On Saturday April 18th, we hosted 44 members and 4 guests for our Mad Hatter Tea Party, featuring a trunk show by member Joseph Thatcher. Nice turn out, and nice hats!
Name Tag Swap
We kicked off the meeting with the long-awaited Name Tag Swap! Nice job everyone!
QuiltCon Community Outreach Quilt
As reported last month, the Medallion Quilt designed by Samantha Linehan was purchased by Samantha’s mom!
The Board decided to split the donation between two local charities that support women’s health: Girls Helping Girls Period and Flow Forward NJ.
Cake Mix Charity Drive
Charity chair Kelly was able to put together 32 celebratory cake kits thanks to your donations of boxed mix, soda, and frosting. That’s a lot of birthday cake! Thanks to everyone who participated.
2026-2027 Board Election
Candidates will be announced at the May meeting and the election will be held at the June meeting.
Up for election this year are the positions of Vice President, Treasurer (2 yr term), Secretary, and 2 Programs Co-chairs. Ann will continue her second year of her current 2-yr term.
There is still time to throw your hat into the ring! If interested contact Ann Marston or Rachel Bond-Baron.
Joseph Thatcher Trunk Show
What an amazing body of work! Thank you for candidly sharing your background, challenges, triumphs and passions! Your quilts are as remarkable as your story.
Block of the Month Sew Along Pattern: MQG’s BOM from 2025 Join in any time. Sign up here. Instructions will be emailed each month on the 15th. This month, complete the first block.
May:
Zip-up Pouch Workshop with Emily after the meeting 1-4p.
June:
Jenny Haynes Souvlaki Workshop Saturday June 6 & June 27 on Zoom. A few seats are still open. $65 for members/$80 non-members.
Favorite Song challenge due. You know how a certain piece of music can evoke a specific time and place or emotion? That’s the inspiration for this challenge. Make a mini quilt based on a song or piece of music that resonates with you. (Words not necessary!)
July:
Stitch Resist Shibori with Miriam Jacobs. July 11 in Clifton. Cost will be $140 per person. Watch for sign ups later this spring.
Just a few of the Mad Hatters!
Happenings
Know about area happenings? Email secretary (at) njmqg.com.
Next Meetings
In-person at the First Lutheran Church in Montclair, 153 Park Street, Montclair NJ 07042.
Saturday May 16 – 10a – 1p in person & 1p – 4p Zip Up Tray Pouch workshop with Emily
On Saturday March 21st, about 40 members and 3 guests attended in-person.
Guild Business
QuiltCon 2026 Community Outreach Challenge Quilt – has a buyer!
Samantha’s mom is buying the quilt with a generous donation over the asking price.
We are looking for a charity or charities related to Women’s Health to donate the funds to.
Send your ideas to the Board to consider at our April meeting.
Nametag Swap – Everyone who signed up has been paired with their swap partner. Nametags are due at the April meeting.
NJMQG Showcase committee – to have a hand and say in getting this off the ground, email Emily vicepresident [at] njmqg [dot] com.
Library – inspired by last month’s lecture by Nancy Weston, Ann purchased 2 books from her resource list and has donated them to our library. You can see the titles on our members-only page. Check out this growing collection at the next meeting. Don’t forget that we also have rulers to borrow!
MQG Business
The MQG roster has been updated and welcome emails have been sent out to everyone who renewed or joined this year. Members new to The Modern Quilt Guild, our parent organization, should get an email from them with instructions to set up your account.
With MQG membership comes access to their vast members-only resources including videos tutorials and lectures, free patterns, sew-alongs and more.
AND…
Didn’t get to QuiltCon this year? Want to revisit some of your favorites? You can still view QuiltCon 2026! – Digital images of the entire show are available to view through March 31st for registered members.
So be sure to check out the MQG website.
Programs
Word of the Year Challenge
Seventeen members completed mini quilts using their chosen word. It was really inspiring to hear each person’s story of how they selected their word and what it means to them. Thank you (L-R) Betsy F, Ceil, Jo Ann, Jackie L, Pat, Ann, Samantha, Kathy, Debby, Blanca, MJ, Betsy V, Janette, Aubrey, Karen, Ellaree and Rachel!
Resist by Betsy F
Joy by Ciel
Teach by Jo Ann
Progress by Jackie
WTF by Pat
Hazard Zet Forward by Ann
Consistency Is Key by Samantha
Breathe by Kathy
Enough by Debby
Amor by Blanca
Flow by MJ
I Like It Here by Betsy V
Grow by Janette
Hello My Word of the Day/Month/Year Is… by Aubrey
Focus by Karen
Pray by Ellaree
Root by Rachel
Upcoming Programming
Ongoing:
Block of the Month Sew Along Pattern: MQG’s BOM from 2025 Join in any time. Sign up here. Instructions will be emailed each month on the 15th. This month, select your fabrics.
April:
Joseph Thatcher trunk show – sure to delight!
Mad Hatter Tea Party – wear a hat or fascinator, silly or serious and bring your favorite tea/coffee mug and a snack to share.
Mug Rug Swap – finish those mug rugs for your swap partner! We’re gonna exchange them in April.
Charity cake mix drive – did you know you can make a birthday cake with a box of cake mix and a can of soda? Kelly is collecting those ingredients at the April meeting and we’ll package them together and Kelly will donate to local food banks. With increased pressure on food banks to meet many family’s basic needs, an extra little something in their cart can mean a child gets a birthday cake this year.
Open Sew after the meeting – great opportunity to work on your NJMQG Sew-Along project – or whatever you’re working on! Bring your project, machine, cutting mat, lighting, extension cord, sewing toolkit and lunch (and/or we’ll place a group order for delivery, probably from SweetGreens in Montclair.) The iron station will be set up.
Field Tripto Wayne Art Center 413 Maplewood Ave, Wayne, PA 19087 – with shopping at Needles & Bolts and lunch nearby. TBA, possibly Sunday April 19th or a weekday. Margy is spearheading one group. If you’re interested in going please contact Margy or if you want to lead one group please contact the Board for more information.
May:
Zip-up Pouch Workshop with Emily after the meeting 1-4p. Sign up email going out soon.
June:
Jenny Haynes Souvlaki Workshop Saturday June 6 & June 27 on Zoom. More details to be announced soon!
July:
Stitch Resist Shibori with Miriam Jacobs. Date TBD. Cost will be $140 per person. Watch for sign ups later this spring.
Show & Tell
Thanks everyone for sharing and keep up the good work!
Burkholder Fabrics Spring Sale now through April 6th. 20% off EVERYTHING, except fat quarters. Always a great deal. 2155 Route 897, Denver, PA 17517 Store Hours: Monday – Friday: 8am – 5pm; Saturday: 8am – 4pm Online Discount Code: SPRING20
The Gallery at Bex in Califon — April Showers Bring May Flowers, a hands-on workshop where you’ll create your own fabric bouquet—perfect for welcoming the new season. Wednesday, April 15 10:30 AM – 1:00 PM or 2:00 PM – 4:30 PM 56 Main Street, Califon, NJ. $30 per person @carolesch1941 (Instagram) To register, please email: cesch1941[at] gmail.com Open to all ages and crafting abilities, this is a wonderful way to gather, create, and bring a little spring indoors. Guided by Carol Esch and Jo Ann Lepore, with all materials included (and the option to bring your own fabric), you’ll leave with something truly special. Walk-ins accepted.
Know about other happenings? Email secretary (at) njmqg.com.
Next Meetings
In-person at the First Lutheran Church in Montclair ,153 Park Street, Montclair NJ 07042.
Saturday April 18 – trunk show with Joseph Thatcher, Mad Hatter Tea Party, mug rug swap, cake mix drive, open sew afternoon
Join the NJMQG for The MQG Modern Block Sampler. We will be sewing blocks from The MQG Modern Block Sampler which was released last year featuring quilt blocks designed by fellow MQG members from all over the world. Blocks were designed by Tsitzi Bejarano of the Mexico MQG, Birgitta Jadenfelt an individual member, Madhuri Sapru of the India MQG, Tamara Stunnell of the Melbourne MQG, Irina Timofeeva an individual member, and Emmely Treffers of the Dutch MQG.
The finished block size is 12″x12″ and has a recommended skill level of confident beginner. Sampler quilts are a good way to practice your skills and build new ones along the way.
All participants will be sent an email on the 15th of each month with the instructions for a quilt block. We will sew these blocks at home with our own fabric choices and share our progress along the way. This is not a mystery quilt!
Please sign up to be included in the emails for the sew along!
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