Jan. 28th Workday

Further to the discussion at our meeting this week, here's an explanation of what is planned for the January 28th workday. Our primary purpose is to make slab blocks to be assembled into quilts as per the recent request from CQA/ACC (Canadian Quilters' Association.)

The blocks/tops will be sent off to CQA and some will be quilted at Canada's Big Quilt Bee during the annual conference, Quilt Canada, in Toronto in June. Any locally finished quilts will be collected in Moncton. All quilts will be donated to Ronald McDonald Houses across Canada,of which there are 14, with a total of 469 family rooms. These rooms are full all year and there are actually waiting lists for residency while children are treated in hospital. The goal is for 1000 quilts. So that's a brief explanation of the project. Now, back to our work day... 

What is a "slab block?" Cheryl Arkison of Calgary designed the slab block a few years back when the call went out across Canada for quilts for Alberta flood victims. Here's a photo of one of the 2013 flood quilts. 

Now the slab block is being used again for this special Canada 150 project. It is a "free form" block that measures 12.5", to finish at 12" square. As you can see, it is made from scraps of various sizes - squares, rectangles, strips, all of one colour family- sewn together to make a block large enough to be trimmed to 12.5". Whereas the quilt above has one piece of white in each block, for this project each block must contain at least one piece of Canada 150 fabric. Several fabric manufacturers have put out lines of special fabric for Canada 150: Discover Canada by JN Harper, Stonehenge OH CANADA by Northcott and Sesquicentennial fabric by Northcott,  Trend-Tex Fabrics With Glowing Hearts by Moda, and Cantik Batiks. Click on each collection name to see the fabrics. If you have any of these fabrics, please bring them with you to the workday on the 28th. Some will be provided as well. One of our local shops, The Christmas Crab Quiltery at 158 Brunswick St. carries the Oh Canada line by Northcott if you wish to purchase any. Obviously you will need to bring other fabrics for the blocks as well; bring a number of scraps or small pieces in one or several colour families. The blocks can be done as above with all pieces "straight and square" or if a little wonky is more your style, they can be done as these below:

You can read a further explanation, with diagrams, on how the blocks are made here, scroll down to the second and third pages. Or click here to watch a video. 

We hope you'll join us on Saturday Jan. 28th. We're going to have a fun day making slab blocks!! As well, Lee will demo EQ7 software, and if you wish to come and work on a project of your own, that's fine too!   :)

Workshop, Sat. Jan 23. Spaces available.

Paper-piecing- a great technique for large or small quilts!

There are some spaces available in our upcoming workshop this Saturday, January 23. If you live in our area (Fredericton NB) and would like to join us, we'd love to have you! The class is "Learn to Paperpiece" with yours truly, Linda Hubbard. It is a skills oriented workshop, and supplies needed are minimal.
In the morning, you will learn the technique of paper-piecing by progressing through a series of several blocks, from simple to more complex. In the afternoon you will learn how to join blocks together, how to piece odd-shaped pieces, how to cut angled pieces, how to read a complex PP pattern, and how to look at any pieced quilt block and draw it out as a paper-piecing pattern. We will look at the use of different foundation materials, some of which can be left in the quilt. There will also be a demo of "string-piecing," a very simple and slightly different form of foundation piecing.
Paper piecing is a very useful technique that every quilter should have in their bag of tricks. It is very precise and makes complex blocks very simple to piece. It makes tiny blocks (for miniatures) very do-able and perfect points as on a Mariner's Compass easy! It is perfect for group quilts, as every block will come back exactly the same size! If you can count to 10, and sew on a  straight line, then you can learn to paper-piece. If you have tried it before and decided you don't like it, come to this class and I will change your mind!!   :)  Or if you just need a "refresher" this is your chance!
I will bring a number of quilts, large, small and miniature to the class as well as a number of books and patterns for inspiration. It will be a fun-filled day, why not join us? Leave a comment here if you don't know how to contact me otherwise.

It's "Hilary Rice Week" at FQG!

Just a reminder to all members, our meeting on Tuesday night is not at our usual venue. Remember this month we are very fortunate to have a special evening with textile and mixed media artist Hilary Rice. She will be presenting her Trunk Show "Along the Silk Road" for us at 7p.m. at the Hugh John Flemming Forestry Centre on Regent Street, in the auditorium. It is open to all, come and bring a friend. Admission $5.00 per person.


You can review a list of the workshops Hilary is teaching here. There are still some openings in each of the four workshops. Registrations will be taken on Tuesday evening, and right up until the beginning of each workshop. If you are interested in tomorrow's workshop, contact LaVerne asap at 459-5324

Gearing Up and Hilary Rice!

September is here! We'll soon be back together - won't it be great to see each other and "catch up" on summer news and quilting projects! Your Executive has already met and there are some exciting things in store for you all this year! Remember our meeting night is the THIRD Tuesday of the month (the date will always fall between the 15th and the 21st) and also remember our new meeting start time is 7p.m.
If you haven't renewed your membership for this year yet, our Registrar Linda G. would love to hear from you.

One of the first exciting things on this year's schedule is a visit from Textile Artist Hilary Rice of  Stirling, Ontario. There are still a few spaces left in each of her workshops. Info and contacts for registration follows below:

October Workshops with Textile Artist Hilary Rice

Be inspired, learn something different and challenge yourself to be innovative with new techniques under the guidance of fibre artist and professional teacher Hilary Rice when she visits New Brunswick in October.  Sponsored by Fredericton Quilters’ Guild, these hands-on workshops will build confidence in using the techniques while exposing participants to broader possibilities.  Definitely a fun opportunity!  To see examples of Hilary’s work, visit www.mestudios.ca. 

 

Easy-Peasy Curves — The Basics of Top-stitch Curved Piecing

No more sewing only straight lines!  For confident beginner & beyond, produce a small landscape and be introduced to embellishing ideas.  Tuesday, October 21.  Kit fee: $50 

 

 

Imagine & Create — Embellishment Techniques for Art Quilters

With the mastery and exploration of an assortment of embellishment techniques, you can design and create anything!  For anyone with an adventurous spirit, emphasis will be on an imaginative approach to the creation of innovative works with input from an experienced fibre artist.  Wednesday-Thursday, October 22 – 23.  Kit fee: $10 

 

Funky Tricks & Techniques — For Textile & Mixed Media Artists

Learn a smattering of fun techniques applicable to a variety of artistic endeavours, such as transfer foiling, silk paper making, metal work and toner transfer.  For all people, all ages.  Friday, October 24.  Kit fee: $20

 

 

Quilting with Metal/Mettle or Everything you wanted to know about metal appliqué but were afraid to try

Instruction will be given on the entire how-to involved when working with metal as an appliqué accent - anneal your chosen metal, see demos of embossing and colouring, use a blowtorch!  For those with an adventurous spirit.  Saturday, October 25, 2014.  Kit fee: $20

 

Workshops run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and are being held at Willie O’Ree Place.  Cost is $60 for FQG members and $65 for non-members per day + kit fee. 

To register, contact LaVerne or Lee.