NEXT MEETING 

Tuesday May 11, 7:00 PM via Zoom  
KAREN ECKMEIER  “OOPS! MY EDGES ARE SHOWING!”

Her website asks “Is it straight-stitch appliqué or raw-edge collage? No matter what you call it, the edges of the fabric are bound to fray, but that's OK! From early hand appliqué pieces, up to her current straight-stitch appliqué series, Karen’s presentation will definitely give you some ideas on where to find inspiration and how to deal with those scary edges encountered along the way.”​

FABRIC POSTCARD EXCHANGE

See some of the postcards on our Facebook page.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR FABRIC POSTCARDS

The postcard will have several layers: a stiffener (stabilizer), a thin batting if you want, a decorative side, and a plain side for the address, stamp, and message. The usual size is 4 X 6 inches, but can be as small as 3 ½ X 5 inches. It should be no more than 1/8 inch thick, with nothing dangling or protruding. The stiffener/stabilizer layer can be whatever you have: Peltex 72F has a fusible on both sides: you can iron on the finished decorative and address sides. Timtex is really stiff. Fast2fuse also has a fusible web on both sides. Wonderunder or misty fuse can be used to adhere fabric sides to a cardboard middle. Glue stick to hold things together until you can sew them.

The decorative side: Pick a fun fabric, cut out a 4X6 inch section, layer on thin batting, and quilt. If your machine has an alphabet or decorative stitches, stabilize your fabric and stitch away. Couch lace, ribbons, yarn, rickrack, making sure it is completely flat and secure. No buttons. Secure fusing to the back of fabric, cut out shapes and iron onto the 4 X 6 background, zigzag on.

Foundation piece. Draw lines on 4 X 6 inch paper or fabric. Sew and flip fabric along the lines.

Address side: This can be plain light colored fabric or card stock. Put address and stamp on the right hand side. Write a message on the left hand side. Do this before you fuse the layers and zigzag around it. I mailed one with a postcard stamp with no problem. If yours is thick or heavy or too beautiful to chance, you could use a regular first class stamp or even put it in an envelope.

Zigzag around all four sides. You might need to cut slivers off all four sides first to even up layers. Use an open toe foot or a foot with a bar to guide you along the edge. Try a stitch width of 4.5 or less and a stitch length of 5. Go around twice if needed. Use the same color in top and bobbin.

​Bet you can’t make just one!

FILE FOR T.C.Q.G. LOGO

Here is the file for our logo.  Download it to print and put on gifts we are distributing for the holidays.  It comes in two sizes, and you can print it in color or black and white.

PATTERN FOR SEAT BELT PILLOW

Here is the pattern for the seat belt pillow.  The Cancer Resource Center would love to have us make these for cancer patients, so they can cushion their ports when they wear a seat belt.  The pillow is small and easy, and a great way of using fun scraps.
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UPCOMING MEETINGS

Tuesday, May 18, 7:00 PM via Zoom
We will be showing our half square triangle quilts, including log cabin type. Please make a photo of your quilt(s) and send it to Munna, who  will put all the photos received into a beautiful powerpoint presentation.

Tuesday, June 8, 7:00 PM via Zoom -  Trunk show from quilting artist Anne Garretson.

UPCOMING WORKSHOPS

2021
Saturday, ​​May 15  -  Karen Eckmeier - Virtual  9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
                 "Color Twists & Leaves"
Sunday, May 16  -  Karen Eckmeier - Virtual  9:00 A.M. – 3:00 P.M.
                 "Happy Villages"
Registration for the workshops is now open, and there is more information available HERE.

Steffi Green's Presentation on Labels made with Printers

Melissa Fowler's Presentation

Click on this link to see the presentation Melissa did for our group on January 12.  Great quilts, interesting ideas about design, and a nice story about the evolution of her art.