April Updates and Reminders

Hope everyone is staying safe! Here are a few updates and reminders for you. 

• The May meeting is canceled but we will push information out as usual that week. Stay safe, everyone!

• We are excited to announce that Shannon Downey aka Badass Cross Stitch, will share the story of Rita's Quilt and how an unfinished quilt she found at an estate sale led to a journey that has touched millions around the world. 
• How and When: Zoom Friday, April 24th @ 6:30pm. (Link and instructions for the meeting have been sent to current members via email.)

Current Status of Events: 

• April:
• Tara Faughnan: April dates cancelled but we are working with her to see if we can find an acceptable date and venue in October. Stay tuned.
• Hand-Sew Happy Hour: April dates are officially canceled. 
• Barn Quilt Painting: Canceled; we will work with the social committee later this year to see if it makes sense to make new arrangements. 
• May:
• Meeting: The board has decided to go ahead and move the meeting from a physical event to an online format. Making that decision now takes away any uncertainty on it's safety as well as gives the board time to work out the best way to present to you in another manner. It won't likely be live, but we will have a smiling face for you to watch!
• Hand-Sew Happy Hour: Canceled.
• June:
• Jen Carlton-Bailly: This event will no longer take place in-person. We are working with Jen on the possibility of a virtual option. Stay tuned. 
• Rest of the year:
• Nothing else has changed, but you guessed it: Stay tuned. 

What is Still Happening: 

2020 Charity Projects:  Every year, the STLMQG sponsors a sewing project for charity. This year, the charity committee has selected three recipients of our efforts; Ryan's Case for Smiles, Fostering Families, and Quilts for LEO . For full instructions and guidelines on each of these projects, please visit the March 16, 2020 blog post.   2020 Postcard Quilt Challenge: For this year's Challenge the committee has chosen a postcard inspired quilt. We want this quilt to portray a story, just as a postcard would.  Select a destination, event or life happening and make a postcard like quilt to tell us that story! Details can be found on the March 17, 2020 blog post.  2020 BOM (Block of the Month) Full details on the Blog.  Fabric #3 (March): Geometric. A geometric pattern can be defined as a pattern consisting of lines and geometric figures, such as triangles, circles, and squares, that tend to be symmetrical.  Fabric #4 (April): Abstract. A motif that does not depict a person, place, or thinkg in the natural world and are hard to describe in any other way. COVID Related Sewing: Feel like you've been sewing masks and other much needed items at 1000 MPH during this crisis? Well, you have!! Our survey shows that as of April 20th, STLMQG members have produced over 1800 items. That. Is. Incredible. Thank you all for doing what you can to help friends, family, healthcare workers, and all sorts of other folks.

Non-Meeting Recap (March 14, 2020)

Well, it's been a strange couple of weeks, folks, and I imagine it will only continue to get stranger (more strange?) as the next month goes by. We appreciate everyone's patience and understanding as the board makes the best decisions possible in this rapidly evolving environment. Though we did not get to meet in person, we loved seeing everyone's quilts on Instagram via #sharequiltsnotgerms. We hope you continue to utilize that hashtag throughout the coming weeks as we strive to lift spirits while also supporting each other in staying home and doing our part in preventing the spread of this virus to those less likely to survive it. 

As an added bonus, #sharequiltsnotgerms has been used by The Modern Quilt Guild as an example of how a guild can keep it's momentum in our sequestered days and we've seen members all over the world using it! 

Here is our non-meeting recap:

• Event Cancellations: 
• Hand-Sew Happy Hour, March 24th
• No April Meeting!
• This is not a cancellation so much as a reminder that we did not schedule a meeting in April due to the Easter holiday and Tara's visit, which has since been cancelled. 
• Tara Faughnan Trunk Show and Workshops
• All members who had registered for a workshop have been contacted. We are working hard to reschedule Tara and will notify the membership if/when this is accomplished. 

• Events Coming Up (as of now):
• Jen Carlton Bailly Workshop Registration next month
• Workshop sign up registration links for our June speaker, Jen Carlton-Bailly, will be emailed to members at 8:30PM Thursday, April 16th. Be sure to read the email recap for those details, you don't want to miss it! 
• The 2020 Speaker tab has details on the two classes Jen will be teaching. The member rate for each workshop is $50. 
• Be sure you are familiar with the cancellation policy, it is spelled out at the bottom of the 2020 Speaker Tab. 
• Jen's Trunk Show is June 12th at the Brentwood Community Center. Doors open at 6, presentation to start at 6:30. It is free for STLMQG members, $5 for non-members. 
• Sign Painting: Barn Quilts, Sunday, April 19th
• Members can join us in painting your very own Barn Quilt Block! In this workshop you can choose from a variety of barn quilt sign designs. During the workshop you will stain the wood and use a stencil to paint on your design in the colors of your choice. Please see the email for registration links and further details. 
• Hand-Sew Happy Hour, April 21
• St. Louis Bread Co. in St. Louis Hills, 6607 Chippewa St., St. Louis, MO 63109

• 2020 Charity Projects Announcement
• 3 Charities were selected this year; we will be making pillowcases for Ryan's Case for Smiles and Fostering Families. We will also be making quilts for LEO. You can find all the details on the March 16th Blog Post. 
• Be sure to use #stlmqgcares and #stlmqg in your social media posts

• 2020 Challenge Announcement:
• For this year's Challenge the committee has chosen a postcard inspired quilt. We want this quilt to portray a story, just as a postcard would.  Select a destination, event or life happening and make a postcard like quilt to tell us that story!  You can find all the details on the March 17th Blog Post. 

• 2020 Block of the Month (BOM) March and April fabric types are being announced right now! Both are due by the May meeting as we do not have an April meeting.  Full details here.  Don't forget to use #stlmqgbom and #stlmqg to earn your points toward the end of year drawings. 

Fabric #3 (March): Geometric

A geometric pattern can be defined as a pattern consisting of lines and geometric figures, such as triangles, circles and squares, that tend to be symmetrical.

Fabric #4 (April): Abstract

A motif that does not depict a person, place, or thing in the natural world and are hard to describe in any other way. 

• Odds and Ends
• Block Lotto Blocks are now due at the May meeting! Feel free to use this time to make more.  The next Block Lotto block will be announced in May as well. 
• The first 2020 swap has been postponed until May. Stay tuned, the committee has a really cute plan!
• The Programming Committee continues to ask for ideas and volunteers willing to do live demos of any Tip/Trick/Technique (10 minutes) to share during a Guild Meeting. Reach out to Robin Medici directly with your input.

2020 Postcard Quilt Challenge

For this year's Challenge we have chosen a postcard inspired quilt. We want this quilt to portray a story, just as a postcard would.  Select a destination, event or life happening and make a postcard like quilt to tell us that story! 

Requirements for this Challenge:

• Postcards must be made of fabric and have top, middle and back layers.
• An element of quilting must be incorporated.
• Other embellishments such as buttons, lace, trims, etc. may be used.
• Edges of the postcard must be finished. Participants may bind the edges, use a decorative stitch to finish the edge or whatever method is they prefer.
• Minimum Size of 4x6” and the maximum size of 9x12”.
• NOTE: We will not be mailing these anywhere as part of the challenge, though you may certainly do so on your own after the challenge is complete. Here is a lovely tutorial should you like to explore this option: Man Sewing 031-Fabric Postcard.

Deadline: November Meeting

Charity Projects 2020: Ryan's Case for Smiles, Fostering Families, and LEO.

Every year, the STLMQG sponsors a sewing project for charity. This year, the charity committee has selected three recipients of our efforts. 

• Ryan's Case for Smiles -  an organization that works to improve the quality of life of children and their families as they undergo treatment. They have a simple goal; to create and distribute whimsical pillowcases that give children an emotional boost and remind them that they are not defined by their illness.  Pillowcases go to children battling cancer in hospitals in our area.  To learn about Ryan Kerr, the namesake for this charity, go to https://caseforsmiles.org/about-us/.
• Fostering Families - Fostering Futures is a home and community-based therapeutic program designed to stabilize children at risk for placement disruption, and who live in the City of St. Louis or St. Louis County.  Learn more about this incredibly important organization here:  https://www.greatcircle.org/index.php/services-by-program/foster-care-services/fostering-futures-program. We will be providing pillowcases in the same spirit and style as Ryan's Case for Smiles. 
• Quilts for LEO - This is a little less orthodox as there is no official charity, however, it has come to our attention that local law enforcement officers (LEO) use quilts as tools of comfort for children during troubling or even life changing situations when the police are called to their homes. Quilts from our efforts will go to the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Force to be used and given to our very own local St. Louis City children. 

Charity Project #1: Pillowcases for Ryan's Case for Smiles and Fostering Families

Instructions/Parameters: 

• Use only 100% cotton, but not flannel and no glitter. 
• Here is a pdf  tutorial for the pillowcases.
• If you prefer video instruction, this is a YouTube favorite.    
• Wash pillowcases in unscented detergent, iron and place in a quart or gallon Ziploc bag along with your name and email address.   Attach a STLMQG label to the inside of the pillowcase, if you desire, but this is not necessary. Labels will be available at all meetings. 
• Repeat!!

Deadline: Due in your nearest drop box by August 1st

Questions: You are encouraged to reach out directly to Monica, the Charity Committee Chair; monica21stl@live.com. 

Hashtags for your Instagram Posts: #stlmqgcares, #stlmqgpillows and #stlmqg

Charity Project #2 - Quilts for LEO
Instructions/Parameters: There are no official guidelines or restrictions to this project though here are our strong recommendations: 

• Quilts should be new, handmade, and washable. 
• Fabric should be cotton or cotton/poly blend. Knit fabric is not acceptable.
• Cotton or acrylic batting is acceptable.
• While we encourage members to make a quilt, we will also accept tied comforters and fleece blankets.
• We encourage sizes between 40" and 60" in width and length. 
• Quilts must be free of smoky smells, chemicals, and pet hair and should not have any embellishments such as buttons, beads, or sequins.
• Although not required for donation, if possible, please include an STLMQG Cares label on the lower right corner of the quilt back. Labels will be available at all guild meetings.

Deadline: Due in your nearest drop box by November 30th

Questions: You are encouraged to reach out directly to Monica, the Charity Committee Chair; monica21stl@live.com. 

Hashtags for your Instagram Posts: #stlmqgcares and #stlmqg

*COVID-19 Additional note: Even as we post this, some of our organizations are suspending their acceptance of donated goods. While we anticipate this will end by the time we would like to submit our projects, we are adding the requirement that all items be washed after completion. This will help minimize issues should the charity committee be required to wash the items after collection but before turning them in. 

Upcoming Cancellations Due To COVID-19

March 14th Meeting CANCELED
With an incredibly serious feeling of responsibility for our members, the board has decided to error on the side of caution and cancel the guild meeting on Saturday, March 14th. 

Everything we intended to cover at the meeting will be in the usual recap email that will go out the following Tuesday. It will be particularly robust. We will also spend the weekend updating the blog with many of those same details. 

Tara Faughnan Weekend CANCELED
For now, that is. We will be working over the next two weeks on rescheduling her visit and will push that information out as soon as we have something to share. A separate notification will go out late next week to all those who have registered for her workshops to answer your questions and concerns. The blog 2020 Speaker tab will be updated as we know more. 

#sharequiltsnotgerms
We still want to see those beautiful creations you were going to bring to the meeting, plus all the other things you've been working on. Let's light up Instagram on Saturday morning with a Virtual Show and Share! I know you have a few quilty photos in that phone of yours so tag them with the #s below and we will oooh and ahhhh from a CDC recommended distance. 

#sharequiltsnotgerms, #stlmqg, #mqg, #showusyourmqg. And if you're feeling particularly sassy, #coronacantstopmyshowandshare.

Additional Notes:
If you intended to pay your dues at the meeting, please let us know. You can either send us a check or we can email you an invoice to be paid online. Unfortunately, we cannot delay this until our next meeting as we have to report our official 2020 numbers to the MQG for our annual dues. 

Hand-Sew Happy Hours, as smaller and informal gatherings, will be discussed and announced closer to their respective dates. 

Thank you for your patience! 
Stay safe and healthy. We do not cancel these events lightly and hope you understand our concern and good intentions. You are welcome to reach out at any time with questions or concerns, but also know we will be pushing information out as soon and as best as we can once we know more and have been able to make well thought out decisions. Your patience and understanding is greatly appreciated. Take care and fingers crossed for May!!

Meeting #100 (March 14, 2020)

We are at the Heights again this month. Remember that parking is tough so be sure to give yourself a few extra minutes to find a space and/or walk a bit. 

Date: March 14, 2020
Time: 10 am-12:30 pm
Location: The Heights
8001 Dale Ave., St. Louis, MO 63117
*Childcare available, please see info here* 
Map

===============================================================

This meeting will include:

-Welcome & Guild Business:
  :: Membership Information
  :: Financial Information
  :: Quilting News / Around Town
  :: Reminders

-Announcements
  :: Jen Carlton-Bailly Workshops and Sign Up Dates
  :: 10th Anniversary Party date/location (update)
  :: Block of the Month Fabric Type for both March and April
  :: February Fabric Bundle Raffle: Thank you Cotton Cuts!
  :: Member Open Call for collections/charity requests/etc.

-What's Coming Up
  :: No April meeting, May meeting at The Heights
  :: Tara Faughnan's Trunk Show and Workshops
  :: Hand-Sew Happy Hour date/time/location 

-Committee Announcements
  :: Charity - Guild Project Announcement
  :: Programming - Open Call for Demos/Tips/Tricks
  :: Social - Sign Painting Event Details
  :: Swap/Challenge - First Swap and Challenge Announcement
  :: Welcome Committee - Look for the Pineapples

- Activity
  :: Quilty themed group games and challenges that add up to 100 to commemorate our 100th meeting

- Show & Tell (time permitting)
- Draw for raffle prizes
- Mix & Mingle

During the break you can: 
  :: Purchase Raffle Tickets for March Fabric Bundle 
  :: Show BOM Blocks for Tickets to win a Solid Color Card
  :: Turn in Block Lotto blocks
  :: Pay Dues and Workshop Fees
  :: Sign In/Attendance Ticket
  :: Complete a new member application

-------------------------- Reminders/Items Due ------------------------------

:: Bring your February BOM to be entered for a drawing! The winner will have a choice of several solid color cards such as Moda Bellas and Kaufman Konas!
:: Envelope Block Lotto blocks are due! Details here. 
:: This is the last date to pay dues for 2020 ($40). Members who have not paid by the March meeting will be removed from the roster. 
:: This is the last date to pay for your Tara Faughnan Workshop. After this we will offer spots to the folks on the wait list and open registration for the public should the spots not fill. 

Fees can be paid by cash, check, or credit card. You can pay at the meeting or online through our Paypal link.

                    -------------------------- Public Health Awareness ------------------------------

Due to the discovery of the Coronavirus in the St. Louis region, we ask that you please be aware of precautions to take and guidelines to follow to be self-aware and responsible within our shared space and potentially vulnerable members. You can stay up to date by visiting the St. Louis County Website: https://www.stlouisco.com/Your-Government/County-Executive/COVID-19

Though it seems extremely unlikely, should we need to cancel our meeting due to this we will notify everyone via email, this blog, @stlmqg on Instagram and the STLMQG Facebook Group. 

Meeting Recap (February 8, 2020)

Thanks so much for attending Saturday's meeting! It was a packed house with 100 members attending. We want to quickly apologize to anyone who struggled with parking, we know it is an issue and unfortunately will continue to be at The Heights until construction is complete. 

• Board and overall guild updates:
• Tess, our Treasurer, gave us the updated financial info. Last month to pay dues ($40)! You can pay via our Paypal link or by cash, check, or charge at our March meeting. 
• Lilo, our Secretary, gave an update on our membership numbers. We are currently at 172!
• Pam, our Vice President, announced several quilting/sewing related events and news items. Check the email for the list, links, and information.
• Emily, our President, covered several announcements and updates: 
• SewMeSTL, our annual in-town sewing retreat, dates and location are set! Keep an eye on the SewMeSTL 2020 tab for details as they emerge. 
• September 25-27th
• Marriott St. Louis West, same location as last year. 
• Workshop sign ups for our first speaker of the year, Tara Faughnan, are coming up! Be sure to read the email recap for those details, you don't want to miss it! 
• The 2020 Speaker tab has details on the two classes Tara will be teaching. The member rate for each workshop is $50. 
• The Trunk Show is April 24 at the Brentwood Community Center. Doors open at 6, presentation to start at 6:30. It is free for STLMQG members, $5 for non-members. 
• New Cancellation Policy: In an effort to ensure as many folks as possible have an opportunity to attend the workshops, as well as minimize lost revenue for these events, the board has instituted a new cancellation policy for all guild events requiring a registration fee. 
• Cancellation requests must be made in writing to stlmqg@gmail.com. Requests received more than 4 weeks prior to the event will receive a full refund. Requests received between 2-4 weeks prior to the event will receive a 50% refund. Requests received less than 2 weeks prior to the event will not receive a refund. 
• Hand-Sew Happy Hour's next meeting is Tuesday, February 18th at the Brentwood Bread Co. 
• 10 Year Anniversary Party! July 25, 3-8pm, Italia-America Bocce Club. More details to come!
• There is no April meeting! Due to Tara's visit, there will not be an April meeting. 
• Members were welcomed to make quilting and charitable related announcements:
• Denise Drinkwater is working on a map/areal view type project and would love some assistance. 
• Mary Beth Oberlin is still collected booties for the Mourning Project. Booties are due by March 1st, if you would still like to contribute reach out directly to Mary Beth.
• Lilo Whitener-Fey as Trace Creek Quilting is collecting #bushfireblocks for our MQG friends in Australia and will be mailing them by February 20th. If you would still like to contribute please contact Lilo directly.
• Committee Updates: 
• Programming Committee: 
• Looking for volunteers willing to do live demo(s) of any Tip/Trick/Technique (10 minutes) to share during a Guild Meeting as well as suggestions for demos you would like to see. 
• Seeking to borrow a Document Camera which would allow us to do Demo’s during Guild meeting and project on the wall for everyone to see without leaving their tables!  
• Please Email feedback to Robin Medici directly.
• Sew Me STL Committee:
• Dates and location for 2020 set. 
• Social Committee:
• Barn Quilt Painting outing, details to come!
• Welcome Committee:
• Looking for Swag from our friends and business owners in the guild to add to our Welcome Bags that new members will receive. If interested in contributing, please get in touch with Welcome Committee Chair (Lilo Whitener-Fey). 
• 2020 Block of the Month (BOM) February fabric type was announced. This month you may add Low Volume fabrics to your all solid blocks. Full details here.  We had an amazing showing of January blocks and one lucky participating member walked away with a panel of Kaufman Kona color prints! 

• Will McDonald from Just Sew STL gave a presentation on basic machine maintenance and answered several of our questions for us. He had several excellent tips such as: 
• The simplest solution is the most likely solution.
• Start troubleshooting with whatever has most recently changed; thread, needle, fabric type....
• Re-thread, change your needle, clean and oil the machine.   
• Mr. McDonald also sharpened scissors for our members!

• We wrapped up the meeting with another great Show and Tell. Keep an eye on our Instagram page to see pics of the meeting, show and tell, and our members' projects throughout the month. In the meantime, enjoy a few Show and Share examples!