Vol.19 No. 2 www.niqg.org
10AM Morning Workshops December 13th, 2006 Christmas Party
It’s a Snowman’s Christmas!
Jenny will show you how to make a Snowman Christmas Ornament.
All you will need to bring for this project are embroidery needles, pins and scissors.
Floss will be provided in your kits. These are free!
Nancy & Minerva will be teaching a mini workshop making the Variable Star Ornament.
For this cute project you will need a glue stick, scissors, needle and Christmas colored thread.
Cost will be $1. Money will go to treasury.
There will be a limited number of really cute felt wool sewing kits in the shape of gloved hands & felted hat pincushions to purchase during the party and take them home to make. If you purchase a kit, there will be a box of laces and ‘what nots’ for you to choose from donated by Millie Shroeder.
She will have samples of the Gloved Hands Sewing Tote for you to see.
These simple and fun projects are great to take along with you wherever you go.
The cost of the Felt Glove Needle Tote & the Felt Hat Pin Cushion are $1 each. Money goes to treasury.
Potluck at Noon!
Plates, cups and napkins will be provided-bring your own silverware.
There will be general meeting at 1PM followed by….
We will have a pretty Christmas Fat quarter lottery!
Bring as many as you would like and enter the drawing. The more F Q’s the better your chance of winning!
Also a grab bag exchange of something nice and sewing related. These could be-threads, scissors, rulers, fat quarters or anything you would like to receive yourself. Please keep the cost under $5.
Marie Senne will be bringing her famous silver Christmas tree! If you have any Snowmen characters for the tree and our center table to display we would love to use them for the party! Just don’t forget to take them home with you afterwards. Marie is also planning a short game. Jo Best has a poem to share. Kelsey will bring music. We will also need someone to bring juice. All members are welcome! Come celebrate the season with us!
Could anyone please come by 9AM to help set up the decorations?
Sewing News!
Mystery Quilt 2006-2007
The Cat’s Meow! By Debbie Caffrey
You’ve come to the end! Clue number six is included in this newsletter. (Instructions on 2 pages)
Wool Flowers 2006-2007 27” x 36”
Pattern # 5 are Bluebells and included in newsletter. Bring your blocks as you get them finished! We would love to see them!
Challenge Quilt 2006-07!
The Challenge is on! 20 members have picked out their block!
The rules are simple. Make 12 of any one block in any one of the 3 sizes on your sheet. You may arrange them in any fashion be they sashed or set on point or any way that suits you. You can appliqué on top of these blocks or leave them as is. They may be color coordinated or scrappy. You can add borders of your choice. Quilts will need to be finished by June 2007. Members who have joined the challenge are: Cathy K., Jeroldene S., Barb D., Marilyn M., Kaye K., Dorothy F., Laurie S., Carlene D., Margaret M., Betty D., Sue H., Kelsey J., Ruth W., Gwen M., Minerva W., Nancy M., Marie S., Pat K., Betty N., and Jenny S.
One prize will be awarded in each category of 6”, 9” and 12” size blocks used in a completed quilt.
Now for another ‘challenge’ if you don’t loose your pattern sheet there may be another prize…..
Good luck Quilters! We can hardly wait to see all the quilts!
No Chinese Auction this month!
46.10 collected at last month auction! Thank you for supporting NIQG!
2008 Raffle Quilt Committee
Marie Senne and Jenny Schlutz
Marie and I have been thinking about the next raffle and need your input. We need to get the quilt started so that we can be selling tickets by next fall. And we will need someone to help hand quilt it or machine it. Please say yes when asked to help. Please bring your suggestions! We would love to hear from you! WE NEED YOU!
The lottery block this month is a pretty Christmas fat quarter!
Logo Quilt Auction a Success!
The first NIQG Logo to be auctioned off was won by Nancy Malmin for $50!
The second NIQG Logo quilt, was won by Betty Werle, who had originally designed it for $35.
Marie Senne is the designer of our current NIQG Logo quilt.
Thank you gals for you talents and support!
Member news:
Dixie Schaer had knee surgery. We wish you a speedy recovery.
Dixie was also presented with a Comfort Quilt by Carlene Davis.
Mary Jane Allen and her hubby Jess celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary on November 2!
Way to go you two!
Elnora Paulson a past long time member from Charles City,
lost her husband George November 5, 2006. Our deepest sympathies to Elnora.
Alice Lentz has fallen and cracked her pelvis. She is at the Good Shepard in room 362.
We wish you a fast recovery Alice!
IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please read!
All Groups are responsible for helping the Program/ Workshop gal to unload and reload her things, luncheon and clean up in kitchen. Tables need to be set up in the morning for classes and programs. The tables are heavy and one person cannot set them up by themselves. They also need to have the tables and chairs put away or around the tables at the end of day. This group should also help man the sign in table. For New Members and Visitors to enjoy their first visits they need to be guided and that cannot happen if no one is at the sign in table.
The Temple is open at 8AM.
That means your group needs to be at the Temple no later than 8:15-:30AM to help out.
If you cannot be at the Temple in the morning let your group know or have someone there in your place. If you have to leave early let your group know! The more we work together the more fun we will have!
On another note: When classes are being held and paid for it is courteous to allow the teacher to teach members her project during the morning hours. If you arrive early that’s ok. You can take care of your potluck and visit quietly in the lounge area or kitchen until class is over by usually 11:30 for winding down and packing up projects. Thank you everyone! We want everyone to have a good time and welcome all members to come each month to sew and share good cheer and of course eat potlucks!
Upcoming Workshops & Programs! Program Chairlady-Nancy Malmin 641-732-432
All programs or workshops that cost more than $100 needs to be approved. Some workshops and programs need to be planned months in advance! If you need help in planning your month please contact Nancy and she will be happy to assist you.
There will be at minimum $10 fee to attend workshops given by professionals. Thanks to all of you for participating to make the guild run smoothly!
Upcoming projects are:
Jan 10th, 2007-Charity Quilts Day
February 14th, 2007-Betty Bus from the Bee Hive Quilt Shoppe will be presenting a Project of Crazy Hearts Quilt!
Current Group Members 2006- 2007
Nov 2006-Group 1: MaryAnn Johnson, Bev Adams, Cathy Knowles, Betty Neel, Betty Werle, Mary Jane Allen, Marilyn Harrington, Marlene Oswood.
December 2006-It’s a Snowman’s Christmas!
January 2007- Charity day- ABC, LINUS, Crisis, Wrap a Smile, Northern Lights & Habitat for Humanity
February 2007-Group 2: Margaret Berge, Elaine Hill, Marjorie Odden, Thelma Bohn, Jan Martin, Laurie Schwarck, & Millie Schroeder.
March 2007-Group 3: Minerva Wagner, Nancy Malmin, Lavon Dorsey, Kay Klukow, Sue Hansen & Katrina Keech, Carolyn Matson, Kathleen Coverdale
April 2007-Group 4: Joan Chandler, Bette Koeff, Dorothy Climber, Beverly Schabacker, Nancy Trager, Sharon Hays, Jan Pralle, Beverly Lattimer
May 2007-Group 5: Barb DeBoer, Mary Alexander, Audrey Dix, Betty Debner, Bev Brinkman, Marie Senne, Betty Hendrix, Gwen Mathews, Patti Miller
June 2007-Group 6: Margaret Hanawait, Darlene Alexander, Marion Anderson, Marjorie Bahnsen, Margie Brandl, Jo Best, Vivian Bugbee & Betty Buss, Arla Loeffler.
July 2007: No meeting-newsletter mailed.
August 2007-annual picnic-place to be determined.
September 2007-Group 7: Dorothy Birch, Arlene Christensen, Carlene Davis, Dorothy Fagerle, Lenore Forbes, Marian Hoit & Bev Humphrey, Harriett Klein, Jo Ann Johnson
October 2007-Group 8: Pat Klinger, Margaret McMullin, Alice Lenze, Jeanne Moorehead, Ardis Nicewarner, Jean Payne, Marilyn Meinecke, Florence Hagstrom & Kelsey Jones
November 2007- Group 9: Nancy Reid, Dixie Schaer, Jenny Schlutz, Jeroldine Stricker, Ruth Ward, & Phyllis Wright, Marie Albers
If I have inadvertently left your name off please contact me so as to update Program List. Thank you!
Jenny 641-424-9068
Quilter’s tip corner!
Use old sweatshirts as batting in small projects such as pot holders that you will machine quilt!
When trying out a new block design-Keep a stash of themed fabric of color such as Christmas red, green and white. Before you know it you have enough blocks for a sampler Christmas quilt!
On your work table a lazy-susan can be very handy when filled with tools that you need for each project.
Coloring books are great references when making a children’s quilt. Use a photocopier to enlarge or reduce the designs.
Officers and Chairpersons
2006-2007 Officers
President- Marie Senne-319-267-2705
Vice Pres.- Kelsey Jones- 641-424-3519
Secretary- Joan Chandler-641-982-4986
Treasurer- Jean Payne-641-423-5041
2006-2007 Board Members:
Marilyn Meinecke-641-357-0773
Kay Klukow-507-265-3466
Marion Andersen-641-424-4007
Barb Deboer-641-775-3474
Cathy Coverdale-641-458-9855
2006-2007 Chairpersons:
Membership-Ruth Ward-641-423-2908
Newsletter Editor-Jenny Schlutz-641-424-9068
Programs-Nancy Malmin-641-732-4321
Patterns- Jenny & Sue Hansen-507-567-2502
Historian-Phyllis Wright-641-423-3196
Library-Marie Senne-319-267-2705
Sunshine-Cathy Knowles-641-454-2014
Habitat for Humanity-Jo Best-641-357-3084
Hospitality-Program groups
Linus, Northern Lights, Crisis Inter Center
Mary Jane Allen-641-696-3308
Marion Hoit-641-423-7340
Mary Ann Johnson-641-592-3348
ABC Quilts-Jo Best-641-357-3084
North Iowa Fair-Dixie Schaer-423-8846
Web Mistress/Publishing-Kelsey Jones- -424-3519
Be sure to contact Cathy Knowles,
of any news about our members! 641-454-2014
Habitat for Humanity
Three quilts were donated at the dedications of three homes. Two in Mason City and one in Hampton. Recipients of our quilts are: LaRae Rongey and her son Michael, Bridget Castorena and her daughter Jannika and Kenneth & Kelly Walker with their 4 children. Jo Best coordinated the quilts to be given to the families. Thank You!
Secretary notes: November 2006 by Barb Deboer
Pres. Marie Senne called the Nov. 8, 2006 meeting of the NIQG to order. Boxes made at the morning workshop were displayed. At the morning meeting a quilt was presented to Nancy Tue representing Hospice. This quilt was created by Kelsey Jones. Nancy gave us some information about the quilt and showed another Hospice quilt made earlier. She also showed and told about a quilt her mother had started before she died of cancer.
Two guests were present and one new member- Nancy Traeger. It was announced that Elnora Paulson’s husband had passed away. Betty Debner had a mini class showing note cards made with fabric fussy cut details. Marie announced a shop hop this weekend in Minnesota/Esterville area. A thank you from Habitat for Humanity was read. Auditing report is ready for Jean Payne.
Marie announced we need to look into new books and have a sale of some old books from our library. We need to find someone to do repair of the shelves. Minerva will check into getting more shelves cut.
Winners of the Chinese auction were announced. They are Cathy Knowles, Nancy Malmin, Margaret McMullin, Betty Koeff, Carlene Davis, Ruth Ward and Kay Klukow. Door Prize won by Sue Hansen.
A Habitat for Humanity report was given and a reminder that Jan will be a day for sewing charity quilts. Kelsey reported on the Tuesday group meetings. Marie reported on feeding our pigging and a review of rules. An auction of the two past logo quilts was held. Nancy Malmin and Betty Werle were the auction winners.
A lap quilt is to be presented to Dixie Schaer who lost her husband and recently had knee surgery. The motion was made and seconded and carried for Cathy Knowles to purchase cards and stamp when needed. The Cedar Valley Quilter will be holding a boutique in connection with the Fox River Sock sale.
A pattern exchanges was held. All those who brought a pattern were able to select another pattern. Kelsey Jones encouraged us to visit our web site and reviewed what was available on the site and Marie reminded us of the sale of plastic bags, cook books and other items.
At the December meeting we will be able to make and take two Christmas items. Kits will be $1 and a sign up sheet was passed.
The following people and items were shown at Show and Tell: Phyllis Wright-wall hanging, Thelma Bohn-wall hanging, Kay Klukow-wall hanging & 3 charity quilts, Betty Koeff-pillow and quilt, Karen Janssen-baby quilts, Betty Neel-John Deere quilt, Marlene Oswood-quilt, Jo Best-2 wall hangings, Bev Humphrey-wall hanging, Jenny Schlutz- 4 quilts, Carlene Davis-table runner & notion bag, Bev Adams-wool table topper and quilt, Kelsey Jones- 2 wall hangings, LeNore Forbes-wool blocks, Marilyn Meinecke-wall hanging and angel and Betty Neel-charity quilts.
We were reminded to remember our veterans on Veterans Day and all they have done for us. Information was shared on the DAR and local chapters. The meeting was closed and turned over to our program speaker, Marla Zbornik. She presented a program on memories of feed sacks. She did this in the persona of a woman from the 30’s and 40’s!
Fast is not always better!
I love hand quilting large quilts. It is soothing to the soul and feels so good to the touch. When hand quilting an appliquéd quilt I can see each character, seam, color, flaw (always striving to quilt out) and an occasional perfect point. If the quilt is to be a gift, I often think of that person and family as each stitch goes in. I can hardly contain myself in my eagerness to see the look on that person’s face. I know that quilt will be loved.
I also love making small wall hanging quilts. And since I feel I have to make at least a half dozen of each pattern I find myself sometimes becoming impatient to get them done and move on to the next pattern. One way to speed up the process in making these quilts is machine quilting them instead of hand quilting. I have dabbled occasionally during the early quilt years stitching in the ditch-albeit without a walking foot. What? Without a walking foot! Well my old machine didn’t have one and I didn’t know that such a thing existed. So those first quilts were certainly NOT gems by any means. One thing that those experiences taught me was always to sew in the same direction for the whole quilt. Other wise I would end up with some God-awful puckers! Those quilts went to the kids to play with and the dog to sleep on. I chalked it up to experience.
I went back to hand quilting.
After a couple of disasters I mentioned my problem to Bobbie Meggars. She of course asked me if the walking foot was faulty. What? I said. I soon bought a walking foot. This worked out great! I also loved the looks of free motion quilting and hooked up the darning foot, as that is what I was told to use. I didn’t know about dropping the feed dogs at that time. It was tough going until, of course, upon asking questions of fellow quilters…’you have to drop your feed dogs or cover them’. My first old Elna had a cover. (I discovered that by finally reading the instruction book.) So I covered the dogs and proceeded to experiment and practice my moves. I really didn’t like it much. With the cover on it was very hard to move the quilt as the space was greatly reduced between the foot and machine. I even lessoned the foot pressure but still not the best.
I went back to hand quilting.
After hundreds or perhaps thousands of miles of stitching on this old Elna, I purchased a newer model. Well this machine had some fancy dancy stitches on it! About 20 if I remember right and the feed dogs dropped! With that problem solved another one cropped up. The threads would break often enough that I had become discouraged. I worked with the tensions….my own and the machine’s. I had heard never to use hand quilting thread in your machines. But being frustrated I thought that since it was stronger it has to work better! Well I fiddled and faddled with the thread and with the tensions and used regular thread in the bobbin. This worked ok but I was not satisfied and knew that had to be something easier.
I went back to hand quilting.
Six years later after practice sessions here and there and at least a million miles on that Elna I traded in the old girl and bought my new bigger super duper Pro Quilters Dream Elna. I had seen a few girls with theirs and heard their comments on the machine. Wow! Were they ever right! The head is much deeper which allows more room for quilting larger quilts. I found I could comfortably machine stitch up to a full sized quilt. But I was more interested in the fancy stitches and other perks of the machine. The needle down, cutter, leg lift, embroidered lettering and of course the stitches really did me in! I had so many awesome stitches to choose from to decorate my quilts!
But I was still having problems with the thread breaking until one day; Bev Humphrey said to me that my needle must not be correct-not the right one for what I was attempting to do. That got me to thinking about needles. I hadn’t really given them much thought as I used the ‘universal’ needle for everything. Off to the fabric store I went. I scoped out all the different types of sewing needles and there right before my eyes was Schmetz quilting needles! Whooheee! This is exactly want I needed! Since putting these needles in I seldom break threads any more. It is only when I am speeding like a women going on a shop hop that I have any problem at all. I just have to slow down. Now I free motion quite often. I have learned by trial and error to always keep calm- sit up straight (still working on that) and learn the word ‘patience’. Even though I do machine most of my small quilts my favorite thing about quilting is hand quilting those beautiful large quilts, even if they do take lots of time, love and patience.
Fast is not always better!
Jenny Schlutz
