Activities

September 27, 2023: Guest speaker is Arlene Nicholas of The Quilter’s Bouquet

Join us for a trunk show with Arlene Nicholas called My Quilting Journey.  Arlene has been fascinated with fabric and sewing since she was a young girl.  Her fascination began while watching her mother sew beautiful clothes when she was a child.  Arlene’s desire to create grew through various forms of art including painting, knitting, embroidery, as well as quilting.
Her passion for quilting began over 35 years ago when she took her first beginner class in quilting.  She was hooked from that moment.  In 2011 Arlene designed and published her first original pattern, and her website “The Quilter’s Bouquet” was born.  Arlene’s background in art follows her into her quilting where she brings forth a beautiful blend of colours, patterns and style.  Arlene teaches quilting at all levels and loves to share her passion and experience with her students.
Arlene will have some of her patterns available for purchase at our meeting.

Please visit Arlene’s website to see her designs and patterns:

The Quilter’s Bouquet – Designs by Arlene Nicholas (thequiltersbouquet.com)

October 25, 2023:  Guest speaker is Sharon Fisher of Gardening Mum Quilts

This month we will be joined by Sharon Fisher with a trunk show call “My Stitching Adventure Thus Far”.

Sharon took her first quilting class in the basement of a house over 30 years ago.  Being a single Mom of 3 small children and embarking on a new career her first quilt took about 10 years to complete.

Constantly challenging herself with new ideas and techniques Sharon has taken classes both in Canada and the United States.  From these classes Sharon’s love for texture, wool applique and hand stitching evolved.

Sharon combines her love of texture and colour with traditional, primitive and whimsical themes.  She uses embellishments to enrich basic designs, therefore creating a niche for herself as a teacher sharing her skills and passions with others.  Sharon considers herself a lifelong learner, enhancing her skills and knowledge through various forms.
Through coordinating and facilitating several major quilting events; Sharon has met many talented and creative individuals who have inspired her.  Most recently Sharon can also be found spending time with her longarm companion, Aunt Bea.  In 2023 Sharon will be teaching at Quilt Canada in Halifax!

Sharon’s trunk show will feature quilts and projects created with wool applique and embellishing stitches.  She will also be sharing some of her long arm quilting.

To learn more about Sharon visit her website:  www.gardeningmumquilts.com

and on Instagram:  www.instagram.com/sharongardeningmum

November 22, 2023:  Guest speaker is Chriss Coleman

Our November meeting will feature Chriss Coleman with a trunk show that showcases her modern improve quilts.  Chriss has been sewing since she was a young child, learning to use a sewing machine by the age of 5.  By the time she was 10 she was sewing her own clothes and by the age of 15 she owned better sewing machines than her mother, who had taught her to sew.  She began her quilt journey in 2003, but only jumped in with both feet after moving back to Canada in 2015.  Her quilts have been shown in the Grand National Fibre Arts Exhibition, Quilt Canada, and Quilt Con.

To learn more about Chriss visit her website:  www.chrisscoleman.ca

or she can also be found on Instagram:  www.instagram.com/chriss_coleman

January 24, 2024 (Virtual Meeting) – Marie-Claire Charette

Marie-Claire Charrette will be joining us for a virtual presentation called “Picking up the Thread Between Quilting and Coaching”.  Marie-Claire, also known as La Quilting Coach, has spent most of her professional career assisting managers and executives develop their leadership skills.  Leadership has become one of her passions. Now semi-retired, Marie-Claire invests more of her time in her other passion which is sharing her love of quilting.  What she has discovered is that her two passions complement each other.  In her opinion, quilting can be more than a quilt on a bed but a path to self-discovery, building relationships and even healing.

Learn more about Marie-Claire on her website  www.laquiltingcoach.ca
or on Instagram  www.instagram.com/laquiltingcoach

February 28, 2024 (Virtual Meeting)– Guest Speaker is Cheryl Arkison

Our guest speaker this month is Cheryl Arkison with a virtual presentation called
“Shop Your Stash”.  Cheryl started sewing at a young age with her mother and continued on through Home-Ec and she is still going strong after 24 years of quilting.  She loves to encourage quilters to explore techniques, ideas, colour and more as they dive into their stash.  No piece is too small or too loud, fabric is meant to be used.

This will be a lecture and demo on building, storing, and using your stash. Not every stash is the same, of course. Not to mention, we all make different quilts. Taking a thoughtful approach to buying fabric means that you are likely to always have what you need on hand, no matter what the need is. Choosing what to get is only half the battle though, storing your fabric to be accessible and visible while keeping it safe is just as important. The lecture will include lessons on value and colour as well as a fun challenge with fabrics of your own.

Supplies
Comfy chair, your favourite quilt, a cup of tea or bourbon, and a view of your stash.
Oh, and bring that one piece of fabric that you just can’t figure out how to use.

Learn more about Cheryl on her website  www.cherylarkison.com
or on Instagram  www.instagram.com/cheryl_arkison

March 27, 2024:  Guest speaker is Breanna Gaudaur

Please join us this month for a Modern Quilting trunk show with Breanna Gaudaur of Rose and Ivy Quilts.  Breanna is a 28-year-old with 21 years of quilting experience!  She has a passion for combining traditional quilting methods with a fresh modern perspective.  Breanna is a pattern tester who works closely with pattern writers around the world to ensure that patterns are at their best before being released to the rest of the world.  Be inspired by a multitude of exciting new patterns, learn about Breanna’s methods for choosing colours and getting great quilt photos.

Breanna can be found on Instagram:  www.instagram.com/roseivyquilts

The two quilts shown, made by Breanna, are patterns by Fran of Cotton and Joy.  The ombre quilt is called ‘Squared Up’ and the medallion quilt is called ‘Golden Hour’

April 24, 2024 – Guest speaker is Bethany Garner

KINGSTON, Ont. (20/11/2020) – Kingston Tett Centre, Fall and Winter Market. Photo by Daniel Geleyn

Bethany Garner joins us for a presentation called “Contemporary Quilts, An Artistic Journey”.  She is an instructor, textile and fabric artist who has been designing and making art and quilts since 1976.  Bethany is a past president of the Canadian Quilters Association, member of the Kingston Fibre and Fabric Cooperative, member of a couple Weavers and Spinners Guilds and a SAQA Artist member.  Bethany will share with us her art quilts, along with several quilts that started her on her journey so many years ago.

Check out Bethany’s website to see her work and the many workshops that she offers.

www.bethanygarner.com

• Kelly DuMaresq – A Scrappy Project
  • Saturday, November 4, 2023
  • 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
  • In-person @ Newmarket Community Centre, Lions Hall 3 or 4
• Marie-Claire Charest – 7 Ways to Quilt As You Go
  • Saturday, February Feb. 10, 2024
  • Virtual
• Al Cote – Creative Fibre Art
  • March 2, 2024
  • 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • In-person @ Newmarket Community Centre, Lions Hall 3 0r 4

Quilters Corner replaced Block of the Month in September 2019.  The Guild offers Pattern or Row by Row instructions, Swap Exchanges to those interested. Please visit the Newsletter page to keep updated on current projects.

Region of York Quilters Guild

2024 BIG RETREAT

This year the ROYQG retreat will be held at the beautiful Hockley Valley Resort (hockley.com) for 3 full days of quilting fun. We’re still in the planning stages for a few activities and maybe a demonstration or two – watch for upcoming announcements. We can’t wait to see what everyone is working on! So come, bring your machine, your projects, and your ideas and get spoiled for 3 days – no cooking, no dishes, no interruptions, all inspiration and relaxation.

NOTE:  we were unable to get the dates originally sent in the ‘save the date’ email.

Where:  Hockley Valley Resort (https://hockley.com/)

When:  Friday, March 15^th thru Sunday March 17^th

Arrival Time on Friday:  Any time after 9 am

Departure Time on Sunday:  5 pm

Maximum Participants:  44

Price:

• Double $620
• Single $820
• Check in time begins at 4:00 pm on the day of arrival. Check-out time is before 11:00 am on the day of departure

What’s Included: 

• 3 full days of sewing fun
• Friday – dinner
• Saturday – Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner and 2 breaks (coffee/tea, snack)
• Sunday – Breakfast, Lunch and 1 break (coffee/tea/snack)

A deposit of $220 is required at time of registration.  1^st installment of $200 ($300 single) due on December 1, Final Installment of $200 ($300 single) due January 31^st.

Please use ryqgbigretreat@gmail.com to send your completed registration and all e-transfer payments. Please use the Question “When is the Quilt Retreat”, answer is “March2024”.  Payment can also be made by cheque payable to “Wendy Morreau”.

Please register by end of meeting on Wednesday, September 27^th so we can assess numbers and look to opening it up to family/friends and potentially a day only option on the Saturday.

Looking forward to a fun retreat!

Evelyn and Wendy

RYQG Big Retreat Registration Form 2024

2023/2024 – no mini-retreats scheduled for this year.

Sew Socials are for Guild members to join other members for a time of Sewing & Socializing. It’s a great way to catch up with your fellow Guild members. You can pop in and out whenever you like. Most of the Sew Socials are virtual using the Zoom platform. There is no cost to members. Please join us from the comfort of your sewing studio.

A link to the Zoom session will be sent by the morning of each meeting so watch your email.

The Sew Social Committee has planned 3 in-person sew socials for the 2023/2024 season.

Irons and ironing boards will be available. Coffee/Tea will be on hand. Please bring your own sewing machine, sewing supplies, lunch, snacks, and utensils.

Saturday September 16th, 2023 – Time – 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM

– Location – St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 484 Water St., Newmarket

Saturday December 2nd, 2023 – Time – 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

– Location – St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 484 Water St., Newmarket

Saturday April 6th, 2024 – Time – 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM

– Location – St. Andrew’s Presbyterian Church, 484 Water St., Newmarket

Below is a list of Helpful Tutorials (from The Quilt Pattern Magazine):

Quilt Hanging Sleeve Tutorial – http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com/pdfs/tutorials/016-MH-HangingSleeve.pdf

Making Bias-Cut Binding – http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com/pdfs/tutorials/015-MH-BiasBinding.pdf

Making Straight-Cut Binding:

http://www.quiltpatternmagazine.com/pdfs/tutorials/006-FinishigAQuiltWithStraightCutBinding.pdf

Victorian Heart badge Instructions

NOTE:  The Region of York Quilters Guild and Quilt Show Committee do not provide damage or theft insurance for your quilt(s) while at the show or at the ‘receivers’ home. Should, for any reason, something happens to your quilt(s), you will have to go through personal household insurance for the replacement cost of the quilt.

Through our members’ generosity, the Region of York Quilters Guild has donated countless quilts to our community. Quilting for charity is a beautiful way to give back to the community while practicing the art of patchwork and growing your skills. If you do not want to make a full quilt, you can piece a top, take a top to quilt or be a binding star. We have many kits available if you’ve used up your stash. Let us know if you need batting to complete your project. Remember – pieced batting works well for small quilts. Any quilt is welcome and the outreach committee will find a home for it. Here are some suggestions for the sizes and kind of quilts that we donate: CUDDLE/LAP QUILTS: For children, men, or women. Twin or even larger are certainly utilized but most are about 36” x 48” or larger. PILLOWCASES: Minimum Standard Size 20” x 28” . Pillowcases will be collected on occasion for specific donations. Check the internet/Pinterest for a simple pattern using the burrito/sausage/roll up method. Presently these quilts and pillowcases are donated to Pediatric Oncology, Sandgate Women’s Shelter, Yellow Brick House, Belinda’s Place, Rose of Sharon, Doane House Hospice, Hill House Hospice and the Margaret Bahen Hospice, but we are always revising. BABY THEMED QUILTS FOR SOUTHLAKE NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit): Incubation covers:  Using only 2 layers, no batting, with a top and a flannel backing, approximately 34″” x 42”.  The covers are used on top of the incubator to shield the little one from the bright lights and add a splash of colour in a clinical setting. Cot quilts: Two layers only – preferably flannel top and backing (no batting) and approximately 18” x 22”.  The top can be pieced and backed with flannel as they are used for covers for the tiny babies. Bereavement quilts: These are from 28” to 34” square/rectangle. The stillborn baby is wrapped in a quilt and photographed before being given to the parents. The parents have the option of keeping the quilt as a remembrance. Pink or blue recommended.

Library Inventory Updated Jan 2020

Please, we would ask you bring back your borrowed books and rulers to the following Guild meeting so that other members can enjoy them as well.

Rulers.  Rulers.  Rulers.  Do you have specialty rulers gathering dust in your sewing room that you purchased for one project but now have no use?  In addition to books, the Library would like to establish a collection of rulers for members to sign out.  Please consider donating your used rulers (in excellent condition) to the library.

Our Annual General Meeting (AGM), will take place Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 6:45 PM, at the beginning of the regularly scheduled in-person meeting at the Newmarket Community Centre, 200 Doug Duncan Drive, Newmarket, ON. Click on the following link to access the Financial Statements for the year ending August  31, 2022: ROYQG August 31, 2022 financial records . The links for the 2023 Agenda 2023 AGM Agenda and the Minutes from 2022 AGM AGM Minutes May 26, 2022.

Complying with the By-Laws regarding access to the Financial Statements being available to the membership twice a year, here is the link to the Financial Statements ending February 28, 2023: ROYQG February 28, 2023 six month Financials

ROYQG-Membership-Form-2023-2024-with-logo (1) (pdf version), ROYQG-Membership-Form-2023-2024-with-logo (word version)

RoYQG-Expense-Report (excel format) RoYQG-Expense-Report (pdf format) RoyQG-Deposit-Form (pdf format) RoyQG-Deposit-Form (excel format).