January 14th, 2009

Happy Holidays!
Charity Day 9AM-3PM
January is the month that we come together to create Charity Quilts and enjoy each other’s company! Bring your sewing machine, large needles to tie, pliers, scissors, rotary cutter & mat, basting pins or any other general sewing supplies that you can think of.
If you have quilt tops to donate and ready to sandwich that would be great! If you have blocks that need to be sewn together, bring those too! If you have backings to spare it would be appreciated! Batting and some backings will be available for use. We have enough yarn to tie with.
Whatever you feel you would like to help with, please come and have some fun! Some tables will be raised for sandwiching and or tying.
The doors will be open by 8:15 and we plan to start sewing no later than 9AM. We will have a noon potluck with general meeting following. Sewing will continue in the afternoon. If you would like to bring some morning treats they are always appreciated! Heaven knows we need nourishment! See you all there!
Donated quilts so far are:
ABC-All Babies Count……………………………………………………………….……....1009 quilts
Linus-Children in need from birth to age 21……………………………………………....…..247 quilts
Crisis-women and children in stress………………………………………………………….…40 quilts
Northern Lights- Men in transition to a better life…………………………………………….36 quilts
Habitat-Habitat for Humanity homes in the north Iowa area……………………………..……34 quilts
Wrap a Smile-children born with cleft palates in South America………………………...…….70 utility quilts
Military Hospital Fisher House……………………………………………………………….40 wheel chair quilts
……………………………………………………………25 knitted caps & mittens
Hot Dog pillow cases…………………………………………………………………………....20 pillow cases
Comfort quilts-22 quilts…Given to Members who needed a hug and to know we are thinking of them…………
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, Mary Alexander, Ruth Ward, Nancy Malmin, Jean Payne, Dorothy Birch and Laurie Schwarck.

We have also donated several quilts to families in need due to fires and etc. in the North Iowa Area- 30-35 quilts (this is an estimate).

As you can see the NIQG which is ‘YOU’ has donated many quilts and related items to those in need. Donating your time and talents are so very much needed and appreciated! Thank you to all!

Flea market Flea market Flea market Flea market Flea market
Bring any sewing related items that you would like to sell!
You are responsible for your own sales!
SNOW DAYS" Just a reminder to everyone concerning snow days on guild days. If schools are closed, we will be also. However, arrangements will be made to have the meeting on the following Wednesday." Even if Mason City schools have NOT closed and yours does, use common sense and stay home. We think guild is very important; however, your safety is more so."

Chinese Auction
$18 has been added to the Chinese Auction for a total of $717.40! Thanks to everyone!

Antique Lone Star Raffle Quilt
You’ve seen the quilt! Phyllis Wright has done up such a nice job of hand quilting this donated quilt. Don’t forget to buy your raffle quilt tickets for $1 each. The more tickets you buy the better your chances of winning the quilt!

Lottery block!
The lottery block is called ‘Carrie Nation’ by Marcia Hohn. Make as many as you desire. The more you make the better your chances of winning them all! Please use blues and whites! Jo Best won them last time! Way to go girl!

Comfort Quilt blocks
Included in the newsletter is the heart to use as an appliqué. Cut out at least a 13” background, appliqué heart using your favorite method and trim down to 12 ½”. Make as many as you would like. Give these to Carlene Davis or better yet if you make at least 12 heart blocks you could put an alternating 12 ½” plain print block with them, add a border and sew them together for her. Thank you to everyone as we bring comfort to our members who are our friends.

2009 Naughty Row by Row Quilt- theme will be ‘HOME’
First round is in the bag! This first row depicts the tone of your quilt…you hope. Bring your bag to pass along to the next gal at January Meeting. You will be handing your bag to the first name listed for January. Include your own fabrics if you would like. Rules have been handed out to you already. If for some reason you have lost yours contact me (Jenny).The next pattern will be available for you to use or not to use! Remember to work on the project as if it were your own quilt. (Note: even though this is a ‘row by row’ doesn’t mean your row can’t be a column……..uh-oh…juices going?)

2010 Raffle Quilt- Cabin Lights
Ten kits of 12 blocks have been passed out. This will get us started. More will have to be made. Margaret McMullin & Betty Neel say thank you! Bring these back to January meeting if possible!

Board Meeting will be held on January 20th, 2009 at the Senior Center in Mason.

Lost! Nancy Malmin has lost her ruler! Please check your bags. She had her name on it!

Please respect the speakers during the meetings! Arrive early enough to visit with friends!

Upcoming workshops:
Feb 11th, 2009-Possible- Woven Ribbons class by Lola Stiles
Mar, 2009- ‘Think Pink’ Magic Windows by Kelsey Jones
April 2009- Group 3-Possible- Hardanger embroidery class by Marilyn Meinecke
May 2009-‘Blue Berry Hill’ Log Cabin with a twist by Jenny Schlutz
June 2009- Group 5- to be determined
(Classes may be changed due to weather and availability of teachers)

Workshop/Program Groups
All groups are responsible to help workshop/ program person carry her things in/out, general kitchen set up and clean up. Please be there early enough to help her. That month’s group is also responsible to bring desserts for afternoon coffee. Help is needed at the sign in table to provide info to visitors and new members and man the Chinese auction. It takes many hands to make light work. Programs costing more than $100 needs to go to the board for approval.

Oct 2008-Group 6: Kelsey Jones, Marilyn Meinecke, Dorothy Birch, Cathy Knowles, Mary Ruth Calland & Patricia Calland
Nov 2008-Group 7: Gwen Mathews, Darlene Alexander, Marge Bahnsen, Betty Werle, & Le Nore Forbes
Dec 2008-Officers & Board: Christmas Party
Jan 2009-Group 8: Marion Anderson, Wilma Ades, Joan Chandler, Laurie Schwarck, & Minerva Wagner (Nancy Malmin)
Feb 2009-Group 1: Barb DeBoer, Thelma Bohn, Bev Adams, Carlene Davis and Shelly Koren
March 2009-Group 2: Marlene Oswood, Jeanne Moorehead, Ruth Ward, Betty Neel & Kim Sime
April 2009- Group 3: Margaret McMullin, Jo Ann Johnson, Nancy Trager, Janice Pralle. Lola Stiles & Margaret Hanawalt
May 2009-Group 4: Jenny Schlutz, Dixie Schaer, Norma Jean Miller, Phyllis Wright & Jean Payne
June 2009-Group 5: Kaye Klukow, Sue Hansen, Florence Hagstrom, Sharon Weckworth, Jo Best & Mary Ann Johnson
For the afternoon luncheon, all groups are free to take a table and decorate it as we
did at the Masonic Temple. Please separate this table before meeting starts. We don’t have to have everything in the kitchen. Please feel free to do your thing! We encourage it!
Contact persons for North Iowa Quilters Guild
Officers and Board Members:
Pres. Carlene Davis-641-423-0408
Vice Pres. Jenny Schlutz-641-424-9068
Secretary- LeNore Forbes-641-749-5505
Treasurer- Mary Ruth Calland-641-423-2143
2007-2008 Board Members:
Norma Jean Miller-641-425-1529
Dorothy Birch-641-423-5427
Jeanne Moorehead-641-696-3341
Marlene Oswood-641-423-5575
Ruth Ward-611-423-4908
2007-2008 Chairpersons:
Membership-Marlene Oswood-641-423-5575
Newsletter Ed-Jenny Schlutz-641-424-9068
Programs-Cathy Knowles-641-454-2014
Patterns-Laurie Schwarck & Jenny Schlutz-641-985-4135
Historian-www.niqg.org
Sunshine-Cathy Knowles-641-454-2014
Habitat for Humanity-Mary Ruth Calland & Kelsey Jones-Evans-641-424-3519
Hospitality-Program groups
Linus, Northern Lights, Crisis Center-Marion Hoit-641-423-7340 & Mary Ann Johnson-641-592-3348
ABC Quilts-Jo Best-641-357-3084
Comfort Quilts-Carlene Davis-641-423-0408
North Iowa Fair-Dixie Schaer-423-8846
Web Mistress-Kelsey Jones- -424-3519
2010 Raffle Quilt-Margaret McMullin & Betty Neel-641-423-1521 & 641-454-2043
2008 Quilt Show Chair- Carlene Davis-641-423-0408
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Show and Tell
Carlene Davis showed 2 crib quilts, Christmas wall hanging, apple wall hanging and MODA Hemming House. Shelley Koren brought her beautiful curved piecing sofa throw! Marilyn Meinecke brought a snowman wall hanging and patchwork angel. Cathy Knowles showed her wonderful reversed appliquéd butterfly!

Cinnamon Logs by Cathy Knowles
Sandwich bread-white-trim crusts and save for future dressing
Roll flat with rolling pin
Filling: 8oz cr. Cheese at room temp, one egg yolk and ¼ cup white sugar (beat well together)
Spread mixture on bread
Roll up into logs-dip into melted butter and roll into sugar/cinnamon mix
Bake on parchment paper at 350° for about 17- 20 minutes

Molded Cranberry Jello Salad by Wesley Methodist Church
8oz can crushed pineapple 3oz pk raspberry jello
1 can whole berry cranberry sauce ¼ cup chopped celery
2/3 cup chopped nuts 1 ¼ cup liquid
Darin pineapple juice and save. Add enough water to juice to make 1 ¼ cup liquid. Bring to a boil in sauce pan, remove from heat, and stir in jello. Break up cranberry sauce with fork and stir into liquid mix until smooth. Put into an 8 x 8” pan. Cool until it begins to thicken then stir in pineapple, celery, and nuts. Double recipe for 9 x 13” pan.

Mystery Quilt 2009! The finished size is 72” x 72” PART ONE
You can make this Mystery Quilt larger by adding more borders in the end! Here is the first installment of our Mystery Quilt 2009! We should have our quilt done by April or May
First thing is to decide on a color scheme. You will choose a main color in different values from dark to medium-light prints, a medium print accent color, and a light print (this will be background and borders) that sets off your other choices. You can make it scrappy or color coordinated. Choose fabrics that are not large scale print, such as big flowers and etc. stripes may make it interesting but may be harder to incorporate later. If you wish to make the quilt larger you should purchase those fabrics now so that it all will go together.
Dark: 3/8 yard Medium/dark: 3/8 yard
Medium: 2 ½ yards Medium/light: ½ yard
Accent: 1 ¼ yards Light: 5 ½ yards
Border alternative: if you prefer a darker frame for the light background center of your quilt you will need 3 ½ yards of a light/medium

PART TWO: LET’S GET SEWING! (wof=width of fabric)
v From Light, cut lengthwise strips for borders, and set aside
Cut 4: 4 ½” x 75” along lengthwise grain of fabric
Cut 4: 2 ½” x 54” along lengthwise grain of fabric
v Prepare 4-Patch sub-units
Cut 2: 2 ½” x wof strips light
Cut 2: 2 ½” x wof strips medium dark
Cut 2: 2 ½” x wof strips dark
Sew one light strip and one dark strip lengthwise press towards dark.
Sew one light strip and one medium dark strip lengthwise press towards med/dark.
Sew one medium dark strip and one dark strip lengthwise press towards dark.
Sub cut these into 2 ½” segments.
Make 8 light/dark 4-patch units
Make 8 light/med-dark units
Make 4 med-dark/ dark units

PART THREE: Unbalanced Flying Geese subunits
You will be making mirror image Unbalanced Flying Geese subunits:
Accent (Left sky) + Medium/light (goose) + Light (right sky)
Light (Left sky) + Medium/light (goose) + Accent (right sky)
Cut 32 Accent 2 ½” x 2 ½”
Cut 32 Light 2 ½” x 2 ½”
Cut 32 Medium/light 2 ½” x 4 ½”
Use the flip and sew method.
Make 16 Accent (Left sky) + Medium/light (goose) + Light (right sky)
Make 16 Light (Left sky) + Medium/light (goose) + Accent (right sky)

PART FOUR: make 16 Quarter Square Subunits
1. Cut eight 5 ¼” squares of the accent fabric
2. Cut four 5 ¼” squares of the light (background) fabric
3. Cut four 5 ¼” squares of the Med/light fabric
4. Lightly press each accent square on the diagonal or lightly draw a line diagonally once
5. Pair each light and med/light with and accent, right sides together
6. Stitch each pair together ¼” from the pressed or drawn diagonal line
7. Cut along the marked line and press towards accent fabric
8. You should have 8 squares each of accent/light and 8 squares each of accent/med./light

9. Mark diagonal perpendicular to seam line of either set.
10. Pair (A+L) with (M/L+A) right sides together matching seams
11. Stitch each pair ¼” from both side of marked diagonal line
12. Cut apart along the marked line and press seam towards one side.
13. Trim if necessary to 4 ½” square

PART FIVE: making Stripes subunits and 9 Patches
Cutting strips: note- first column number of strips assume selvedge to selvedge cuts. The second column of numbers is for a 22” minimum cuts of fabrics. (Wof+ width of fabric)
Cut 2 ½” strips:
13- light wof or 26- light
6-accent wof or 12- accent
1- dark wof or 2- dark
1- medium dark wof or 2- medium dark
Assemble strips sets:
6 sets-Light/accent/light 12 sets- light/accent/light
1 set- dark/light/medium dark 2 sets- dark/light/medium dark



Cross cut sets at 2 ½” intervals
Cut 18 from the Dark/ light/medium (note; save uncuts for later use)
Cut 9 from the light/accent/light (note; save uncuts for later use)
Make 9- nine patch subunits-(note placement of the dark and medium dark in the 9 patch).

February 13th, 2008

Founded 1980 Celebrating 28 years! © Vol.20 No. 7 www.niqg.org
First Covenant Church, 410 S. Ohio, Mason City, IA. 50401 641-423-6359
Meets the second Wed of every month, except July at 9AM-3PM
Cookbooks: $3 Membership: $20 Clear Plastic Bags: 50 ¢ NIQG Pins: $5
For information: send SASE to: NIQG Box 1163 Mason City, IA 50402 or
Newsletter editor-Jenny Schlutz: 1468 2nd S E- Mason City, Iowa 50401 641-424-9068 stevejen@mchsi.com

From the President
Quilt Show date is fast approaching and I’m getting all revved up for it. How about you? Have you got your quilt ready to display? Are you signed up for a committee and have they been meeting yet? Have you sold any tickets? Have you picked up your tickets?
The New meeting place at First Covenant Church is working out great! We did a lot of sewing in January and made a lot of decisions. One of them was that we would no longer expect our group members to make extra food. Instead we will keep the deserts out and at 3 pm everything is put away.
Our web site is getting a face lift so if you have internet access you should take a look. There is a new pattern from my studio in this month’s newsletter. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. Kelsey


February Workshop by Carolyn Matson will be ‘Aprons’ from the Calico Hutch in Minnesota just west and south of Austin. 9AM-Noon.
Please come prepared to sew by 9AM.
Doors are open at 8AM.
You will need to purchase 2 (homespun or other type) towels that are at your local quilt shop. Or Carolyn will bring some with her. A sample was shown at January’s Meeting by Kaye Klukow. The towels need to be cotton, not terry cloth.
You need your sewing machine and general sewing equipment such as cutter and cutting board, ruler, scissors and etc. Irons will be provided.
We will be sewing in the meeting room where the tables and chairs are already set up. If you have a power strip to share please bring it!
Group 3 will be responsible to help Carolyn carry her things in and set her up. They also will help man the sign in table and help out with the Chinese Auction items. As was discussed last month there will be no more luncheon due the large potluck at noon. However there will be cookies or some dessert with coffee available till 3PM. Carolyn will have a program in the afternoon showing new things in her shop.
Come join us for Potluck at noon! Bring along a dish to share.
You will need your own table service.
We will have our general meeting at 1PM.
January Charity yielded another productive day with 25 quilts made! These quilts were then finished at the Senior Center. We have added 10 ABC quilts and 14 Linus quilts and 1 wheel chair quilt to our list to donations. 3 quilts were donated for Comfort quilts and 2 quilts were donated for Habitat!
We thank everyone for their time and talents!
To date we have donated-
ABC-All Babies Count- 957 quilts-we are nearing the 1000 mark!
Linus-Children in need from birth to age 21-235 quilts
Crisi-women and children in stress- 40 quilts
Northern Lights- Men in transition- 35 quilts
Habitat-Habitat for Humanity-34 quilts
Wrap a Smile-children born with cleft palates in South America-70 utility quilts
Military Hospital Fisher House-41 wheel chair quilts- 25 knitted caps.mittens-
Hot Dog pillow cases: 20
Comfort quilts-17.There are 7 Comfort quilts for members available. 2 of these still need large labels on.
We have also donated several quilts to families in need due to fires and etc. in the North Iowa Area- 30 quilts (this is an estimate).

Laurie Schwarck Pattern Chair Lady
Trading Squares 2007-2008
February—Brown & March—Black & April-- purple/ burgundies & May--- orange

Block of the month! This month’s block is called Baby Four Patch! Make as many as you please!

Bring your Same Swap Switch blocks completed!

Bring with you a used pattern with a fat quarter to start it with in a plain brown paper bag to swap at February meeting!

“Shade Garden Sampler” is hanging at the Beehive Quilt Shoppe. Please feel free to take it to your home town to sell tickets on! Thank you!
For those who sell the most raffle tickets, will receive a prize of a bundle of fabrics! (Compliments of Kelsey Jones)
All Quilt show Chair persons are to meet at 11AM for Quilt Show updates!

Quilting on Cameo
Machine quilting
by Mindy Prohaski
1531 Cameo Rd
Nora Springs IA 50458
641-749-2743
quiltingoncameo@yahoo.com
I have many years of experience! I will pick up and deliver your quilt if you
need me to.


2008 Quilt Show The Heritage Continues
April 12th & 13th, 2008
Sat 10-4PM & Sun Noon -4
Newman High School
$3 admissions
Friday April 11th will be set up day.

Raffle Tickets are available! Everyone is expected to purchase 12 tickets at the cost of $10. You may keep these for yourself or sell them and ask for more! We need a big ticket sale this year as the ticket money funds the guild for 2 YEARS! Please do your part! Sell tickets! Thank you ladies!
Quilt Show Chair-Carlene Davis (641-423-0408)
All quilt show meetings will be the last Tuesday of each month prier to show, held at the Senior Citizen’s Center located at 326 4th St NE in Mason City (423-1502). It is located just west of East Park. All ‘Chairs’ and interested members are welcome and encouraged to attend. It takes all members to put on a successful show!
There will be a committees’ sign up sheet at the welcome table each month. Please sign up your name to the committee/s that you would like to help in. Each committee has a booklet to use as a guide to that particular job. All jobs can and should be done by more than one person. We all need to work together!
Note to new members: If you don’t know where you would like to help just ask any of the ‘old’, ok I mean, ‘seasoned’ members for assistance or Carlene. There is a place for you!

Chairperson………………………….…..Carlene Davis
Registering quilts (In & out)…………Mandy Meierotto
Boutique…………………………………Phyllis Wright
Pat Klinger and Mary Ann Johnson
Publicity…………….………………….Cathy Knowles
……………......Florence Hagstrom and LeNore Forbes
Door Prizes……………………………..…Dixie Schaer
Rqffle Tickets, printer, arranging presales at various locations…………………………….….…Kelsey Jones
Admissions-
………Sat. 10-2..Dorothy Birch & Marge Bahnsen
………Sat. 2-4.Kaye Klukow & Betty Werle
………Sun. 12-2 Pat Klinger & Minerva Wagner
………Sun. 2-4 Jeanne Moorehead & Florence Hagstrom
Vendors………………...Jeanne Moorehead & Ruth Ward
Hostesses……..Marlene Oswood, Ruth Ward, Jean Payne, ……………………...Phyllis Wright & Darlene Alexander
Antiques/accessories………….Mary Boyd & Betty Werle
Bed Turning………...Ruth Ward & Marlene Oswood
Set up and take down….everyone!
WE NEED YOUR QUILTS!


Treasury Report by Jean Payne
Jan. 08
Bal fwd………………………….…2513.12
Expenses
PSI-newsletter………………….…46.01
Dixie-stamps………………………16.40
Rent………………………………..50.00
Marilyn M-photos……………….….4.28
State of Iowa Treasure tax…………27.00
Total………………………………143.69
Income
Vendors…………………………….75.00
Chinese auction…………………….58.50
Total……………………………….133.50
Balance………………………….….2502.93
Savings-12/31/07………………..….1921.24

Chinese auction donations to date is $550.10!

Linus Day Quilts to be held at St John’s Lutheran Church in Charles City on February 9th, from9(AM- 3PM! Door Prizes will be given away by Deb Wolf! Come prepared to get as many quilts sewn, tied and finished! Potluck at noon! St John’s is kitty corner from the courthouse! Every welcome!

Secretary's Minutes:
Meeting opened at 1:15 pm
1. Discussion was held on subject of: Do we want to do food vending if Newman School does not. Discussion revealed our insurance may not allow us to do so and School may not allow us to do so. Carlene will check on these. If all is a go and School does not want to vend, popular vote was positive.
2. Unanimous vote to continue with fairgrounds one more year as it is now airconditioned.
3. Door prize letters were sent out. Request for fat quarters to give out as door prizes went out.
4. Laurie talked about swaps for February.
5. Jenny reported comfort quilt blocks are available to take home.
6. jeanne reported that fourteen spaces have been rented to venders.
7. Those that want to sell their quilts either at Quilt show or st Fair you need to attch a business card to the quilt (and give extras to Dixie) so these can be given to interested onlookers. They cannot be sold at show or at fair, but, interested persons can contact makers at home to arrange a sale.
8. Discussion about Late Luncheon was held with lively participation. Unanimous vote was to allow food from early lunch to be left out until 3 pm for those interested. At 3 pm they will be removed.
Meeting adjourned at 2PM.
Respectfully recorded by kelsey Jones for Jo Best

Now here is a recipe that Joan Chandler has graciously shared with us!
Another Chocolate Crinkles recipe from
Iowa Farms Today magazine.
1 cup cocoa
3 beaten eggs
1 1/2 cup sugar
¾ cup vegetable oil
2 t. vanilla
2 cups flour
2 t baking powder
½ cup powdered sugar
In large bowl, beat together first five ingredients with spoon. In medium bowl stir together flour and baking powder. Gradually add to chocolate mixture until well blended. Cover and chill 1-2 hours or until firm enough to handle. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Shape dough into 1 inch balls. Roll in powder sugar and pace on greased cookie sheet. Bake 10-12 minutes. Do not over bake or cookies will be dry.
Thank you Joan for sharing your great recipe with us!


THE FLOUR SACK BY COLLEEN B. HUBERT

IN THAT LONG AGO TIME WHEN THINGS WERE SAVED,
WHEN ROADS WERE GRAVELED AND BARRELS WERE STAVED,
WHEN WORN-OUT CLOTHING WAS USED AS RAGS,
AND THERE WERE NO PLASTIC WRAP OR BAGS,
AND THE WELL AND THE PUMP WERE WAY OUT BACK,
A VERSATILE ITEM, WAS THE FLOUR SACK.

PILLSBURY'S BEST, MOTHER'S AND GOLD MEDAL, TOO
STAMPED THEIR NAMES PROUDLY IN PURPLE AND BLUE.
THE STRING SEWN ON TOP WAS PULLED AND KEPT;
THE FLOUR EMPTIED AND SPILLS WERE SWEPT.
THE BAG WAS FOLDED AND STORED IN A SACK
THAT DURABLE, PRACTICAL FLOUR SACK.

THE SACK COULD BE FILLED WITH FEATHERS AND DOWN FOR A PILLOW,
OR T'WOULD MAKE A NICE SLEEPING GOWN.
IT COULD C ARRY A BOOK AND BE A SCHOOL BAG,
OR BECOME A MAIL SACK SLUNG OVER A NAG.
IT MADE A VERY CONVENIENT PACK,
THAT ADAPTABLE, COTTON FLOUR SACK.

BLEACHED AND SEWN, IT WAS DUTIFULLY WORN
AS BIBS, DIAPERS, OR KERCHIEF ADORNED.
IT WAS MADE INTO SKIRTS, BLOUSES AND SLIPS.
AND MOM BRAIDED RUGS FROM ONE HUNDRED STRIPS
SHE MADE RUFFLED CURTAINS FOR THE HOUSE OR SHACK,
FROM THAT HUMBLE BUT TREASURED FLOUR SACK!

AS A STRAINER FOR MILK OR APPLE JUICE,
TO WAVE MEN IN, IT WAS A VERY GOOD USE,
AS A SLING FOR A SPRAINED WRIST OR A BREAK,
TO HELP MOTHER ROLL UP A JELLY CAKE,
AS A WINDOW SHADE OR TO STUFF A CRACK,
WE USED A STURDY, COMMON FLOUR SACK!

AS DISH TOWELS, EMBROIDERED OR NOT,
THEY COVERED UP DOUGH, HELPED PASS PANS SO HOT,
TIED UP DISHES FOR NEIGHBORS IN NEED,
AND FOR MEN OUT IN THE FIELD TO SEED.
THEY DRIED DISHES FROM PAN, NOT RACK
THAT ABSORBENT, HANDY FLOUR SACK!
WE POLISHED AND CLEANED STOVE AND TABLE,
SCOURED AND SCRUBBED FROM CELLAR TO GABLE,
WE DUSTED THE BUREAU AND OAK BED POST,
MADE COSTUMES FOR OCTOBER (A SCARY GHOST)
AND A PARACHUTE FOR A CAT NAMED JACK.
FROM THAT LOWLY, USEFUL OLD FLOUR SACK!

SO NOW MY FRIENDS, WHEN THEY ASK YOU
AS CURIOUS YOUNGSTERS OFTEN DO,
"BEFORE PLASTIC WRAP, ELMERS GLUE
AND PAPER TOWELS, WHAT DID YOU DO?"
TELL THEM LOUDLY AND WITH PRIDE DON'T LACK,
"GRANDMOTHER HAD THAT WONDERFUL FLOUR SACK!"
Window Pane Vest Preparation for March 12th, 2008 Workshop being taught by Nancy Malmin!
Please forgive me for not getting the total of all the first part pre-instructions in last newsletter. Jenny

December Pre-class instruction: do this first-
Find a shirt-buy it one size larger than what you would normally wear.
Wash the shirt before you cut.
Wash you materials before you start to cut.
Look for 9 fat quarters or scraps to equal 2 ¼ yards. You will need a glue stick!
Need contrasting material 2 ½” x 5 yards for binding-set this aside.
2 or 4 buttons 5/8 or7/8 in size.
Water soluble marker and ruler.

Cut sleeve off (including the finished seam)
If shirt has full collar-cut off the collar only, leaving the stand.
Take off pocket-do not cut pocket off.
Take off buttons-do not cut buttons off.
Cut off finished side seams both sides.
Length-measure from back of neck to favorite length, plus 2” for hem and mark it.
Sew the back pleat flat all the way down so that it is flat against back.
To hem, (if the shirt has it) to make the 4 side edges of the vest round, I use a 9” dinner plate to mark it and cut it.
Need to mark your cut up shirt, on right side of shirt starting at the middle of the back neck, draw a center line first. Continue working to outer edges at 4” intervals. Repeat for front. Try to match at shoulders.
Mark front horizontal lines at 5” intervals. Try to match across the front working from top shoulders down towards hem.

January Pre-class instruction:
9 fat quarters-you can cut from one fat quarter eight 3 ½” x 4 ½” rectangles and eight 2 ½” x 3 ½” rectangles and eight 1 ½” x 2 ½” rectangles
You need a total of:
72- 3 ½” x 4 ½” rectangles
72- 2 ½” x 3 ½” rectangles
72- 1 ½” x 2 ½” rectangles
You can stack these three high-one piece of each size using glue stick to keep them together.

February Pre-class instruction:
If you have not already stacked your precut rectangles this is the time to do so.
Start with the 3 ½” x 4 ½” rectangle on the bottom.
Next put the 2 ½” x 3 ½” rectangle on top of the 3 ½” z 4 ½’ rectangle.
Place the 1 ½” x 2 ½” rectangle on top of the 2 ½” x 3 ½” rectangle.
Using a dab of glue will help hold these in place or use stick pins.
You will need 72 piles of the 3 piece units assembled.

Pre-arrange your piles on back of shirt wit glue stick or pins.
One set of 3 piece unit in each of 4” x 5” marked rectangle.
There should be about 1/4” border of shirt color showing between the largest fabric rectangle and the marked rectangle.

In March you will need your sewing machine, matching thread for top and bottom. We will be sewing the stacks onto the shirt. Also will be sewing binding onto the stand of collar and the binding to the rest of the shirt and buttons. Questions? Call Nancy Malmin at 641-732-4321 to order-www.ragmerchant.com or she will get it for you