March Meeting Recap

I don’t know which was more exciting: The close arrival of Spring or our March Meeting!  It’s always wonderful to see each of you and I leave inspired to make 20 new projects.  (If they’re only made in my head!)  As we all prepare to thaw out – here is what’s coming our way this Spring!

Quilting Retreat

March 21st – March 23rd many members will enjoy a weekend of quilting!  We hope everyone enjoyed their time together – and we expect fantastic projects for the April Meeting!  Get sewing!

Michael Miller Fabric Challenge

The fabric is in the mail, and at the April meeting you will receive a fat eighth of each of the fabrics if you signed up at the start of the challenge.  The deadline for entries will be in June, and the only requirement is that it’s quilted.  We’re excited to see what our guild contributes to the challenge.  It sure would be nice if someone won a year of free fabric!

Guild Quilt

After seeing Central Jersey’s guild quilt at Quilt Fest, it was even more exciting to see all of the blocks created by our members over the past few months.  It was incredible to see the variety of designs used and I know everyone will be thrilled to see the final project.  Even more exciting, we now have guest judges to award gift cards to members for their blocks.  Be on the lookout for verdicts from Mark Lipinski, Alison Glass and even fabric goodies from Robert Kaufman!

Warwick Valley Quilt Show

The 2014 Qults of the Valley Show is May 17 & 18, 2014. We’d love to see some of the fabulous quilts we’ve made since 2010 featured in the show!  Members and non-members alike are invited to submit their quilts. Registration forms are available under the 2014 Show

Heather Grant Webinar

Check your email for information about a modern quilt webinar from the MQG’s Heather Grant! The cost to the public is $10, but with the coupon code in your email it’s free. March 26th, 9PM.  The webinar will cover the History of Modern Quilting – and it will be archived to be viewed later if you can’t make it Wednesday.

Sew Down Nashville

By the April Meeting 7 of our guild members will have returned from Sew Down Nashville, with plenty of tales and lots of inspiration to share.  We’re excited to have such a great showing at the last Sew Down event and we’re all looking forward to hearing the report of their boot stompin’ good time!

Quilters Take Manhattan

Be sure to check out their website, as events are already selling out for the September celebration!

March Madness

Finally, we hope everyone is currently “training” and “preparing” for our first ever March Madness event on March 29th, 2014!  You can read more about the event here or find answers to FAQ here!  We can wait to spend a day of “friendly” competition with each of you as we work to complete quilts for Shelter Our Sisters and Quilts for Kids!

And, finally, the reason we all come together – inspiration and celebration of our creativity as quilters!

Show and Tell

NOTE: We didn’t include pictures of the guild quilt blocks. They will have their own photo session and blog post next week.

March Madness Frequently Asked Questions

You’ve heard us talking about it, but maybe you have a few questions about March Madness… well we have all the answers!
Check out the information below and leave a comment should you still have a lingering query. Hope to see LOTS of you there!

When is March Madness?

March Madness is from 9am – 5pm on Saturday, March 29th.

Do I have to stay the entire time?

No! You can pop in anytime, make a square, piece some strips, do some free-motion quilting or just drop off a donation of fabric, thread, snacks, etc.

Where is the event located?

Church of Latter Day Saints | 209 Mountain Avenue West Caldwell, NJ (Map)

Our hosts are Stephanie Mullin and Colleen Wiest

This is a charity event right? So what charities are we sewing for?

We’ll be making twin-sized quilts and pillowcases for Shelter our Sisters, an organization that helps women in Bergen County leave abusive situations. Read more about them here.

We’ll also be making crib-sized quilts for Quilts for Kids.

Additionally, we would like to have a quilt or two on hand for crises or drives that may arise in the coming months.

What do I need to bring?

Good question! Here’s what you’ll need to pack:

–       Your own sewing machine

–       Basic sewing kit (thread, scissors, pins, bobbins, etc.)

–       Iron/ironing board/pressboard (if you have one)

–       Cutting mat, ruler, rotary cutter

–       Extension cord/surge protector

–       Fabric/thread to donate

What don’t I need to bring?

Batting! NJMQG owns a roll.

I can’t attend the March Madness event but still want to help. Can I?

Yes! We need donations of fabric, thread, orphan squares, binding strips – anything that will help us complete quilts to donate!

Can I donate prior to the event?

Yes! Bring your fabric and sewing donations to the NJMQG Meeting on Thursday, March 20th at Rock Paper Scissors between 6pm & 8pm. After that, drop them at West Caldwell LDS Church the day of the event.

What else do I need to know?

There will be some cool surprises, pizza for lunch, lots of sewing, and a chance to work alongside some really talented quilters. There’s no better way to spend a Saturday! Hope to see you there.

Meeting this Thursday, March 20!

Hi Everyone! We have a lot to talk about at our meeting this Thursday at 7PM at Rock Paper Scissors.

  • Quilt events and shows– we’d love to hear where you’ve been and what you’ve seen this month!
  • March Madness– we have more details to share about our charity quilting event on March 29
  • Guild quilt challenge — blocks are due! We are currently recruiting some modern quilting experts as judges.
  • Membership Cards– they’re here! If you paid dues before January. There will be another batch printing in April, so check your status if you’d like one!

As always, bring a nametag, chair, challenge blocks, bee blocks and show and tell. See you there!