Hello, fellow Quilters,
October is here! Only three months left until Christmas - where has the time gone?
Once again, this issue has lots of information and reminders, so get settled and read.
At our last September day meeting, we displayed a woollen quilt created by Elizabeth Perry, which was made sometime between 1921 and 1940. It was donated to EQI many years ago and stored in the EQI cupboard and now we would like to find a permanent home for it. I reached out to Ruth Nunn from The Lions Club of Quilters Victoria, and she is pleased to accept this quilt into their collection. Ruth will be our guest speaker in October, and we will present the quilt to her then. You can find more details about this quilt in this month’s newsletter.
Barb Goad was featured in our member showcase at our September Day Meeting
Barb displayed her quilts and a beautiful collection of handmade clothing she crafted over the years for her children. Remarkably, some of these garments are still being worn today by her granddaughter, continuing the legacy of her craftsmanship - thank you, Barb!
I asked Barb the following questions.
1. When did your quilting journey begin?
1989. We lived in California for much of that year and I thought “When in Rome…or LA” I made a quilt in an It’s OK to sit on my quilt class and thought “ I’ve done that now!” But, of course, I couldn’t stop.
2. What do you enjoy about quilting and or dressmaking?
It’s a practical craft. It allows me to do my own thing. Quilting is relaxing and obsessive. Sewing garments leads to more individual clothing and lots of clothes for my grand-daughter. It has fostered a lovely relationship as I teach her to sew. And, not least, has provided me with a great, supportive community of like-minded friends.
3. Do you prewash and/or starch your fabrics? Why?
No. Don’t find the need.
4. Do you press seams open or to one side? Why?
Primarily to one side unless the seams are particularly bulky.
5. Do you listen or watch a favourite podcast or YouTube?
Irene’s podcast, of course! And the Great British Sewing Bee - my husband and I are both obsessed.
At our September Saturday stitching day, guest Speaker Jodie Carlton was unable to attend due to Covid. However, the event went ahead, and we enjoyed a wonderful day with lots of show and tell from around the room. We raised $104 from the raffle, which will support our QFO program. As always, there were plenty of cakes and sandwiches for both morning and afternoon tea. A big thank you to everyone who attended and made it a special day.
Over the years, we have been accepting wonderful donations of fabrics to be stitched into quilts for our quilt charity program. Without these donations, our program wouldn’t have existed. However, the committee has decided to place a temporary pause on accepting donations of fabrics and notions. At this moment we are sorting and rearranging the storeroom. We will notify members when we will start accepting donations and in the meantime, if you do have items, please consider donating to other organisations. Your participation in this request is greatly appreciated.
AGM news
Our Annual General Meeting will be held on Wednesday 16th October day meeting. The Chairperson of the meeting will declare all positions on the Committee vacant and hold elections for those positions in accordance with the model rules for an Incorporated Association. We are still looking for some positions to be filled, please consider volunteering to support our club.
And more news!
At the moment, I am piecing together the blue and white blocks made from the biggest morning tea challenge we had earlier this year. Because we had such a great response to this challenge, I decided to organise a Christmas block challenge. Below are the details of the block challenge.
Christmas Block Challenge,
Size: Make a finished block in any of these sizes, 6 inch, 9inch or 12inch.
Unfinished 6.5inch, 9.5inch, 12.5 inch
Colours: Red, pink, medium green, light green and white.
Technique: You may use any technique.
Name: Please pin your name on the block for identification.
Prize: You win all the blocks.
Due: Christmas day meeting 18th Dec.
The more blocks you make, the more chances of winning.
Unfortunately, the October retreat has been cancelled due to a lack of interest. Hopefully, we’ll have enough participants next year.
Reminder: Paint Chip challenge Quilts are due by the day meeting on Wednesday, 16th October.
There is no news yet about the availability of the Masonic hall for our meetings next year.
Our next meeting will be on Saturday, October 12th, from 10:00 am to 3:00 pm. Feel free to bring your sewing machine or hand-sewing project.
You’re welcome to use the Go-Cutter, lightbox, or bias maker or simply browse the library for inspiration. If you have a quilt that needs basting, bring it along and spread it out on the tables - no more kneeling on the floor at home and straining your back. I’ll be working on the Biggest Morning Tea quilt (blue and white blocks made by our members). I hope to see you there!
Happy stitching
Santina Gangemi
President EQI
Suggestions, suggestions, suggestions….
A reminder to please place your suggestions for workshops, speakers etc. in the suggestion box or approach one of our committee members, and we will try our best to act on your request.
