2009 - 2010 Events & Meetings Archives

The following guild-sponsored events took place during the 2009–2010 guild season. For information on upcoming guild events, see the Calendar Page, and to see the projects that members shared at meetings, visit to the Show & Tell page.

View the activities of a specific Month:

 

June 2010

JUNE PROGRAM: Making Color Strips Sing

Tangerine and Wine by Judith LarzelereGuest speaker Judith Larzelere is well known for her color canvases of strips going in all directions. She is an expert in color interaction and there is a sense of movement and mood in all of her works. Judith liks vivid, active color, but has used all palettes for commissions to suit the client's needs. Through her presentation to Empire Quilters she will fill us in on her way of taking color and making it sing.

For more information about Judith Larzelere and to see more examples of her work, visit her website: www.judithlarzelere.com.

 

 

FOCUS GROUP: Sewing Doll Clothes [one-session] (Continued from the February 2010 Guild Meeting)

Photo by Janet Randolph

 

 

 

 

 

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FOCUS GROUP: Elm Creek Sampler Club [ongoing focus group]

› View the Blocks Made to Date ‹

— Helen Beall

Here is the schedule of blocks for the year. Note that there are two blocks for the months November, December and February:

 

 


June 2010 Block of the Month: Hudson River Quilt

Do you love 1800's reproduction fabrics and traditional quilt patterns? This classic style quilt may end up in your home if you whip up one of these blocks. It takes only two 10" squares and 20 minutes to make this block! If you have some reproduction layer cakes (precut 10" squares), the cutting is done for you already.

I like shirtings paired with a darker print. But you are the boss. There are so many beautiful prints available, it will be hard to decide. (The time it takes to choose your fabrics is not included in the 20 minutes!) — Karen Griska, BOM Chair

Photo by Shirley Clark

Current Block of the Month instructions can be found on the
Empire BOM Blog: www.empirebom.blogspot.com

Photo by Shirley Clark

 Congratulations to member Margaret Kelly for winning the collection of fun blocks!

Empire Quilters BOM Squad:
Karen Griska, Chair. Email: bom@empirequilters.net
Nick Alves, Helen Beall, Lisa Belle, Shirley Clark, Lisa Kehrle.

 




 

SPECIAL MEETING ACTIVITY: Member Flea Market

Photo by Kitty Squire

Posted: Jan 15, 2010 – Mark you calendars! The next Members Flea Market will take place at the June 12, 2010 guild meeting. It's not too early to start gathering the fabric and other treasures that you wish to sell. Guild members may rent table space, and sell their wares. You are welcome to sell pretty much anything (fabric, books, clothes, etc.) — as long as it fits on your reserved table. We don't have room for over-flows, and we need to keep things off of the floor for fire-safety reasons.

The cost for the selling space is $10.00 for a 4-foot table space, and $20.00 for an 8-foot space, and we are taking reservations now. To reserve your space, contact Kitty Squire at kesquilts33@msn.com

 

 

 

 

Here are some details:

Due to the flea market activity, there will be no scrap/share table at the June 12, 2010 guild meeting.

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SPECIAL MEETING ACTIVITY: Flowers for Sylvia Quilt

Quilt size: 60" x 72"

Photo by Shirley Clark  

The special Flower for Sylvia was awarded at this meeting. Lucky Kitty Squire went home with this cheery piece. Congratulations, Kitty!

Here's the story of the quilt:

Posted: March 29, 2010 – A few years ago former Guild President Sylvia Zeveloff stood up at a meeting and offered a flower block of the month project to anyone who wanted it. I wanted to do some hand appliqué so I took the project from her. When I got home and opened it, I found it was not appliqué but piecing, some of it very intricate. I told Sylvia when I took it from her that I wouldn't be able to start on it until the following Fall because of other projects I had that needed completion, and that I would donate the quilt to raise money for charity when it was completed.

It took a bit longer for me to start the project than I wanted and Sylvia asked about it at a meeting. I told her I would definitely get to it. I did start piecing some of the easier blocks but left some of the more difficult ones for later. Eventually I got them all done. In the meantime, Sylvia had become ill. I wasn't aware of her illness and when she came to a Guild meeting with a health aide, I became determined to finish the blocks quickly. I brought them to a Guild meeting a few months later to show her and learned that she had passed away. I told the Guild I would put the quilt together and after I completed the top I asked current Guild President Paula Kenney if they wanted me to quilt it. She indicated that would be helpful.

In March 2010 I brought the quilt to the charity meeting. The Board has decided to hold a special raffle of the quilt with the proceeds will going to the Guild. The quilt is machine pieced with some appliqué and hand quilted.

— Diane Paul

Tickets for an opportunity to win this 60" x 72" quilt will be sold at the upcoming guild meetings, and the winning ticket will be drawn at the June 12, 2010 meeting. Stop by the Membership Table to purchase your chances. Tickets are $1.00 each. Proceeds will help defray the many expenses of the guild. This lovely, cheerful, and cozy quilt will definitely brighten someone's home!

Editor: We all miss Sylvia Zeveloff's presence in our guild, and are still inspired by her talent, creativity and leadership. Please visit her Quilter of the Month page.

 

SPECIAL MEETING ACTIVITY: Guild Collectibles for Sale

This month members had a chance to purchase guild T-Shirts, lanyards, pins and tote bags. The business was brisk at the sale table, and many members went home with cheery shirts and other items. For a complete listing of guild items available, visit the Collectibles page.

 

 

 

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SPECIAL MEETING EVENT: Subway Series Raffle Quilt Unveiled

The guild's Subway Series raffle quilt is complete, and was on view at the June meeting. The oooh's and aaahhhhh's and oh my!'s were heard non-stop around this incredble piece. More information about this quilt — and pictures! — will be posted soon.

 

WORKSHOP: Strip Piecing

Landscape Pieces by Judith Larzelere

Students will be given a design formula for choosing fabrics that will be strip pieced and then sewn into a small wall hanging using the quilt-as-you-go method. Special emphasis will be on color selection. Be prepared to trade some of your fabric with others in the class to have more colors to work with.

› Print Workshop Info (PDF) ‹

For more information about Judith Larzelere visit her website: www.judithlarzelere.com.

 

May 2010

MAY PROGRAM: The Legend of Freedom Quilts and the Underground Railroad

Guest speaker Trish Chambers discussed the history, legends and personal stories that make up the rich heritage associated with the Underground Railroad.

Trish's theatrical presentation explores how African traditions and the use of story cloths documented the history of tribes and set the stage for the slaves to learn the lessons needed for survival during their arduous journey to freedom. African slave songs and the lessons contained in them are also discussed.

Using a facsimile of a freedom quilt Trish's presentation also shares one family's legend regarding the use of quilt patterns and the survival lessons associated with them.

Photo by Shirley Clark

Trish Chambers is a businesswoman, author and Civil War re-enactor. She has appeared on and consulted with the History Channel, appeared on local TV stations and radio and also participated in the making of the movie Gods and Generals. Trish has performed her professional and motivational presentations internationally for many businesses.

For more information about Trish Chambers and her presentations about the history of America visit her production website: Trish Chambers Productions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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FOCUS GROUP: Funky Folk Art Button Pin [one-session focus group]

 

FOCUS GROUP: Quilts for Rescued Animals [one-session demonstration]

 

FOCUS GROUP: Elm Creek Sampler Club [ongoing focus group]

 

May 2010 Block of the Month: Selvage House

Have you tried selvage quilting yet? Are you saving your selvages? I'm betting that you won't have to buy any new fabric for this Block of the Month!

Empire Quilters BOM Squad:
Karen Griska, Chair. Email: bom@empirequilters.net
Nick Alves, Helen Beall, Lisa Belle, Shirley Clark, Lisa Kehrle.


Photo by Shirley Clark

Congratulations to this month's winner Verna Fitzgerald! Verna is pictured here with the fun collection of blocks.

Current Block of the Month instructions can be found on the
Empire BOM Blog: www.empirebom.blogspot.com

 

 

 

April 2010

APRIL PROGRAM: Why I am a Crazy Quilter

Welcome to the world of crazy quilting and embellishment. Betty Pillsbury is an award winning textile artist and accomplished instructor. She is perhaps best known as one of the foremost experts in Crazy Quilting and embellishments. She is the recipient of almost 200 awards for her pieces, and was the recipient of the Embroiderer's Guild of America Educator's Award of Excellence. Betty has written articles for many publications, and has lectured and taught all over the country.

Betty Pillsbury taught herself embroidery at the age of eight and continues to experiment with many techniques. Over the years she has stitched hardanger, pulled and drawn thread, silk and metal embroidery, needle lace, bobbin lace, stumpwork, silk ribbon embroidery, wired ribbon, Brazilian, heirloom sewing, surface embroidery, dyeing, beadwork and more.

It was a special treat to welcome Betty to New York City to talk to our guild about her work and the art of Crazy Quilting.

For more information about Betty Pillsbury visit her website: www.bettypillsbury.com

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FOCUS GROUP: Ruched Flower [one-time focus group]

 

FOCUS GROUP: Elm Creek Sampler Club [ongoing focus group]

This group began meeting in September 2009, and welcomes new participants. Group members gather at noon before the monthly meetings to "show & tell" Elm Creek Blocks. Each month the group makes a different block from Jennifer Chiaverini and Nancy Odom's book, Elm Creek Quilts: Quilt Projects Inspired by the Elm Creek Quilts Novels (C&T Publishing, Inc. 2002). Join the group to make new friends, have a project in common, support each other, and put a monthly group photo on the website. Plus … at the end of the year, participants will each have their very own sampler quilt.

Note … For those who wish to make 6" sampler blocks, Jennifer Chiaverini's newer book Sylvia's Bridal Sampler from Elm Creek Quilts (C&T Publ. 2009) may prove helpful.

Contact Helen Beall or Lisa Kehrle with any questions or comments. (Email info@empirequilters.net if you need contact information.)

Photo by Shirley Clark

Our March gathering was pre-empted by Charity Day — a most worthy cause. Therefore for this month the participants made both the Hands All Around and the ever-popular Ohio Star.

An exciting event this month was the appearance of another finished top! Betty Belford's 12-block Sampler, pictured here, is simply stunning. Betty's vintage Kansas fabrics and her exquisite workmanship have won our hearts, indeed. Energized by her achievement, we are pressing on towards the finish line with the final block of the year … Chimneys and Cornerstones in May. Can you believe how far we've come?

› View the Blocks Made to Date ‹

 

 

 

 

Block of the Month: Double Friendship Quilt

You know the Friendship block: a nine-patch with 4 half-square triangles. Well, this block is similar, but it has twice the number of triangles, therefore it's a Double Friendship block.

Fabric Recipe: This quilt will feature fabrics from the 1930's, 1940's, and 1950's. The fabrics in this sample block are from the "Happy Camper" collection by American Jane from Moda. Isn't it soft and sweet?

Congratulations to Marian Webber for winning all the blocks this month!

Empire Quilters BOM Squad:
Karen Griska, Chair. Email: bom@empirequilters.net
Nick Alves, Helen Beall, Lisa Belle, Shirley Clark, Lisa Kehrle.

Current Block of the Month instructions can be found on the
Empire BOM Blog: www.empirebom.blogspot.com

 

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WORKSHOP: Crazy Quilt Notebook Sampler

This will give “crazies” — from beginners to advanced — a little taste of everything. Bead a dragonfly; learn a needle-woven leaf; stitch a spider web; make a bullion rose; create a pansy from wired ribbon. This is a fun sampling of techniques. All by Hand!

Students Please Note: No perfume in class.

› Print Workshop Info (PDF) ‹

For more information about Betty Pillsbury visit her website: www.bettypillsbury.com.

Here are some of our workshop attendees hard at work — and having a great time!

 

Photos by Mary Butler

 

March 2010

MARCH PROGRAM: Charity Quilting Day

Charity Quilt from March 2009 Charity DayHere's our pre-meeting description of this special day:

It's time for our annual Charity Quilting Day! Throughout the day we will be putting our efforts into making as many quilts as possible for the charities that the guild supports. The activities go on all day — beginning at approximately 10:00 am. Please come as early as you can.

Don't miss this opportunity to participate in one of the main activities of the Empire Quilters. You will learn, laugh and get to know your fellow guild members at this once-a-year activity. One of the quilts we made last year is pictured here.

Bring your ideas, sewing machine (if you can), sewing supplies, fabric, quilt tops, quilt backings, and needles and yarn for tying. We can also use some large cutting mats and sharp rotary cutters. But most importantly — bring yourself! There are plenty of experienced quilters on hand who are able and willing to show everyone how to participate. Bring quilt tops you have for charity quilts. The charity committee saves large pieces of fabric from the scrap table, so we will do our best to match your quilt top with a quilt back. If you have fabric that you would like to donate for charity, please bring it with you. The more we have, the nicer the quilts will be.

If you want some ideas of how to make some easy charity projects, visit the Service page. The Service Page has quilt patterns, stuffed animal patterns, and some general guidelines for you to follow. There are also some easy quilt assembly suggestions.

Some of our members hard at work …

 
 

Photos by Shirley Clark

› View the Quilts! ‹

 

FOCUS GROUP: Elm Creek Sampler Club [ongoing focus group]

This group began meeting in September 2009, and welcomes new participants. Group members gather at noon before the monthly meetings to "show & tell" Elm Creek Blocks. Each month the group makes a different block from Jennifer Chiaverini and Nancy Odom's book, Elm Creek Quilts: Quilt Projects Inspired by the Elm Creek Quilts Novels (C&T Publishing, Inc. 2002). Join the group to make new friends, have a project in common, support each other, and put a monthly group photo on the website. Plus … at the end of the year, participants will each have their very own sampler quilt.

Note … For those who wish to make 6" sampler blocks, Jennifer Chiaverini's newer book Sylvia's Bridal Sampler from Elm Creek Quilts (C&T Publ. 2009) may prove helpful.

Contact Helen Beall or Lisa Kehrle with any questions or comments. (Email info@empirequilters.net if you need contact information.)

This month the participants made Hands All Around blocks

› View the Blocks Made to Date ‹

 

GUILD BUS TRIP to AQS Lancaster

Thirty guild members went on a fabulous day-trip to the new quilt show in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This was the first show sponsored by the American Quilters Society to be held in Lancaster. Here is a great group picture of the guild participants.

Here are the details of how the trip worked (so you can plan to go on the next guild bus trip!):

For general information about guild bus trips, please see the FAQ page.

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February 2010

FEBRUARY PROGRAM: Members Teaching Members — Focus Groups Galore!

The February meeting promised to be something different! — and it was! We had Members Teaching Members! Our guild is full of talented, experienced, and generous members who are always willing to share their tips and techniques with their fellow guild members.

The meeting was run a little differently to make it easier on everyone. We had our regular Business Meeting, followed by Block of the Month, Show & Tell and a fundraiser (this month the ever popular 50/50 fundraiser will return). Then the Share Table was open for 30 minutes to enable our members to pick up any last minute needs for the classes. Then it was time to break up into the six groups with each class being taught in one of six different areas of the floor. Once the classes are finished, the meeting is over.

Members signed up for their preferred workshop before the February meeting. If they didn't sign up ahead of time, they were able to choose their workshop on the day of the meeting — provided there was space available in the workshop.

The six workshops/demos were:

Bags & Totes with Janet Randolph

A presentation on constructing a bag / tote to hold your needlework projects. Learn techniques for choosing various fabric weights, color combinations and sewing methods. Also we will discuss interfacing, batting, lining, zippers and trims. Examples shown at the meeting will include directions.

Supplies: Bring pen and paper to take notes. Members are encouraged to bring any bags/totes they have constructed.

 

Cutting Edge with Mary Butler

A straight cut is a straight seam is a straight quilt. Pick up the pro tips on cutting using the rotary cutter, self-healing mat and quilter's ruler(s). You will learn angles from straight to all degrees and shapes. An explanation of the various rulers and their benefits will be included.

Supplies: Bring a rotary cutter with 1 sharp new and 1 old blade, a cutting mat at last 26" x 12", any quilting rulers you want to practice with, and scraps of plain and printed fabric so we can practice fussy cutting. (Or plan to purchase some fabric from the guild's Scrap/Share table!)

Crazy Quilting with Beth Pile

This will be a color themed block. Learn how to use various fabrics of different textures and weights within the same color family as well as embroidery threads, cording, charms, buttons, laces, trims and beads. This will make a gorgeous crazy quilt block.

Supplies: Bring a 12½ x 12½ piece of muslin; scraps of fabric in various textures and weights in the same color family (you can purchase additional scraps at the Scrap/Share Table before the workshop); hand sewing supplies including needles (embroidery or sharps), scissors, threads of color and seam ripper; embroidery threads (DMC, Caron, Novelty, Cording); charms and buttons; lace and trims; and beads.

Foundation Piecing with Jennifer Bigelow

In this workshop you’ll learn the basics of foundation piecing. There will be two blocks available. Beginners will make a Candy Box Heart pattern, and those with some experience may start on a Mariner’s Compass block (free design from Carol Doak). You must be comfortable with rotary cutting. Note … you probably will not finish the blocks in this short class time.

Supplies for either block: rotary cutting mat, rotary cutter, a small rotary cutting ruler, an “Add a Quarter” (inch) ruler — or one on which you can easily see to add a quarter inch, a postcard, scissors, hand sewing needles and a neutral color thread. Seams will be finger pressed.

Supplies for the Candy Box Heart: a fat quarter of 2 different red fabrics (medium and dark) cut into 3 inch wide strips, and one fat quarter (your choice of color) for the background.

Supplies for the Mariner's Compass: 1/8th yard each of 7 colors — recommend you bring medium and dark, or light and medium for 3 colors (making 6 colors) and one other color (e.g. light pink, medium pink, medium blue and dark blue, light yellow and dark yellow, and medium purple). Also bring a fat quarter black for background (or dark color of your choice).

Doll Making with Nancy Rabatin

Nancy will show you how to make and dress a simple cloth doll. This could be the beginning of another craft obsession! Nancy will provide a paper pattern for doll and clothes. It is recommended that you sew your doll parts by machine (so you will not be able to complete it at the meeting), but Nancy will show you how to draw the pattern, as well as the sewing, cutting, turning and stuffing so that you can complete it at home.

Supply List: ¼ yard woven skintone fabric, template plastic or lightweight cardboard (at least 9 x 11), gluestick, paper scissors, pencil for drawing on fabric.

Additional supplies you will need to finish your doll: Threads to match, stuffing, stuffing tool, approximately 10 yards of yarn for hair, fabric pens or embroidery threads for the face, ¼ yard fabric for clothes (think solid or small prints).

Tee Shirt Quilts with Aleeda Crawley

Learn how to turn your old tee shirts into a memory that will last forever! Aleeda will show you the various techniques needed.

Supply list: Pen and paper for notes. Aleeda will have copies of extensive notes for all attendees.


 

February Meeting Activities

The Vendor of the Month at the February meeting was Prints Charming.

The fundraising event of the month was the ever-popular 50/50 raffle.

FOCUS GROUP: Elm Creek Sampler Club [ongoing focus group]

This group began meeting in September 2009, and welcomes new participants. Group members gather at noon before the monthly meetings to "show & tell" Elm Creek Blocks. Each month the group makes a different block from Jennifer Chiaverini and Nancy Odom's book, Elm Creek Quilts: Quilt Projects Inspired by the Elm Creek Quilts Novels (C&T Publishing, Inc. 2002). Join the group to make new friends, have a project in common, support each other, and put a monthly group photo on the website. Plus … at the end of the year, participants will each have their very own sampler quilt.

Note … For those who wish to make 6" sampler blocks, Jennifer Chiaverini's newer book Sylvia's Bridal Sampler from Elm Creek Quilts (C&T Publ. 2009) may prove helpful.

Contact Helen Beall or Lisa Kehrle with any questions or comments. (Email info@empirequilters.net if you need contact information.)

This month the participants made Lancaster Rose blocks — for lovers of appliqué — and Sister's Choice — a pieced favorite.

 

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FEBRUARY Block of the Month: Variable Fan

Once you get the hang of making these fans "by eye," you will love it and you'll want to use the fans in many of your quilts. You will see why Block of the Month Chair Karen Griska calls it the Variable Fan. These are quick and easy to make, and they really add a nice touch. This method is Karen's own invention and she was really excited about sharing it with the guild. It takes a little practice, but it's worth it!

Congratulations to Karin Eckart — the lucky winner of all these fabulous blocks!

 

Empire Quilters BOM Squad:
Karen Griska, Chair. Email: bom@empirequilters.net
Nick Alves, Helen Beall, Lisa Belle, Shirley Clark, Lisa Kehrle.

Current Block of the Month instructions can be found on the
Empire BOM Blog: www.empirebom.blogspot.com

 

January 2010

JANUARY PROGRAM: Quilting My Way

The Spirit of Mother Earth by Sharon Schamber

Sharon Schamber has made a name for herself with her intricately designed and quilted show pieces. She has won many national awards. Those us us who saw her Best of Show quilt at the Paducah Museum can attest to her skills. The reversible quilt has a fantasy design on one side and a champagne colored reverse covered in crystals! She will speak to us how she started and continues to create her powerful quilts.

For more information about Sharon Schamber visit her website: www.sharonschamber.com.

Here are some pictures from the meeting. It was great seeing many of Sharon's incredible pieces in person!


Photos by Shirley Clark

 

SPECIAL MEETING EVENT: 2011 Raffle Quilt — Subway Series

The lucky January meeting attendees were the first to see the 2011 Raffle Quilt Subway Series. We were given a look at the completed top of the quilt, and what a sight! Complete information about the quilt will be presented later, but the quilt was designed and assembled by our very talented Mary Cargill. Many guild members participated by making blocks. Mary is pictured below (right), along with many of the members who worked on the quilt.

 

Photos by Shirley Clark

 

VENDOR of the MONTH:
Sue's Fabric World

Our Vendor of the Month was the ever-popular Sue's Fabric World. The vendor area was busy all day, and many members went home with some wonderful purchases!

[Photo by Shirley Clark]

 

 

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FOCUS GROUP: Baby Charity Quilts

Photo by Shirley Clark

 

Janet Randolph, Rhona Triggs, Ethel Campbell, and Sandi Howell (pictured left) each presented baby quilts that they have made. Quilt patterns from our website and other fast and easy quilts were featured. This was a great opportunity to learn from these expert quilters. They answered questions and passed along many tips. We encouraged all new members to attend.

Supply List: Bring your enthusiasm and some note-taking supplies. This is a not-to-be-missed opportunity to learn some important — and fun! — basics of our art and craft. You'll learn techniques to put to use immediately.

 

 

 

 

 

FOCUS GROUP: Elm Creek Sampler Club [ongoing focus group]

Photo by Shirley Clark

 

 

 

 

 

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JANUARY Block of the Month: Pineapple (Turn Your Scrap Basket) Upside-Down

Photo by Shirley Clark

Our January block was a "Pineapple (Turn Your Scrap Basket) Upside-Down Quilt." There was no need to buy supplies for this one! Many members started the New Year by learning a new method to make this fabulous block.

If you haven't made a pineapple block before, you might assume that it requires a degree from MIT, but it's easy, once you get the hang of it. Using this method — developed and described beautifully by our Block of the Month Chair Karen Griska — you can't help but get nice sharp points too! Congratulations to Shirley Clark for winning all the blocks.

Empire Quilters BOM Squad:
Karen Griska, Chair. Email: bom@empirequilters.net
Nick Alves, Helen Beall, Lisa Belle, Shirley Clark, Lisa Kehrle.

Current Block of the Month instructions can be found on the
Empire BOM Blog: www.empirebom.blogspot.com

 

 

JANUARY WORKSHOPS: Two Days with Sharon Schamber

Exotic Bloom by Sharon SchamberDay One: Exotic Bloom

This class will teach you how to use appliqué foundation paper to create the lovely look of hand appliqué — all done by machine! If you have loved appliqué but were afraid to try, with this technique you can do the most beautiful appliqué ever.

This class is designed for the average quilter that wants to move onto a higher level of work. Every quilter will love this class.

› Print Workshop Info (PDF) ‹

Day Two: Flying Geese with Piece-liqué Curved Piecing

flying geese by Sharon SchamberCurved seams have always been used in quilting. Until now they have been for the more advanced quilter. This class teaches you an easy and accurate way of sewing curved seams. Using her own special developed technique — called Piece-liqué — Sharon Schamber will teach how to do this popular and versatile pattern with a fun new technique.

› Print Workshop Info (PDF) ‹

For more information about Sharon Schamber visit her website: www.sharonschamber.com.

 

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December 2009

PROGRAM: Holiday Bake/Food Fundraiser and Gift Gathering

Our December meeting is traditionally a combination holiday party, a holiday charity endeavor, and a fundraising event. We also have a Show & Tell segment of Holiday items (non-holiday Show & Tell items are welcome, too!)

This year we had a Bake/Food Sale! In addition to our usual charity efforts (listed below), we had a food sale to raise money for Empire Quilters. We asked our members: Please bring your favorite goodies packaged to sell. These can either be sold in individual pieces or as a whole item. We are looking for traditional Holiday cookies, cakes, pies, breads as well as any real food you would like to bring. In addition, please bring the recipes. We are looking into doing a cookbook as a fundraiser — so if you have a favorite, bring it along with the recipe.

 

Photos Shirley Clark

At the meeting there were goodies galore, and some special items were given away — there were gift baskets, cheesecakes and teacups filled with notions.

In addition to our fun Bake/Food Sale and recipe gathering, we worked on finishing and assembling Holiday items for children. We asked for as many teddy bears and stockings as you can make. Unfortunately there are so many children in the New York City Area who will receive little — if anything — for the holidays so we asked our members to please help brighten their holidays by contributing an item for a child. Every item will go to a child or family who has little else for the holidays. The children — and their parents — need the help, and we can help. The patterns are easy, and are available here for downloading (in PDF format, below).

Members picked up over 100 stocking kits and 200 bear kits at the November guild meeting! They were returned in December — as well as many additional stockings that members (and friends!) made on their own.

This is an annual activity for the guild. Stockings were can be decorated with batting on the top, or with holiday cookie-cutter decorations, or with ribbons. Use your imagination!

If you are uncertain about embroidering or drawing the face on the teddy bear, just bring it to the meeting, and the Service Committee will paint the face on for you. Please do not use buttons on the bears (for child safety reasons).

To download the patterns for the bear or stockings, click on a picture (right)

You can see some pictures of a few of the items turned in by visiting this year's Service Report page.

For next year: If you are unable to make stockings or bears, another option is to donate an inexpensive toy (small enough to fit into the stocking) as a stocking stuffer. The organizations that distribute these items specifically request hats, gloves, mittens, socks, combs, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, coloring books and Teddy Bears. (No food or candy items, no makeup or perfume please.) Please do not donate any used items.

If you have any questions, please email info@empirequilters.net or contact one of the Service Committee Members: Denise Walsh-Horowitz, or Jennifer Bigelow.

And there's more! … The last part of the program was the “fun.” We had a few items to auction, a few games to play, a few prizes to win. We also drew tickets for the winner of the Featherweight sewing machine. This part of the program was unstructured, so members be sure to brought their own UFOs to work on.

 

Special Meeting Feature: Win a Featherweight Sewing Machine!

Gloria Johnson and Janet Randolph

Photo by Shirley Clark

Congratulations to Gloria Johnson for winning the Featherweight Sewing Machine! Many people purchased chances to win this special holiday prize.

Here's the complete description published before the December meeting:

Updated Info: Nov 10, 2009 – Guild member Janet Randolph has generously donated a Featherweight sewing machine for our guild to use to make money. It will be awarded at the December 12, 2009 meeting. The Featherweight is in prime condition. It is a Model 221 made in 1956, is 11 lbs, and comes with extra feet to do ruffling, smocking, etc ., needles, instructions, bobbins, thread, a wheeled carrying case and a new foot pedal. Incredible!

Photo by Kitty Squire

Make sure you visit Kitty Squire at the Membership table to get your chances prior to the start of the December 12, 2009 meeting. If you cannot be at the December meeting, you can still participate by sending your checks and requests to the Empire mail box. Send $1 for every chance. The more you send, the better your chances of going home with this fabulous machine! You will need to mail your checks by December 7 to make sure you are included. As those of you who have sewn on a Featherweight know, they have the best straight stitch around and are workhorse machines — after all they were made from the 1930s to the 1950s and are genuine antiques and they are still sewing strong.

Remember that all money collected will help our guild continue our mission of education, excellence and charity. Please be generous.

Send your checks made out to Empire Quilters to the guild address: Empire Quilters, Old Chelsea Station, P.O. Box 1293, New York, NY 10113. Direct any questions to Kitty Squire, kesquilts33@msn.com.

BLOCK OF THE MONTH: Amish Buggy

The Amish make simple buggy quilts to use when riding in cold weather. If you want to try yours out, just bring it to Central Park! This is a simple 16-patch block, but because the squares are fairly small, it will look awesome. Solid color fabrics will give it an Amish flavor. If we all whip up a few of these pretty blocks, the lucky winner (maybe you) will have plenty to make a nice big quilt.

Carolyn Schloupt (left)
with Karen Griska

Photo by Shirley Clark

 

 

Congratulations to Carolyn Schloupt for winning the terrific collection of blocks this motnth! Carolyn is pictured here with Empire Quilters BOM Squad Chair Karen Griska.

Photo by Shirley Clark

 

Empire Quilters BOM Squad:
Karen Griska, Chair. Email: bom@empirequilters.net
Nick Alves, Helen Beall, Lisa Belle, Shirley Clark, Lisa Kehrle.

Current Block of the Month instructions can be found on the
Empire BOM Blog: www.empirebom.blogspot.com

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FOCUS GROUP: Elm Creek Sampler Club [ongoing focus group]

— Helen Beall

 

Celebrated author, multi-award-winning quilter (and Empire Quilters member!) Anna Faustino will conduct a day-long workshop featuring another new and innovative technique. Anna's workshops are always fun and packed with ideas that you can use in your quilting. Anna is enthusiastic, and is generous in sharing her unique approaches to beautiful quilt constructions. We welcome this opportunity to learn from Anna.

› Print Workshop Info (PDF) ‹

For more information about Anna Faustino visit her website: www.newtechquilts.com or see her Quilter of the Month page.

 

November 2009

This month we started with two day-long workshops given by two of our resident professional quilters. Guild members Diane Rode Schneck and Judy Doenias presented workshops to help raise money for the International Quilt Study Center and Museum. The following day (a Sunday, this month), was our normal meeting day with a program, focus groups, Block of the Month and other activities. The details follow:

PROGRAM: My Quilts — My Art

A Prayer for Peace by Sherry Shine

We will welcome internationally known quilt artist Sherry Shine to our November guild meeting. Sherry was an artist from the time she could hold a crayon. She was encouraged to develop her talent and one day she encountered quilt art. As Sherry reports: her "creativity and curiosity were ignited and her passion for art quilts was formed."

Photo by Shirley Clark

 
Sherry has a special love of portraits and the study of the face. Her quilts are stunning one-of-a-kind pieces, and her gifts of drawing, painting, and eye for color are evident in each quilt.

For more information about Sherry and her work, please visit her website: www.artbysshine.com

 

 

 

 

 

 SPECIAL MEETING EVENT: Veterans Quilts Presentation

Photo by Kitty Squire

This meeting was the culmination of many month of work. The presentation at the November meeting was touching and made many people in the room reach for their tissues. Tom the vet was so overwhelmed and overjoyed. Lee Ebs, the organizing force behind the project is pictured here (left) peeking out from behind one of the finished quilts. Lee reports:

"I'm so grateful for all your help , generosity, and support. Our original goal was 52 quilts by Veterans Day, tomorrow. As of now we have 66 quilts and 1 afghan, and I expect at least 5 more soon. Clearly, Empire Quilters outdid ourselves again."

 

Background on the Project:

Posted: May 11, 2009 — A few weeks ago New York 1 TV's New Yorker of the Week was Luis Guevara, who runs a homeless shelter for vets in the Bronx. Empire Quilters plans to make a quilt for each of its 52 beds, twin size, about 72" X 90". If you have quilts, tops (partial or complete), blocks, or fabric to donate to this cause, please bring them to the June 13, 2009 meeting or drop them off at my apartment. If you want to come to my home to work on these quilts during the summer, please let me know. Let's see how many we can finish by Empire's September meeting. Thanks! — Lee Ebs

Update Posted Sep 28, 2009 — Project Coordinator Lee Ebs submitted this exciting update:

"Thirty-two wonderful quilts are here at HDQ completely finished, labels and all. Another few are finished elsewhere, and several others are in various stages of completion. Hopefully some of you are also working on quilts or tops at your homes. Quiltathons at my place will continue every Monday and Saturday (except Oct. 10, when Empire meets) through Nov. 7, the day before Empire's meeting at which we will present quilts to the director of the New Era Veterans Shelter. Please let me know if can come any or all of those dates." — Lee Ebs

Email Lee at: EbsLee@msn.com with the dates that you can come.
Note … Please put "Empire" in the subject line of your email.

 
 

Photos by Barbara Hull

 

FOCUS GROUP: Redwork [one-session focus group]

Photo by Jennifer Bigelow

Photo by Jennifer Bigelow


Provided by Focus Group Leader:

The workshop was well-attended and everyone went home with valuable information — and enthusiasm for their next redwork project!
 

Photos by Shirley Clark

› View/Print Workshop Handout ‹

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FOCUS GROUP: Elm Creek Sampler Club [ongoing focus group]

Photo by Shirley Clark

Focus group participants.

— Helen Beall

 

 

 

Block of the Month: Atomic Wedgie

This quilt is made from rows of free-hand wedge shapes. The rows are 6 inches tall, and any length you like. Color recipe: Choose African style fabrics, or fabrics that are compatible with them. Two fat quarters will be plenty to make an Atomic Wedgie block. You might want to fussy-cut some interesting motifs to arrange in any direction.

Empire Quilters BOM Squad:
Karen Griska, Chair. Email: bom@empirequilters.net
Nick Alves, Helen Beall, Lisa Belle, Shirley Clark, Lisa Kehrle.

Photo by Shirley Clark

Congratulations to guild member Karen Monath (pictured left) for winning all of the blocks this month!

Once again there were many participants who made some terrific Atomic Wedgie blocks.

If you haven't contributed a block yet this year, check out the instructions for December. It is a lot of fun! — and someone always goes home with enough blocks for a quilt! Block instructions appear on the Empire BOM Blog: www.empirebom.blogspot.com

 

 

 

NOVEMBER Vendor of the Month: Member Flea Market

Photo by Kitty Squire

Updated Information: Oct 13, 2009 – Mark you calendars! and Come, one Come all! The next Members' Flea Market will take place at the Sunday November 8, 2009 guild meeting. We have ten members who will be selling items. Please bring cash and checks to support them. This will be your only time this year to get these goodies. Remember, one man/woman’s junk is another man/woman’s treasure!

This year we are adding as a bonus, a Guild White Elephant Table. All proceeds from the White Elephant table will go to Empire Quilters. Please bring all your white elephants to donate to support the guild. If you have any questions on what to donate, contact Anna Foss: annamfoss@earthlink.net.

Here are some details of the event:

Photo by Kitty Squire

Note … Due to the flea market activity, there will be no scrap/share table at the November 8, 2009 guild meeting.

There were many bargains to be had throughout the day. Anna Foss reported that the guild White Elephant table did very well — thanks to both contributors and purchasers!

 

 

WORKSHOPS: Funky Log Cabins / String Quilting

Part of Empire Quilters' mission is to preserve and promote the tradition, culture and history of quilmaking. One of our efforts toward this goal includes supporting the activities of the International Quilt Study Center and Museum (IQSC) in Lincoln, Nebraska. The Center is a treasure house of quilts from many countries and centuries, and it offers a unique academic program and study resources that attract scholars worldwide. This month all funds raised in these workshops will go to the IQSC.

Please sign up (early!) for one of these workshops being given by two of our guild's professional members. This is a great opportunity to learn from these popular and talented teachers — and at the same time help further the art of quilting worldwide!

Funky Log Cabins with Judy Doenias (donation of $25 to $50.00)

This is one of the easiest and coolest log cabin variations. It is also a fabriholics dream. Bring strips from as many fabrics as you wish to cut. You will swap with others for as much variety as possible. The more fabric, the more wonderful and funky. The quilt size is entirely up to you. The more log cabins you create, the larger it will grow.

This is not a hand sewing class but if your machine sewing skills are limited, you will still do fine. Wonkiness is encouraged!

› Print Workshop Info (PDF) ‹

String Quilting with Diane Rode Schneck (Donation of $25 to $50.00)

For fabric lovers and scrap collectors — if you save every little piece of fabric and always wondered why, this is the class for you! The basic technique is incredibly simple, even for beginners, and the results are always stunning. Whether you like old fashioned, scrappy quilts, or graphic, sophisticated art quilts, you will LOVE String Quilting. "Strings", those long, skinny leftovers or new yardage cut into strips of various widths, should be no thinner than 1" wide, and no wider than 4" — straight or irregular. Diane will show many examples of String Quilting and discuss ways you can use strings in your own work. Basic techniques will be discussed and demonstrated. Each student will begin their own collection of string blocks.

PLEASE BRING:

OR —

OR —

Cut a bunch of 10" muslin squares for foundations. The number of blocks you make will depend on how fast, enthusiastic or fanatical a sewer you are! Say 10 blocks if you just want to dabble, and 20 or more if you want to get serious. (The 10" block gives you the most economical use of 45" wide fabric. Cut smaller foundations and work in a smaller scale if you wish.)

ALSO BRING

› Print Workshop Info (PDF) ‹

A great time was had by all workshop attendees!

Photo by Betsy Vinegrad

(L to R): Mary Butler, Orietta Brewer, Lisa Belle, Beth Pile, Viola Brewer, Judy Doenias, Ellen Knudsen Jacqueline Jones, Barbara Jackson, Diane Rode Schneck Arline Rubin, Ivy Bernstein, Sarah Bernstein.
 

Photos by Betsy Vinegrad

(L) Diane Rode Schneck showing what could be accomplished with the technique she was teaching, and Sarah Bernstein (R) mastering the machine.

For more information about the International Quilt Study Center and Museum visit the Center's website: quiltstudy.org. For more information about Judy Doenias visit Judy's Quilter of the Month page. And for more information about Diane Rode Schneck visit her Diane's Quilter of the Month page.

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October 2009

Photo by Kitty Squire

The monthly general guild meeting took place on Saturday, October 10, 2009 at F.I.T. The meeting was buzzing with activity — the library held a book sale, two focus groups were well attended in the morning, we collected some quilts for charity, and the share/scrap table did it's normal booming business.

Our enthusiastic monthly fundraising chair Naomi Shelnut honored the season by coming as a "Good Witch" (pictured left) and sold many chances to win some great prizes.

The guild got its first look at the next fundraising quilt — it's going to be another unique and fabulous New York City quilt. We love watching its progress.

 

 

 

 

 

 

More details about the day follow:

PROGRAM: Group Advantage

Botswana Bounty by Gwened TrefethenGroup Advantage addresses the question, "why group?" It explores the "group" of design principles that when followed help produce riveting quilt art. Work from three different series created by quilt artist Gwyned Trefethen are used to demonstrate design principles in action. This Power Point presentation provides a peek behind the making of Trefethen's intricate quilts, the design principles she uses and images of the quilts that result.

Gwyned Trefethen's passion for quilting has been gaining momentum for over 20 years. She began making simple traditional quilts from patterns for family members and has progressed to creating art quilts of her own design. Her artwork is regularly juried into shows both nationally and internationally. She is a member of Fiber Revolution, the founder and coordinator of The Power of the Quilt Project, was the Massachusetts and Rhode Island Representative for Studio Art Quilt Associates (SAQA) from 2005 - May 2008, and served on the Board of the Rhododendron Needlers Quilt Guild in Massachusetts for 15 years.

For more information about Gwyned Trefethen and to see more examples of her work, visit her website: gwynedtrefethen.com.

 

October 2009 Vendor of the Month: Easy Piecing

Our October 10, 2009 guild meeting's vendor was Easy Piecing. Owner/operator Susan Sato created Easy Piecing out of filling a need for her mother. Susan and her mother were at a quilting retreat and Susan noticed that her mother was having a hard time putting pressure on the rotary cutter. Susan started thinking of starting a business using precut fabrics in kits and her mom confirmed that there was a need for such a product. The kits make it easier for quilters who have arthritis and hand restrictions.

Fabrics are hand picked for each charm kit. They are available in a variety of colors and shapes. Quilters can choose their color preference for borders and bindings, which are included. Since each kit is precut, it saves many hours of time cutting fabric. Just open the bag and you are ready to start. You can finish a top in a day — really!

For more information: Easy Piecing, 70 Terrace Place, Brooklyn, NY 11218. Telephone: 718-853-6174.

 

FOCUS GROUP: Double-Miter Binding with Janet Randolph

Photo by Jennifer Bigelow

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FOCUS GROUP: Elm Creek Sampler Club [ongoing focus group]

— Helen Beall

 

Photo by Jennifer Bigelow

Some participants of the Elm Creek Sampler Club discussing their blocks.

 

Block of the Month: Fashion Labels

Since we meet at the Fashion Institute in New York's Garment District, isn't it logical that we make a labels quilt? It would take forever for any of us to collect enough labels for a whole quilt. But together we can do it. And it will be amazing!

Have you noticed that more and more new clothes don’t have labels? The information is printed right onto the garment. Before long, this quilt may look like a real antique.

Get your seam ripper and reading glasses to help you harvest labels from your family’s clothing. About 7-8 labels will fill one block, but having some extras will give you more options when arranging them. Machine appliqué them on a 6 1/2” square of neutral fabric and you’re done!

For complete information about our Block of the Month Activity, visit the Empire BOM Blog: www.empirebom.blogspot.com.

Congratulations to Maggie Gordon for winning all of these great blocks!

Empire Quilters BOM Squad:
Karen Griska, Chair. Email: bom@empirequilters.net
Nick Alves, Helen Beall, Lisa Belle, Shirley Clark, Lisa Kehrle.

 

WORKSHOP: Taking on the Nines

Make a 42" x 54" quilt in a day, doing it assembly line style. Learn how a simple pattern can result in stunning quilts. Discover variations to keep you making more. You precut your choice of fabrics. This is a fun workshop for those who want to learn how to speed piece and move a project along quickly and accurately. Beginners will get practice and advice.

SUPPLIES NEEDED:

› Print Workshop Info (PDF) ‹

For more information about Gwyned Trefethen and to see more examples of her work, visit her website: gwynedtrefethen.com.

Workshop attendees had a good day Taking on the Nines!
 

Photos by Mary Butler

L to R: Leader Gwyned Trefethen with Susan Knaster; Group: Lisa Belle, May Eason, Rhona Triggs, Gwyned Trefethen and Susan Knaster; Lisa Belle (mastering the machine!).

 

September 2009

The general guild meeting took place on Saturday, September 12, 2009 at F.I.T.

Block of the Month: Candy Stick

Photo by Kitty Squire

We had over 100 terrific Candy Stick blocks turned in at the September meeting and Sonia Dickerson was the lucky winner of all the blocks!

Winner Sonia is pictured here (on the right in the picture) with Empire BOM Squad Committee Chair Karen Griska (on the left in the picture).

For complete information about our Block of the Month Activity, visit the Empire BOM Blog: www.empirebom.blogspot.com.

Here are just some of the blocks turned in at the September meeting:

Photo By Jennifer Bigelow

 

 

 

 


PROGRAM: Landscape Quilts

Yampa Valley Summer by David TaylorDavid Taylor has been quilting since 1999, and is a true master of quilting art and craft. He is the recipient of many awards, including the Master Award for Contemporary Quilt Artistry from the International Quilt Association, the Brother Machine Workmanship Award from the American Quilters Society and is a multi-time winner of the Best in Show award at the Spring International Quilt Festival in Chicago. David lives and works in Colorado when he's not traveling around the world sharing his tips, techniques, and ideas. We're excited to welcome him to New York City!

For more information about David Taylor visit his website: www.davidtaylorquilts.com.

 

 

FOCUS GROUP: Elm Creek Sampler Club [ongoing focus group]

 

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FOCUS GROUP: The Beaded Spider [one-session focus group]

Photo by Sandra Cain

 

Photo by Sandra Cain

 

WORKSHOP: Advanced Pictorial Appliqué

This class is for quilters who have mastered their own appliqué technique. David Taylor will demonstrate how to adapt a photograph or drawing into a quilted wallhanging, using hand- and machine-piecing, appliqué and quilting techniques. Students should not expect to have a finished piece at the end of the class — detailed art quilts take months to produce. But you will learn some valuable techniques that will serve you well into the future. Students are encouraged to bring multiple designs to choose from.

› Print Workshop Info (PDF) ‹

For more information about David Taylor, and to see many examples of his work, visit: www.davidtaylorquilts.com.

 


VENDOR: Fiber Notion

Photo by Shirley Clark

The vendor at our September guild meeting was Fiber Notion (www.fibernotion.com). Fiber Notion was established in 2005 by Kat Ridel to supply sewers and stitchers with the hottest trends infabrics and notions.

Being a textile designer with access to the latest fabrics and fibers from around the world, Kat saw an incredible amount of fabric being discarded as scrap and destined for landfills.

Kat started rescuing the trend/forecast fabrics usually seen only by the professional design community. These textiles represent the latest design and color direction of some of the hottest European and Asian fabric houses.

This labor of love hasdeveloped into the Tasty Fashion Tidbits and Charm Packs that inspire and delight the quilters crafters and designers who freuent Fiber Notion's cozy little Brooklyn shop.

Get inspired with somethng green and get your craft on with Fiber Notion!


TRIP: Saturday, September 19, 2009:

 

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