When: Saturday January 18, 2025 1-3pm Where: First Lutheran Church of Montclair 153 Park Street, Montclair, NJ 07042
Jo Ann Lepore, longstanding NJMQG member and author of the newly published “Picture Patchwork: 15 Charted Patterns for Novelty Quilts”, will present a trunk show of the 15 quilts in the book and sign copies for all, after our regular guild meeting. Books will be available for purchase or bring your own copy.
Open to all quilters, sewists, and supporters!
Jo Ann took her inspiration from cross-stitch graphs using a pixelated approach, which follows charts for color and placement. These are ideal for using pre-cuts (charms and mini-charms) as well as stash fabrics, and nothing will keep quilters of all skill levels from tackling any of the designs. They can even sprinkle in some of their own creativity if desired. Depending on the fabric a quilter chooses these charted designs can take on a modern spin or be utterly traditional. Picture Patchwork will have you looking at the endless supply of cross-stitch grids through a quilter’s eye and serves as a self-purchase or gift title for all levels of quilting enthusiasts.
Our December Holiday Party/”in-person meeting” was held on Saturday December 7th, at the First Lutheran Church in Montclair with 33 members and 2 guests.
Guild Business
2025 new memberships and renewals will open in January, with annual dues set at $70. At that time, an email reminder will be sent out to current members with a link to the payment and renewal forms. Members who do not renew by the end of Feb will be removed from the roster and email list. New members, please visit the Join page in January.
Name Tag Swap in 2025 – contact Ann if you want to participate.
January Meeting – will be in-person on Saturday Jan 18th at 11 am. Our own Jo Ann Lepore will present a trunk show and book-signing after the meeting.
Due to the concurrence of QuiltCon and our regular meeting schedule, the February meeting is shifted to the Saturday after QuiltCon:
February Meeting – Thursday Feb 27th at 7 pm, on Zoom.
Plus, for QC refugees, we’ll host a Virtual Open Sew in the comfort of your own space, Saturday Feb 22nd 10a-2p, on Zoom.
QuiltCon Outreach Charity Quilt – Betsy V. finished quilting it and now it’s off to be bound and shipped to QuiltCon! Thanks to everyone who participated in making this year’s entry and especially to Paula for herding the cats!
Holiday Party
Many thanks to Emily, Paula, and Rochelle for doing such a fabulous job! We loved all the good food, music, and fun activities!
“Find A Quilter Who…” Scavenger Hunt was a great mixer and a fun way to learn more about or meet for the first time other guild members!
Each table played Right/Left/Center and nearly everyone got to leave with fabric, a plant, or holiday decoration!
Giveaway prizes were raffled off!
Judy won the 50/50 Raffle and we added over $70 to our Showcase fund.
The Teacup/Mason Jar-Pincushion craft was a hit!
Amazing items were exchanged in the Upcycle Swap – who knew there was so much treasure in your closets!
Tari picked up her Block-Party bee blocks.
(Bring yours to the January meeting so I can get pictures of everyone’s blocks!)
A new bee will be announced next year.
Show & Tell
Thanks for sharing your beautiful work – Cindy (#1), Sue A. (2), Carol (3), Karen (4, 5), Janet (6), Rochelle (7), Paula (apologies, the picture didn’t come out!).
Other Good Stuff Happening
Montclair Fiber Arts Club – register through Lifelong Montclair to join this group with your needlework at Edgemont Park House 290 Valley Road every other Wednesday 10a-12p.
Hunterdon Art Museum – 7 Lower Center Street Clinton, NJ 08809, Unblocked: Improvisation and Identity in Contemporary Quilts, nowthrough January 12th, 2025.
Featuring Elizabeth Brandt, Zak Foster, Coulter Fussell, Chawne Kimber, Basil Kincaid, Kwesi O. Kwarteng, Krystle Lemonias, Sarah Nishiura, our own Melanie Tuazon, and Sherri Lynn Wood.
Unblocked brings together a diverse group of artists whose quilts tell stories, express identity, celebrate community, further social justice, and engage in formal design and color investigations. Comfortable with improvisation, these artists use materials that are readily available—often discarded or donated clothing and domestic textiles—and work intuitively, without a structured plan.
Next Meetings
Saturday January 18, 2025, In-person 11a-1p
Thursday February 27, 2025 Zoom 7-9p** (this is the 4th Thurs)
Saturday March 22, 2025 In-person 11a-1p
May your holidays be filled with good things! See you next year!
Our November in-person meeting was held on Saturday November 16th, at the First Lutheran Church in Montclair with 29 members and 3 guests.
Charity Quilts
Kelly collected a dozen finished quilts and still has a few tops that need to be finished. If you can help, please contact Kelly, and if you’re still working on a charity quilt, please bring it to the December 7th meeting.
Here are the 12 collected on Saturday:
Upcoming Holiday Party
Our annual Holiday Party will be on SaturdayDecember 7th, 11a-3p.
Thanks to Emily, Paula, and Rochelle good food and fun activities are planned, including
Boxy Pouch blind swap – it’s a cute little zipper pouch from a free pattern. Ann sent out an email with the deets – check your Inbox!
Upcycle blind swap – shop your stash and sewing room for a non-handmade item in good condition that you no longer need, want, or use to “gift” to someone else. Bring your wrapped item to the December 7th party.
Pincushion activity – bring a fabric scrap (about 8×8″) and small Mason jar with its ring and lid, or a teacup or small bowl that you will transform into a pincushion! (Some extra jars and cups will be available if you forget or don’t have one.) Other materials will be provided by the guild.
Members are asked to bring non-alcoholic drinks or desserts labeled with a list of its ingredients.
Entrees, sides, plates, cups, and cutlery will provided by the guild.
Programs
Survey – Programs would like feedback about the kinds and formats of classes people would like to attend in 2025. Holly emailed a link to a survey to get members’ input. Please take a few minutes to answer it thoughtfully so we can develop meaningful programming for 2025.
Bee Block-Party – Bee Block members exchanged their finished blocks. A new bee round will be announced in the new year.
Pleating Workshop led by Miguel took place after the General meeting. Everyone stretched their stitching muscles!
Show & Tell
Thanks to everyone for sharing their beautiful work – Casey (#1, 2), guest Gretchen (3, 4), Corey (5, 6), Carol (7, 8), Debbie (9), Paula (10, 11, 12), Rachel (13, 14, 15), Blake (16, 17, 18), Janet (19), Kathy (20), Blanca (21), Jo Ann (22), guest Carol (23, 24), Miguel (25, 26), and Betsy (27).
…and Carol returned to us this month with her gorgeous Kawandi jacket, so I was able to get a couple of pics!
Other Good Stuff Happening
Montclair Fiber Arts Club – register through Lifelong Montclair to join this group with your needlework at Edgemont Park House 290 Valley Road every other Wednesday 10a-12p.
Hunterdon Art Museum – 7 Lower Center Street Clinton, NJ 08809, Unblocked: Improvisation and Identity in Contemporary Quilts, nowthrough January 12th, 2025.
Featuring Elizabeth Brandt, Zak Foster, Coulter Fussell, Chawne Kimber, Basil Kincaid, Kwesi O. Kwarteng, Krystle Lemonias, Sarah Nishiura, our own Melanie Tuazon, and Sherri Lynn Wood.
Unblocked brings together a diverse group of artists whose quilts tell stories, express identity, celebrate community, further social justice, and engage in formal design and color investigations. Comfortable with improvisation, these artists use materials that are readily available—often discarded or donated clothing and domestic textiles—and work intuitively, without a structured plan.
Next Meetings
Saturday December 7th – in person Holiday Party 11a-3p at the First Lutheran Church of Montclair.
NoShow & Tell!
Bring your wrappedBoxy Pouch swap, if participating!
Bring your wrapped sewing-related Upcycle swap item, optional!
Bring a labeled dessert or drink, optional.
Saturday January 18, 2025, In-person 11a-1p
Thursday February 27, 2025 Zoom 7-9p** (this is the 4th Thurs)
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