Submitted by Ann U., Secretary

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by President Noemi B. Program Chair Nancy P. introduced Radha Weaver of @sewingthroughfog on Zoom. Radha studied costume design in college and worked for Levi’s, traveling the world, until the pandemic in 2020. She focused her lecture on “Finding Your Creative Voice through Your Own Materials.” She feels choosing your own materials makes your work more personal.

She grew up in a commune in northern California around natural textiles and a philosophy of making the most of what you had, re-using so as not to throw anything away. She had always sewed but began quilting during COVID. She used what was available to her – jeans and old clothes and treasured fabrics such as Liberty of London lawn she picked up on her travels. She eventually designed some patterns but really wanted them as a guide people could use to create their own projects rather than copies of hers. She began weaving denim strips upcycled from old jeans, mixing whatever fabrics she had, including leather. When she went to QuiltCon in 2023 and 2024, she studied the quilts made from upcycled and thrifted fabric, creating blog posts. Radha likes the clean lines of modern quilts but enjoys traditional blocks, especially log cabin.

Radha loves denim as it is a very practical twill weave fabric. There are many variations, dyes and wear that affects the color and texture. Once people found out she was using old jeans in her projects, they brought her plenty of them, so she always had plenty of materials available.

Recently Radha has developed a website of secondhand fabric stores in the US and around the world called “Thrift Your Fabric.” She also bought a business called Feel Good Fibers, a quilters de-stash site- to keep it from closing, and created a blog post series on your sewing space destashing, using what you have and organizing to boost creativity. Sustainable quilting to her means appreciating and caring for what you have, not saving everything. Pass on what you won’t use so others can is Radha’s philosophy.

Radha does use stretch denim, saying its great for raw-edge applique’. She does use batting for adding dimension. She does not use specialty tools except for heavy or denim needles, and uses cotton thread such as Auriifil for piecing. She said you do need to watch how many layers you have since denim is so heavy, and watch how many seams come together. She uses a half-inch seam allowance, and presses seams open for the least amount of bulk. For quilting she uses 28-weight thread so it is visible. She uses as much of the jeans as possible, cutting squares around the shank/button and adding them as functional closures. Chambray is used for her quilt backs and in her pieces as it has a similar look as denim but is lighter weight. Sometimes she uses a woven fusible such as Pellon 101 to stabilize lightweight fabrics such as lawn. Radha and her work can be found at www.sewingthroughfog.com, and on Instagram at @sewingthroughfog. She is offering a discount code: BNMQG25.

BNMQG Upcycle Challenge 2026
After Radha finished speaking, Nancy P announced a new Challenge. The Upcycling challenge begins May 26, ends Aug 25 and the entries must be finished in this time period.

Categories are

1. Quilts
2. Clothing
3. Accessories
4. Home Decor
5. Miscellaneous
   

There will be prizes for each category. Items should not have names on the front, and be brought to the August meeting in a closed brown paper or other bag when turned in. Voting will be anonymous that way, grouped in categories. Each piece you enter has an entry fee of $1, and the sign ups close shortly before the meeting to allow organizational time. You can sign up for multiple pieces in each category. The Sign Up Genius is ready – click here to sign up. Contact Nancy P with questions.

Nancy P also discussed the June Program by Daisy Aeschehoug on Curves, and her workshop the following day. She said she has the supply lists for participants and those purchasing templates should let her know by tonight or tomorrow as Daisy is bringing them from her home in Norway.

The July meeting is the Community Outreach Committee teaching how to make the ornaments for the BabyFold’s Festival of Trees that BNMQG is participating in.

BREAK

Committee Reports:
Noemi B first thanked the May hospitality volunteers Marilyn M, Jean B, Carrie O and Sheila R. The June meeting is covered but one more volunteer is needed for July.

Programs – See above.

Community Outreach – Nicole M added that for the July program there will be 5 types of ornaments to learn about, and that kits will be provided for members to make or finish at home and bring back in August.

Quilting Bees – Kathy C said that emails will be sent out soon with the Quilting Bee information to those who have signed up.

Sew Days – the next Sew Day is June 13th at the church. In person and via Zoom.

Sip and Sew – the next evening is June 16, Zoom only. Join us for conversation and sewing.

Exhibits – Nancy P reported that our 2025 Nocturne mini quilts will be on display at the Ozark Piecemakers Guild in Springfield, Missouri on June 11-13th. In July they will begin traveling with the Original Sewing and Quilting Expo until next spring.

Membership – Tonya K said BNMQG is up to 98 members. Nancy S has rejoined, and new members are Ann K and Jennifer U. We had 48 members in person tonight and 12 joined the meeting via Zoom.

Library – Noemi asked if someone would be interested in helping Molly B with the library.

Treasurer’s Report – Erin H said that the report is on the members only section of the website.

Nominating Committee – Ann U said that Paula M has stepped down from the Nominating Committee. It now includes Marge E, Anita T and Lisa B. Paula M has accepted a nomination for Member at Large for the 26-27 guild year, if necessary. If the guild reaches 100 members at the time of the election in July, we will need two members at large. Ann then asked for nominations from the floor, and there were none.

Fall Retreat – Lisa B announced the dates are October 9 – 12, 2026 at the Holiday Inn by the airport. There is room for 54 to participate. The cost is $175, with a $75 deposit due June 23rd. The balance is due August 25th. Members also need to rejoin for the 26-27 guild year to attend.

This includes the sewing area for nearly 4 days, three dinners and mini classes, plus lots of fun. Sign ups begin Saturday, June 13 at 10 am. An email will be sent on Friday, June 12 with a link that goes live at 10 am Saturday. Lisa recommended signing up right away, as sometimes the spaces fill up quickly! There will be a waitlist, and usually everyone gets offered a spot. The Fall Retreat committee consists of Noemi B, Nancy P, Lisa B and Ann U.

Contact them with any questions at BNMQGRetreat@gmail.com.

QuiltCon Challenges – The 2027 QuiltCon Community Outreach Challenge has been announced- the theme is Half-Square Triangles. Anyone interested in helping design and create the BNMQG Community Outreach Quilt, please contact Sheila R. Submissions open Sept 1 and closes when it reaches 80 submissions. Other individual challenges include the American Patchwork and Quilting challenge is “Pick a Color Scrappy Challenge,” and the Windham Fabrics Handloom Challenge. More info on these is on the MQG website.

Survey Question and Drawing – Those who have used recycled or up cycled fabric in a project have mostly done so for clothing and quilts. The winner of the survey drawing was Barb S.

The 50/50 drawing for $37 and the winner was Noemi B.

Show and Tell – Cheryl A, Laurel B, Pam T, Nancy P and friends, Betty W and Mary Y shared projects and Ary A made an announcement about an Estate Sale of a quilter in HAAQG coming up June 26-27 at the Mennonite Church in Normal.

The meeting was adjourned at 8:12 pm.