October 2025 Meeting Recap

On Saturday September 20th, we hosted 32 members & 1 guest.

Guild Business

November in-person meeting will start at 10 am!

Quilt Showcase 2026 – the committee is still working on locating the right venue. Stay tuned!
Got ideas for fundraising and sponsorships? – email vicepresident (at) njmqg.com

Treasurer’s Report & 2026 Budget Vote – Annette presented the 3rd quarter report and the proposed budget for 2026. The Board voted in October to maintain dues at $70 in spite of the MQG increase in guild dues, and keep the budget the same as 2025. The 2026 budget was approved by show of hands. To view, log into the Members Only section.

Charity Update – the book covers, pouches and other items we made this summer were donated by Kelly to CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate program). Learn more about CASA.

Library Update – We now have a list of books in the Members Only section. Borrow books and rulers from our library. See Caroline during any meeting to check out an item.

Holiday Party – December 6 11a – 3p Need volunteers to help organize, set up and clean up.

Holiday Tote Bag swap – Sam sent out general instructions to make a tote bag for the blind swap. There are no specific dimensions required, but the idea is to be large enough to hold a finished quilt.


MQG Business

QuiltCon 2026 February 19-22 Raleigh, NC.

Registration opened at 10 am EDT on Wednesday August 20th. All the information is on the QuiltCon website.


Community Outreach Challenge QuiltCon 2026 – blocks collected

Next step, in November, top assembly.


April 23-26, 2026 at the Doubletree Resort in Lancaster, PA
Sponsoring MQG’s: Central Jersey, North Jersey, Philly, DC & Baltimore

General Registration opens November 3rd at 7 pm, $365
These go fast but there is a waitlist which is very fluid.



Mystery Quilt Reveal

We’ve been making the Macron Mystery Quilt designed by Cheryl Brickey of Meadow Mist Designs! About 20 members completed their quilt tops.

It was really fun to see the different color choices people made! A special label was given to each participant. If you didn’t get one, see Ann or Sam at the next meeting or whenever you finish! We have enough for all who signed up.


Programs

Sneaker Workshop – November 15th 1-4p after the general meeting.

Betsy V. and Ann M. will lead us through the steps to complete our own fabulous quilted sneakers.

Booklets were distributed to workshop enrollees who were at the meeting, and Ann & Betsy answered questions at a meetup during the break.

Prepare your fabric sandwiches including binding before class.

Minimalist Mini Quilt Challenge – due at the November meeting

  • Inspired by the presentation by Nicole Neblett, create your own Minimalist Mini Quilt
  • If you missed it, watch it here. (MQG log-in required.)
  • Quilt should be between 12-24 “ per side
  • Quilt can be any shape
  • Bring your quilt hidden to our November guild meeting
  • Put your name on the inside of your bag to make sure you get it back!
  • We will display them and vote for Viewer’s Choice!

Contact programs (at) njmqg.com with any questions.


Show & Tell

Thanks to everyone for sharing your beautiful work!


Happenings

Reeves-Reed ArboretumLAST CHANCE! Carolyn McKibben’s work is on display in a solo exhibit “Nature’s Tapestry” through October 31st.

Montclair Art Museum – Tom Nussbaum: But Wait, There’s More! September 13, 2025 – January 4, 2026. Really fun and full of inspiration!

From colorful, inventive sculptures to handmade toys, lyrical paper cuts, and design objects, the exhibition brings together more than 80 works that reflect Nussbaum’s boundless creativity and ingenuity.

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 November 15 10a – 1p, plus Sneaker Workshop 1-4p
  • Saturday December 6 Holiday Party 11 am to 3 pm
  • Saturday Januarty 17 – 10a – 1p, plus Open Sew 1-4p

See you in November!

xo,
Kathy

September 2025 Meeting Recap

We had a nice turnout on Saturday September 20th, 42 members & 4 guests! It was great to see everyone in person.

Guild Business

Bylaws Update – approved by vote at the meeting. A copy is now on the website in the Members Only section.

Sunrise Committee – Call for volunteers! Emily will reach out to those of you who signed up at the meeting.

  • Small group of dedicated members to greet guests and new members at sign in
  • Make introductions and build connections
  • Reach out to guests after the meetings to share a friendly message (optional!)

Volunteers could be anyone who is good at remembering names and faces, attending meetings consistently, and comfortable in initiating conversations with strangers.

Quilt Showcase 2026 – the committee is still working on locating the right venue. Stay tuned!
Got ideas for fundraising and sponsorships? – email vicepresident (at) njmqg.com


MQG Business

QuiltCon 2026 February 19-22 Raleigh, NC.

Registration opened at 10 am EDT on Wednesday August 20th. All the information is on the QuiltCon website.

Community Outreach Challenge QuiltCon 2026 – kits distributed

Paula F is herding the cats again. She doled out all the kits to those who signed on to make blocks.

Completed blocks are due at the October meeting.


April 23-26, 2026 at the Doubletree Resort in Lancaster, PA
Sponsoring MQG’s: Central Jersey, North Jersey, Philly, DC & Baltimore

Ten names were drawn at the September guild meeting. Congrats to the winners!

  • If picked, pay NJMQG $35 to hold your spot no later than Thursday Sept 25. If you don’t, your spot will go to the next person on the waitlist.
  • If you can no longer attend the retreat, please let Ann know right away so the spot can be passed on to another NJMQG member on the waitlist. If you register and need to cancel later, the spot will not be returned to NJMQG. It will go to general registration.
  • Early registration October 6-13, $315 for ticket (hotel not included)

General Registration opens November 3rd at 7 pm, $365
These go fast but there is a waitlist which is very fluid.


Trunk Show

Member Paula Fleischer treated us to an overview of her quilting journey, started in 1987! Thank you for sharing your beautiful and inspiring work! Here are some highlights.


Programs

Mystery Quilt

  • Part 8 was emailed on September 15 with instructions for block construction and putting the top together
  • Bring your finished top to the October meeting for a special surprise! 
  • If you are a bit behind, don’t worry…hurry!

Sneaker Workshop – November 15th 1-4p after the general meeting.

Betsy V. and Ann M. will lead you through the steps to complete your own fabulous quilted sneakers. Info about how to order the materials (at a great group discount!) will be emailed soon. This is a great opportunity to get everything you need if even if you can’t attend the workshop.

Minimalist Mini Quilt Challenge – due at the November meeting

  • Inspired by the presentation by Nicole Neblett, create your own Minimalist Mini Quilt
  • If you missed it, watch it here. (Log-in required.)
  • Quilt should be between 12-24 “ per side
  • Quilt can be any shape
  • Bring your quilt hidden to our November guild meeting
  • We will display them and have time to enjoy the mini quilts

Contact programs (at) njmqg.com with any questions.


Special News

Betsy V., Jo Ann L., Jackie L., and Lenny V. won ribbons and honorable mentions at AQS Quiltweek in Lancaster and Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza. Congratulations!!
(And may a little of your fairy dust rub onto the rest of us!)


Show & Tell

Thanks to everyone for sharing your beautiful work! (More or less in order L-R: Karen J, Joanna D, Ellaree, Sue A, Cindy, Joseph, Blanca, Betsy V, Ciel, Caroline, Julia, Rochelle, Margy, Casey, Rachel, Jackie L, Kelly and Debby.)

A special thanks to Joseph T. for bringing his Amplify Humanity quilt! See the inspiring story about it soon on his Instagram page @thegaychurchlady.


Happenings

Reeves-Reed Arboretum – Carolyn McKibben’s work is on display in a solo exhibit “Nature’s Tapestry” through October 31st.

Montclair Art Museum – Tom Nussbaum: But Wait, There’s More! September 13, 2025 – January 4, 2026. Really fun and full of inspiration!

From colorful, inventive sculptures to handmade toys, lyrical paper cuts, and design objects, the exhibition brings together more than 80 works that reflect Nussbaum’s boundless creativity and ingenuity.

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 October 18 10a – 1p
  • Saturday November 15 10a – 1p, plus Sneaker Workshop 1-4p
  • Saturday December 6 Holiday Party 11 am to 3 pm

Enjoy the official start of Autumn. See you in October!

xo,
Kathy

July & August 2025 Meeting Recaps

Attendees: July – 37 members, August – 21 members.

Guild Business

Q2 Treasurer’s Report – will be posted soon on the website in the members-only section.

Annual Bylaws Review

  • MQG sent out guidelines to guild leaders regarding governing documents, which included language they require verbatim.
  • We have updated our Bylaws to incorporate those requirements, most of which were already in our Bylaws just not in the same order.
  • There’s a link to the Review copy of the Bylaws in the members-only section of the website.
  • Please take a look as we will be voting to approve those changes in September.

Sunrise Committee – Call for volunteers! What We Need:

  • Small group of dedicated members to greet guests and new members at sign in
  • Make introductions and build connections
  • Reach out to guests after the meetings to share a friendly message (optional!)

Volunteers could be anyone who is good at remembering names and faces, attending meetings consistently, and comfortable in initiating conversations with strangers.

*Look out for the sign up form!

Quilt Showcase 2026 – Hunting for the right venue, aiming for Autumn 2026!
Got ideas for fundraising and sponsorships? – email vicepresident (at) njmqg.com

Felting Workshop with Josie held July 19th. Bring your felty items (finished or not) to the September meeting to show off!

Community Outreach Challenge QuiltCon 2026 – colorway vote

The Board selected a design and now we vote on which colorway to make! Watch for an email with a link to the voting form. After that Paula will reach out for volunteers for the steps to make it happen; we hope to distribute kits at the September meeting so we can jump in and get started in the Open Sew afterward!

Palette #1: Brights
Palette #2: Blues

MQG Business

QuiltCon 2026 February 19-22 Raleigh, NC.

Registration opened at 10 am EDT on Wednesday August 20th. All the information is on the QuiltCon website.

Emily mentioned that, as a first-timer this year, she had a lot of fun participating in the Mini-Quilt Swap!


April 23-26, 2026 at the Doubletree Resort in Lancaster, PA
Sponsoring MQG’s: Central Jersey, North Jersey, Philly, DC & Baltimore

*Look for a google form from Ann around September 8th to join the lottery
*Names will be drawn at the September guild meeting

  • Lottery to draw for 10 spots reserved for NJMQG members
  • If picked, you’ll pay NJMQG $35 to hold your spot
  • Early registration October 6-13, $315 for ticket (hotel not included)

General Registration opens November 3rd at 7 pm, $365
These go fast but there is a waitlist which is very fluid.


Programs

Becca Fenstermaker gave us a presentation of her UFflow lecture – with lots of great ideas on how to deal with your UFOs!

UFO Challenge – turn your UFOs into FOs! At the September meeting you’ll get a raffle ticket for each of your FOs and we’ll draw a winner!

Minimalism with Nicole Neblett (mamlovequilts.com) – we watched a webinar from the MQG’s Resource Library, a wealth of articles, patterns and videos. Your NJMQG membership gives you free access to this incredible resource which you can return to as often as you wish. Check it out!

If you missed it, watch it here. (Log-in required.)

Minimalist Mini Quilt Challenge

  • Inspired by the presentation by Nicole Neblett, create your own Minimalist Mini Quilt
  • Quilt should be between 12-24 “ per side
  • Quilt can be any shape
  • Bring your quilt hidden to our November guild meeting
  • We will display them and have time to enjoy the mini quilts

Mystery Quilt

  • Part 6 was emailed July 15th
  • Part 7 was emailed August 16th
  • Part 8 will go out on September 15 with instructions for block construction and putting the top together
  • Bring your finished top to the October meeting for a special prize! 
  • If you are a bit behind, don’t worry!  There’s still time to catch up!

Contact programs-co (at) njmqg.com with any questions.


Happenings

Atrium Gallery – Ellaree Pray has a quilt in the current exhibit, “Another Slice of Sweet Potato Pie”. 10 Court St, Morristown, NJ 07960, through September 19th.

Reeves-Reed Arboretum – Carolyn McKibben’s work is on display in a solo exhibit “Nature’s Tapestry” through October 31st.

Know about other happenings? Email secretary (at) njmqg.com.

Next Meetings

In-person at the First Lutheran Church in Montclair starting at 10 or 11 am tbd (updated 8/28/25)

  • Saturday September 20
  • Saturday October 18
  • Saturday November 15
  • Saturday December 6 Holiday Party

Have a great Labor Day weekend and smooth back-to-school transition!

xo,
Kathy