Tag: Thunder Bay Quilters Guild

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Disappearing Hourglass Quilt

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Monday…was my presentation of my Quilting Journey at the Thunder Bay Quilters Guild meeting. It is the last in person meeting until the spring.

It was really important to me, to show my quilts in person as I also like people to see and yes feel free to touch my quilts!

One of the quilts that I was asked about after my presentation was my Hourglass quilt. My friend Alva and I challenged each other to make them.

I made mine with Kaffe Fasset fabrics with a solid white background.

Alva’s in Batiks

Hers was quilted shortly after she made hers (using the pantograph Starswirl) this was the last quilt that Alva made, she had attached her binding herself, and it was the only quilt of hers that I hand stitched the binding for her as she was no longer able to.

I had to tuck mine away for a while.…

When I was ready, I quilted mine with the pantograph Rhododendron. it also began my run on Kaffe quilts that I made…which I did show some of on Monday.

We used the tutorial by Jenny Doan of Missouri Star Quilt to make our quilts. It’s a fun, easy quilt to make and one that really showcases beautiful fabrics.

Preparing for my presentation, was a journey for me personally as I decided which quilts to show. I hope that new quilters noticed my progress from beginner to where I am now in my journey and it encouraged them in their own journey.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Jeanne‘s Quilts

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I have been blessed with friends who were well ahead of me in this journey of life!

Having friends who had raised their children and were cheerleading me on as I raised my daughters on my own. Having also worked and raised her family on her own she knew full well what my life was like, my friend Jeanne.

Jeanne was also a quilter and had me quilt for her. Two quilts that I have pictures of hold especially special memories.

Her Alpine Wonder Quilt was an early custom quilt job for me, I remember her delight in seeing it quilted and ready for embellishment! It was quilted before one could find many other similar quilts online for ideas. It still remains after all these years a popular Pinterest image that leads others to this blog.

Many years later after attending a wedding one of my daughters asked if I knew Jeanne. The wedding was at Jeanne’s home and my daughter recognized my quilting.

This next quilt, also an early custom… Jeanne’s Star Quilt.

Jeanne’s Star Quilt

Jeanne’s reaction to this quilt was pure joy and excitement! I wish that I had thought to take a picture of her with this quilt…however this was before I always had a camera (aka smart phone) in my purse. You see I delivered this quilt to Jeanne and visited her at her beautiful home on Lake Superior.

I loved visiting with Jeanne at her house, she had a wonderful sewing room beside her husbands room that was dedicated to his model train hobby.

Jeanne also loved to meet for lunch at Applebees for Asian Salad…she always insisted on it being her treat. She knew that at that time with 4 young daughters to raise, a lunch out was a huge treat!

The back of Jeanne’s Star Quilt

The last time I saw Jeanne was at the Quilt Show before Covid. She came up to me and said that she couldn’t remember names anymore but she was very sure that she knew me. I told her that yes indeed she did and that I quilted her quilts…and then she knew.

I learnt yesterday that Jeanne has passed away at the age of 91 on November 6th.

I am so thankful for my time with this special friend 💗

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Quilting and Winter…a quilt prepared

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This mornings view from the picture window…

We know it’s coming and this may not stay, but then again it might. It’s truly a sign of what’s to come.

Thankfully my quilting keeps me busy and warm, and to be honest for the most part I don’t mind the snow.

This quilt is now ready for winter! I won’t be trimming this one as it’s not finished. After piecing the super soft flannel backing, it was loaded onto the Longarm with butter soft wool batting. It was stitched in the ditch around all of the blocks, and borders in preparation for hours of hand quilting by its maker.

As a Professional Longarm Quilter I happily offer all kinds of quilting services and love to help others learn this wonderful art of quilting.

As a longtime quilter, I still love the fun of making quilts big and small and learning new techniques and trying new ideas.

A sweet little wallhanging. There’s just something about houses and quilting.

What projects do you have in mind to work on this winter?

I will be doing a presentation of my quilting Journey at the Thunder Bay Quilter‘s Guild this Month, November 20th if you are interested in checking out the Guild it might be a meeting to attend.

https://thunderbayquilters.org

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Thunder Bay Walleye Magazine

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Thank you Bonnie Schiedel for writing this article featuring my long love of quilting as well as my Longarm quilting business in this Months addition of the Walleye Magazine.

https://thewalleye.pressreader.com/the-walleye-magazine/20231001

I consider a true honour to be included in this months feature Timeless Textiles along with so many talented artisans in Thunder Bay.

Quilting has such a long history and has evolved over the years from a craft out of necessity to a creative and great hobby. Quilting brings people together sharing what for many becomes a passion.

There are many small groups of quilters in Thunder Bay who get together regularly to sew and spend time together sharing friendship and skills with one another.

The Thunder Bay Quilters Guild has been an important part of my quilt life for many years. I truly believe that the mentorship is invaluable and I really encourage experienced quilters to reach out and mentor newer quilters.

I was so fortunate to have joined the guild as a young and beginner quilter and to have been mentored along my journey by women who had been quilting for many years and held such a passion for this art.

My friend Alva Llewellyn really made it a point to connect with me after we first met during a class at Quilt Canada when it was held in Thunder Bay, she always either knew how or found out how to help me in my early years of quilting. Later she was one of my biggest cheerleaders in my Longarm Quilting career.

Being mentored made such a huge impact in my life and was such a gift. I have always strived to share what I have learnt from others and on my own.

I truly feel privileged to be entrusted with other quilters work and have always strived to work together bring their vision of their quilts to completion.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Quilting and Life Autumn

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It’s official, the Summer has passed and our home is now filled with the sweet aroma of apples from our trees being made into juice!

We had to be a little creative and purchase a new canner that would work with the induction range and thankfully it’s all working!

My Longarm and I are busy as usual and as always I continue to accept tops for quilting.

My 2 1/2 squares project is almost ready to become a quilt top and has made a fun project to look at on the design wall.

And….playing with these squares has inspired me to start a new project to play with…a postage block quilt!

This one will take a lot longer…more to come!

Thunder Bay Quilters Guild held the first meeting of the 2023/24 season this week. Also the first in person meeting after 2 years! The meetings will resume on zoom over the winter months and back to in person in the spring.

Ana Paula http://www.canadapaulabrasil.ca and I have collaborated on a fun project for the Teddy Bear Quilts program for the guild this week. These quilts are small and fun and will be gifted with a stuffed animal from Santa Claus for Christmas.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

My Dad and Quilting!

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When I first was curious about quilts and quilting my Moms first reaction wasn’t positive…though not too long after I began she caught the bug as well.

My Mom sewed many things during my childhood and loved to decorate our homes but it was not until after her family had grown and flown did her true creative self emerge! She was an amazing painter and weaver and had an incredible sense of colour.

My Dads creativity really flourished after retiring from his longtime career and amazed us all when the suits and ties disappeared and his garage became a workshop! He is an amazing woodcarver.

My Parents have encouraged my creative gifts as well and when I found myself at a desk job in a little grey cubicle while raising my 4 girls on my own…I received a call from my Dad…while at work with some very life changing news!!

Wendy, he said…I have ordered an APQS Millennium and it will be delivered in 2 weeks can you get a room ready for it!!!

Visiting with Ana Paula

So on Sunday, I invited my Dad on a date to view the quilt show! It was so much fun showing him all of the different quilts and how quilting has changed and yet remained the same in many ways.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Jo Anne’s Quilt Story

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My first quilt was made about 38 years ago, I was 22.

Quilting was on my mind though for many years before that! I loved making things as a child and my Mother and other sewers provided me with scraps of fabric to play with!

It was when Quilt Canada was held in Thunder Bay in 1992 that I discovered there was a local Quilting Guild! I was really excited that I could meet like minded friends…though the first time I went to a meeting and saw that everyone appeared to be much older than I was I chickened out and didn’t attend!

Thankfully I met my new friend Alva at the fabric store and told her and she convinced me that those ladies would be more than happy to welcome me, and welcome me they did! They mentored me and my skills and love of quilting grew!

Jo Anne is one of the founding members of our guild and one of the women I remember welcoming me. It has been my absolute pleasure to quilt for her over the years!

Here we are in front of her quilt at this years show.

On a fun note, that day I attended the show with my friend Betty Maki…the two of them chatted and Jo Anne commented that she is the younger one by a year! My friend Betty is 88 1/2 and isn’t afraid to admit it 🥰

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

What a Weekend!!

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Well that was a fantastic quilt show weekend! So many people put so much work into making it happen! So many quilts to see!

I shared in my previous blog a post about micro scribbling because of a quilt at the show that was absolutely amazing!

Joyce designed her quilt herself and followed her vision, I cannot imagine the hours that went into this quilt! I know for myself the hours of planning and dreaming often aren’t recorded along with the actual physical effort that goes into a quilt or work of art such as this.

First her story about her quilt!

Her borders and use of embellishments were absolutely stunning!

I hope that this won’t be this quilts only show!

I worked as a hostess Friday evening and show many people this amazing quilt as a hostess is allowed to touch the quilts as we wear gloves.

I used both of my votes for her quilt and clearly others did as well as Joyce and her quilt won a very deserved first place!!

Congratulations Joyce Gilmore!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Scribbling on your quilt

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There is a quilt hanging in our quilt show this weekend who’s maker did an absolute amazing job not only making the quilt but also designing it!

I volunteered as a hostess last night, meaning that ai was wearing white gloves and was allowed to touch and show the backs of the quilts to those people interested!

Joyce’s attention to detail on her quilt is extraordinary and I found myself returning to it over and over again as did others.

Her scribbling technique had me wanting to head to my studio to play last night though I thought better of it and put myself to bed!

This morning I found a Craftsy link of Cindy Needham demonstrating the scribbling technique if you are interested.

Cindy Needham Scribbling

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Quilting and Life

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First of all, how exciting that the Superior Quilt Show returns next Month. This is the Thunder Bay Quilters Guild Quilt Show that is normally held every second year! Of course the last few years haven’t been business as usual so it is even more exciting to have the show return!

The response of the membership has been fantastic and while normally there has been a call for extra quilts over and above the limit of three quilts per member this year the number has been capped. So I will have 3 quilts in the show along with any of my customers who have chosen to enter their quilts.

If you are in the area I hope that you will not only come and check out some of the incredible quilts and quilting that are done locally!