Volume 15 Issue 3 March 2008

Our Mission

Mountain Meadow Quilters will endeavor to provide

fellowship, education and enjoyment to anyone interested in

quilts and quilt making. All levels of skill and ability will be

supported. This guild will also engage in selected charitable

endeavors in Central Oregon.

PO Box 3254 Sunriver, Oregon 97707 mtnmeadowquilters.org

Calendar CheckCalendar CheckCalendar CheckCalendar Check March 25 - Joan Metzger Class

April 8 - Valorie Wells Book Lecture

April 11 - Bazaar for the Resort Education

Weekend

April 22 - No Meeting - Rescheduled

April 22-24 - Guild retreat

April 29 - Rescheduled Meeting

May 13 - Tricia Hassler Presentation

May 27 - Bette Rhodaback Class

June 10 - Barbara Copeland Trunk Show

June 10 - Board Meeting

July 8 - No Meeting

July 12 - Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show

July 22 - Charity Project Workshop

August 12 - Tricia Dyer Presentation

August 26 - Carol Webb & Sheila Finzer Class

September 23 - Judy Johnson Quilt Pink Project

Thoughts From the Chair The board met last month to discuss some issues that seem to keep cropping up. Among them is making sure that the guild members have as much input as they would like in board decisions. In a group like this the board is elected to take care of administrative details so that the group doesn’t have to. That should be balanced with enough involvement by the larger group so that they feel they are adequately represented. We also don’t want our meetings to run on too long at the expense of time for our wonderful programs and workshops. Some of us are happy to let the board make all the decisions and others want to understand the process. The board has come up with several ideas that we think will help us. We will be trying to put more of the guild’s business into the newsletter. Be-cause a significant percentage of our membership often is away at meeting time this will allow everyone access to important information. Our newsletter will be published just prior to our first meeting of the month beginning with the March 11 publication. Please read it carefully, we will not be bringing everything in the newsletter up at meetings. We will try to pare committee reports down to pertinent announcements. Please try to refrain from bringing business up from the floor. If you have something to say, contact Virlene or me before the meet-ing so we can put you on the agenda. If something occurs to you during the meeting, jot it down and put it in the comments box or give it to one of us. We remember much better if we have something written to refer to. We will then add you to the agenda for the next meeting or perhaps ask you to present your idea at the next board meeting. If you need to have something on the agenda, please email Virlene or me by the Friday before the meeting if you can. Did you know that board meetings are open to any member who wants to at-tend? We will be placing a decision calendar in the newsletter so you will know when we will be discussing certain topics (as much as possible). Agendas for the meetings on the second Tuesday will also be posted in the newsletter. We are open to any suggestions from you that might help us include our membership more. Of course, the best way to be involved in decision-making is to volunteer to take a position on the board. See you there!

Janice

Thank You Two board members have chosen to resign and we would like to thank them for their service to the guild. Gail Juranek has been the secretary for a little over a year. Betty Vincent will handle the secretary responsibilities with Doris Samac in the back-up position. Janet Hollister has resigned as the membership chairman. Janet Gehlert will assume those duties. A big thank you to Janet Hollister who has organized the primary jobs needed for membership, such as updating roster, preparing the membership cards , and producing the labels needed for mailings. Having these tasks completed will help Janet Gehlert step into her new role as membership chairman. The work of Gail and Janet are greatly appreciated.

Welcome to these new members: Callie Lunn and Sandra Morris

Birthdays for March 2 Linda Saukkonen 4 Carole Barclay 9 Phyllis Clark 11 Karen Gilsdorf 12 Chris Sappington 18 Bev King 19 Cate Brooks 19 Karen Padrick 24 Gerie Carpenter 29 Sally Bare On your birthday month, please bring 12 rolls of toilet paper for Care and Share.

Board MembersBoard MembersBoard MembersBoard Members

Co-Chair .....................................……………………......... Janice Mottau

Co-Chair .....................................…………………...........Virlene Arnold

Vice Chairman-Programs..................................................Mary Lou Kreiss

Vice Chairman-Education ........................................................Sheila Finzer

Secretary: ...................................................................................Betty Vincent

Treasurer: ........................................................................................Sue Miller

Membership..............................................................................Janet Gehlert

Communication..............................................................Pam Morris-Stendal

Service Projects ........................................................................Kathy Shaker

Service Projects ............................................................................Val Weber

Past Co-Chair……………………………...……….....Bevalee Runner

Committee Chairs Hospitality……………………………………………..Louise Yoshihara

Sisters Quilt Show ……………………………………..…...Stef Hinton

Holiday Luncheon………………………………….…...Judy Johnson #2

Secret Sisters……………………………………………....Linda Fleming

Highlights From February 12 Meeting Approximately 70 members were present, including two guests. A reminder was given to turn off cell phones. The minutes of the November and January meetings were ap-proved as highlighted in the newsletter. Treasurers Report – Sue Miller The balance in the checking account as of 1-31-08 is $9,478.98. Sue reminded members that the large balance holds our retreat money which will be spent in April. The Treasurer’s report was approved as presented. President’s Report – Janice Mottau Gail Juranek has resigned as secretary. Assistant secretary, Betty Vincent will be assuming the duties. Doris Samac volunteered to be assistant secretary. The board has decided to continue using Holy Trinity Catholic Church (HTCC) as our main meeting location unless a conflict arises with scheduling. Cascade Bible Church in LaPine will be used for workshops that are not scheduled on the 4th Tuesday of the month. Members will receive a printed calendar of meetings and classes. Also, we can utilize e-mail, a phone tree for members that don’t have e-mail and the website for any changes in loca-tion. Discussion followed. Members are encouraged to e-mail or call Janice or any board member with additional comments or concerns. Membership Survey - If you have not completed a question-naire, please do so and return to Janice. Programs and Education — Mary Lou Kreiss presented infor-mation concerning upcoming programs and educational classes. See listing on page four of this newsletter. The second meeting in April will be postponed to April 29 to avoid conflict with the retreat. Membership — Dues need to be paid by the end of February to have your name included in the roster. Cate Brooks is accepting the checks and membership forms. MMQ Retreat – Crys Kyle reported on the progress with the retreat. Registration for the retreat has begun. Service Projects – Valerie Weber and Kathy Shaker Janice had received questions on how service projects are selected. She explained the process as follows: The committee researches a variety of organizations and selects one or two to present to the guild. The guild then votes to accept the recommended organiza-tions. Valerie and Kathy presented several reasons why they had cho-sen these two organizations. Both representatives from Grandma’s House and the Ronald McDonald house were unable to attend today but will be rescheduled. Bazaar Committee – Bevalee Runner The committee members are Patti Gates, Tammy McArthur, Bevalee Runner and Michelle McMicken. They are requesting that the small groups already functioning decide on a fabulous bazaar project and start produc-tion. Sisters Quilt Show – Stef Hinton A clipboard was circulated for members to sign up to be hostesses, quilt hangers or volun-teers to take down quilts following the show. Book Order from AQS – Bevalee Runner Please get your or-ders to Bevalee as soon as possible. Show & Tell Nineteen members showed various quilt projects. The program on How to Prepare your Quilt for the Long Arm Quilter followed the meeting. It was presented by BJ Tinker and Tammy McArthur, two of our long arm quilters.

Refreshments for March March 11--Stef Hinton, Michelle McMicken March 25—Phyllis Clark, Linda Fiacco, Lona Kee

Budget as of February 29, 2008 Income for the month $ 3575.25 Expenses for the month 3125.19 Cash and Bank Accounts MMQ Checking $10,787.59 BOM Cash 25.00 Petty Cash 10.20 Total $10,822.79 Submitted by Sue Miller, Treasurer

January Drawing Recipients: Book of Month “Stellar Journeys” ……….……………Cate Brooks

BJ’s Quilt Basket-Quilters Book Mark……………..Diana Swenson

High Mountain Fabric– Jelly Roll Pack…………………...Pat Jones

Morrow’s Gift Certificate ..................................................Crys Kyle

Sew Many Quilts-Gift Certificate……………..……...….Sally Wilson

February Drawing Recipients: Book of Month “Points of View” ……….…………...Maggie Wilcox

Book of Month “Skinny Quilts & Table Runners”……...Pam Morris-Stendal

BJ’s Quilt Basket-Be My Valentine panel……………..Kay Bancroft

Cynthia’s-Service Gift Certificate……………………......…Lona Kee

High Mountain Fabric– “Skinny Quilts”……………...Kathleen Stout

Homestead Quilts-Calendar panel………………...…...Carol Sutton

Homestead Quilts– Two Patterns………………...…...Judy Johnson

Morrow’s Gift Certificate ..............................................Alice Hanson

Mtn. Country Mercantile-Book “Amish Inspired Quilts” ………Linda Cloudas

Mtn. Country Mercantile-”Quilting the Great Outdoors”…….Valerie Weber

Sew Many Quilts-Gift Certificate……………..…….….Linda Heiney

Stitchin’ Post-Gift Certificate………………..…………..…Sue Miller

Bits and Pieces Forget-Me-Knots, the great quilt shop in Bandon now has website-shopping available 24 hours online. Check it out at www.forget-me-knots.net.

April 8 is the deadline for people submitting items for the bazaar which will be held on April 11. Please contact Patty Gates, Tammy MacAr-thur, Michelle McMicken, or Bevalee Runner if you have donations.

Janet Gehlert, the new membership chairperson, has the 2008 member-ship cards. Please contact her if you haven’t received the latest card.

Kim Lively, massage therapist, is taking reservations for massages at the retreat. See Sue Miller to sign-up.

A phone tree for members without email has been created. Contact Pam Morris-Stendal for more information.

Thinking of you—Pat Jones and Valerie Weber’s mother passed away and Crys Kyle is recovering from pneumonia.

Gail Garber Presents Gail Garber was the guest presenter at the February 26th meeting. Her slide and trunk show provided a glimpse of her connection to quilting and her love for New Mexico. The year 1980 marked the beginning of her quilting days. Her first quilt was hand pieced and quilted. From that quilt she learned the value of stretching. When she joined a guild in 1983 she began taking as many classes as she could. Through the years she has developed a style of her own which includes flying geese and the movement that they can add to a quilt . Symbolism is key to the

designs of her quilts. Working to save New Mexico’s birds of prey through a private organization has influenced her quilting. Many of her quilts have eagles and hawks in the design. These designs occur after hours of viewing the birds in the wild. Her guild has found the perfect venue for raising money. They create a raffle quilt which they sell at the Albuquerque Hot Air Balloon Festival. The quilt is a

“hot” item since it includes pictures of some of the balloons at the show.

Gail wearing some of her art .

As a Bernina national teacher, Gail

created something “fishy” and whimsical.

2008 Block of the Month2008 Block of the Month2008 Block of the Month2008 Block of the Month This year the block of the month activities are being coordinated and planned by a team of guild members. Francie Patterson, Bette Rhodaback, and Louise Yoshahara are providing the leadership for the projects. For the month of February the block was a white and red heart which Barbara Owen won in the drawing. For the month of March, the block is green and white with plenty of contrast. The Irish pinwheel block represents the March celebration of St. Patrick’s Day. All guild members are invited to participate.

Information for Upcoming Classes Information for Upcoming Classes Information for Upcoming Classes Information for Upcoming Classes

Joan Metzger Class On March 25 Joan will offer the class, “Quilt as You Sew” The program will be a discussion of the several ways to Quilt As You Sew, the pros and cons of each method and examples of quilts done this way. Hopefully some of you will bring your quilts that you have done with this method and quilts that you have questions as to whether or not this method would work. This will be a very informal discussion and I hope everyone joins in the conversation. Jean Wells and Ruth Ingham The “Top is Done. . . Now How Do I Block and Finish?” class will be offered on April 29. Location: Holy Trinity Church. Bette Rhodaback On May 27, Bette will present the, “The Parts Depart-ment Class”. Barbara Copeland Barbara will be teaching a machine quilting class, “Beyond Beginning Machine Quilting” on Wednesday, June 11. It will begin at 9:30 and conclude at 4:00. The cost of the class is $45. Mary Lou Kreiss has more infor-mation, the sign-up sheet, and the supply list. Location: Cascade Bible Church. Sheila Finzer and Carol Webb “An Improvisation Quilting Technique” class will be offered on August 26. Mary Lou Wiedman On September 10 and 11 Mary Lou will offer the class, “Expanding Your Creativity”. Judy Johnson Quilt Pink Project will be the class offered on September 23.

Quilt Basics 101 Are you new to quilting? Quilt Basics is a starter class to teach beginning quilting skills. The class will be 2 or 3 ses-sions, with a total of 8 hours of instruction. The times and dates will be determined by the class members. Instruction will be provided by MMQ members at the Sunriver fire station. Topics will include: fabric selection; rotary cutting; basic piecing; squaring up; layering; quilting; and bind-ing. Sign up sheet will be at the March 11 meeting or call Mary Lou Kreiss.

Words from Our Sponsors We appreciate our sponsors’ support and through a monthly news column we want to promote their businesses. Here is what is happening in March.

BJ’s Quilt Basket: Happy almost spring everyone! Well, at least it’s trying! I would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for your business – that doesn’t get done as often as I’d like!! I’d also like to put the word out that I’m looking for the perfect employee to add to all my other perfect employees! We are looking for someone who wants full-time work, or almost full time preferably, to join our wonderful & fun team here at BJ’s!! Please keep in mind quilting experience is desired, being able to lift 50 lbs. & stand on your feet on concrete floors all day is also essential. This is very fun work believe me, or I would be selling, but it is work!! If you know of that perfect person, please let us know or send them over!! Thanks! Now for the fun news, more new fabric!!! We have our Wizard of Oz line here!!! It’s great! The Flintstones are on their way, and we have a wonderful new batik kit available, please come to check out the sample! Also, please as a final note, don’t forget to sign up for Crys Kyle’s scrappy flying geese class next weekend, March 8th, or come work on your vegetable garden early, and take our Veggie Fun class from Norma Wells on March 29th – See you at BJ’s – it’s the place to be!! Vicki & Staff

BJ Tinker Quilts: BJ suggests that you check out Sewbatik.com.

High Mountain Fabric: A special thank you to everyone who came out for the big 40% off sale. As always, books and patterns are 20% off regular price and all regular priced fabric is 20% off.

Mountain Country Mercantile: Moda Simplicity fabrics are in and they’re really a lot of fun! Also in, are the Wizard of Oz fabrics. Be sure to check out the amazing Wild Alaska Fish pattern and enjoy the samples on display in the store.

The Stitchin’ Post: The Hunky Fireman have arrived! We’ve just received some really fun novelty prints from Alexander Henry from their pin-up series. Football, parrots, turtles, frogs, and penguins are some of the other novelty prints just in. Another line that might pique your interest is the new “Patriots” line from Kaufman. So far, we have the Air Force, Marines, and Army themed fabrics (no sign of the Navy yet). We also received a bunch of great kids stuff from Kaufman, including “On a Whim” (flowers and such and “The Cow Says Moo” (farmyard critters in bright springtime pastels). These lines can be intermixed from one line to the other. Hoffman has just sent us some gorgeous new batiks, and we’ve also received the new “Paint Box” bright prints designed by Lonni Rossi for Andover. Our spring yarns are starting to arrive. The yarns are in absolutely beautiful colors: Purelife—naturally dyed organic cotton from Rowan, T’ika; 100% Pima Cotton from Mirasol (we’ll be getting some organic cotton from them later); and “Whirl” variegated 1824 cotton from Mission Falls. The Twigs girls are up to their ears in our new spring shipment from TAG—spring and summer themed dishes, vases, picnic ware, and outdoor décor (lights, candleholders, and other fun stuff).

Wanted: Bazaar Items for April 11Wanted: Bazaar Items for April 11Wanted: Bazaar Items for April 11Wanted: Bazaar Items for April 11 MMQ will be hosting a small bazaar table on April 11th during the quilt weekend sponsored by Sunriver Resort. The bazaar committee is suggesting that groups of friends get together for fun and to produce some high quality items that might appeal to quilters (which is just about anything, right?). Items already under construction are scissor holders, scissor fobs, journal covers, tissue covers, photo displays. Some additional suggestions are potholders, sewing kits, pin cushions, and anything that you might buy if you were shopping at a bazaar. Items left over from this mini bazaar will be held for the quilt show bazaar in August. For information contact Patty Gates, Tammy MacArthur, Michelle McMicken, or Bevalee Runner.

February 18 MMQ Board Meeting A special board meeting was held on Monday February 18. A primary topic was how to improve communications with the guild membership without lengthening the guild meetings. A motion was passed to appoint Janet Gehlert to assume the position of membership chairman vacated by Janet Hollister.

B.J. Tinker QuiltsB.J. Tinker QuiltsB.J. Tinker QuiltsB.J. Tinker Quilts

61218 Dayspring Drive Bend, Oregon 97702

(541) 598-4653

bjtinkerquilts@bendbroadband.com

And Here’s. . . .Joanie! The journey into the world of quilting for our newest master quilter, Joan Metzger, began in 1997 when she saw a wildflower quilt which was being raffled off by the Sunriver Women’s Club. Joan remembers that Lillian Arnold and Dolores Petty were selling raffle tickets for the quilt. At that time Joan said to herself “if we move here I’m going to learn to quilt!” And the rest is history. After moving to Sunriver, she attended a guild meeting and

registered for a beginning quilt class being offered by Lillian and Pauly Edwards. Her first foray into the world of quilting began at BJ’s quilt shop (at the “old place”) where she purchased some “material”. The yellow fabric with lady bugs isn’t her style now, but she used it to make a wall hanging which was shown at the Sisters’ Quilt Show. Taking quilt classes became the way for Joan to explore different styles and techniques. One quilt class at Pt. Townsend with Gwen Marsten remains vivid

in her memory. In that class she proceeded to cut everything as triangles rather than squares which meant that she needed to re-cut everything. She still has the triangles. . . Hand quilting has always been soothing for her but she says her “hands don't work like they use to”. Her hands worked well enough to finish a Baltimore appliqué quilt which was nine years in the making. Paper piecing and creating a quilt without a pattern are her latest challenges. Joan finds quilting to be peaceful and gives her joy. She can get lost in her quilt room for hours. She does have other interests such as traveling which provides ideas for quilts. After a trip to Australia she used wine labels to create the quilt, “A Taste of Down Under”. With Joan’s trunk show we were able to see how skilled and versatile a quilter she has become. The journey which began in 1997 has led to a beautiful collection of quilts. When asked for

words of wisdom for quilters she expressed her belief that we are all learners and we are all beginners at something. She suggests that people continue to take classes, try new things, and accept new challenges. These words of wisdom have been key to her quilting journey.

MMQ Supports Quilt Pink Project Got any pinks? The call for pink fabrics to use in making quilts for a Quilt Pink project went out to members of Mountain Meadow Guild and members responded with all manner of pinks – pinks in every hue, value, and shade. In an October workshop session sponsored by BJ’s Quilt Basket in Bend, Oregon, they pooled their fabrics and worked in groups to create “pink” quilts. The challenge was on. The room was immediately a-buzz with energy and enthusiasm as almost every member’s life, or that of a family member or friend, has been touched by breast cancer.

Got Pinks? This is one of the quilts they completed. The finished quilt (or large wall hanging) measures 64 inches by 64 inches. The blocks were machine pieced by a group of 12 members using Mostly Monochromatic, a pattern by Judy Johnson and Catherine Conkey – both members of Mountain Meadow Quilters. Maggy Wilcox and Judy Johnson assembled the completed blocks. Tammy MacArthur, another member, did the machine quilting.

Birds in the Air: Pretty in Pinks A group of about 12 members produced the birds-in-the-air blocks for this quilt using primarily reproduction vintage pinks and beiges. Delores Petty completed the assembly of the quilt, placing the blocks in a traditional barning setting and adding a pink border and corner posts. The finished top was quilted by Kathy Buono.

The third Quilt Pink entry, with a folded log cabin design was organized by Sarah Kaufman. Sarah assembled and quilted the assembled blocks. This entry will be featured in the next newsletter. Guild members will be notified when the projects can be viewed on line.

Camp Sherman Quilt Show By Linda Saukkonen

It had all of the makings of a perfect day…quilts, food, sunshine, and something free. February 17 was one of two quilt shows put on each year by the Camp Sherman quilt guild, the Pine Needlers. There was something for everyone… a soup and dessert lunch, a raffle quilt, used magazines and books, and even pot holders for sale. About 75 quilts were displayed from the rafters of the pine walled Camp Sherman Community Hall. The quilts were hung using red grosgrain ribbons and safety pins and with a little help of our own Francie Patterson. She made this job easier for the quilt hangers because one of the Pine Needlers purchased Francie’s tool apron at our bazaar, then went home and made 5 more aprons. The Pine Needlers used these tool aprons to hold the tools they needed to hang the quilts for the quilt show. Way to go, Francie! The greetings from the Pine Needlers were warm and welcoming. They praised the Sunriver quilt show and said that this is where they saw Shelia’s and Sarah’s featured quilts. They eagerly signed up for Sarah’s folded log cabin quilt class at the Stitchin’ Post after seeing her quilts displayed at our show. Another connection between MMQ and the Pine Needlers (for those long term MMQ members) is Andrea Bolosky, the organizer of the Pine Needle Guild, and a program presenter at three MMQ meetings. Pine Needlers occasionally hear from Andrea via email from India where she cares for the needy. Pine Needle Guild members volunteered to do a program for MMQ using Andrea’s quilts. Highlights of the show include the appliquéd quilts of featured quilter Tonye Phillips, who will be one of the instructors at our MMQ retreat in April, and a display of basket weave mystery quilts. We each received a freebie bumper sticker as we exited the show. They read, “Not to worry…It will all quilt out.”

100% COTTON FABRIC,

BOOKS, NOTIONS

HIGH MOUNTAIN

FABRIC 541-548-6909

1542 SOUTH HIGHWAY 97

REDMOND, OREGON 97756

Sunriver Resort Quilt Education Weekend Sunriver Resort will be hosting a Quilt Education Weekend on April 11-13, featuring Johanna Gibson and Sarah Kaufman as teachers. The itinerary for the weekend will include: Friday, April 11

7 to 9 p.m.-- Wine and Cheese social to meet the teachers and receive class instructions. Sarah will also give a trunk show and MMQ will have a small bazaar table.

Saturday, April 12 9 to 4 p.m.-- Classes (Fractured Image and Folded Log Cabin). Lunch on your own. 4:30 to 6 p.m.-- Reception for MMQ artists and public with wine and hor d’oervres at the quilt exhibition in the Sunriver Lodge Betty Gray Gallery. Sunday, April 13 9 to 11:30 a.m.-- Classes conclude. The Resort has arranged for us to take these classes without staying at the resort for a fee of $150 per person. If interested, call Rob Macgowan Director of Recreation Sunriver Resort 593-1000 ask concierge This is the first time the Resort has recognized quilting as a draw for people to come to Central Oregon. I hope we are able to support their effort to put on both classes and an exhibition, even though I know it is difficult because it comes during the same month as our retreat.

Master Quilters

Lillian Arnold, Sharann Bean, Mary Buxton,

Pauly Edwards, Bev King, Crys Kyle, Gladys

Mulrein, Bevalee Runner, Carol Webb,

Wendy Hill, Sue McMahan, Judy Johnson,

and Joan Metzger

Want Ads Wanted: Need a used sewing machine in good working order, reasonably priced. Call Shirley Reedy at 593-3215.

New "Show and Tell" Guidelines Coming Soon to a Meeting Near New "Show and Tell" Guidelines Coming Soon to a Meeting Near New "Show and Tell" Guidelines Coming Soon to a Meeting Near New "Show and Tell" Guidelines Coming Soon to a Meeting Near You!You!You!You!

From Virlene Arnold

For many of us, the show and tell segment is the most enjoyable part of our meeting. In order to keep it fun and interesting your MMQ board has developed the following guidelines. We will be putting these guidelines into practice during future meetings. Please understand that these procedures are meant to enhance the experience for all our members. We are all justifiably proud of our accomplishments and look forward to showing our own efforts and seeing what our quilting sisters have been up to, but we can do this in a more efficient manner. The Board is also mindful of our guest speakers who sometimes find themselves sitting through our lengthy presentations whether they want to or not. So, with that in mind, here’s what we are proposing: • Please bring no more than TWO items to show. These

should be completed projects, but if it’s something that is nearing completion and you need to send it off before the next meeting, that’s okay.

• When possible please use the microphone and say your name (if you forget, the co-chair will prompt you).

• Please share your inspiration for your item. Is it an original design, something done from a class, or from a book or pattern? If from a book or pattern you could bring that along so folks can take a look at it after the meeting.

• Do you have a name for your quilt? Is there a story behind the quilt name?

• Who did the quilting, you or someone else? You might want to show the back of the quilt if the quilting shows up better from that side.

• Did you use a technique or tool new to you and what did you learn from it? This should be a BRIEF description. Any in-depth teaching or explaining about the quilt can be done after the meeting for those interested in learning more.

We hope that these practices will make it possible for everyone wishing to share to do so. We are trying to avoid “timing” anyone or having sign-up sheets which is done in some guilds. However, we do need to streamline our sharing process. As someone has put it, “More show and less tell”.

Wise Ideas From BJ and TammyWise Ideas From BJ and TammyWise Ideas From BJ and TammyWise Ideas From BJ and Tammy At the meeting on February 12, Tammy MacArthur and BJ Tinker, two guild members and long arm quilters provided an informative presentation about tips for preparing a quilt for a long-arm quilter. Armed with plenty of examples, they answered questions and supplied hints to help create a bettered finished quilt. Here are a few ideas from the presentation: • When preparing to add the borders, measure the width and

length in three places and then take an average of the three measurements to determine the size to cut each border piece.

• Any piecing of the border should be cut at a 45 degree angle. • Cut on the lengthwise grain of the fabric when making the

border. • Safety pin the top of the quilt if it is directional. • You can’t add embellishments until after the quilting has

been done. • Remove all selvage edges. • The top needs to be square. • The backing should be made of 100% cotton. You can use

good quality flannel but no painted fabrics and no sheets. Sheets have a different thread count and are hard on the long arm machine.

• The quilt back should measure 6”-8” longer and wider than the top. With a king sized quilt the measurement should be 12” longer and wider.

• There are fabrics measuring 104”-108” wide which can be purchased for backing.

• If you have a piano key border you must stay stitch 1/8” along the edge. If you don’t the seams may stretch or pop out.

• Do not rip the fabric since it might stretch. • When stitching the backing pieces together, using a 1/2”

seam will help the seam blend better. Back stitch at the start and the finish of each seam. • Cut all threads on the top and bottom. They may show through the fabric. • A lint roller can be used to pick up loose threads. • With the final pressing of the top and backing, be sure to look for holes or pleats in the seams. • Ba t t i n g h a s d i f f e r en t suggestions for distances between quilting. The range can be from 4” to 12”. The information is provided on the batting package. • If supplying your own batting, make sure that it is at least 6”-8” longer and wider than the quilt top. For a king sized quilt, the size

should be 12” longer and wider. • Transport your quilt top and backing on hangers. • Talk to your long-arm quilter about the design and

thread you want to use. • Typically, if you use 50 weight thread it won’t be

seen in the quilting while a 40 weight thread will be seen.

• Two books were recommended as good reference guides: The Quilter’s Pocket Reference by Peggy Scholley and All in One Quilters Reference Tool by Harriet Hargrave.

Many thanks to BJ and Tammy for their well prepared and informative presentation.

BJ making a point.

Tammy’s talking!

Contact information for BJ and Tammy: BJ: BJ Tinker Quilts bjtinkerquilts@bendbroad.com

Tammy: The Celtic Quilter celticlongarmquilter@yahoo.com