Ames
The Quilt Junction, West Des Moines
The Quilt Express, West Des Moines
Quilter's Cupboard, Ankeny
15% store-wide discounts (some exceptions may apply at each store)
FREE pattern at each shop
Visit all 8 shops for a chance to win a gift certificate!
Shoppers who visit all 8 shops will receive a coupon good for a future purchase at each shop.
The grand opening of the new world-class International Quilt Study Center in Lincoln, Nebraska, is March 30th. The glass and brick building, designed by the internationally renowned Robert A.M. Stern Architects of New York, will house the worlds largest collection of more than 2,300 quilts and an international study center dedicated to the research, preservation and display of important quilts from cultures around the world.
Learn more about the International Quilt Study Center and its many special offerings: www.quiltstudy.org
We sure all enjoyed Ami Simms at our last guild meeting. We had many good laughs during her program on how NOT to make an award-winning quilt. I think we were all touched by her commitment to Alzheimer's awareness and fund-raising for research. Here are the highlights of her Art Quilts Initiative project—we hope some of you choose to get involved!
The Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative (AAQI) is an Internet-driven, grassroots, totally volunteer effort to raise awareness and fund research through art. Ami Simms founded the AAQI in January 2006 because her mother has Alzheimer's disease.
All profits are donated to Alzheimer's research. Since the AAQI began they have raised more than $157,000 for Alzheimer's research.
They currently administer two major programs. The first is a nationwide quilt exhibit called "Alzheimer's: Forgetting Piece By Piece." It contains 52 quilts each interpreting Alzheimer's in some way. So far, an estimated 180,000 people have had the opportunity to see this exhibit. It will continue to crisscross the country until July 2009. A book and a CD of the exhibit are available for purchase.
The second is the "Priority: Alzheimer's Quilts" project, so named for the urgent need for research dollars and the requirement that these quilts must fit into a cardboard USPS priority mailer without folding. They are small works of art no larger than 9 inches by 12 inches, auctioned on the first day of each month (on ebay) or sold outright on the Internet or at selected venues across the United States.
Donations of completed quilts for Priority: Alzheimer's Quilt project will be accepted at any time. This project has no ending date. Any quilt measuring 9" x 12" or less is welcome. Quilts need not be about Alzheimer's, but they may be. Any technique, any theme, any colors, any skill level are welcome. Each quilt will get its own web page and the money the quilt raises for Alzheimer's Art Quilt Initiative will be posted there. All profit is used to fund Alzheimer's research. This is the perfect way to experiment with a new technique, try out a wild color combination, or just work in a smaller scale with much smaller time commitment. Thread your needles and join in the fun!
To get the complete details on the project, where to mail it, etc. go to Ami's website: www.alzquilts.org/rules
For those of you that are working on the Judy Hopkins mystery quilt— or think you might like to make it—take a look at this! Ann Finger showed her version of the mystery quilt "Golden Oldie"at the February guild meeting. It's a beauty! The pattern is available on our website (as a pdf) in the November, December, and January newsletters.
Joan Oberfoell, from Dubuque, was our guild speaker in October. She held a workshop on unique designer jackets that many of our guild members enjoyed. Anne Kruse recently sent some photos of the workshop in progress. Everyone had a good time and we've seen some of the wonderful jackets modeled at guild meetings.
F.Y. I.—Joan Oberfoell will be speaking at the Eastern Polk Quilters' Guild Meeting on April 21st. She will also conduct a workshop on her specialty jackets on April 20th. Please contact Rita Prock if you are interested in attending, 263-8890 or 491-5902.
Jean Taft and De Tapper work on their jackets.
Isn't she lovely—Cecilie Vogt models her jacket.
Dessert & recipes, 20% off regular price fabric/notions
March 21 and 22—9 am—6 pm
B&B Creations, 641-949-6307
305 Parker St. Tracy, IA,
Patchwork Peddlers, 641-777-0279
207 McCarroll Street, Kirkville, IA
Upholstery and Sew Forth, 641-664-2750
202 S. Madison, Bloomfield, IA
Shops at Granny's House, 641-724-3131
2797 600th Ave., Moravia, IA
Quilted Square, LLC, 660-665-7533
511 S. Baltimore, STE. #1, Kirksville, MO
Reprinted with permission from The Quilt Show
The iron is a vital tool we give little thought to until the need to press wrinkles out of fabric comes in to play. The shape of the standard household iron has changed little over time, but how the operator utilizes this necessary piece of equipment has progressed immensely.
As recently as 130 years ago ironing required a full day of hard labor due to the vast number of steps needed in order to tackle the task. During the 1870's irons were cast iron flat irons (sad irons) and required absolute cleanliness by sanding, polishing, and light greasing. Small amounts of beeswax rubbed on the irons would prevent them from sticking to starched clothes. All of this was done before the actual ironing began.
The irons were then heated near an open fire or on a stove. As the entire iron was made from cast metal the handles became red hot when heated. Towels, rags or aprons were wrapped around the handle, but burned fingers often resulted anyway. To prevent scorching, care also had to be taken to insure that the iron was not too hot. It was common practice to have several irons; one for ironing while others sat on the stove heating up. It was a system of continually rotating the irons all the while making sure that they remained spotlessly clean.
It was not until 1905 when Earl H. Richardson launched the Hotpoint iron that electric irons were even an option. However, it would be another fifteen years before most households would be wired for electricity to power such a new device. At first it was used only by the wealthy, but by 1941, 79% of American households had an electric iron. However, sprinkling or steaming the fabric while ironing required an array of additional tools if it was possible at all.
In a very short period of time we have gone from an all day back-breaking job to the flick of a switch in order to iron a piece of fabric. While the nostalgia of earlier times sometimes looks very appealing, this may be one aspect we would not wholly embrace were we to travel back in time.
The Kinshuko Quilt Show at the Polk County Heritage Gallery showcased beautiful, unique quilts made by the Hope Quilters for a Christian family camp in Iwate, Japan. About 35 of the 100 quilts they made were on display. Each quilt was designed to use donated fabric scraps.
Each quilt features an unique center block and at least 72 (3" x 6") rectangles in it's design.
This is the center block of a quilt. Each center is unique, some featured Sashiko, Japanese Traditional Hand Stitching, or had redwork, some were pieced or appliqued, some quilt centers had folded fabric origami.
President-Cyndee Davis-289-2868
Vice President-Deb Pierschbacher-685-2036
Secretary-Charlotte Stordahl-965-1556
Treasurer-Randie Bartleman-979-8141
Director at Large-Diana Weirich-289-1189
Director at Large (elect)-Donna Jo Smith-963-9224
Communications Editor-Celeste Muehlenthaler-965-8966
Communications Editor-Susan Body-984-6937
Program Chair-Jenna Ingle-965-1585
Program Chair (elect)-Linda Northwick-964-5594
Quilt Show Co-Chairs-Sharon McCarthy-289-2200
Quilt Show Co-Chairs-Anne Kruse-965-3442
Quilt Show Co-Chair (elect)-Lanae Rohwer-963-8186
Quilt Show Co-Chair (elect)-MaryLee Martz-779-2538
Retreat Chair-Sharon Hawthorne-986-1246
Retreat Chair (elect)-Therese Lumley-964-3328