Quilter

I can no longer remain “silent”. I must shout out with enthusiasm about the Silent Auction and the donations I already received. We have some beautiful quilts donated for the Silent Auction which will yield good proceeds for QU but we need many more items. I was fortunate to attend the Frayed Edges Sit N Stitch group and see the projects they are working on for the Silent Auction. I am shouting out the need for other Sit and Stitch groups to think about working on auction items. Remember the donations can include any sewn or quilted item such as quilts, wall hangings, purses, place mats, table runners, necklaces, ragdolls or such.

PLEASE NOTE: The boutique will be selling cosmetic-size bags, book covers, pet collars and backpacks so keep that in mind as we do not want to compete with the boutique.

As a reminder, the participant who brings in the most money for a single donated item will receive their next year’s QU dues (2025) gratis. Please note that the award is for a single entry and does not include the total of an individual’s multiple entries. However, we do encourage multiple entries if you so desire. The Sit N Stitch group that brings in the most money for a group donation will receive a $20 gift certificate, given to the contact person named in the directory, to use at one of your upcoming Sit N Stitch sessions.

Quilts should have a label on the back with the quilter’s name, a title for the item, and the year completed. The title will be published in the Silent Auction Guidelines given to bidders at the show. It would be helpful to also provide the size (in length and width) of a donated quilt. You can optionally set a minimum bid amount for each of your items — you will get an item back at the end of the show if the minimum for it is not met by a bidder.

I will be accepting Silent Auction donations at every QU meeting. If you are unable to bring your item, I am very happy to meet up with you to get your donation. You can contact me via email at stichnmo@aol.com or by cell at 850-345-1530. Let’s make this Silent Auction one to shout about! Thanks again and I look forward to receiving your Silent Auction donations.

Marty O’Neill

It’s been an encouraging month for Quilt Show planning — we’re seeing more and more members getting involved! This show is going to be great because of YOUR participation!

• Kits flew out the door for Boutique items at the February Guild Meeting. I can confirm that the kits I took were really well put together. Let us see your craftiness at Show-and-Tell soon😊! Instructions are at https://www.quilttallahassee.com/qu24show/qu24show-donate/
• Kudos to Wendy Adams for recruiting THREE show sponsors😊! Give her a high-five and ask her how easy it was! Sponsor brochures can be downloaded at https://www.quilttallahassee.com/qu24show/be-a-sponsor/
• There are currently 10 quilts entered in the show. Three people have entered two each😊! (Please WATCH FOR THE EMAIL CONFIRMATION of your entry. That’s how you’ll know your entry form was accepted. If you are having trouble, please come see me at the Guild Meeting.) Enter your quilts at https://www.quilttallahassee.com/qu24show/enter-quilt/
• Clarifications about Volunteering: The requirement of a volunteer shift for each quilt you enter does not apply to Challenge quilts. So if you enter a Challenge quilt, you can have 4 quilts in the show and just be there for 3 three shifts😊! Also, please remember that giving a Demonstration of any aspect of quilting or related crafts counts for a volunteer shift. Pick your preferred time to give a demonstration by signing up at https://signup.com/go/DUQkbPr

At the March meeting, we will be bringing quilt kits for tops to be pieced in traditional fashion. There will also be a sign-up sheet for dates and times to come to Ann’s house to make more kits. This is a big push to clear much of our current donations for charity quilts.

Also at the March meeting, we will have components for quilt sandwiches to be quilted. Some may be best done on a long-arm or free-style machine. So, any of you with this type of machine, please consider taking a bundle. However, some will be small enough to be manageable on a standard machine. The quilting does not need to be fancy – sturdy is best!

There will also be kits available for strip quilts, also known as quilt-as-you-go quilts. These are easy to complete on a standard sewing machine.

If you would like to make a charity quilt of your own design, you can gather some or all of the materials you need from donated fabrics available from our philanthropy team.

Thank you to all of you who took tops to quilt or bind at the February meeting!

Dozens of quilts were delivered to Sleep in Heavenly Peace and Big Bend Hospice in the last month.

The QU directory will be available at the March guild meeting. Members, please check in at the membership table and pick up your copy.

If you have not yet renewed your guild membership, please do so. Dues are $30 for the year ($32 if you need the directory mailed). At the guild meeting, you can pay dues by cash or check. If you would like to pay using a credit card, you may do so at any time from our website.

After the February meeting, the 2024 Directory will be finalized and sent for printing. Renewing by the February meetings helps us with getting an accurate count of our print needs. Also, if any of your information needs updating, please let me know at the meeting, or send an email to membership@quilttallahassee.com.

This is the last chance to take a photo for inclusion in the 2024 Directory. Michele Hackmeyer will be taking photos at the QU Library table, so don’t just be a “logo” in the director
Kerry Cohen, 2024 Membership Vice-President

You’re probably working on a quilt that will be a great entry when it’s finished. But please ask yourself, “What can I enter right now?”

• Quilts that were too big for previous QU shows (King- and Queen-size quilts are welcome in 2024 — and will be too big for LeMoyne in 2025 — this year is their moment to shine!
• Quilts that you’ve made in the past that were too many for the LeMoyne show (Your show committee hopes you’ll enter THREE quilts AND a Challenge quilt this year!)
• Quilts that are imperfect (Remember: this is not a juried show; you might see a flaw where show visitors would see a delightful creation!)
  The entry form is live! The sooner entries are in, the sooner we can start planning the display. Please don’t wait!