April 2024 Newsletter

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NEXT MEETING: APRIL 1, 2024

WHAT TO BRING TO THE MEETING

• Name tag
• Show-and-tell
• April 2024 Sew Along Blocks

BIRTHDAYS

• Elisabeth McMahon … April 17

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

How important to you is it to keep up with the fashions in quilting? Identifying upcoming trends is as tricky as forecasting the weather in Texas.

These quilting trends in 2024 come from Amy Lollis (amylollisdesign.com). Time will tell if she’s gotten it right – what do you think? Are these trends on your to-sew list? See her prediction and then my rating.

Trend 1: Bold Florals. The new ones coming out in 2024 are both cohesive and whimsical. My rating: 👍 I’m always a fan of florals, although I usually stay on the pastel side.

Trend 2: Back To Basics. A lot of basics are fabrics that look solid from a distance, but provide just enough visual interest to not be flat. My rating: 👍 Can you believe Moda’s Grunge debuted in 2008? As a basic, it’s not going anywhere. Maybe Amy doesn’t get much credit for this guess.

Trend 3: A Lot More Scrappy Quilts. The economy is currently the pits, and quilters are hopping on no-spend challenges left and right. My rating: 👍 I always love a scrappy quilt, even if I do have to fight to keep it cohesive and under control.

Trend 4: Quilted Clothes. There are folks making quilted skirts, dresses, and even hoodies. My rating: 👎 Except for a brief time in college, I was never much of a garment stitcher. And with our warm weather, there aren’t a lot of opportunities to wear that quilted jacket.

Trend 5: Skipping The Long-armer. In my survey, over half said they wanted to learn to finish their quilts at home. My rating: 👎 Don’t get me wrong — it’s a great idea, and perfect for placemats and table runners. But I think plenty of quilters are just going to shop for a budget-friendly long-armer, instead of giving up time they could be piecing.

Want to be stylish immediately? Here’s a free pattern from Amy for a tea mat (like a mug rug, but for tea). It will help you check off 2 trends at once: Back to Basics and Scrappy:
https://www.amylollisdesign.com/post/free-pattern-make-your-own-tea-mat

Elisabeth McMahon

APRIL PROGRAM

I really think we are having summer before spring! Can’t believe these temps. The April program will be our very own Quilt Show and I would love to see 100% participation. Bring a quilt or quilts to share with the group and if you know the provenance of the quilt even better. There could even be a few prizes available. We will try and guess the quilt pattern as we go. The quilts can be heirlooms, something you finished recently, or something found….

Deborah Cypert

WORKSHOPS

Thanks to all who participated in our pillowcase workshop. Several pillowcases have been made to donate to Isaiah 117 House. If you were unable to participate in the workshop you can still donate pillowcases. Sue will be taking pillowcases all year long. She will have the total number of pillowcases turned in so far at our April meeting.

Our next workshop will be a mystery three-yard quilt and will take place June 15.

2024 SEW-A-LONG

Our 2024 Sew Along started in January and will consist of 11 blocks and finishing instructions. All the blocks are some type of star block. The size of the finished quilt top is approximately 72” x 84”. For reference, our 2023 sew-along quilt was approximately 70” x 70”. Fabric requirements are generous but are a little tricky since each month’s block(s) has the fabric requirements. An example would be: 1/4 yard of background fabric plus 3 other fabrics – 2 fat quarters and 1 fat eighth. The total background fabric requirement for the entire quilt is approximately 5 yards – if using the same background fabric throughout the quilt. Because the finishing instructions include background fabric, the pattern designer suggests using the same background for the entire project. For the remainder of the quilt, I think approximately 20 -25 fat quarters will give you a nice variety. If you prefer to use yardage, I would recommend a total of 5 – 7 yards of fabric with at least 3 – 5 different fabrics. Some blocks have 4 or 5 fabrics, but if you are using only 3 or 4 fabrics plus the background, you could have your center be the same as another fabric in your block. This quilt could be made using your stash as well.
Instructions were e-mailed after the Guild meeting. If you are participating, bring the next blocks to the April meeting.

Michelle Rodriguez

MINUTES

• The meeting was called to order by Elisabeth at 7:02 p.m. on March 4, 2024
• Minutes from the February meeting were approved as printed in the newsletter.
• Treasurer’s report — Balance $898.18 – was filed for audit.
• Remembrances: Carol Franklin • Birthdays: No birthdays in March
• Membership: 15 members in attendance. The membership directory is available for pickup.
• Stitch Group — The next meeting will be Thursday, March 28th. There were 8 in attendance at the February meeting.
• Sew Along 2024 — Michelle brought the block for April and 5 people showed their March blocks. The pattern will be sent after the meeting.
• Workshops: Sue discussed that we would have our first workshop of the year on Saturday, March 16th from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at The Woods United Methodist Church. We will be making pillowcases to donate to Isaiah 117 House. The 2nd workshop of the year will be a mystery 3-yard quilt on Saturday, June 15th. More details later.
• Show and Tell — Barbara B., Shirley, Elisabeth, and Molly.
• Old business: The audit committee audited the treasurer’s books for 2023 and found everything to be in order.
• Debi’s program was a demo on folded flowers. Next month will be a member quilt show and a future month will be Phyllis from Must Love Fabric.
• The meeting adjourned around 8 p.m.

Michelle Rodriguez

TREASURER’S REPORT

Beginning Balance … 898.18
Ending Balance … 898.18

Grace Norris

REMINDERS

• Be sure to wear a name tag at our meetings. If you don’t wear a name tag, you will be charged 50 cents each time.
• Articles for the newsletter are due by the 10th of the month. Any articles not received by the 10th of the month may or may not get published in that month’s newsletter.
• The newsletter is published monthly usually within 10 days of the meeting date (the first Monday of each month). You will receive an e-mail with a link to the website. (qgogp.wordpress.com).
• All previous newsletters are archived on our website. You may also go to our Facebook page. Our newsletter link is posted there monthly. If, at any time, you cannot find your newsletter or have deleted the e-mail with the link, you could do an internet search for “quilters guild of grand prairie” to find our website.
• If you have a question about a program, a workshop, or the block of the month, be sure to contact the person(s) in charge of whatever you have a question about. The names, phone numbers, and e-mails are all listed in the newsletter.
• Please silence your cell phone during our meetings.