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Guild News

March 27 and 28, 2024

Guest Speaker: Johanna Masko

We were privileged to listen to Johanna Masko speak to us about colour and print when designing quilts. Johanna comes from Toronto and is an artistic designer. She began her lecture with a powerpoint and led us through many examples of colour and print. When designing quilts, she asked us what is the vibe that we are trying to portray. Whose voice is coming out of the quilt? She showed us many examples of choosing colours. Johanna also showed us examples of using a beautiful print as part of the quilt, instead of cutting it up and using it in complex designs.  A print can make a quilt look more complex than it is. When choosing fabrics, she encouraged us to use various fabrics. You can mix batiks with cottons to create the look you are looking for. After the powerpoint, Johanna brought out some of her quilts for us to look at. They were beautiful and demonstrated her creative style.

 

The following day, she led a workshop called the “Patchwork Pro”. During the workshop, Joahanna explained how to use quilt math formulas to create various sized squares. She demonstrated various piecing tricks, when creating HST,  paper piecing, etc. Often during the day a participant would have an “aha” moment. Students learned how to recognize the underlying grid structure of traditional patchwork blocks and the many ways to approach commonly used patchwork units.

February 28, 2024

 

Sisterhood of Quilters – this was a term that was mentioned at our guild meeting. We enjoyed listening to four guild members talk about their journeys of quilting and seeing many beautiful quilts.

 

Irma Bull started our evening with telling stories through her quilts. Her quilts are creative and do not follow traditional patterns. She is an artistic designer and we were awed by her beautiful designs. She said that every quilt is an adventure for her and she enjoys doing something new every time.

 

Fran Inglis started her quilting journey in 2002, after retiring from teaching. Her early quilts that she brought in to show were creative and beautiful. However, she felt that she needed to learn more about quilting. Every quilt that she brought in showed different techniques that she learned about quilting. They were so full of details, colour and creativity. After showing her last quilt, she said, “Now I am a quilter”. I think we all could say that she was a quilter from the beginning.

 

Nina Stahlschmidt enjoys quilting with feed bags. She has learned so much about the history of feed bags and shared some of that knowledge with us during her presentation. She uses cotton, wool, lace, doilies, etc. to create quilts. Her quilts are various sizes and the sizes are determined by the feed bags being used. She gets her inspiration from the feed bag and she uses every square inch of it. The little scraps get used in other quilts. She also enjoys giving a second life to vintage quilts. She ended off her presentation by encouraging us to enjoy what we are doing and to always label our quilts.

 

Lynne Wilkinson loves making quilt tops. However, at one point these quilt tops need to be quilted. She started to experiment with quilting on a longarm quilting machine and discovered that she enjoyed the process. Her husband surprised her by buying a longarm quilting machine for her birthday. With the help from Kindred Spirits, she got it set up and started to learn how to use it. She brought in quilts to show how she enjoys making custom made pieces. She affectionately calls her machine, Myrtle. 

In March, we are excited to be hosting Johanna Masko, a Toronto-based textile artist and designer. She will be presenting a talk called: Let’s Talk About Colour and Print on Wednesday evening, March 27th. Please check the website for more information about her. There is still room for her workshop called, “Secrets of a Patchwork Pro” on Thursday, March 28th.

January 24, 2024

Demonstration Evening

Despite the foggy and rainy weather outside, the conditions inside the meeting room were sunny and bright. As the women settled into their chairs, which were organised in to three areas, the meeting began by Jean introducing our three demonstration speakers. The members would rotate every twenty minutes to another session, and we all felt that twenty minutes was just not enough to take in all the wealth of information provided by our speakers.

Michelle and Jane from the Kindred Spirits store came with two embroidery machines, an Accuquilt cutter, and many examples to get the members thinking about the ways to use them in their quilting journeys. Edge to edge quilting possibilities, making soft cuddly toys, adding applique to quilts, etc. were some of the techniques discussed.

Lynda explained her journey of learning the skill of sashiko quilting. She brought in many examples of her work, explained the tools that she uses and where to get them, and various resources that helped her along the way of learning sashiko. Sashiko is a Japanese quilting technique using a heavy thread and evenly spaced to form geometric patterns.

Donna brought in samples from her felt wool flower garden. She explained her journey from using leftover fabric wool from rug hooking to creating flowers with the felt wool. Members were encouraged to closely examine the various flowers and leaves, feel the fabric used, and ask many questions about the techniques to create the various petals. Donna enjoys being creative and making these beautiful flowers is one way to express her creativity.

As always, the meeting ends with a time of show and tell. One of the quilts that was shown was a very creative Harry Potter quilt, made during the covid lockdown.

 

Special note from Lynda Iannandrea

Thank you for finding Sashiko interesting, I enjoyed sharing it with you.  Supplies can be sourced from:

The Nesting Ground in Wainfleet, currently open Saturday 11am to 5pm, expanding hours in the spring.  Erin’s offers on line shopping 24/7 and you can arrange to pick up orders.

Kallisti Quilts, 66 John St. West, Waterloo.  Michelle Dunnhas a website full of Sashiko supplies and Japanese and African fabrics.  On line orders are subject to a regulated shipping charge by Canada Post.  She also has very limited hours but a pick up may be arranged.

I have also ordered from A Threaded Needle in BC.

There are sources all over the world, but I like to deals in Canadian dollars.

I mentioned Amazon several times in my talk, but seriously I was trying to be funny.  At times, especially through Covid, I found it convenient to source from them, but I dislike the concept of their operation.  I am a retired entrepreneur that was pushed out of business by entities like Walmart and Costco, and understand how much our local quilt shops have to put into keeping us happy and making sure the bottom line is black.  I ask that you check with them when you need something.  Who knows, Sashiko may become so popular that items may be stockable for them.  I did find some Sashiko supplies on an Ontario Shop Hop last summer in Cherished Pieces in Tillsonburg, but it looked like maybe they were phasing them out.

The books and YouTube videos I like are by Susan Briscoe from the Uk, Sue Howie from Australua.  The book on doing Sashiko by machine was by Sharon Peterson.  There are many, many YouTube videos to watch on a snowy day.

 

 

 

November 22, 2023

Christmas Craft Social Evening

What a wonderful way to create community. This evening was a time of sharing ideas, creating Christmas crafts with fabric, socializing, laughing, and connecting. There was ample time for socializing while enjoying apple cider and baked goodies. The members had registered for a Christmas craft of their choice during the previous Fall meetings. The different crafts were taught by our own guild members. Christmas cards using the Iris folding method, Christmas tree table toppers, no sew Christmas quilted ornaments, and folded origami hexagon ornaments were the different crafts taught that evening. Everyone went home with something that they had made.

October 25, 2023

Our guest speaker for this evening was Maureen Augerman. She has a passion for quilted clothing and this was evident in her presentation and fashion show. Maureen is very creative, full of joy and displayed excitement for each individual garment that was modelled.

October 2023

Every guild meeting evening ends with a show and tell from various guild members. The members are encouraged to bring in quilts that they have worked on to show to the group. We are always amazed at the creativity displayed. Some of these quilts are donated to various agencies across the Niagara region that provide support to people in need.

NOVEMBER 23, 2022
Guest speaker:  Fran Inglis

You missed a very informative, educational and funny presentation by Fran Inglis.

History of the Crazy Quilts.

Two of the quilts she displayed were hundreds of years old. The Crazy quilts,  had their heyday in the late 1800s. They are still popular today but not as elaborate but crazy non the less.

Wish I had taken notes in order to share more of this history. 

I hope you enjoy these pictures.

 

 

 

 

Niagara Heritage Quilters Guild celebrates 40 years

The group currently has more than 100 members

NiagaraThisWeek.com
Friday, November 11, 2022

Quilting is a hobby that has lived on throughout the years.

Locally, the Niagara Heritage Quilters Guild recently celebrated its 40th anniversary.  At a ceremony in late September, all 120 members gathered to learn about the group’s history.

The guild was formed in 1980 over Mother’s Day weekend, after a group of five women worked together to host Niagara’s first quilt show.That show raised funds for the Pelham Historical Society and Effingham Heritage Association. From the success of the show and interest in quilting, the Niagara Heritage Quilters’ Guild was formed on Dec. 3, 1980. The first meeting was held at the St. Catharines Centennial Library with 37 quilters now considered charter members.

By May of 1981, the membership grew to 89 and in January 2001, the group had over 280 members.

“What is truly remarkable is witnessing the changes to tools, fabrics, colours and designs,” reads a release from the guild. “Material — from old cotton dresses, shirts and food/flour bags (often crumb pieced) to the endless selection from around the world that we enjoy today.” The release notes technology has changed how quilting has evolved over the years as well.

“Equipment has developed from treadle to high-tech, computerized machines. Patterns have grown from those done by hand on cardboard to computer designs,” the release said. “Cutting on the kitchen table with scissors has evolved to using a drafting table and a rotary cutter. And quilting has progressed from handwork at a bee to elaborate computer designs and even embellishments like beads and lace to give the product depth of design.”

Anyone interested in learning more about the guild and becoming a member can visit niagaraquiltersguild.com .

Tags: Hyper Local, Human Interest, Local News, Community

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Toni Major’s Landscape Quilt Workshop

October 27, 2022 

Written By Carol McRae

I was really looking forward to this workshop on Landscape Quilting and at the same time I wondered what I’ve gotten myself into especially after her presentation at the general meeting.

Her display of quilts she creates is phenomenal. Could I do that??

After Toni explained how she begins a project, we were left to execute her instructions. I really had to think outside the box on this one. I added my main components and then thought I would use thread to add the finer details. Toni recommended I add a few more elements to my landscape, offering me ideas and suggestions, which I proceeded to use. Her ideas certainly made a difference. She walked around giving everyone her attention and ideas. She was very approachable and gave great feedback.

We also had very experienced quilters in the room and as I too walked around I was struck again on how much creativity these women possess. Not only that, but the fabrics that they brought with them was amazing and they all offered to share.  I also realized at this point how much having the right fabric made a difference.  Live and learn.

What did I learn?  This type of quilting was not for me and that is OK because I came here too experience a different quilting form. I’m a believer that unless you try something new you never know.  All in all I had a wonderful time and will never hesitate to register for a workshop.

You wont see me in any pictures because I left early due to a previously planned girls weekend in Prince Edward County and wanted to get a head of the traffic. Here are some pictures I want to share with you. Enjoy.

 

The Niagara Heritage Quilters’ Guild Anniversary Celebration

By: Carol McRae & Leslie Moulson


After 40 years in the Niagara Region the legacy of five amazing woman continues to flourish within the Niagara Heritage Quilters’ Guild.

It all started in May 1980, on Mother’s Day weekend, five women worked together to host the first quilt show in Niagara to raise funds for the Pelham Historical Society and Effingham Heritage Association. Nina Stahlschmidt, Ingrid Harmes, Marion Holman, Margaret Walpole and Ange Whittaker were the organizers. From the success of the show and interest in quilting, the Niagara Heritage Quilters’ Guild was formed on December 3, 1980. The first meeting was held at the St. Catharines Centennial Library with 37 quilters now considered charter members. The next order of business was to create a logo.

Numerous entries were received and after a membership vote a design by Kit Willey was adopted and created. The logo encompasses the Niagara region from the rainbow representing the falls, to the water that surrounds us, to the tree that represents our agriculture. This logo remains the cornerstone of the guild today.

By May of 1981, the membership grew to 89 and in January 2001, we boasted over 280 members.

Every two years, a quilt show was hosted. By May 2011, the quilt shows had out-grown two locations (the Jordan Arena and Merritton Community Centre) so Niagara College in Niagara-on-the-Lake was their next stop.  At each quilt show, the guild raffled a quilt ranging in value from $750 in the late ‘80s to $1600 in 2011

What is truly remarkable is witnessing the changes to tools, fabrics, colours and designs. Material – from old cotton dresses, shirts and food/flour bags (often crumb pieced) to the endless selection from around the world that we enjoy today. Dry cleaning means that material other than cotton can be used, thus adding texture. Equipment has developed from treadle to high-tech, computerized machines. Patterns have grown from those done by hand on cardboard to computer designs. Cutting on the kitchen table with scissors has evolved to using a drafting table and a rotary cutter. And quilting has progressed from handwork at a bee to elaborate computer designs and even embellishments like beads and lace to give the product depth of design.

Workshops have been a foundation activity since the beginning of the guild with internationally renowned speakers and teachers like Judy Mathieson and Harriet Hargrave, as well as our own very talented members.

The Niagara Heritage Quilters’ Guild is very proud of the work we do in supporting our communities. Over the years, Fire Quilts evolved into Community Outreach to today’s Giving Back initiatives such as:

  • Victims of fire – firefighters used to carry our quilts on their trucks
  • Canadian Cancer Society
  • Local hospitals and churches
  • Meals on Wheels
  • RAFT, a Niagara Resource Service for Youth
  • The Kristen French Foundation
  • Gillian’s Place, YWCA and other women’s shelters
  • Neonatal Quilts

In 2011, a scholarship fund was created and each year, a $1000 scholarship is awarded to a Niagara student who pursues post-secondary education in fine arts, art history, visual arts or design, with an interest in textile/fibre arts as a career or life skill.

Over the years our membership has declined for various reasons and today at 150 members strong, our mission remains the same, which is to promote the appreciation of the art of quilting.

On September 28, 2022 we finally had an opportunity to celebrate 40+ years and all things that make the Niagara Heritage Quilters’ Guild special. With 120 members and guests present, we had a wonderful evening listening to and watching PowerPoint presentations from some of those founding members. They talked about starting the guild and what it took to keep it going.

 

They encouraged the membership to volunteer their time, that they would not be disappointed and that life-long friendships would be made. We enjoyed pictures from our creative past. Coffee, tea and cake were served.

The celebration would not have been nearly as fun without the amazing support of quilt shops and local quilters in the Niagara Region and from as far away as St. Marys, Stratford, Shakespeare, Brantford, Burlington and Brampton. A huge Thank You to them all.

 

Special Message:

Received on September 25, 2022

The Harare Patchwork and Quilting Guild of Zimbabwe would like to send our congratulations to The Niagara Heritage Quilters Guild as you celebrate your 42nd Anniversary.  We were privileged to be part of a block swap with your guild many years ago and have always enjoyed a special relationship with your guild via Nina. Our guild like yours was badly affected by the Covid pandemic but we wish you all the very best for the future and hope your meeting attendance is continually on the increase.

Happy Stitching

Regards

Harare Patchwork & Quilting Guild