Welcome to the Marys River Quilt Guild
August Meeting 2015
Block of the Month
Show and Tell
The Program
Geri Grasvik, Pine Needle Quilt Shop, Flannel Quilts
Marys River Quilt Guild
General Membership Meeting August 27, 2015
Guild President, Sheri P., called the meeting to order at 7:00 p.m.
Sheri asked if there were any new members and/or visitors and 4 visitors stood and introduced
themselves.
ANNOUNCEMENTS:
Gail B., Treasurer, is on vacation so Sheri has the check book for those needing reimbursements. There are some upcoming workshops in Springfield done by Marsha McCloskey and the flyers are available on the back table. A sign-up sheet for setting up and taking down the chairs for the meetings was available on the back table. Sheri then expressed a need for volunteers to sign up for upcoming Board vacancies.
She reiterated that the Guild is a volunteer organization and encouraged all to consider the openings. An option might be to share a position to make the load lighter! The following positions are available: Vice-President, Programs and Marketing. If you are interested in the Vice-President position, please contact Sheri, Carmen S. or Beth R. If you are interested in the Programs position, please contact Harriet as you would be working with her in 2016 including obtaining speakers for 2017 and then become Chairperson in 2017. If you are interested in the Marketing position, please contact Jo C. as you would be working with her on marketing the Raffle Quilt and organizing venues in 2016 and then become Chairperson in 2017.
Regarding Quilts in the Garden, the committee will need your help shortly for ideas for themes for each garden. There is discussion about having gardens grouped in two different areas, one near the Corvallis Country Club and one in central Corvallis. Proposed dates are June 25th and July 23rd, 2016.
Sheri brought up the fact there seems to be some concern about continuing with Quilt County in the future. There appears to have been difficulty filling this year’s show and she feels there needs to be further discussion about this event. There was discussion immediately raising issues about the need for further details about this event and more advanced notice of the themes, etc. so members would have adequate time to make the quilts in advance. Marcia G. offered to continue to organize this event yet asked for members’ input and support to make this event successful.
COMMITTEE REPORTS:
Challenge Committee: Judy J. reported the committee is meeting and getting ready for the next challenge. October is Challenge Quilt month! There will be awards for different categories. Bring your $10 for your packet!
Marketing: Jo C. reported that the Raffle Quilt will be on display at the Benton County Historical Museum except for September 11-12-13 when it will be at the Philomath Scout Lodge. Most volunteer positions have been filled yet she still needs a couple of volunteers. Total ticket sales to date are $1917 of which $370 originated from sales at the Benton County Fair. The Quilt will be also displayed at a quilt shop at the Coast and then the Philomath Quilt Show. Jo is still looking for volunteers for next year’s marketing team.
Raffle Quilt 2016: Jean M. reported that the lap size quilt is in progress with an anticipated completion date of December, 2015 or January 2016.
Round Robin: Cindy G. reported that the quilts are stunning and amazing! Photos will follow. It is now time to begin thinking about participating in next year’s Round Robin. The committee meets every two months commencing in January. There is a flyer available this evening to explain this further and a sign-up list is being circulated this evening. The deadline for signing up for Round Robin is December 31st. This year’s quilts will be presented at the November meeting this year.
Library: Karen G. reported there are three additions to our library which all deal with improvisational quilting styles and techniques.
Programs: Harriet P. reported that the speaker for the next meeting in September will be Donna Cherry from Bend who creates “artscape” quilts.
Block of the Month: Shelley B. reported there are 8 full quilts so far and she expressed her appreciation to all those who are participating. “Keep it up”, she said! The theme of this year is “It takes a village”.
Sharon F. is the winner of the drawing.
Hospitality: Phyllis P. held the drawing and presented a $10 gift certificate to Meryl and two fat quarters were awarded to Carmen S.
Show and Tell: On behalf of the Service Committee, Lynn G. reported there are some exquisite quilts being displayed at the Philomath Library. And she encouraged members to volunteer to quilt some of the quilts made by the Service Committee. Several lovely Service Committee quilts were shared at Show and Tell.
In addition, there were approximately 10 beautifully finished quilt projects shared by members at Show and Tell at this month’s meeting.
After a short break, Harriet introduced Geri Grasvik, owner of The Pine Needle in Lake Oswego, OR as well as a coordinator for the 2015 Northwest Quilting Expo. She spoke to the guild members about what it takes to make flannel quilts. Geri was originally a Buyer for Nordstrom and knew nothing about quilting when 23 years ago someone approached her about opening a quilt shop. The rest is history. She encourages quilters to buy good flannel – don’t compromise on the fabric. She recommends the following flannels: Maywood Studios: Woolie (which don’t pill or shrink).) Also, she likes In The Beginning, Clockworks, Robert Kauffman and Andover. Whenever you are able, buy light colored flannels as they are more difficult to find. And always buy a tiny bit more fabric than what you need.
Wash first? If you buy good fabric, she does not suggest washing first. Geri also suggests using a stitch setting of 3”. And it is “okay” to pin flannel fabrics! Measure often. Press, don’t iron; and press seams open. Use bigger block patterns when using flannel. And her favorite batting for use with flannels is wool; it is light, airy and shows the quilting well. (Though it is one’s personal choice.) Have your machine cleaned regularly. She likes using a 80-12 jeans/denim needle. Flannel tends to dull the needle as well as the rotary cutter so change the needle/blade often. Use Best Press spray when you cut your fabric. Spray on the back before pressing. Use Steady Betty (rubberized pressing mat which can be used on all fabrics) for best press. She recommends using a 50 weight thread and use a full ¼ inch seam. Don’t over-quilt! Avoid drying flannel quilts in the dryer….let quilt air dry.
Geri encouraged all to attend the 2015 Northwest Quilting Expo in Portland, OR on 9/22-23-24. There will be over 700 quilts on display along with classes and lectures. “Portland, the Pearl” is this year’s theme. And lots of gifts will be given away! Geri offered 4 tickets to the Expo in a drawing and the 4 winners were Sharon F., Phyllis P., Beth R. and Jan A.
Next general membership meeting is September 24 at 7:00 p.m. and Carmen S. will preside in Sheri’s
absence.
Next Board meeting is September 2nd at 6:30 pm at Sheri’s home.
The meeting was closed at 8:30 p.m.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan C.
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