Submitted by Barb Stevens, Secretary

The Bloomington  Normal Modern Quilt Guild met October 24, 2023 at Christ Lutheran Church and via Zoom.  This was our last dual meeting until March. Meetings from November through February are only via Zoom.

Social hour began at 5:30 with members enjoying the delicious treats provided by Barb B., Roberta D., Vickie A. and Dee B.  Those who provided treats in October as well as those who provided treats in September were presented with Guild rulers as a thank you.

The program for the meeting was presented by several of our members.  This was a hands on demonstration meeting with stations.

The presenters and the topics were as follows:

  Gary Riss “Precise Mitered Binding”

Joann Briggs “Just a Bit of Embroidery”

Melissa Kirk “A Little English Paper Piecing”

Mary Rose Hill “Fabric Coasters”

Nancy Powell “Customizable Neck Wallet”

Members visited each station to watch the demonstrations.  Following the program, each of the presenters was given a guild ruler in appreciation.  Detailed instructions on each topic can be found on the Member’s page.

Jamie Wills, via zoom, gave a short, informative presentation on Victoria Findley Wolfe’s book Double Wedding Ring Quilts Made Modern.   

Noemi Bowers reported that tonight we had 61 members attending in person, 12 attending via zoom, and 5 guests.   She reminded everyone that dues must be paid no later than October 31st.   Anyone failing to renew by the deadline will no longer have access to the website password. The Member’s only password was changed today, all active members were sent an email from the BNMQGWebmaster @ gmail.com email address with the newest password. Please keep confidential. The most recent listing of members has also been uploaded to the Member’s page.

Linda Lambert read the results of the survey question for the night.   The question was “Would you be willing to volunteer at Midwest Food Bank.   The results were decidedly positive and Linda will be contacting the food bank to get on the schedule.   Vickie Morrow won the survey prize drawing.

The raffle prize for tonight was donated by The Quilting Corner of Countryside Village Gifts in Braidwood, IL.  It was a complete EPP kit and was won by Pamela Faber who happened to be a new member of the guild.  Thank you Countryside Gifts.

Laurie S. brought the BNMQG shirts which members had ordered for pick up tonight. If you have an order that wasn’t picked up at the meeting, please contact Laurie S., her contact info is on the Member’s list on the Members page.

In the absence of Pat S., Nicole M. thanked everyone who attended the October sew day.  The group worked on getting fabric ready to be assembled into kits for the Heartbeat quilts.   There will be another sew date on November 16th to continue prepping the kits. To sign up for the sew day – so that we know how many stations to prepare – please visit this sign up genius – it is also linked on the Members page. We always set up a few more stations, so if your plans change and you can come, please join us even if you weren’t signed up in advance.

Linda L. then introduced Sheila R. who displayed the block she made following last months program on the Modern Guild Block Studies, found on the MQG resources – search for “block study”.  You will need to be logged into the Modern Quilt Guild Website to access the resource page.

Sheila chose a block called Organic Diamond from the MQG Resource Library and explained how it went together. It is a paper pieced block and even though she found it challenging, it turned out great.

Rhonda D. shared the Octagonal Orb Block

Kathy C. encouraged all members to enter a quilt in the Quilt Con show in February 2024.  Having entered several quilts before, Kathy explained the procedure and offered to personally help anyone who may be planning to enter a quilt but not quite sure how to do it. Her contact info is on the Member’s list on the Members page.

One of the evening’s presenters, Nancy P., gave three kits for her neck wallet to the following winners:   Lisa A., Carla M., and Tiffany B.

Melissa K., also one of tonight’s presenters, gave a small paper piecing kit to those members volunteering to remain after the meeting to assist with putting the tables and chairs back in place.  Several members offered to help.

It was then time for Show and Tell and the following members presented beautiful quilts and ice dyed fabric they had completed.  Those participating were:   Marge E., Pamela T., Lori L., Vickie M., Laurel B., Jean B., Kathy C., Karla M., Cheryl A., and Maria C.