January 28, 2023
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 10:45 a.m.
Brenda Bannister introduced visitors and new members. Visitors were: Toni Cash and Linda Hayes. New members were: Becky Land, Kim Wiggins, and Janet Calvert. New members were pinned by Gail McLain.
Brenda Bannister stressed the need for each member to sign in at the monthly meetings and introduced a new incentive to do so. Each time a member signs in at the monthly meetings, their name is put into a drawing for a $100 gift card to be given at the October meeting. This is to encourage regular attendance at the monthly meetings.
The door prize drawing was won by Peggy Loney.
Robyn Shreve, the Quilt of Valor officer, informed the Guild about the upcoming Sew to Serve Day on Feb. 4th from 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. at Cornerstone Baptist Church in Ellerslie. This will coincide with the National Sew Day for Quilts of Valor. Members were encouraged to join QOV in order to join their livestream on Facebook. Prizes will be rewarded during the livestream to members of QOV that participate in the National Sew Day. Robyn ensured guild members that one does NOT have to join in order to participate. The block we will be making is the Liberty Block. Directions are on our website.
Linda Brown informed members of our “Quilt ‘Til You Wilt” mini-retreat days (Feb. 16-18). There will be 3 this year in addition to the spring retreat. QTYW retreats will be held at Cornerstone Baptist Church from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Members were told that lunch would be provided and that they were to bring their own drinks and snacks. Members were strongly urged to sign up so we could get a head count for meals. T-Shirts are being made for the 3 mini-retreats and the spring retreat. Sign-up sheet was on back table for anyone wanting to order a t-shirt.
Julie Arsenault gave an update for this year’s Sew To Serve days. The first one is March 18th at Cornerstone Baptist Church from 10 a.m. -3 p.m. We will be making quilts for the NeoNatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) for our local hospitals. There will be limited DOGgie (Donations On the Go) bags available for members to sign out, complete, and return. These kits will contain precuts or fabric and directions for making quilt. Lunch will be provided.
Linda Brown presented information on our 2nd Annual Quilt Retreat which will be April 12th-16th at the FFA Camp in Covington, GA. Registration forms were made available and we already have 10 members signed up! All reservations must be made and deposits paid by the February meeting. After the February meeting, the retreat will be opened up to nonmembers who would like to attend. Full payment is due no later than the March meeting. Cathy Poyner will be sending emails with more details.
Linda Hayes updated the Guild on the upcoming Pioneer Day April 22nd in Ft. Mitchell, AL., from 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. She asked that the Guild members submit quilts for display. She said that there are several different categories to include new quilts (<7 years), juvenile quilts, vintage quilts and viewers choice. There is a $5 entrance fee for attendees. Prizes will be awarded the day of the show. Linda gave out save the date sheets and said that there would be more information available on their website. Cathy Poyner will give out the rules/guidelines for submitting a quilt.
Our program speaker, Monica McCalla, was introduced by Gail McLain. Monica showed various types of appliques she had created and passed samples around for the Guild to see the different techniques used. Monica focused on the pre-turned applique technique for today’s demonstration. She then demonstrated, passed out supplies, and guided the members in making a mug rug with a Valentine’s Day motif.
Gail McLain announced it was time for Show & Tell. The following members and one visitor showed off their talents with beautiful quilts, table runners, wall hangings, and even a beautiful quilted jacket: Julie Arsenault, Karen Doyle, Dosia O’Quinn showed for Athena, Karen Moore, Karen Morgan, Tracie Moore, Lee Ann Scoggins, Linda Jones, and Karen Clemens. Our newest member, Janet Calvert, made a donation of a QOV to the Guild.
Luana Enloe conducted the monthly raffle drawing which was a pattern, some yardage, and fat quarters. Linda Brown was the winner!
There were 3 birthday baskets to be raffled. Carla Stickles won the basket by Karen Moore; Robyn Shreve won the basket by Monica Babcock; and Mary Bray won the basket by Linda Brown.
Work-In-Progress (WIP) drawings were conducted by Robyn Shreve and Lee Ann Scoggin. There were 6 drawings for $40 cash. The winners were: Pam Gryzstar x 2, Vicky Galczynski, Cathy Poyner, Robyn Shreve, and Brenda Bannister. The first WIP of 2023 is #5 and is due at the March meeting.
Drawings for the 2022 Blocks of the Month groupings were presented by Gail McLain and Suanne Lawson. Winners were: Ruth Ann Powers, Vicky Galczynski, Karen Friberg, Denise Fortson, Karen Moore, Linda Brown, and Gail McLain.
Gail McLain explained changes in the Block of the Month (BOM) for 2023. We will have 2 BOMs available each month. One will be a 12” pieced block and one will be an 8” paper pieced block. Each member can choose to do either or both blocks. When turning in completed BOM, members will sort blocks into the following categories/fabric colors:
• Red, white, & blue
• Christmas
• Spring pastels
• Summer vivids/Brights
• Fall browns/oranges/red/golds/etc.
Gail McLain asked each member to please update the online directory with a picture and all pertinent information to include birthday. If anyone needs help doing this, help is available. The code for our guild is: sewroritysisters. User name is: member’s first and last name all together (i.e. lindabrown). Password is member’s birthdate month/date (4 digits) followed by first and last initials.
Gail McLain reminded the Guild members about other upcoming events happening:
• The Middle Georgia Shop Hop Feb. 9-11
• The Quilt Mod Feb 23-26
• The Sewing & Quilt Expo in Duluth, GA March 9-11
The meeting was adjourned at approximately 12:35 p.m.
Minutes respectfully submitted by Linda Brown 1/28/2023 9:02 p.m.