March Meeting Misses

There seemed to be a lot going on at this meeting.  I took notes, but they're kind of confusing to me now.  Joanna reported we had 69 paid members.  One new member joined tonight.  Lauren, Elizabeth, Lynn and Amy? won door prizes. 

We all voted on our favorite name tag.  Last month's challenge was to make a new one and wear it.  Many did.  Kelly's was the favorite. 

We had a report from those that went to QUILTCON.  Everyone who couldn't be there really appreciated the pics.  All agreed the lectures were incredible and offered their opinions on the best.  We're still looking into alternate locations for our meeting. 

We had some volunteers for committee heads.  Say thanks to Ellen who will be running retreats and Evelyn who will be heading up swaps and challenges. 

Next month will be our spring retreat.  Final payments were due but there were still openings. See Sarah R if you want to go.   

There was a drawing for those who are participating in the Fancy Forest Quiltalong.  Bunnies were due this month. Next is owls.  After owls the QAL will take a break to allow others to catch up.  During the break, some will be working on the Legendary pillow/quilt block.

Jen reported she received 135 NICU blankets for Threads of Love during Feb-Mar. The Quilt Shop in Castroville sponsored that challenge.  She will continue to accept donations all year.  There's a blog post with instructions. Apr-May Charity challenge is for Days for Girls bags for hygiene items. Watch Facebook for charity sew-ins.  This one is sponsored by Mesquite Bean.  There's a blog post with instructions.

Jen reminded everyone they could donate quilt tops to be finished for charities.  If you have some hanging around and want to declutter, she will take what you go.

Rebecca talked about the President's challenge.  She brought in the art that inspired her and her interpreted quilt.  For April, she'd like everyone to bring in their inspiration for the challenge. Quilts aren't due until August.

These were the blocks for this month's BOM.  Mary Ruth won the blocks.

This is next month's BOM.  Loretta had the corner fabrics on hand and the instructions will be posted on Facebook.  You can see below what a quilt can look like made from this block.

We had a great presentation but I'll post that separately.  Hope to see you at next month's meeting.

Threads of Love Charity Sew-In

The SAMQG recently kicked off a sewing challenge to benefit Threads of Love. (Read more about that here.) 

As part of the challenge, the guild hosted a sew-in at our sponsor's shop, The Quilt Shop. Anyone was welcome to come and stitch with us in their classroom area. 

The fabrics were donated and cut prior to showing up at the sew-in. In an efforts to create the NICU blankets quickly, we first sorted the cut pieces into pairs. Two fabric squares are used per blanket. (Sewing pattern/tutorial here.)

We have plenty of flannel and cottons ready to go! 

Thank you to our member, Lynn B, who works with an organization that was able to donate supplies to the event!

These blankets go together so quickly! Dive in and sew!!

We were a small, mighty army of stitchers. 

At the end of the day, the car was packed with 43 finished NICU blankets!

These blankets will be combined with the individual member donations at the March 2016 meeting and given to the Threads of Love organization. 

Thank you to The Quilt Shop for hosting us and providing some gorgeous door prizes!

Threads of Love Sewing Challenge

Today we're kicking off the SAMQG Threads of Love Sewing Challenge! 

One of our members, Cindy, works with the Threads of Love sewing group and will be taking our sewing NICU blankets to them after the March meeting.

From the San Antonio chapter of Threads of Love: "We are a non-profit, non-denominational ministry dedicated to the production and distribution of clothing and care items to the premature babies - living and deceased."

So what is the challenge? The Quilt Shop in Castorville has donated a 10-pc Riley Blake Fat Quarter Bundle which will be awarded to a randomly drawn winner. To enter your name into the drawing, simply make a NICU blanket. You may make as many as you like. Each person who turns in a blanket will have their name entered once. 

The challenge will run through the March meeting. We will be drawing a winner at the end of the March meeting.

Blankets made by SAMQG Member, Emily R.

How do you make a NICU blanket? I'm so glad you asked!

Blankets are 20" x 20" finished and can be made from two pieces of flannel OR two pieces of quilters cotton with lightweight batting. The flannel blankets do not require batting.

Here's a guide:
Flannel Front + Flannel Back = no batting
Quilter's Cotton Front + Flannel Back = no batting
Quilter's Cotton Front + Quilter's Cotton Back = add a thin layer of batting

Blankets made by SAMQG member, Emily R.

1. Cut fabric 21" x 21". 
Note: Squares do not have to be pieced blocks; they can be solid pieces of fabric.
2. Matching right sides, sew around the square using a 1/2" seam allowance. Leave a 4" opening along one side.

3. Trim excess fabric from the corners.

4. Turn the square right side out through opening.

5. Push corners out and press the seam allowances into the opening. Pin.

6. Edge stitch around square. (Straight stitch or any decorative stitch may be used.)

7. Add some kind of quilting to secure the layers (with or without batting).

8. Use a zigzag stitch to attach the Threads of Love label to blanket. NOTE: These labels will be available at the February meeting.

My personal goal is to have the guild donate at least 50 blankets. I know you can do it! If you are a guild member and have questions about the challenge, feel free to ask them on our Facebook page. If you've found this tutorial and have questions, leave a comment or contact your local Threads of Love Chapter.

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Updated to add: This event was wonderful! Thank you all for your participation. Through the organized sew-in and member's individual donations, we were able to give 148 blankets to Threads of Love, so far. I anticipate a few more or a few dozen more blankets will come in throughout the year. Thank you!! Blankets pictured below were delivered on 3/5/2016.