Tag: Thunder Bay Quilters Guild

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!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

A Fun Monday Quilting with Friends and Guild

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Yes it is Tuesday!

Yesterday was a fun day of quilting, first of all my friends and I enjoyed a day of sewing at the Rec centre along with a fun potluck lunch! We all agreed that we should do that more often, the potluck that is. We meet every Monday at the centre already.

I am currently piecing scrappy 16 patch blocks which sure can make a mess. It’s fun to see the variety of projects being worked on.

After supper I attended the Thunder Bay Quilt Guild meeting which is currently held on Zoom. I have mixed feelings about zoom meetings…I really don’t mind not having to go out at night but I do miss seeing people in person along with their quilts.

The guild is busy getting ready to hold the long awaited for quilt show!

Thunder Bay Quilters Guild

The program last night was about Gadgets, what people love and what they don’t. One of the gadgets that was mentioned as unliked was Deb Tuckers Wing Clipper rulers, these are my go to rulers for flying geese and probably my most used specialty ruler.

Below is Debs you tube demonstration.

Do you have a favourite ruler for making flying geese?

One other favourite that was mentioned was Frixon pens, and yes I agree that they have their uses, however I would not personally use them to mark a quilt for quilting… the ink may disappear with heat but I have seen it return when cold so if a quilt is being transported in the winter the marks return. I do suspect washing the quilt will remove the residue. Just my opinion.

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

February

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Well the month has begun in the deep freeze! The feels like temperature this morning when I woke was -42C. I am extremely happy to be able to be at home all day today!

January was an extremely full and busy month and I am so grateful for all of the people who entrust their quilts to me to help complete. Other than finishing my Longtime Gone quilt top and a little sewing on Mondays at the Rec centre most of the month was spent working on the Longarm.

Just a peek at a recent Northern Lights Quilt…more to come.

The Thunder Bay Quilt Guild is gearing up for the long awaited Quilt Show in May so we quilters are all extra busy these days. I am planning to show some of mine and hoping to fit in one or two into my my Longarm schedule. (If you are wanting a quilt done by me for the show please let me know soon as my schedule is getting pretty full.)

On the life side… I enjoyed a full day this week watching Liam and his school team play in a basketball tournament with his Mom 😊

And today marks not only my 37th Anniversary of becoming a Mom …

It is my daughter Sarah’s Birthday!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Ann’s Quilt

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Ann took part in the Thunder Bay Quilt Guilds sew along last year and her result was spectacular. Sadly my December pictures do not really reflect the true colours in this quilt. Oh I miss the sunshine…

She chose fireside for the backing which really showcases the quilting. I used the pantograph star swirl and it really dances on this quilt. We both agreed that it was the perfect choice.

I remember being told early in my quilting life not to use yellow in quilts! I am so glad so many of those silly colour rules have been tossed aside because yellow is to me one of the happiest colours!

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Jo Avery

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This month the Thunder Bay Quilters guild is hosting a workshop by Jo Avery

In preparation for the workshop I decided to visit her website and found a tutorial on free hand foundation piecing which looks like fun.

https://joavery.co.uk/2015/02/free-hand-foundation-piecing-tutoria.html

Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

Home and Quilting

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We had been staying at the Chelsea hotel in Toronto and for the most part it has been a great choice.

My back will thank me for being back in my own bed tonight as I have been sleeping on the pull out. I did let the staff know how horrible it was with springs pointing up through the thin mattress however there was no response.

We are both happy to be heading home and so thankful that our mission is complete and has been successful.

Billy Bishop Tunnel on the way to the airport.

Tonight is the first meeting of the 2021-2022 season of the Thunder Bay Quilters Guild. I first joined this guild in my 30’s and took a short break in my early 40’s while going to school and adjusting to a new life with my daughters. I am looking forward to hearing the plans so far I know that it will be offered on zoom even if we are able to start gathering in person.

I am also looking forward to this years sew along, not that I really need another project! There was also the announcement of another swap as last years sisterhood swap was such a success.

If you are interested in learning about our local guild here is the link http://thunderbayquilters.org/

This is one of the versions of this years sew along.
Wendy's Longarm Quilting, Thunder Bay, Ontario

June Guild Meeting

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Last night was the final meeting until fall for the Thunder Bay Quilters Guild.

The guild had arranged to have Rose Parr as a guest speaker. She spoke about Sew Smart-the Ergonomics of Healthy Quilting.

My cutting and pressing station are the perfect height for me, although I did realize that my chair was too low at my machine so tried changing it to the suggested height and experimented through the rest of the meeting with some crumb piecing and yes I prefer my chair higher!

I had started to sort through scraps while waiting for the meeting to begin and when I came across a little baggie of solid scraps I had a strong desire to play 😊 and by the end of the meeting this is what I came up with…

I was too late to send my Sisterhood swap block for last nights meeting however I do plan to use it for a bag at some point.