Happy New Years to All!
Here’s a cheer to you all! May your machines always be oiled. May your needles be threaded in a rainbow of colors. May your top and bottom tensions be flawless. Speaking of tensions, on your machine, wouldn’t it be a wonderful machine if it had an automatic tension setting system on it. I mean really, just think about it. No matter what sized thread you had in the top tension would be perfectly matched to a thread of a different size or entirely different element in the bobbin and then sewed together smoothly with no fuss no muss! Oh what a machine!
I have found with experimenting with several threads on my machine, which is an Elna Dream Quilters Pro, that I can get away with some differences in the threads sizes and types, but not as many as I would like to sometimes. I have discovered that rayons have to be with rayons. God forbid I have a rayon thread in the bobbin and a cotton covered poly in the top. No matter how many times I adjust the tensions, it doesn’t do a good job. Big floppy loops seem to appear out of nowhere! If I wanted ‘toe catchers’ in my quilt, then that is the route to go. No one needs that stress! I have found that 100% mercerized cotton in the top and a cotton covered poly in bobbin or reversed, works ok but you do need to do some adjusting before starting a project. It’s good to have a quilted practice piece nearby to experiment with.
Now don’t faint girls, I have used hand quilting thread in my machine on small projects. I know! I know! NEVER USE HAND QUILTING THREAD IN YOUR MAHCINES! But on a few of my projects it had to be that type of thread. And guess what! My machine survived. Adjusting the tensions for that thread is very tricky. The bobbin is the trouble spot for me. As you know that hand quilting thread is thicker with the waxy coating and doesn’t wind well if you have tried it. The tensions have to be spot on or a ‘couched’ appearance is the result. (I super cleaned the shaft after)
I also have discovered that cheaper threads or old thread can cause severe headaches. Please be careful when you are buying that thread that is on sale at discount stores, (we won’t mention any stores in particular, but you know what ones I mean). The quality and shelf life can be atrocious! Who knows how long that thread which is already lower quality has been sitting out in the strong lights and dry air. Setting the tensions for them can be a nightmare. Another thing to understand tensions better is the type of needle you use. I use a ‘quilting needle’ for all my machining. No matter if it is just to sew seams or actual machine quilting. I seem to have better control of tensions when used to using only one type of needle. They are sold as Schmetz size 75/11 and 90/14. I use size 11 for mostly seams and 14 for actual quilting.
I have also found that if your needle is bent or not the right needle for that particular thread you are using will also cause a blizzard of headaches. You wouldn’t use a jean needle for silk thread. Even a needle that has developed a burr will cause chaos with the tension. You need to think about your needle as well as thread when you set tensions on your machine. With all that to think about, I strongly feel we should write the sewing machine companies to develop a machine with an instant tension setter so that we don’t have to work so hard to create our masterpieces!
Well anyway, just dreaming of the perfect machine…
Happy Holidays and Happy Quilting!
Jen
January 13th,2010 is Charity Day for the North Iowa Quilters Guild! 9AM- 3PM Noon potluck!
Things to bring are: Sewing machine in good working order. Any orphan blocks or blocks that are in common. Bring any quilt tops, backs and batting! We will need plyers, and large needles. Yarn will be provided to tie quilts. Bring large scissors, rotary cutters and boards. You are certainly welcome to bring finished quilts too. We will have some batting there to use.
We really need anything you can donate. There is always the need for ABC quilts which stay local. We are in dire need of twin size quilts too. These too will be given locally. The Francis Lauer and Four Oaks need twin sized Quilts. These kids need to know that someone cares.
We will have one area of risen tables to use. Other tables will be put together for you to work on. Please come at 9AM ready to create as many quilts as possible. I remember one year that we were able to get over 25 quilts done. Let’s try that again! I challenge you ladies to do battle (with a smile of course)! Bringing finished quilts count!
FLEA MARKET ALL DAY! Clean out your sewing room! Quit laughing! It can’t be that bad! Bring your items for sale. That way you will have more room for more fabric!
Update on brown n’ serve buns…
As you read last month, you know my dilemmas of past years of brown n’ serve buns during Thanksgiving. Well I will have you know that they were perfect this year! Although something else happened to my dismay and not to mention my hubby was not a happy camper. Every year my hubby makes a scalloped corn and a baked bean casserole. These are his mother’s recipes that are dear to his heart. They take exactly 1 hour at 350 to bake.
Everything is under control… or so I thought…I had the cooked turkey and ham in the big electric roaster. Taters in a crock, dressing done and gravy perfect. All the fixin’s for finger foods out on table and being enjoyed by all. I put in the corn and bean casseroles and set the time and temp. Nothing to worry about.
Well my oldest Daughter’s fiancé, Chris, wanted to bring a recipe of ham balls that he discovered and Kari made up a squash dish that had to be baked also. The corn and beans had been in the oven for 20 minutes. This was the first sign of a disaster.
In went their dishes alongside the casseroles. Well I am thinking that with extra dishes in the oven that maybe I should turn it up so the ham balls will not be raw and done by the time the casseroles are done. I check everything a few minutes later and think a few more degrees should be added. Now while all this is going on there is lots of talking going on and kids are very busy and the house is getting louder.
Soon the timer goes off and out comes the dishes. The ham balls look wonderful, squash perfect and then out comes the corn. Oh boy was it black all the way around the baking dish. We could only eat the middle. And you don’t even want to know what the beans looked like. Let’s just say that the dish had to be soaked overnight. Hubby announced that he had nothing to do with the baking and eyed me with evil in his eyes. Oh will I ever learn? But one good thing is that the buns were superb! Jen
Life is too short to wake up with regrets. So love the people who treat you right.
Love the ones who don't just because you can. Believe everything happens for a reason.
If you get a second chance, grab it with both hands. If it changes your life, let it.
Kiss slowly. Forgive quickly. God never said life would be easy. He just promised it would be worth it.
Christmas party
Oh what an enjoyable day we had at our Christmas party! And Santa made a visit as well. We hope you get your new bag decorated the way that pleases you and you can bring it for show and tell. Nancy’s sample of what she did to her bag was absolutely darling! And YoYos to boot. The potluck was delicious as well and the cookie exchange was grand! I want to thank all you ladies for singing one of my favorite songs, Hark the Harold Angels Sing. When I hear it, it always reminds me of my youth living in a safe and loving home. It might have something to do with Charlie Brown Christmas too. I love that story. Merry Christmas Girls!
Odds and ends:
My Mother Arla Loeffler would like to sell her Bernina 1130 sewing machine. It has all the attachments, bobbins, carrying case, advanced training manual, etc. It was always well maintained but has not been used in many years (at least 7). The asking price is $500.00 or BEST OFFER. Thanks, Bonnie
Bonnie Galecki email - ctyankee60@msn.com home phone 651-688-0811
Margaret McMullin is recuperating after suffering from pneumonia and congestive heart. We wish you the best and fastest recovery Margaret!
Remember to contact Kim Sime if there is any news of members that needs to be shared. Perhaps there is a new baby in the family or someone receives an award, health issues, anniversaries or a death in the family has occurred. Please call Kim at 641-423-7727. We need to take care of each other!
2010 Quilt Show April 17th & 18th, 2010
Sat 10-4PM & Sun Noon -4
Newman High School $3 admissions
Friday April 16th at 4PM will be set up.
Carlene will have signup sheets to work different areas in January. She will be expecting your input for ideas as well as working the show. It takes all of us to make the show successful. Please do what you can! There may be some changes to the lay-up of the quilts in the big room. With fewer members it is getting harder and harder to get that room filled with large quilts. It is being discussed that we may hang the small quilts as well as the large ones and maybe have the Boutique in there too. If you have thoughts on this please let Carlene know. We appreciate all your talents!
Raffle tickets-All members are expected to purchase 10 tickets for $10. You may sell them or enter your name to win the ‘Cabin Lights’ quilt. Please help sell tickets at any events in your area. Money from the sales, funds the guild for 2 years.
Margaret McMullin and Betty Neel will handle the selling of tickets. Contact them for your tickets and also selling chances in different places. Please say yes when Margaret or Betty ask for your help!
Boutique- it has been suggested by fellow member Lola Stiles that that we bring our old patterns, kits, scrap fabrics, magazines, tools and etc all in attractive grouping to sell at minimal prices. Also attach information about our guild. This will be a way for new, young or novice quilters to begin or gather tools for quilting. Great idea Lola! Ok girls! You know what to do. If you are not sure on the pricing your package, leave that up to the Boutique chairs.
Chairpersons for the committees are as follows:
Door Prizes – Dixie Schaer Hostesses – Kim Sime
Registration of quilts – Jean Payne possibly Publicity – Cathy Knowles
Boutique – Kelsey Jones Vendors – Jeanne Moorehead, Ruth Ward
Quilt Raffle – Margaret McMullin Show Arrangement – Carlene Davis
Admissions – Cathy Knowles
Bed Turning – Antiques & Accessories –
Memorial Quilt-remembering our quilting friends: NIQG established 1980.
We are going to put together a memorial for our quilt show of quilting members who we have lost. Here is a list. If I have not included someone please tell me or Betty Neel immediately! These are not in order: Doris Kluss, Leota Jaspers, Iva Hannah, Helen Fistler, Pearl McWhorter, Bobbie Meggars, Virginia Brennan, Ann Truitt, Anna Bakacek, Rae Embretson, Grace Anderson, Jan Martin, Gay Schneider, Anne McIntire, Lois Alitz, Margaret Hall, Velda Marth, Marie Wahlers, Alice Lenze, Jerrie Stricker, John Klein, Eleanor Benjegerdes, Dorothy Roby, Norah Herricks, Dorothy Wismer, Evelyn Bartesek and Mary Jane Allen.
Monefay Fonkert, Gladys Hobkirk, Helen Diviney, Jean Curran, Jenna Gorley, Jan Stanton, Marjorie Pangburn, Violet Shipman, Dorothy Hovel, Luella Brendau, Viola Elsbury, Donna Campbell, Ida McElroy, Lila Dunlavey, Ella Shutt, and Cathy Neel.
We are not sure about Nancy Reed. She moved to Texas a few years ago to be with her son and was ill then. Any info on memorial that you would like to share please do. We don’t want to miss anyone. Call Betty Neel at 641-454-2043 or Jenny at 641-424-9068.
Deadline for names to be included in Memorial is Jan guild meeting.
The North Iowa Quilters Guild is very charitable! We thank each and every one of you for your generous donations of time and talents. Here are the approximate totals of quilts that have been given to local organizations since we started keeping track.
ABC- 1025
Linus- 250
Crisis- 40
Nursing Home- 1 wheel chair quilt
Northern Lights (men)- 35
Habitat- 41(some of the extra quilts were donated personally by members for the children)
Wrap a Smile- 70
Military Hospital Fisher House -40 wheel chair quilts- 25 knitted caps mittens
We have also donated several quilts to families in need due to fires and etc. in the North Iowa Area. We haven't really kept tabs on those but I am guessing at least 30 or better.
We also donate Comfort Quilts to fellow members when needed.
Receivers of these quilts so far are: Mary Jane Allen, Virginia Brennan, Cassie Kloberdanz, Phyllis Wright, Jo Best, Bette Koeff, Jan Martin, Dixie Schaer, Carlene Davis, Jan Pralle, Minerva Wagner, Joan Chandler, Dorothy Wismer, Judy Magner (HOTQ’s), Marie Senne and Arlene Christensen, Ruth Ward, Laurie Schwark and Nancy Malmin, Kelsey Jones and Jenny Schlutz. A Comfort quilt will be given to Margaret McMullin this month.
Lottery block
It has been suggested to make the lottery blocks for charity quilts. What we could do is:
Make ‘x’ number of blocks for the lottery for you to win and donate ‘x’ number of blocks for future charity quilts. It is easier to make many blocks than just one. We will try it for the next couple of months and see how it works out. If it doesn’t work out we will discontinue the lottery. Any other suggestions are welcome! This month’s block is Spinkys from Marcia Hohn’s website. www.quilterscache.com The block also appeared in the December newsletter. A sample of the next block for February will be shown at January meeting. If you want to get a head start it is called Scrapbagger. A wonderful block to use up scraps! It would make a great charity quilt too! This block is from Marcia.
Chinese Auction
A total of $913.40 has been collected so far. We will have the auction again this month. We will try to clean out the old book case of wonderful items for you to win! Don’t miss out! Each ticket is only 25¢!
Lets Swap Squares 2009-2010
By now you all should have the Quilt Magazine Dec/Jan issue # 106 page 178. If not I believe there are still some at Fleet Farm. Check out your local quilt shops, fabric stores and department stores.
Here’s what you need to know: I just had a visit with one of the members about the swap of 6 inch squares, we are trading 10 sets of 2. If we switch this up to 12 it will go faster. If you put your set of 2 in a small baggy with the 12 other sets we can divide these up easily. We plan to start the swap in January.
Please remember the golden rule: trade with others as you wish others to trade unto you, good quality, 100% cotton quilt weight fabric. Laurie
Old Farmer's Advice:
-Life is simpler when you plow around the stump. -A bumble bee is considerably faster than a John Deere tractor.-Words that soak into your ears are whispered...not yelled. -Forgive your enemies; it messes up their heads. -Do not corner something that you know is meaner than you. -You cannot unsay a cruel word. -Every path has a few puddles. -Most of the stuff people worry about ain't never gonna happen anyway. -Don't judge folks by their relatives.
-Live a good, honorable life.. Then when you get older and think back, you'll enjoy it a second time. -Don't interfere with somethin' that ain't bothering you none. -If you find yourself in a hole, the first thing to do is stop diggin'. -Sometimes you get, and sometimes you get got. -Always drink upstream from the herd. -Good judgment comes from experience, and a lotta that comes from bad judgment. -Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier than puttin' it back in. -Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply. Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.
Secretary’s Report by Kim Sime NIQG General Meeting December 16, 2009
The December meeting began with a visit from Santa Claus! Santa delivered gifts to all of the good quilters. Thanks to Nancy Malmin for the tote bags (she even showed us how she decorated her bag) and Carlene Davis for the quilt blocks.
A comfort quilt will be given to Margaret McMullin who is ill. Happy Birthday was sung to the December birthday girls. The treasurer’s and secretary’s reports stand as written. The December Board meeting was not held. The next Board meeting will be January 19. Our next guild meet will be January 13, 2010 with Charity Day and flea market. Cathy Knowles will teach a mini class in the afternoon. We will be working on ABC quilts and quilts for Parent’s United, Francis Lauer and Four Oaks. Jenny showed us the lottery block for January and gave us a hint on construction. Instructions for the lottery block were available for those interested.
Betty Neel is putting together a memorial quilt to be displayed at the Quilt Show. January is the cut off date for names to be included on the quilt. Will a smaller membership, Carlene encouraged all of us to complete quilt projects for the quilt show.
A thank you was read from Habitat for Humanity. NIQG donated a quilt for the newly dedicated home and Margaret M. donated two quilts for the boys in the family. Guild members decided to include the children in the Habitat for Humanity donations. These could be fleece or tied quilts, lap or twin size.
We enjoyed Show and Tell with the following members participating:
Jeanne Moorehead – Blue work embroidered quilt and Blueberry Hill quilt
Dixie Schaer- Tshirt quilt
Carlene Davis – Bow tuck purse, fall table runner, and Pinwheel Puzzle
Barb DeBoer – Scrap quilt
Marlene Oswood – A Little Tangy done in pink
Sharon Schneider – table topper, tree wall quilt, and Christmas wall quilt with a king and camel)
Minerva Wagner – chatelaine
Lola Stiles-two doll quilts and doll clothes
Dorothy Birch – suede coat and hat
Marilyn Meinecke – hardanger butterfly and pillow
Shelly Koran – Sweet Pea. This is one of Celine Perkins’ patterns (Perkins Dry Goods). Celine Perkins will be presenting at the Lake Area Quilter’s Guild Feb. 4 meeting and also will be teaching the Sweet Pea pattern at a workshop on Feb. 5. Shelly invited the NIQG to participate.
Reminder: Naughty Row by Row quilts are to be completed by the March meeting to be eligible for prizes.
Jeanne Moorehead and Marlene Oswood made a needle case gift for all members. An ornament exchange was held as well as a cookie exchange. The santas decorating the tables were donated by Carlene Davis and given as door prizes. The luck winners were: Mary Ryerson, Lola Stiles, Jenny Schlutz, Joan Chandler, Mary Ann Johnson, Marge Bahnsen, Dixie Schaer, Jeanne Moorehead, Phyllis Wright, and Kim Sime. Kim Sime
Ways to End Quilter’s Block
Create a quilt of your child’s (or grand-child’s) favorite sport.
Create a photo quilt with dimensional frames to hang on the wall.
Use black for background to “pop” the colors.
Make fabric tags for gifts.
Make fabric Postcards for a gift!
Create a small wall hanging showing a birthday.
Use “sparkle” fabrics in a basic block quilt.
Use nothing but scraps for a basic block quilt.
Make black and white blocks and play with how they go together.
Use all bright colors in a black background.
Appliqué flowers in Minke or fake suede
Use a coloring book to create appliqué characters for a child’s wall hanging or quilt.
Try making three dimensional flowers on a small quilt.
Mix a group of subdued colors to use as a background quilt for family photos.
Make a “picture window” wall hanging using the view from any window.
Make a quilt to commemorate something that happened this year.
Try using fabric paints on a quilt.
Make a pocket quilt for a child complete with small stuffed dolls or animals.
Make a quilt that expresses your favorite word.
Do a small wall hanging for each season.
Use appliquéd letters on a quilt to express what the quilt means for you. continued→
Use three different blocks in a quilt, play with how to put them together.
Do a miniature quilt of your favorite pattern.
Pull out two colors you have the most of and make a quilt using only them.
Make a quilted journal to write in about your quilts.
Use three dimensional daisies in your border.
Dig out a pattern you bought two years ago and never used and make it.
Use three dimensional holly leaves and berries in the border of a Christmas Quilt.
Make fabric bookmarks.
Have your child (or grandchild) use Crayons muslin to create a personal quilt for them.
Make a wall hanging to commemorate a wedding using their colors and a dimensional frame for their wedding photo.
Make a “heritage” quilt.
Use three shade of the same color in a quilt.
Do a “Like Father, Like Son” or “Like Mother, Like Daughter” quilt.
Use the initials of your name to choose the colors for a quilt. (A= Azure)
Use beads in your hand quilting.
Do a quilt with all circles (appliquéd or pieced)
Design a new quilt block.
Choose your favorite charity and make a quilt for them.
Use magic as a theme in a quilt.
Make a garden quilt.
Make a quilt using a single flower.
Make a Valentine’s Day Wall hanging in a heart shape.
Make a panoramic style quilt for the wall.
Use the word Love as a theme.
Make a winter wonderland quilt
Make a nautical quilt.
Design a quilt around buttons.
Make a mosaic style quilt.
Find a fun holiday (bubble gum day) and design a wall hanging for it.
Use a favorite holiday card as the basis for a quilt.
Thank you Kelsey for these wonderful suggestions!
Someone asked the other day, 'What was your favorite fast food when you were growing up?'
'We didn't have fast food when I was growing up,' I informed him.
'All the food was slow.'
'C'mon, seriously . . . Where did you eat?'
'It was a place called 'at home,'' I explained!
‘Mom cooked every day and when Dad got home from work, we sat down together at the kitchen table, and if I didn't like what she put on my plate I was allowed to sit there until I did like it.'
-Some parents NEVER owned their own house, wore Levis, set foot on a golf course, traveled out of the country, owned a computer or had a credit card. In their later years they had something called a revolving charge card. The card was good only at Sears Roebuck. Or maybe it was Sears & Roebuck. Either way, there is no Roebuck anymore. Maybe he died.
-My parents never drove me to soccer practice. This was mostly because we never had heard of soccer. I had a bicycle that weighed probably 50 pounds, and only had one speed, (slow).
-We didn't have a television in our house until I was 5. It was, of course, black and white, and the station went off the air at midnight, after playing the national anthem and a poem about God; it came back on the air at about 6 a.m. and there was usually a locally produced news and farm show on, featuring locals.
-I was 13 before I tasted my first pizza, it was called 'pizza pie.' When I bit into it, I burned the roof of my mouth and the cheese slid off, swung down, plastered itself against my chin and burned that, too. It's still the best pizza I ever had.
-We didn't have a car until I was 4. It was an old black Dodge. I never had a telephone in my room. The only phone in the house was in the kitchen and it was on a party line. Before you could dial, you had to listen and make sure some people you didn't know weren't already using the line. No cell phones!
-Pizzas were not delivered to our home. But milk was. All newspapers were delivered by boys and all boys delivered newspapers -- my brother delivered a newspaper, six days a week. It cost 7 cents a paper, of which he got to keep 2 cents. He had to get up at 6AM every morning. On Saturday, he had to collect the 42 cents from his customers. His favorite customers were the ones who gave him 50 cents and told him to keep the change. His least favorite customers were the ones who seemed to never be home on collection day. Now there is auto pay.
-Growing up isn't what it used to be, is it?
Author unknown
