Submitted by Ann U., Secretary

Noemi B called the meeting to order at 6:02 pm.

Paulina from Wonderfil Specialty Thread introduced Bernadette Kent, who presented her lecture, “Enriching your Quilts with Hand Embroidery and Embellishments.” Highlights included photos of many quilts she has embellished with hand and machine embroidery. She stated that 12-weight thread is the heaviest that can go through the sewing machine needle, and that you can use a much lighter weight thread in the bobbin- she recommends their 80-weight Deco-Bob. She noted that you must use a larger needle when using heavy-weight thread. She recommends using size 100/16 Top Stitch or Super Non-stick needle for 12-weight thread in the sewing machine.

Wonderfil offers 12-weight cotton, 8-weight Perle cotton, 5-weight Perle cotton and 3-weight Perle cotton; the 8, 5 and 3 are for hand work. The lower the number, the thicker the thread. The size of the thread affects the boldness and visibility of the stitches. Bernadette explained that traditional hand quilting uses 50-weight thread and much smaller stitches using a very short needle (quilting between needle), and has as many as 12-14 stitches per inch. Big stitch quilting uses a longer needle, such as a milliner’s or chenille 22-size needle and approximately 4-5 stitches per inch. Milliners needles are good for wrapped stitches such as French knots, and Chenille is good for running stitches and stem stitches. Other stitches she uses on quilts or Boro visible mending include Fly stitch, blanket stitch and couching stitch. Chain stitch is good for letters and writing.

Kantha is lines of big-stitch quilting but the lines do not have to be perfectly straight, just free-hand. Boro is visible mending of clothing and can use a variety of straight stitching, cross stitch, stars or random stitches going different directions. She usually adds stitching to quilts before they are layered and quilted, and will use a fusible stitch enhancer to stabilize the hand work, then layers and quilts it. She also uses Rinse Away, a Wonderfil product to transfer stitching designs, as it can go through the printer (even a laser printer if you only do a few sheets, since the drum can get too hot). Wonderfil offer many types of thread-cotton, rayon, rayon with metallic, and a wool-acrylic
blend for a variety of looks. Eleganza comes in 8, 5 and 3 weights, Razzle is shinier rayon thread, Dazzle is rayon with metallic and Starry Night has two strands of rayon intertwined with a stand of metallic. Many of their threads come in variegated and Bernadette stressed that these have shorter change lengths that make the variation show up more. She also stressed that Wonderfil uses a technique called “double gassing” to eliminate lint on their threads.

After a quick break, Noemi B began the business meeting. She noted that the MQG has added some new wording that we must include in our bylaws. These changes have been emailed to the membership to read, as we will have to vote on them at the February meeting. The updated bylaws must be sent to MQG with our yearly dues in March. Laurie S suggested that the wording in 7.1, 7.2 and 7.3 be changed to add the words “serves as” signatory to make the
wording a proper sentence. Stormy H suggested we delete 10.5 because it is redundant. A voice vote was held to approve these changes to the draft, and Noemi will make those changes and re-send the updated draft bylaws to the members, so that a vote can be held as scheduled in February.

Nancy P reported on upcoming programs.

• There is a Wonderfil Threads workshop Saturday, Jan 31 on Zoom. This hand embroidery class is entitled ”Larch Treescape in the Fall.” This workshop is sold out.
• The February 24 program is by Charles Cameron @FeltLikeSweets whose Lecture is “Color and Value- A guide to value and color placement in your quilts. On
• March 24, the program will answer the question “What is Modern Quilting,” using quilt photos from this year’s QuiltCon.
• April 28th is HeartBeat Quilt Design Night and the Kona Color of the Year Mini Quilt Challenge Exhibit.
• In May, we will learn about Upcycling from Radha @sewingthroughfog and kick off our own Upcycling Challenge!
• Then in June, we welcome Daisy Aeschehoug @warmfolk, who will be in the US from Norway. She has taught many classes at Quiltcon. Her lecture is “Anatomy of a Curve.” The following day, she will teach a workshop called “Giant Nested Circles.” Sign ups are open for the workshop now, but hurry – slots are limited.

In the membership report, Tonya K reported we now have 91 members, and we welcome a new member, Miriam. We have 49 members attending the online meeting tonight.

There was no report from Community Outreach, except that members who are interested in making blocks for the Heartbeat Quilts can arrange to pick up fabric from Nicole, M or can help sew them at the Spring Retreat, so they will be ready by the April 28th Design Night. Also, the committee is looking for ideas for Christmas Tree Ornaments to be used for the BabyFold’s Festival of Trees in the fall that we will be making at the July meeting.

Next, Kathy Cook presented an idea to create more community service quilts and encourage members of the guild to get to know each other better. Before proceeding with this idea, Kathy would like to gauge the interest members might have in it. Quilting Bees would be formed for a year, with members each taking a turn as a Queen Bee. The recipient charity, the design and colors of a quilt would be decided by that month’s Queen. The other members would make blocks to the Queen’s requirements, and the Queen is responsible for putting the blocks together, quilting and binding it. Then a different member of the group would be the next queen, and repeat the process. A poll was put up, and 18 of the 30 (60%) who responded were interested. Kathy will work on organizational details. If people would like to form their own bees, or want to form an out-of-town group, she asked that you let her know.

Upcoming Sew Days are February 14 and March 21 from 9-3. Beginning in April, the Sew Days will be in person at the church. Those dates are April 11, May 9, June 13, July 11 and August 8. The next Sip and Sew night is Feb 17. These are casual evening sewing sessions held via Zoom from 6-9 pm. Anyone can join in and sew or just chat.

The BNMQG Spring No-Frills retreat is March 12-15 at the Holiday Inn by the airport. There is plenty of room for more people to sign up. There is a Sign Up Genius link is also on the members only section of the website. The cost is $75 (cash/check) or $79PayPal) for the retreat, but as a “No-Frills” retreat, there are no swag bags and you are responsible for your own meals.

The exhibit of our Modern Minis at the Bloomington Public Library begins March 7 with a Reception from 1:30-3:30 pm. The opening reception is Saturday, March 7th from 1:30-3:30 pm, and is open to the public. Nancy P will notify participants about when she needs the quilts. To estimate how much food is needed at the reception, a poll question was asked. Are you planning to attend the BNMQG Library Reception at the Bloomington Public Library on March
7, 2026? If yes, how many will be attending? The response was 52% are planning to attend.

The Treasurer’s Report will be posted in the Member section of the BNMQG website.

Noemi B reminded everyone that QuiltCon is coming up Feb 19-22, and that you can still register for lectures and possibly a few workshops. There are also very limited volunteer openings available. Nancy P asked that you let her know if you are planning to attend.

Lisa B reported that guild merchandise is in. Contact Noemi B to arrange pick up.

For Show and Tell, Nancy P and Laurel B both showed projects.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:20 pm.