Coachella Valley Quilt Guild

Greetings, everyone!

It seems like I should be saying welcome back to guild meetings but this year we have kept them going through out the summer with two wonderful studio tours from guild members Robert Tucker and Joanne Hunt and a fun photo contest made up of categories suggested by members.  Thank you to Robert and Joanne for inviting us into their studios.  Congratulations to the ten winners of the photo contest.  You can see the winning entries on the guild website.

Now if only we had a crystal ball and could see into the future and what it held with the Delta variant that is going around.  (If you have one, please do let me know — crystal ball that is.) But all we can do is make tentative plans and try and be as flexible as possible. Please bear with us.

We are looking at the possibility of having an in-person meeting beginning in either October or November for those who feel comfortable meeting at UCR and who are in town.  We would also plan to Zoom those meetings for those out of town or not comfortable coming to an actual meeting yet.  Just keep reading our email blasts and they will let you know what is happening. Or check the website. 

However, we are definitely doing a Zoom meeting in September and we are offering Zoom Sunday Sit and Sews in September and October. Leslie Herbst is also planning a Sew What Table on October 16 so watch for information on that.

In October we have signed the guild up for the All Star Virtual Sampler Platter on Saturday, October 2 and Sunday, October 3 from noon to 3pm.  Check further in the newsletter for more details.  The week before that weekend we will be sending out a PDF file with notes from each lecturer and a link you will use to attend.  (Just a few things to fill up your calendar.)

Hope you are finding time to work on items for the Desert Guilds Quilt Show (March 2022).  There are so many ways to take part in this event to celebrate and promote the art of quilting. A main entry, the Fortune Cookie Challenge, a miniature quilt entry and items to donate to the boutique booth.  Look through the newsletter for more information on that.  

And while you are thinking about what you are going to enter in the guild show, keep the Date Festival in mind (February 2022).  It is another instance when we need that crystal ball because they have not decided whether they will be holding the event or not, but it wouldn’t hurt to have something ready just in case.  

It has been just over a year that we started putting together our Zoom meetings and I think it keeps getting better and better.  I know it is great to actually see people in-person but at least this way we have contact with others, can stretch our mind with new ideas and even challenge ourselves in different ways. Zoom meetings have another plus side in that we can offer teachers from many parts of the country that we would not ordinarily be able to have in person. Check out the lectures and classes we will be having in 2022.  And don’t forget to look at the class we are having in November. It is quite a varied program.

 Have a great fall and hope to “see” you soon.  Keep quilting and creating.

Kathleen Herring

President

Barn Quilt Painting Workshop with Suzi Parron

Sunday, November 14, 2021 @ 9:00 AM (4-5 hours)

$5.00 Registration Fee; $45.00 Material & Teacher Fee due to instructor at material pick up, which includes most of your materials to complete the project. Registration

We will arrange a time and place for you to pick up your materials before the class on Sunday.  You will begin with a pre-primed board and go through each step – drafting, taping and painting your board.  You will leave with a finished 2x2 quilt block, ready to hang.  

Chunky Wee Bag with Sam Hunter

Sunday, January 9, 2022 @ 9:00 AM (6 hours)

$40.00 Guild Members Registration

Chunky Wee Bag is a messenger style bag that comes in 3 sizes with a lot of pockets!  You usually finish the bag in class so no UFO’s!   We recommend you cut your fabric before coming to class to have that finished product by the end.

Mod Molas and Bright Blooms with Mel Beach

Sunday, February 13, 2022 @ 9:00 AM (6 hours)

$35.00 Guild Members Registration

In this reverse applique technique, you will layer your fabric with a “surprise reveal” fabric underneath a solid top fabric.  Then you will quilt your pattern (either free motion or walking foot quilting) and finally cut out your design to reveal your colorful fabric underneath.  

Wild Animal Collage with Phyllis Cullen

Sunday, March 13, 2022 @ 9:00 AM (4 Hours) & Sunday, March 20, 2022 @ 9:00 AM (4 Hours)

$40.00 Guild Members Registration

In this class, you will use bits and pieces of printed fabrics to “paint” an animal portrait. There are lots of designs to choose from or Phyllis will help you draw your own from a photo.  When you are done, you cover it with tulle, and add a few quilting stitches. 

Presented by Global Quilt Connection

Saturday, October 2, 2021  12pm -- 3pm (PDT)

Sunday, October 3, 2021 12pm -- 3pm (PDT)

Experience some of the best teachers the virtual world has to offer in this live zoom event offered by the Global Quilt Connection. An All-Star cast of 18 quilt teachers will demonstrate some of their favorite quilting techniques, showcasing a wide variety of styles and techniques. You’ll see everything from traditional to modern and art quilting techniques. You’ll also receive a PDF that includes written instructions to go along with each teacher’s demonstration.

Come when you can, stay as long as you’d like, grab a cuppa and join the fun. If you haven’t yet had the opportunity to experience a live zoom class, this is your perfect risk-free opportunity to check it out. Each teacher will demonstrate her Zoomin’-awesome teaching style so you can get a good feel of how wonderful virtual classes can be.

Look on our website for more information and members watch for an email blast with the PDF file and the link.

Even though we may not be meeting in person you can always stay connected by visiting the guild’s Facebook page. The page offers meeting recaps, memoriums, tips, modern and traditional quilt images, show and shares, holiday greetings, and Sew What Table updates.

Thinking about the last “Sew What Table”, it has prompted me to offer this photo as what can occur when inspired by an assemblage of “Sew What’s”.

Any way you look at it this could not have occurred without having just the perfect elements!!! Vintage lace and trims!

Guild members and friends from afar realize that our area offers some wonderful choices and of first-rate quality too. It is always looked forward to and the committee and volunteers do a great job.

The Desert Guilds Quilt show is getting closer and I’m excited to see what the members from all three guilds come up with. 44 members of the Coachella Valley Quilt Guild have the Fortune Cookie packets. It is an intriguing challenge and what will one’s fortune reveal.

Robert Tucker, Social Media

The Guild would love to find members to help in the following areas.

Assistant to Boutique Chair for Desert Guilds Quilt Show — contact Theresa Hanada at theresa@luliiblu.com

Publicity for the Desert Guilds Quilt Show — coordinate to get postcards to advertise the show with Cactus Sewables and distribute cards to local quilt shops and members. If you have other ideas to publicize the show, they are most welcome. Contact Kathleen Herring kathleen.herring@icloud.com

Raffle Basket Organizer — If we have an in person Holiday Party, it would be nice to have Raffle Baskets as it is a great fund raiser.  This person would need to know who was doing raffle baskets, ask the local quilt shops for a raffle basket, organize the selling of raffle tickets (there is help for this), and set up the baskets at the event. For more information contact Kathleen Herring kathleen.herring@icloud.com

As Judi and I begin our time as co-chairs for Philanthropy, we want to thank you for your donated quilts.  All summer, even as many of our members are not in the desert, we have been able to continue donations.  For now you will find me at Monica’s parking area on selected Thursdays between 9 and 10am and/or Judi when she returns from Canada.  We will be at Monica’s on September 9 and 30 next.  We will continue about every other Thursday until we are able to begin meeting in person.  You may drop off quilts and, if you like, pick up a quilt bundle of top, batting, and backing ready to quilt!  

The Coachella Valley Quilt Guild has been supporting our community through gifts of quilts to different organizations here in the desert for many years.  Over the last few years quilts have been donated to the Barbara Sinatra Children’s Center, Mama’s House, Olive Crest, Pegasus, and Shelter from the Storm.  With you help we look forward to contributing our efforts to this tradition.

Hope to see you at Monica’s!

Jackie Mason & Judi Moran, Philanthropy Co-Chairpersons