Focus Groups

Focus groups generally meet either in the mornings before the general meetings, or in the late afternoons following the general meeting. They are wonderful opportunities to get to know your fellow guild members while you learn a new technique. We have many gifted quilters in the guild, and we are grateful that they are willing to share their expertise.

We are always open to new ideas and new groups, so please let us know if you wish to lead a focus group on any quilting-related topic. Janet Randolph (pictured here) organizes the focus groups. Contact Janet via contact us if you have questions or suggestions.

Past focus group topics have included Crazy Quilting, Fabric Postcards, Working With Silk, Quilted Tote Bags, Quilt-As-You-Go, Paper Piecing, Hand Quilting, Hand Appliqué, Embellishments, Color for Quilters, and Needle Felting — to list just a few.

Note … Focus groups are open to all members of Empire Quilters.

Focus Groups

May 11, 2013 from 10:30 to 11:30

Fabric Necklace led by Sandra Samaniego

You will learn how to make a fabric necklace from a square of fabric, showing off your love of color, design and texture.

April 13, 2013 from 10:30 to 11:30 am

A Quilted Tote Bag led by Janet Randolph

Janet will give a demonstration of how to make a quilted tote bag. Learn how to choose fabric; cut; quilt; sew handles and lining; attach a magnetic snap closure and how to finish for a fast and easy tote bag. Bring paper and pen for notes. Cameras are welcome.

Past Focus Groups

Quilted Coin Purse-Repeat

REPEAT CLASS - QUILTED COIN PURSE Open to all members who did not attend the April class. Class limited to 20 who sign in that day. Program: Quilted Coin Purse Date: October 13, 2012 Time: 10:30 - 11:30 a.m. Leaders: Pauline Myers and Janet Randolph Supplies: Hand sewing needle, straight pins, scissors. Kit supplied in class.

Beginning Quilters and Those With Shaky Technique

This focus group is directed to Beginning Quilters and those with Shaky Technique. It is conducted by Mary Butler, who has been teaching beginners since 1990. You will learn the basic quilting techniques from cutting patterns and sewing for precision to choosing colors. This is a machine class. It will run for three months, September, October and November from 9:30 AM to 12 noon before the Empire meeting. Each class will cover different techniques in the process of quilting. You will complete several projects. The first meeting was a rousing success. See the pictures below

If you are interested, please contact Janet Randolph.

Ongoing Focus Groups

Charity Coach and Chat

For this focus group, Jennifer Bigelow, Marilyn Korn, and Tina Barth will take turns moderating sessions that bring together Guild members of all levels of skill, experience, and time to buddy up and coach each other on all sorts of quilting skills. Sessions are held from 12:00pm to 1:00pm, before our regular meetings.

Brought to you by the Service Committee, Charity Coach and Chat aims to bring together 'seasoned' members with new members, to create more quilts and other items for our various charity efforts. Stay tuned for the topic of our February 2012 meeting!

Long-standing members, please contact Jennifer or Marilyn and let them know if you would like to help by attending one or more of these Charity Coach and Chat sessions to teach a technique or to answer questions from newer quilters.

Newer quilters: During these sessions, you will learn how to plan, cut, sew, and finish your charity quilt, as well as make other items like holiday stockings and teddy bears.

These sessions are open to all members and guests.

At the Coach and Chat in June, Lee Ebs did a demo about cloth bags--how to put them together and the suggested measurements. These are the bags we stuff with the Christmas donations for the shelters we support. The bags are great because they can be re-used for many purposes. The the supply list and the instructions are below:

Drawstring: 24” of shoelaces,
cord, grosgrain ribbon, etc.

Fabric: 18” square or 9 X
36” of any sturdy fabric. Measurement
need not be exact. If fabric is plain, embellish it with applique, embroidery, couching,
bobbin-work, rickrack, etc. Avoid beads,
sequins, anything glued on which may come off easily.

First
Side: Back-tack, stitch 1¼ inch. Tie
off. Skip 1 inch. Back-tack then stitch remaining side seam.

Second
seam (if using (9 X 36” fabric): Back-tack, stitch entire side seam, tie off.

Bottom:
Back-tack, stitch entire bottom seam, tie off.

Top: Turn under ⅛”, stitch.
(Can serge instead. Can skip this
step if using selvedge here.) Turn under
another inch and topstitch.

Drawstring:
Use safety pin or other tool to pull through opening. Tie knot near each end of drawstring.

Finish:
Halfway around from drawstring’s opening, zigzag back & forth over it to
prevent string from pulling out.

Newer quilters: During these sessions, you will learn how to plan, cut, sew, and finish your charity quilt, as well as make other items like holiday stockings and teddy bears.

These sessions are open to all members and guests.

Elm Creek Quilt Blocks [ongoing focus group]

This popular focus group — based on the Elm Creek books by Jennifer Chiaverini — will continue during the 2011–2012 guild season. Watch the guild newsletter for specifics.

If you have any questions, contact Lisa Kehrle or Lisa Bell.