MVQU meets Tuesdays at 12:30pm in Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Road, Alexandria, VA 22308. For more information click here.
Mount Vernon Chapter Officers 2011 – 2012
Co-Presidents— Ruth Morgan and Ro Coller
Vice President/Programs— Carol Kunkel
Secretary— Jim Melton
Treasurer—Gigi Corbin
Nominating Chair— Libby Dudley
Newsletter—Mary Downey
Co-President's Message
Do you want some free fabric? First quality, brand new, still in the package, QUILTING FABRIC. Yes, you read that right. We have a free package of 25 charm squares for everyone who comes to the September meeting.
That’s right! Timeless Treasures has graciously given enough charm packs of their new “Dotty” line for everyone in QU to have one as a thank you for all the generous contributions of quilts, backpacks, pillowcases and countless other items quilters have made and given to others.
The “Dotty” line is a great assortment of vibrant small tone on tone colors which read like solids. I can picture these in all sorts of quilt projects. I cannot wait to see what everyone does with these at a future “show and tell”.
Come to Hollin Hall on Tuesday, September 13th to hear all about the activities and plans for the upcoming year, see your quilting friends and pick up your charm pack. We look forward to seeing you! ------------- Ruth Morgan
Vice-President's Message 
It was with great enthusiasm that I volunteered for the position of Vice President. I had so much fun being the Vendor Chair for the QU Show in 2010 that I wanted to bring that energy to our MVQU programs. We have had such wonderful programs in the few years that I have been a member of MVQU that I knew it would be a challenge to continue that legacy, but what fun I could have trying!!
In that vein, I also know that there has been great concern that we have not been filling our workshops. The workshops help pay for these fabulous presenters expenses, so I’d like to encourage you to color outside of your usual favorite technique and try something new this year!! Let’s fill our workshops!!
I decided to make it my focus to try to bring in programs that would meet the interest of the majority of our guild members, rather than having focused technique presenters. There will be some “techniques” presented, beginning in October; however I’ve also got lots of generalists as well. I tried to get and am still reaching out to quilt novelists. Our local Emily Richardson would love to present, however authors generally lecture when they can do readings and book signings. Her publisher is only doing electronic books at this time. So, for now she would like to be considered at a later date, when she actually has some books available. If you want to see more published books, I have her publisher’s contact information. She encourages us to write to the publishers so that we can keep books on our shelves.
I’m also working with a magazine editor. If all the details are worked out, she will talk about how she reviews the books that are reviewed in her magazine. She will be bringing lots of books and other goodies to share. I have slated a lecture on Civil War quilts and a fella to share his machine quilting techniques. He says he has taught young and old to enjoy quilting on their traditional machines. I hope this partial outline of this year’s programs whets your whistles just a little bit!
Our September lecture will be Newbie Richardson. She is a very talented and well known textile conservator. Her lecture is titled “This is the Way to Wash our Clothes: the Layman’s Guide to Textile Conservation.” Please plan to bring your family linens, Great-Grandma’s wedding dress, button or hankie collections, old hats, whatever treasures that you have hidden away. Following Newbie’s lecture we will have 90 minutes for her to look at your treasures, in Show and Tell format. She will tell all of us about your treasure and whether you should keep it out and use it or whether you have a gold mine!!! She even designs doll clothes to replicate costumes of the past.
October brings Bethany Reynolds. Bethany has written a number of books on Stack-n-Whack®. Bethany will present her Stack-n-Whack®-ipedia Trunk Show. She promises that this presentation is lots of fun. On Wednesday, she will continue her stay with us via her workshop entitled Stack-n-Whack® Cutting Magic. This workshop was selected to present a variety of Stack-n-Whack® techniques, resulting in a very nice sampler when you complete the project. Have you taught yourself Stack-n-Whack® previously? Come learn the tips and tricks with the originator of this technique!! Let’s fill this workshop!!!
I have tons of ideas, more ideas than there is time to fill. I’d like to get a museum visit scheduled. A contact that I made said that it is impossible to get into Mount Vernon to see Mary Washington’s quilts. I got a NAME!! I truly hope that I can pull that one off and set up a tour of Mt. Vernon to see those rarely seen quilts. Please join me in celebrating our fabulous guild and join me in welcoming our program presenters, and please consider taking all of the workshops!!
Happy Quilting....... Carol Kunkel
Membership Renewals Are Underway
REMINDER! If you haven't already done so, please be sure to renew your MVQU membership now. Last year's memberships expired on June 30. The deadline for being included in the next
QU Directory is September 30, so please take a moment to renew. Payment of dues entitles you to privileges of membership like participating in discussions and voting on issues at our business meetings, taking classes/workshops and participating in Big QU events. Give your forms and monies to Gigi Corbin.
Reminder ALSO: Remember to fill out the Senior Center Form. Please see Mary Stauss to complete the required form.
MVQU Meetings and Programs 2011-2012
September 13, 2011-- Business Meeting & Start of Nickel Fabric Exchange
September 15, 2011--6:30 AM --Fall Bus Trip to Philadelphia Quilt Show
September 27, 2011--12:30 PM, Newbold Richardson, Costume & Design Specialist
October 11, 2011-- Business Meeting and Summer Challenge is due
October 14, 15, 16, 2011--Big QU Fall Event (hosted by Mt. Vernon)
October 25, 2011--12:30 PM, Bethany Reynolds, Stack-n-Whack®-ipedia Lecture/Trunk Show
October 26,2011 Bethany Reynolds Stack-n-Whack® Cutting Magic Workshop
*November 1, 2011--MVQU Annual Auction
*November 15,2011 Business Meeting
*November 29, 2011--5th Tuesday Community Service workshop
December 13, 2011 Holiday Luncheon
January 10, 2012-- Business meeting
January 24, 2012--Bunnie Jordan, Civil War Trunk Show
January 25, 2012-- Bunnie Jordan Workshop: Hit Parade of Quilting
January 31, 2012--Community service workshop
February 14, 2012-- Business Meeting
February 28, 2012--Jean Ann Wright, Quilts in my Suitcase; The Life of a Traveling Quilt Editor
February 29, 2012-- Jean Ann Wright Workshop: Circle of Nine Quilts
March 13, 2012-- Business meeting
March 27, 2012--Lorette Keserowski, Quilt Book Review
April 10, 2012--Business meeting
April 24, 2012--Program TBA
May--Spring Retreat==dates TBD
May 8, 2012--Business meeting
May 22, 2012--Mike Ellingsen: Machine Quilting on a traditional machine
May 29, 2012--Community service workshop
June--Big QU Quilt Show Boutique
June 12, 2012-- Year End Luncheon
Please NOTE some of our meeting dates have changed for the month of November because of the November election.
2011-2012 Executive Committee and Committee Chairs
Good news! We have done a great job filling all of our committee positions for next year--One committee chair remains open--the QU event needs a coordinator to run the Boutique. If anyone is interested, please contact Ruth.
Executive Committee 2011-2012
Co-Presidents- Ruth Morgan and Ro Coller
Vice President - Carol Kunkel
Secretary - Jim Melton
Treasurer - Gigi Corbin
Nominating - Libby Dudley
Committee Chairs 2011 - 2012
Auction: Andrea Gribble
Auction Storage: Ro Coller
Community Outreach: Libby Dudley
Community Service: Lynn Miller
December Luncheon: Tammy Mannarino and Anne Poulin
June Luncheon & Block: Nancy Barkume and Carol Allen
Greeter & Door Prizes: T Carter
Challenge/BOM/Mystery: Pat Alfredson and Mary Mazzuchi
New Member Kits: Dotty Eisenhouer
Quilt Collector: Lynne Fishburn and Angie Miller
Hospitality: Barbara Dove
Fall Bus Trip: Andrea Gribble
Quilt Retreat: Gail Franchi
2013 QU Quilt Raffle Design: Ro Coller and Pat Alfredson
QU Event (our job is to run the boutique): OPEN
Audit: Mary Downey
Senior Center Rep: Mary Stauss
Sunshine: Barbara Zygiel
Message from our Challenge/BOM/Mystery Committee: Pat & Mary
- Nickel Fabric Exchange: Come join our first nickel block exchange in September. For those who want to participate we will have a sign-up sheet at our business meeting in September. The exchange will take place at the 4th meeting each month. Each month the exchange will be for fabric in a different theme. Join in the fun and sign up. September’s theme: Autumn colors in solids or fabrics that read like a solid. Click on BOM for more info about the fabric exchange.
- Mt Vernon Summer Challenge - 2011 Due October 11, 2011--Walk On the Wild Side
Hope you are enjoying your Summer Challenge project. The rules are simple: Use as much or as little of the material provided as you desire in your project. Just be sure the material can be recognized (without a magnifying glass). The size of your project must not exceed 100 inches in circumference. You are free to use your imagination on the shape and purpose for your project. Just remember to let your wild side out and have fun!
OUR BUS TRIP-Thursday, Sept. 15, 2011
Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza
There are still seats available on the bus to the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza in the Greater Philadelphia area on Thursday, September 15, 2011. The bus will be leaving the Hollin Hall Senior Center, 1500 Shenandoah Rd., Alexandria, VA at 6:30 am and returning at 8:30 pm.
As a member of Mt. Vernon QU your cost for this trip is $45.00 a person, all other QU members and guests may attend for a cost of $60.00. This fee includes the cost of the bus ride, entry to the quilt show, a light continental breakfast on the bus, water, and a light snack.
We’ll have a movie on the bus, and door prizes for all. Lunch is on your own at the quilt show, and we’ll be stopping at a Maryland Welcome Center for an on-your-own dinner on our return trip. (We’ll also stop at a Welcome Center on our way there to stretch our legs – and the bus does come equipped with a restroom…) You may also bring a small cooler with you, if you prefer to bring your own lunch and dinner with you or like to snack during the day.
This show is special – and certainly my favorite show to go to in our area. The quilts are especially beautiful (many of which haven’t been seen yet in the show circuits) and the vendor court, with over 250 vendors, has many unique and tempting goods! If you’d like to find out more about this show, check out their website at www.quiltfest.com.
This bus trip (and the special price afforded to you as a Mt. Vernon member)
is one of the many great benefits of being a Mt. Vernon member. Don’t miss this great opportunity. Contact me – Andrea Gribble at andreagribble@hotmail.com – if you have any questions. The form is available on Mt. Vernon’s webpage. We look forward to seeing you on the trip!
Our Fall Auction--November 1, 2011
OUR AUCTION IS COMING AND WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!
We’ve gotten several amazing items already for the quilt show, but we could always use some more. We’d love to have any quilts, quilted items, clothing items, vintage pieces, tops blocks, completed quilts, wall hangings, or anything else you’d like to donate for our regular auction. We’ll take any such item up until the day of the auction – if you could get it to us a little earlier, that would be great, so that we could put pictures up on the newsletter, or in e-blast, so you could have something to look forward to.
We still need 6” and 5” blocks in batiks, browns, pinks, greens, blacks, reds, and Hawaiian prints. Also, anything that you would use in a sewing basket – needles, tape measures, threads, pincushions, etc. for baskets and lunchboxes for the silent auction. We also need any items you all could donate for the silent auction – fabrics, books, patterns, anything you think would make a cool basket or set for the silent auction (AND your ideas for these – there are no bad ideas – and we need your help!!!)
If you have any unfinished items or UFOS, please consider donating them to us as well. Those are always popular and bring a great price (and you would be amazed at how some of these pieces turn out later on! – I’ve seen 20 pieces in the last 30 weeks that were purchased at our previous auctions as UFOs and finished off into AMAZING pieces.
Also – don’t forget the food – Ro Coller has graciously agreed to run the Bake Sale/Café Area, and we need your help here too. Please think about cookies, candies, cakes, breads, desserts, jams, jellies for our bake sale. Also, if you make a great dinner dish that doubles up and stores well, think about making a “Take-Home Dinner Bag” that has a dinner for 4 or so (like an oven-ready tray of lasagna, salad, and garlic bread) – these sell incredibly well, and who doesn’t love to get out of making dinner for their family?
I’m asking ALL Mt. Vernon members to please participate in this upcoming auction. How well we do sets the tone on whether we are able to afford great programs for the upcoming year. No contribution is too small. Yes, your work IS good enough – if you are uncomfortable donating a quilted item, think about donating food, if not food, then how about some quilt related items you aren’t using any more? If you can’t do that, consider donating some time working at the auction, or helping to prepare for it. Every little bit helps and every bit of help is appreciated.
Come one come all for the EVENT OF THE SEASON. Mt. VERNON’S, LIVE AUCTION, SIDE AUCTIONS and BAKE SALE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Sincerely........................Andrea Gribble, Auction Chair
2013 Raffle Quilt Committee Update
As of August 25, 2011, we have collected 50 bull’s eye blocks and some fabrics. WE NEED 150 MORE BLOCKS TO REACH OUR GOAL AND CREATE A QUILT THAT IS A REFLECTION OF OUR ENTIRE MEMBERSHIP. Please make a minimum of 4 blocks (2 light with dark centers, 2 dark with light centers) or more of your favorite prewashed batiks. Pat Alfredson will be collecting blocks at the Business Meetings and Bees all Fall. The last day to turn in blocks will be at the December Luncheon December 13, 2011. THE INSTRUCTIONS FOR MAKING THE BLOCKS CAN BE FOUND IN THE NEWSLETTER/BLOG UNDER BOM.
Thank You, Thank You..................................From the 2013 Raffle Quilt Committee.
2013 Raffle Quilt History
In early 2011 the president of Mount Vernon Chapter of Quilters Unlimited reminded us that we were responsible for the Quilters Unlimited auction quilt in 2013. This sparked an interest in Ro Coller and Pat Alfredson, who agreed to lead the committee through the quilt design process. They circulated a sign-up sheet throughout the Mt Vernon Chapter and several members volunteered to help on many different levels; as we all know many hands make light work. Some volunteered to serve on the committee, some to help with publicity, some to help with the administrative side, some to sew, and some to appliqué.
The committee began its first official meeting in late July with Ro Coller, Pat Alfredson, Anne Poulin, Lynne Fishburn, Beth Smith, Mary Downey, Mary Mazzuchi, and Angie Miller. Prior to this first “official” meeting, Ro and Pat had spent many hours gathering pictures for ideas and suggestions, and conferring within the group. We wanted a colorful, lively, happy quilt. Early decisions made included: quilt will be queen or king size, members will provide batik fabric, top will be quilted before Celtic design is hand appliquéd, center block will be dark appliqué on light background (reversing colors in center), setting triangles will be same fabric as border and appliqué will trail into triangles.
During the April 12th Business Meeting, Ro presented a draft of the wonderful design—a scrappy batik quilt with 6-inch bull’s eye blocks on point surrounding a Celtic cross medallion in the center. The border would reflect the Celtic cross design.
We envisioned total chapter participation either through contributing fabric and/or making blocks, along with the other assorted jobs connected with the creation of this lively quilt. By using member fabrics and color preferences, we hoped the quilt would become a beautiful reflection of our Mount Vernon Chapter.
Decisions made during the July meeting included: quilt to be made with scrappy batik blocks, a call out to Mt Vernon QU members for pre-washed batik fabric or finished blocks, Lynne Fishburn to complete the quilting, and a timeline for quilt completion by June 2012. Before closing the meeting, Ro requested that someone take over leading the committee going forward. She also suggested that a Quilt Historian be appointed to document the creation of this raffle quilt. Angie Miller agreed to hold all documents pertaining to the raffle quilt and take over the next phase for the committee. Mary Mazzuchi agreed to be the Quilt Historian. Pat Alfredson agreed to collect blocks or fabric at Business Meetings and Bees.
QU QUARTERLY AVAILABLE ONLINE--SUMMER 2011
Be sure to visit www.quilterrunlimited.org to view the latest Big QU News.
BIG QU ANNUAL MEETING OCTOBER 15, 2011 AND WORKSHOPS
Mark your calendars for the Fall Lecture which will be held on Saturday, October 15th, 7-9pm at NVCC Ernst Cultural Center. The guest speaker is Susan Carlson, a well-known fiber artist who is a native of Northern Virginia and is now living in Maine. The Lecture and Trunk Show is FREE. You are encouraged to bring guests and car pool with those who might not like to drive at night! See Susan's website: http://www.susancarlson.com/welcome.html.
Susan's Workshops will be held at Artistic Artifacts Annex, Alexandria, Virginia. October 14 and 15th from 10:00-4:00PM --Cutting Loose--a 2 Day workshop(two 6-hour classes): $160.00.
October 16th ―What Goes Around, Comes Around-- One Day Workshop, $80.00
For more information about the lecture, workshops and registration for these workshops, check out the QU Summer 2011 Newsletter for more details.
SUBSCRIBE TO THE QU DIGEST
Yes, the QU Digest is alive and well, administered by Cindy Grisdela. To sign up for it, email her at cpgrisdela@gmail.com
It works the same way as before, comes out once or twice a week, depending on how much info there is to send. While it isn't an official part of Quilters Unlimited, most QU members participate in the Digest. It's a great way to disseminate info about things of interest to quilters, e.g., news about QU members, quilting tips, interesting websites, and pleas for missing books or fabric, ongoing news on workshops by QU and other guilds--whether they are official QU functions or not, and it includes non-quilt posts too, about things like garage sales, cars for sale, homes for sale, etc etc.
Cindy will probably send you more info when you sign up. I know that it's important, when you want her to post something from you, that you give her your complete name and contact info. You send it to the same address as when you sign up.
September Calendar
- September 6 and 20, 2011 — Bee, 12:30 pm, Room 216, Hollin Hall Senior Center
- Sept. 13 -- Business meeting and introduction to the "Nickel" Fabric Exchange"
- September 15 --Bus trip to the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza in the Greater Philadelphia area, Bus leaves Hollin Hall Senior Center at 6:30 am returning at 8:30 pm.
- September 27 lecture by Newbold "Newbie" Richardson, Costume and Design Specialist entitled This is the Way to Wash our Clothes: the Layman’s Guide to Textile Conservation.
Looking Ahead
October 4 and 18, Bee, 12:30PM, Hollin Hill Senior Center, Room 216
October 11, Business Meeting and show and tell our summer challenge
October 14, 15, 16, Big QU Lecture and Workshops by Susan Carlson
October 25 lecture by Bethany Reynolds entitled Stack-n-Whack®-ipedia Trunk Show. for more information on Bethany see her website:http://www.bethanyreynolds.com
October 26, Wednesday, entitled Stack-n-Whack® Cutting Magic Workshop by Bethany Reynolds. Government Center
November 1, 2011 MVQU Fall Auction
*Nov. 8(Election)Day--Bee, 12:30PM
Upcoming Area Shows, Exhibits and More
- September 11, 2011-- Sully Historic Site's 38th Annual Quilt Show and Sale--Patriotic themed Quilts featured from 10 am to 4:30pm. Admission is $9 for adults, $8 for seniors, and $6 for children.
There will be well known textile art speakers presenting talks: Interior Designer Mary Drysdale; Alden O’Brien, Textiles Curator-DAR Museum; and Textile Conservator Julia Brennan; three demonstrations : Bunny Jordan at 10am on Dating Quilts; Betsy True at 12noon on Scrap Quilts: From Antiques To Art; and Anne Westerfield and Martha Bush at 3pm on Patriotic Quilts.
The “Sit and Sew “ Tent will demonstrate appliqué techniques with Martha Bush from 10am to 12noon and hand piecing techniques with Anne Westerfield from 1 to 3pm. - September 14 -- December 17, 2011--Virginia Quilt Museum--"Unity in Diversity--A Collection from Country School Quilters" see http://www.vaquiltmuseum.org for more information.
- September 15 -- 18, 2011-- Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza XVIII, Philadelphia Area, Pennsylvania
- September 24 and 25, 2011 10:00AM to 4:00PM join Eternal Quilters of Linthicum and Friendship Quilters of Glen Burnie, MD at the 11th Biennial Quilt Show with displays by Invitational Quilter Gyleen Fitzgerald and Featured Quilter Norma Campbell, at Brooklyn Park Middle School, 200 Hammonds Lane, Brooklyn Park, MD. 21225. Admission: $5.00. Parking is free and show is Handicap Accessible. See ww.friendshipquiltersoflinthicum.org or contact aquiltersharvest@gmail.com for more information.
- September 29, 30 and October 1, 2011--Original Sewing and Quilting Expo at Dulles Expo Center For information and classes--see http://www.sewingexpo.com/
- October 1, 2011,-- Quilt Show "Threads of Color" + Hoffman Challenge Traveling Exhibit "Treasures" at St. Francis Episcopal Church, 10AM-4PM, 9220 Georgetown Pike, Great Falls, VA 22066 This exhibit is part of their festive fall fair.
- October 15, 2011--Big QU Fall Lecture, 7-9pm at NVCC Ernst Cultural Center. Guest speaker is Susan Carlson. Check out her website: http://www.susancarlson.com/welcome.html
- October 14, 15 and 16--Susan Carlson--Big QU Workshops
- October 21 -- 22, 2011, The Hearts & Hands/ECA Quilters Guild invite you to their “Pieceful Garden” Quilt Show at the Dennis A. Wicker Civic Center, 1801 Nash Street, Sanford, NC. 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. each day. Adult admission is $5, under 12 free. Visit their new website http://www.heartsandhandsnc.org
Birthdays
September
09/05 Patricia Bolton
09/13 Simone Pointin
09/16 Joyce Keating
09/21 Mary Mazzuchi
09/23 Sierra Smith
09/26 Carol Kunkel
October
10/08 Sandra Weisman
10/16 Lynne Fishburn
10/16 Marjorie Barondes
10/22 Kathleen Sander
Please submit items to Mary Downey, MVQU Newsletter Editor, at mvqu.news@gmail.com The deadline for the October newsletter is September 28.
