Minutes of SEWrority Quilting Guild
Prior to the meeting, members visited display tables for the following items: ticket purchase for raffles, free table, t-shirt sales, retreat registration, BOM pick up & drop off, QOV block drop off, and for sale table.
- The meeting was called to order by President, Gail McLain at 10:47 a.m.
- Brenda Bannister introduced new members Michele Malecki and Anita Rogers. She then introduced Donna Holcomb, a visitor. Gail pinned the new members along with Jill Rains who had joined previously.
- Brenda Bannister conducted the door prize drawing (a pack of magazine boards). Vicky Galczynski won the door prize.
- Linda Brown introduced Steve Scott, a presenter for Quilts of Valor. He gave an overview of how a quilt is presented and a brief history of the Quilt of Valor Foundation.
- Steve Scott invited the Sewrority to attend and participate in Strut the Hooch on the 1st Saturday in April. Anyone interested should meet at the Springer Opera House at 10 a.m. See the FB page for more information.
- Gail discussed the upcoming Sewing & Quilt Expo in Duluth, GA March 9-11. The Cornerstone Baptist Church bus will be leaving the church on Friday, March 10th at 9 a.m. There is a charge for the expo and a $10-$15 tip per person for the bus driver is expected.
- Julie Arsenault discussed the upcoming Sew to Serve Day at which we will be making quilts for the local hospital NICU. Julie provided kits to be signed out and completed to anyone who could not attend the Sew to Serve Day on March 18th. These kits are due back to Julie by the July meeting completed.
- Cathy Poyner discussed the upcoming 2nd Annual Quilt Retreat at the FFA Camp in Covington, April 12-16th. Today was the last day for Sewrority Sisters to have priority in registering for the retreat. It is now open to any quilters who would like to attend. More information will be forthcoming.
- Cathy Poyner also discussed the upcoming Pioneer Days at Ft. Mitchell which will be on April 22nd. She provided forms for anyone wishing to enter a quilt into the competition/show. The categories are: New Quilts (7 years old or less), Vintage Quilts, Children’s Quilts, and Viewer’s Choice. All Quilts must have a hanging pocket attached to the back of the quilt and must follow all rules. Deadline for submission is the March meeting or April 1st at Sunday’s Best Quilt Shop in Ellerslie.
- Our featured speaker was Jill Rains. She spoke on basic free motion quilting and gave many tips on making it a doable skill for all quilters. She recommended watching Angela Walters: The Midnight Quilter, Crystal Watson: Free Motion Quilting, and Free Motion Quilting with Megan as tutorial videos. Jill gave a list of tools needed for free motion quilting: *single needle plate for machine, *lowering or taping over the feed dog, *darning foot or free motion quilting foot, * gloves, and *slider supreme (optional). She also recommended using Sew Tites (small flat magnets) or clamps to help keep layers together as you quilt. She also informed the group that Kathy Fussell has a quilt display at the Columbus Main Library. Gail presented Jill with a gift card as a thank you for speaking to the group.
- There were eight members participating in Show & Tell. Each member showed quilts or projects they were working on or had completed.
- Luana Enloe conducted the monthly raffle drawing which was won by Mary Stevens
- The birthday ladies were called up to draw for their baskets. Robyn Shreve’s basket was won by Michele Melecki; Becky Land’s basket was won by Lisa Rowans; Athena Hart’s basket was won by Debbie Sutton; and Debbie Sutton’s basket was won by Julie Arsenault.
- Robyn Shreve gave an update on the Quilts of Valor Committee: There were 15 members participating on the Sew to Serve Day. Thirty one blocks were completed. Robyn will present our first quilt on March 11th and we are planning a presentation at our March 25th
- Linda Brown gave a report on the Quilt Til You Wilt mini-retreat: We averaged 18 members each day and LOTS of projects were worked on. Lunch was provided and fellowship was plentiful. The next QTYW mini-retreat will be May 18-20. A sign-up sheet will be on the check-in table at the March and April meetings.
- LeeAnn Scogin gave an update on the WorksInProgress (WIP): There are 13 members participating at this time. WIP #5 is due at the March meeting at which time another number will be drawn.
- Karen Moore introduced the April 22nd Silent Auction. We already have a BabyLock sewing machine donated. All donations are due no later than April 19th. Benefits from the silent auction will go to fund our Sew to Serve projects.
- Gail McLain informed the group that Lain Stowe will be speaking at the March meeting. She will be discussing everything we need to know about rulers. After the meeting, she will be conducting a 2-hour workshop on paper piecing. The workshop costs $40 and includes fabric, pattern, and all supplies needed to make a 12” pillow top. Members must register for the class and bring sewing machine, thread, small cutting mat, and rotary cutter. The workshop is March 25 from 1-3 p.m. at the VFW. The registration fee is due by March 15th. Checks are to be made payable to Lain Stowe and either given to Gail McLain or mailed to PO Box 123, Ellerslie, GA.
- Gail McLain and Julie Arsenault gave an overview of the 2023 yearly raffle. Suggestions were given for when/how to sell tickets. Gail asked that each member sell at least $40 worth of tickets. Color flyers and tickets were given to members. Posters should be here soon.
- Gail McLain introduced the February Blocks of the Month. 1 12” pieced block and 1 7” paper pieced block.
- Gail McLain encouraged all members to update the online directory with a photo of themselves. She noted that anyone having difficulty could see Karen Moore for help.
- Meeting was adjourned at 12:30 p.m.