Tip of the Week: Folding Quilts on the Bias

Is there anything more distracting (or frustrating) at a quilt exhibit or trunk show than those pesky fold lines created when quilts have been folded for storage and/or shipping? Folding and re-folding quilts can lead to permanent creases. Rolling quilts is a good option, but not always the most effective solution for traveling or shipping.
By folding the quilt on the bias, rather than in the typical vertical and horizontal directions, you avoid stressing the fabric and batting. Follow these simple steps, and your quilts will remain crease-free for years to come.
1. Unfold your quilt on a flat surface.
2. Fold one bottom corner up and into the center of the quilt.

3. Fold the remaining bottom corner up and into the center of the quilt.

4. Continue by folding the remaining two (top) corners into the center.



From The Quilt Show, June 22, 2008

Quilts delivered to Carpenters Shelter

Lynne Fishburne and Lynn Miller delivered the quilts from MVQU members to the Carpenter's Shelter on Tuesday, June 16. Lynn sent the following note to the group.

“I wanted to let the membership know how much the quilts were appreciated! Allison Clauson, the Director of Volunteer Services for the shelter, received the quilts and told us how much they meant to the recipients at the shelter. Another person who worked at the shelter stopped by to describe the response to the quilts we delivered in December...she said the quilts were laid across the end of the bed of shelter residents during the day while they were out. That evening, at a gathering of the residents, all the recipients came wrapped in their quilts, and they were admired by all. When this lady made a home visit to one of the recipients after she and her family moved into their own home, she said the quilt we had given her was prominently displayed across the sofa in the living room...it was in the pride of place, and the first thing you saw when you entered the front door. I just wanted to let our members know how much their generosity means to those who receive the quilts. They are truly a gift of the heart, and recognized as such. At this time, the shelter has eight babies included in the residents, so smaller quilts would also find a welcome home, if MVQU members would find that size easier to quilt.”

“Thank you for letting me represent you in delivering the quilts, it was an honor and a delight.”

MVQU Quilters in the "Wildchild" Challenge

Members Rhonda Adams, Carol Conahan, Kathy Edwards, Dotty Eisenhour and Bert Garino get a "woot, woot" for finishing their "Wildchild" quilts and displaying them at this years Quilters Unlimited Quilt Show from Pat Sloan. Follow the link to read the posting on Pat Sloan's blog dated June 11, 2009 http://patsloan.typepad.com/pat_sloans_corner/2009/06/quilters-unlimited-quilt-show-.html.

Summertime Bees

As a reminder, Summertime Bees are held every Tuesday from 12:30-until...room 216, Hollin Hall Senior Center from June to September. For those who received a "bee" kit at the summer luncheon, enjoy piecing him into one of your projects sure to create a little "buzzzzzz", or if you prefer complete him and return him to the hive (to Rhonda or Beth) for use in a project for our annual fund raiser in November. Happy Summer, happy quilting!

Lunch at the Inn

June 9, 2009 - The ladies of Mt Vernon "lunch" at the Inn.

Our chairs Rhonda and Beth explain our "Busy Bees".



Dotty shares the story of her winning quilt.



A wonderful time was had by all.


Summer Luncheon co-hostess, Beth Smith awaits the members of Mt Vernon Quilters Unlimited on the stairs of The Mt Vernon Inn Restaurant.


Friends Pat Alfredson and Yvette Fallin arrive "fashionably" early.


Kay Brill and Kathleen Shaw share a few laughs in the parlor before lunch.

Margaret Chandler, Lois Altz and Barbara Tucker meet and greet one another.


And the tables are set:

Pictured here from left to right: Margaret Chandler, Kathy Edwards, Beverly Dasch, Lois Altz and Ellen Patton.


Pictured here from left to right: Mary Mashuta, Yvette Fallin, Pat Alfredson, Kathleen Shaw, Carol Conahan, and Kay Brill.


In the foreground left to right: Kris Bishop, Ro Coller and Kathy Z.


Seated from left to right, Carol Kunkel, Nancy McGlasson, Marjorie Parkyn, Jim Melton, and Marianne Urban.


From left to right: Beth Smith, Rhonda Adams, Barbara Tucker, Angie Miller, Cathy Hanratty, Joyce Keating, Bert Garino and Lynne Fishburn.

Presentation of Presidents Quilts

Co Vice Presidents Angie Miller and Lynne Fishburn say thank you to our outgoing Presidents Lynn Miller and Carol Kunkel on behalf of the membership for their leadership and dedication to the chapter for 2008/2009





Oooh...what did we get?


The anticipation builds as Carol and Lynn read the labels on their quilts.


Lynn takes a sneak peek at her quilt before sharing it with the membership.



Here's Lynn Miller's quilt....


And Carol's.

Quilts for Carpenter's Shelter

More quilts will make their way to Carpenter's Shelter this week for deserving families on behalf of Mt Vernon. Many thanks to the generosity of the ladies who donated these colorful labors of love.

Frieda Anderson's Visit to MVQU

Lynn Fishburn sent these pictures, writing: "Here are photos from the lecture and workshop this week, mostly from the workshop shared with Burke QU." So, while no one is identified, please enjoy the photographic report!

Happy Birthday to the Summer Gals

June 3--Carol Eberhardt
June 7--Sally Spangler
June 9--Betty Smalley
June 9--Nancy McGlasson
June 13--Gene Ives
June 16--Melissa Papajohn
June 20--Kathy Zahaczewsky
June 26--Rosemary Coller
June 26--Rhonda Adams

July 1--Kathleen Pellegrini
July 4--Beverly Dasch
July 4--Mie Oshima
July 16--Rosemary Bernier
July 17--Bert Garino
July 21--Frankie Carroll
July 23--Pat Alfredson
July 25--Barbara Dove

August 4--Marianne Urban
August 5--Barbara Edler
August 15--Gail Franchi
August 18--Beverly Papajohn
August 23--Kathy Edwards
August 25--Linda Townsend
August 26--Joan Bingman
August 26--Mary Ellen Passman
August 29--Helen Lineham

Farewell from our 2008-09 President

Dear MVQU Members,
This is the last newsletter of our current quilting year. We will meet regularly throughout the summer for bees on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 2:00 p.m. at the Hollin Hall Senior Center, as always. At this time, we do not have any evening bees scheduled for the summer.

We still have one more formal gathering, the June luncheon, on June 9th at the Mt. Vernon Estate. We will gather at 12:00 noon, with lunch served at 12:30 p.m. After lunch, we will have an opportunity to see the quilts our members have donated for the Carpenter's Shelter. Cathy Hanratty will have quilts from the QU Quilt Show to return to members in the parking lot after the luncheon. The luncheon is also the deadline for turning in the Frosty Snowman and Evergreen Tree blocks (or any portion of the blocks you have finished at that time).

Over the summer, I am setting a personal goal of completing some of the many projects I started this year. I will also plan on completing at least one project each for our November auction and for our guild charity project. Those are lofty goals when I'll have two nine-year-old boys at home every day, but maybe the quilting will help keep me sane. I encourage you to set your own goals for quilt-related accomplishments this summer--come back in September and blow us all away at the show and tell!

Speaking of our return in September, Bert Garino and her new board will be heading up our guild beginning the first of July. Our meeting dates will continue to be the 2nd and 4th Tuesday of the month.

It has been a pleasure to get to know many of you better as I served as your president this past year. I appreciate all the support and input from the members, and even more, I look forward to being back in the group, instead of in front of the group, this coming year!

See you at the bees, and keep on stitching,
Lynn Miller, MVQU Co-President

*******************
Note: Those not at the luncheon can call Cathy Hanratty if they want to to retrieve their quilts from her house. Otherwise she will be at the bee on the 16th of June.

Quilters Unlimited Quilt Show

36th ANNUAL QUILTERS UNLIMITED QUILT SHOW

(2009 Raffle Quilt, click to enlarge)

Dulles Expo Center North Hall
Chantilly, Virginia

SHOW HOURS AND ADMISSION

Friday June 5th open 10 to 6
Saturday June 6th open 10 to 5
Sunday June 7th open 11 to 4
A one day pass is $10, a three day pass is $20,
(or is $15 when purchased with class registration

The annual QU meeting is Saturday night, June 6th, at 6:30 pm at Chantilly High School auditorium. Bring your membership card for admittance. The Mark Lipinski program will begin at 7:30pm and is free to QU members, but $10 to all others.

And the raffle winner is ... Dotty Eisenhour of MVQU. Congratulations Dotty!

May Show and Tell

Mt. Vernon's Quilters were very busy during the past few weeks and there's a bounty of quilts to show this month for May's Show and Tell. (As always, click to enlarge the photographs.)

Libby Dudley used the tips left over from the 2008 Presidents quilts to make "Hot Tips."

Ellen Patton made this quilt at Cynthia England's workshop.

Kathy Edwards made a variation of Aby Dolinger's Parisian Pastry quilt pattern using "Layer Cakes" or a stack of fabrics cut into 10" squares.

Kathy used the same Parisian Pastry pattern as above, but with a different colorway.

Kathy Edwards made this "Artful Fans" quilt in an online class.

The name of this quilt (also by Kathy) is "Georges Logs," as in Gorgeous Logs.

And Kathy's last is named "Batik with a Twist." Nice work!

Barbara Zygiel put together this delightful quilt, titled "Pinwheel Baby Quilt."

And our new member Agnes Purcell pieced this emergency quilt for her great great nephew. I don't know if it shows, but all the novelty prints have a boy theme.

Pat Alfredson has been cooking--er, quilting--up a storm with her recipe-inspired applique: "Ratatouille."

Lynn Fishburn made these two "Bright and Happy" half-square triangle quilts for NICU in Fairfax.


Lynn Miller created this amazing Elvis costume for her son, who is going to appear in a talent show. (No word on what song he'll be singing, though.)

These two quilts (above and below) were also made by Lynn, but I don't have any information on them.


Kay Brill shows off her pieced table runner. . .

. . . as well as "Heart Dresden Plate," a quilt made for an upcoming wedding.

Continuing on her theme for stash-busting, Marianne Urban shows off one of two 107" x 107" quilts. (My stash busters never look this good!)

And this one, "Happy Blocks," also made by Marianne, was made at the retreat from a charm pack and a jelly roll.

Bert Garino made this quilt for her husband's office from Bonnie Hunter's pattern. Her husband works for the Institute of Scrap and Recycling Industries and staff members donated their shirts, which she made into "Quilting Green for ISRI."