18 members attended our September quilt guild meeting which was led by our president Kathy Pierce. We were so glad to welcome guest Linnel Chappelka, a seamstress and quilter.
Old and New Business
We held elections for the Quilt Guild’s 2026 board of directors. Our new board was unanimously voted in:
President: Denise Lynch
Co-Vice-Presidents: Andrea Avni and Marian Brischle
Secretary: Chris Conklin-Ray
Members-at-Large: Georgia Galus and Betsy Holt
Treasurer: Sue Nebeker
October is our auction month where members donate sewing related items that other members bid to own. We always have a wonderful time. Please bring sewing related items you wish to donate. Please bundle books on a similar subject or sets of magazines to sell as a group. Bring your checkbook!
Jo Ann reminded us that the opera is presenting Cinderella this week on Friday and Saturday.
Katherine alerted us to the works of Shunpike (shunpike.org), an organization whose mission is empowering artists “through equitable access to vital expertise, opportunities, and business services”. One aspect of their organization is to provide exhibition opportunities for visual artists in storefront windows. Katherine recommends checking out the fabric artwork in a window on the ten hundred block of Mercer near Westlake.
Challenges and Learning Opportunities:
Kathy introduced our new quilt challenge which will center around different types of blocks. We will start off with half square triangles and flying geese. Participants are asked to construct a block of any size using any fabrics that contain half square triangles and/or flying geese. In November members will talk about various techniques for constructing these elements. In December we will show our blocks and the next challenge block type will be introduced. Members are encouraged to bring any tools or tips they find useful for construction of half square triangles and/or flying geese to the November meeting.
The applique group is offering classes! Judy showed us several enticing examples of beautiful applique works constructed by herself, Pat, and Barb. These classes will be held at our Sew Days and will include various methods of producing these beautiful works. The first class will be on October 7th. Judy provided a list of “must haves” for the class (appended at the bottom of the minutes) as well as a comprehensive list of useful tools for applique. Barb asks that anyone interested in participating respond to this email so they have some idea as to how many students to expect and she would appreciate knowing if you have prior experience.
Our Program for September:
Our speaker was Sam Harris, a King County Librarian. The library offers many programs and access to more information than many of us are aware of. There are two book groups, a Great Books group and a group that picks a topic and participants choose any book on that topic to discuss. They offer a digital resource series called “How to Library”. The October 2nd (1 PM) topic will be “Libby”. There are Drop In Digital Literacy training programs for those who need more information about using a computer, tablet, or laptop. The library has movie and series streaming services available on Hoopla and Canopy. Check the Vashon Library website or speak with the librarians for more information.
Show and Tell:
Nancy had two gorgeous quilts, one in golds and browns, the other a sampler using scraps from her around the world blocks.
Donna and Ursula shared a fabulous quilt consisting of an Escher-esque tessellation of fall colors.
Andrea brought in two American Heroes quilts she had made using the “magic star” technique which allows you to make 2 blocks at once. One was made using the primarily darker blue background fabrics, the other using the lighter ones. (Here is a link I found to that technique that I believe is the technique Andrea used. It does not waste as much fabric as many of the tutorials for this block do. : https://www.google.com/search?sca_esv=7482b234d8f1e9f4&sxsrf=AE3TifMPlZQbDlzwDd9RqT1Z5_hfn-WQ3Q:1758065757241&q=Magic+star+block+tutorial&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwig2M6nud6PAxVqDTQIHRHyE88Q1QJ6BAgsEAE&biw=1373&bih=753&dpr=2#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:603aaa68,vid:BQ9AINlfybI,st:0) The quilts were so cool that there was a lot of interest in the technique from guild members.
Kasia brought in an adorable needlepoint pillowcase featuring an octopus.
Janice made 2 bright children’s baby quilts for St. Joe’s and a pretty sew-as-you-go blue-framed block quilt for Fred Hutch.
Margaret displayed her big star American Hero quilt which is always stunning as well as two bright animal themed baby quilts.
Susan L. showed a stunning American Heroes quilt using on point strips to create stars. She also had a tee shirt quilt made from some of the coolest tees you can imagine.
Anne had a flannel chandelier quilt and small chandelier wall hanging. This is a pattern for beginners, featuring the easiest block ever.
Laura displayed an amazing Scottish-themed quilt, with each block containing a Scottish element (e.g. a bagpiper).
Upcoming Events: (please note: all members are welcome to attend any of these groups. Contact Barb if you need more info (guerena39@gmail.com)
The Featherweight group meets the fourth Tuesday of the month. The next Featherweight meeting is September 23rd
at Judy Dohm’s’s at 9:00.
The Free Motion group meets the last Monday of the month. The next meeting is September 29th at Anne Bell’s.
The applique group meets the first Tuesday of the month. The next applique group will meet on October 7th at Judy Dohm’s.
Sew day is the second Tuesday of the month. Our next sew day will be October 14th.
Quilt guild meetings are the third Tuesday of the month (except in December). Our next Quilt Guild meeting will be October 21st.
Respectfully submitted,
Anne Bell
Sew Day Applique Supplies:
We will demonstrate beginning applique methods and you will have the opportunity to practice on a small sample project. We will provide the pattern, thread, freezer paper, and fabric for the applique. Please bring the following items:
Small, sharp fabric and paper scissors
Thimble
Milliners size 10 or 11, or Sharps size 10 or 11 needles
Pins
Basting thread
Fabric marking pencils, white and black or gray
Orange stick or thin wood skewer
Fabric glue–temporary wash out
10 inch square white or off white fabric for the applique