Tag Archives: Quilting

March Meeting Recap

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Submitted by Ann U., Secretary

The meeting was called to order by President Noemi B at 6:00 pm. She thanked our hospitality volunteers, Erin B, Lisa F, Stormy H and Mary W.


Noemi also introduced the business part of the meeting, stating that there were items that needed to be presented before the break, so members could get more information on our new community service Quilting Bees, and also do the survey, visit the library and sign up for the Kona Mini Challenge for 2026.


First, Nancy P gave a program update. In April, the program is Heart Beat Quilt Design Night, where members work together to choose completed blocks and lay them out into a design. A variety of colors have been used, so each quilt will look very different. Some volunteers will hopefully take the blocks home to put the top together. Others will volunteer to quilt the tops, making the process a true guild effort. We will also show our 2026 Kona Mini Challenge quilts using the color Wander.

In May, Radha Weaver, of @sewingthoughfog, will give a lecture on Upcycling, and our 2026 Upcycle Challenge will kick off.

June’s meeting will feature Daisy Aeschehoug of Norway give her talk “Anatomy of a Curve.” The next day, June 24, she will teach a workshop, “Giant Nested Circles.”

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February meeting recap

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Submitted by Ann U., Secretary

*Delay in posting is due to Webmaster (Lisa B.), not our wonderful Secretary (Ann U.) So sorry for the delay! Can’t wait to see everyone tomorrow night at the meeting!

The zoom-only meeting was called to order at 6:00 pm by President Noemi B. She asked Nancy P, Program Chair, to introduce the speaker, Charles Cameron of @FeltLikeSweets, whose lecture was titled “Color Value and Color Placement in Your Quilts.” Charles began quilting in 2018, and has had quilts in many national shows and QuiltCon. He is an engineer and feels his approach to color and value is guided by his engineering background. He feels that color and value have an inherent order found in nature, and he utilizes this order as a tool to enhance a quilt’s design. He gave a brief summary on color theory, noting that colors in the color wheel also use that nature-inspired order, and using that order helps make the colors “dance.”


Charles defined some basic color terminology: Hue is pure color, Tint is a hue with white added, Shade is a hue with black added and Tone is a hue with gray added. He said that most tones have the same color value as the hue they are based on. Color Value is the perception of a color relative to its neighbor.


When using a pattern, Charles uses color intentionally, such as grouping like colors together and using them in the order they appear on the color, wheel, or in some cases, sudoku fashion, where each color would be used in each position in a block once in the row and column it is in. He gave examples of each. In creating his own quilt designs, he has also limited his color palette to three colors in six values of each, kept in the same order throughout a quilt to add
movement. He uses PowerPoint to help him design his quilts and audition color placement, because it is simple and familiar to him. He encouraged each of us to try using color in these or other new ways to give our quilts more impact.


After a quick break, guild president Noemi B began the business meeting. First a vote was held on the updates to the bylaws, as required by the MQG. After stating changes made at the last meeting were in the version to be voted on, Laurie S moved to approve the bylaws as presented and Shirley P-G seconded. The vote was held by a poll and it was unanimously passed. Noemi noted that the Secretary would post and certify these new bylaws, with a copy being added to the Secretary’s records in the binder.

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January meeting recap

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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.

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October Meeting Recap

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Submitted by Ann U., Secretary

*Delay in posting is due to webmaster – sorry for delay!

The meeting was called to order at 6 pm by President Noemi B. The Program Committee introduced member Pam Tannura, who talked about “Fiber Arts to Design and Back.”


At the break, Noemi encouraged everyone to answer the survey question, sign up for workshops, visit the Library and/or renew their membership.


Noemi began the second half of the meeting thanking the Hospitality Committee and those who brought treats today: Stormy H, Rachel M, Barb V and Jamie W. The committee noted that there are still some open spots for those interested in signing up. There is also a sign up genius.

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June meeting recap

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Submitted by Carol B., Secretary

Kelly C. welcomed the members and announced that there would be a sign-in sheet for the show and tell members. She then introduced Leslie S. who introduced the speaker, Vickie A.

Vickie A. shared many examples of fabric that she has dyed in a variety of ways and for varied results and colors and patterns. She used original fabrics and plain ones, with results of new colors, recycling old fabrics, recoloring ugly fabrics, creative designs and techniques. She invited members to sign up for her workshops to be help at her home the following weekend.

The membership then enjoyed a break with snacks from Marilyn B., Sally H., and Stormy H.

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April Meeting Recap

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Submitted by Carol B., Secretary

The meeting was called to order at 6:00 p.m. in person and on Zoom by president Kelly C. She welcomed the members and began by talking about Raffle Ticket Sales. She encouraged members to continue sales and announced dates for sales at quilting locations: May 3 at Indigo Quilt Shop in Lincoln with Jean B. and that Laurie S. is available with more tickets for sale and collecting tickets sold as well as funds received. The Deadline for selling tickets is in July.

The bylaws changes were posted and members given ballots. Zoom members were also given an opportunity to vote. The bylaw changes passed with a vote of 35 to 23. Kelly C. announced that if any members have questions or suggestions, they should share them with Pam T. or Jean B.

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March Meeting Recap

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Submitted by Carol B., Secretary

Meeting was called to order at 6 p.m.on ZOOM and in person.

Maria C. opened the meeting with the word of the month “likeable.” She announced that raffle tickets would be distributed and that volunteers would be needed for additional sales at the Sewing Studio event on March 28/29. Sign-up Genius is available. Members were reminded that they should sign their name on the back of the tickets they sell. Carol B. announced that Chery A’s husband was in hospice. Attendance for the evening was 12 members on Zoom and 31 in person along with 3 guests who may be joining: Darlene, Lois S.., and Mollie B.

The program for this meeting was led by Leslie S. and Sally. At 6:08, scraps were brought out and instructions were given for making postcards. Members used glue and fabric to make friendly postcards, for a family member, friend, or to distribute to people in hospitals, retirement homes. A finish time was announced for 6:43 – 6:51 p.m. , followed by a break ending at 7:00. Snacks were provided by Tiffany B., Pat S., and Pam T.

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February Meeting Recap

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Submitted by Carol B., Secretary

Meeting called to order at 6 p.m. on ZOOM for all members. Attendance was 58 members out of our
115 members.

Kelly C. opened the meeting with the word of the month “HELPFUL.” Then she announced that we are
looking for a local charity for us to donate the funds from our Quilt Raffle funds. Carol Lou mentioned
Bed Blitz, a program for children without beds. Noemi B. mentions the Penguins Project, a program for
young people with disabilities to perform a play. Midwest Food Bank was also mentioned.

There was also a reminder that volunteers will be needed to sell our raffle tickets, especially at Sewing Studio when we have been invited to have a table on March 28th and 29th . Please sign up for a slot on Sign-up Genius – this is also linked on the Member’s Only page. Kelly C. also reminded members to look over the bylaws and suggested changes to be ready to vote on those changes in April.

The program began next with Leslie S., Sally H., and Melissa K. presenting. Each reported on her favorite quilter sites or sources. Each presenter talked about her favorite quilters and showed examples of their work.

Leslie S. talked about: Annie Hudnut, Jennifer Camden, Liz Young, Susan Braveman, and Candi
Pissuits. Sally H. talked about YouTube quilters: Karen Brown, Deana Jorden, Tonna Soteil, Krista Moser,
Laura Vancoya, and Melanie Ham. Melissaouse, Fancy That Design House, Fancy That Design House,
Annabel Wrigley, Emily Vanhoff, Kokka (Japanese) and Akino.

Announcements and other information about our members’ activities were reported on. Nicole shared
information about the collage activity at Bloomington Library. She said her group led 4-8 sessions with
the children there and posted pictures from the program on our Facebook page.

Marilyn B. announced that our next sew day will be on Tuesday, April 15 from 9-3. Sign up here.

Noemi B. spoke about the library. She will pick up a QuiltCon magazine and she ordered one book: Blueprint Quilting by Anna Maria Horner.

Sheila R. talked about the Monthly Mystery and how well it’s going.

Nancy P. spoke about the Kona Challenge. The color of the year is Kona Nocturn; the deadline is the April meeting and labels will be available. Nancy also indicated that some membership honors are posted on our web page. It’s not too late to sign up!

Show and Tell followed with quilts made by Leslie S., Nicole M., Sheila R., Sally H., and Sandy.

The meeting ended with a reminder to text or email suggestions for the Charity Quilt funds, to sign up to assist at the Sewing Studio with ticket sales, and to be prepared to vote on the bylaw changes at our
April meeting.


Kelly C. closed the meeting at 8:00

December Meeting Recap

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Submitted by Carol B., Secretary

*Delay in posting is the webmaster’s issue – so sorry for the delay!

Bloomington Normal Modern Quilt Guild met December 3,  2024 at Christ Lutheran Church with 40 members attending in person, and 20 members on zoom in attendance.

President Kelly C. called the meeting to order and thanked Paula M., Dee W., Jamie W., Pam T. and Sandy W. for the hospitality treats. Kelly C. shared that we want our members to be uplifting to one another as we are a group of people with shared interest. Laurie S. reported the balances of our funds which can be found on our web page in the members only section.

Leslie S., Program Chair, introduced M.J. Kinman to speak on Gems and Joy. She reminded the group that the workshop on December 4th is on Bite Size Gems and there are 2 open spots.

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