Donna Feagin

Donna Feagin, one of San Luis Obispo County's dearly loved quilters, passed away due to pancreatic cancer Saturday, Nov. 12, 2011. She had been a member of numerous guilds on the Central Coast and had co-chaired the Seven Sisters Show for a couple of years. Donna was the kind of person that was just 'there for you' and would help anyone with any project at any time. The quilting community in San Luis Obispo County has truly suffered quite a loss and we will miss Donna terribly.

2012 Seven Sisters Quilt Show Opportunity Quilt

SLO Aloha was designed by Kathy Clarke and is of a Hawaiian theme, but all of the motifs relate to items on the Central Coast. Gwen Weedon did the machine quilting and it is hand quilted by members of the SLO Quilters.

Tickets go on sale in November for $1 each or 6 for $5. The winner will be drawn at 3 p.m. Sunday, April 29th, at the Seven Sisters Quilt Show. Winner need not be present to win.

Go to Opportunity Quilt Ticket Order Form web page.

Seven Sisters Small Quilt Challenge: "Mother Earth Rejoices"

For our Fifth "Sapphire" Anniversary, we are focusing on our "blue" planet with the theme "Mother Earth Rejoices." Quilts can be any design that uses the challenge fabric and addresses the theme!

Basic Requirements

The quilt must measure 18" x 22" inches (plus or minus 1”) in either landscape or portrait orientation, and have at least a 2½” sleeve.

Challenge fabric needs to be used in a VISIBLE amount on the quilt front. You can dye, bleach or reverse the fabric.

Entry form and non-refundable $5 fee are due by February Guild Meeting.  A fat sixth of the challenge fabric will be given when you turn in the entry form and fee. Make checks payable to AQGCC.

Download the Seven Sisters Small Quilt Challenge Application (PDF).

Quilt Buddies

Thanks to all who were willing to sign up for our new Quilt Buddies program! The program is intended to connect members who have specific quilting experience with those who have quilting questions. The goal is to share quilting knowledge between members.

The following are eager to hear from any of you who would like some assistance with quilt-related issues:
(Their phone numbers are in your Guild Roster)

Loisann Cass — Paper piecing, binding
Susan Chandler — beginning quilting, community service
Emily Cletsoway — anything needed
Sue Fiscalini — anything needed
Lisa Gray — English paper piecing, hand piecing
Signe James — bindings, liberated piecing, general beginner questions and encouragement
Barbara Klaubert — hand quilting
Suzanne McDermott — machine embroidery
Melinda Monteen — Embellisher or machine embellishment
Ginnie Murach — paper piecing, machine quilting
Smitty Price — Fusing
Mary Ann Reed — help with garments
Patty Reis — Binding
Jill Sabol — Piecing
Darlene Shubert — Machine applique
Julie Towery — English paper piecing

If you were unable to attend the February Guild meeting, and would like to be added to our Quilt Buddies list, please call Vicki Bookless.

The History of SLO Quilters, Inc.

In 1981, Ronald Reagan was president of the United States. The population of San Luis Obispo City 28,000 and is now about 44,000. "Raiders of the Lost Ark" was popular movie theaters. The City was home to a small, agricultural college called Cal Poly.

A little store called Calico and Canvas was located on Chorro Street across from the Mission, and was operated by a lady named Mary Russell. The shop sold quilting fabric and needlepoint canvas. Some of the regular shoppers started meeting to exchange quilting information and share patterns. They started with five individuals meeting at Mary's duplex. When the number of got to 13, it was tight. They moved to the YMCA, then located on Santa Rosa St. That was challenging due to the noise from the enthusiastic basketball players and the courts being so close to the meeting room.

The group of quilters soon sought other quarters and relocated to the Church of the Nazarene where Judy Mueting was an active member. The space was huge and there were tables big enough to pin quilts! It was a huge milestone when attendance reached 100.

When SLO Quilters began, it was the first and only quilt guild in the County of San Luis Obispo. It was always the intent for Guild to branch out into the surrounding cities and communities. And yet, when our sisters left to begin their own Guilds in their own towns, we hated to see them go. Today there are seven guilds on the Central Coast: Almond Country, Bear Valley, Central Coast Quilters, Gold Coast, Old Town, Santa Maria Valley, and SLO Quilters!

Since 1996,when we officially started counting our community quilts, SLO Quilters has made and donated 3,178 quilts for victims of child abuse, domestic violence, children and adults with cancer, and babies born to young, unwed mothers, or if we know about someone who is just having a particularly difficult time. We have participated in small quilt auctions, a variety of quilt shows--from several of our own to an extravaganza of a multi-guild show at the Madonna Expo. We keep in mind our primary charter is 501cE, meaning we’re here to educate quilters. From a handful of women, a group of shoppers, we have changed the landscape of the County in relationship to quilting.

30th Anniversary Challenge

October 2011 will be the SLO Quilters 30th Anniversary. To commemorate this important occasion the library is challenging all members to make a quilted item (such as a quilt, jacket, table runner, etc.) of any size that reflects our anniversary in any of several ways. The categories are as follows:

1. 30th Anniversary Theme – use of symbols of a 30th Anniversary, such as pearls, jade, diamonds, Sweet Peas, Lilies, etc.
2. Thirty Different Items in the Quilt – 30 flowers, 30 birds, 30 footprints, 30 little girls, etc.
3. Thirties Fabric – use any of the 1930 reproduction fabrics in your favorite pattern or creation
4. Thirty Different Fabrics – basically a scrappy quilt in your favorite pattern or creation

Voting will take place and prizes will be given in the above categories (you may enter more than one item, if you wish). There is no minimum or maximum size for your entry. So begin thinking and creating! All challenge items will be due at the meeting on Monday, October 10th as part of our birthday celebration.

Download the 30th Anniversary Challenge Entry Form (PDF)

Entry forms must be handed in by the August meeting to give the librarians time to plan the display.

Donate Quilts for Japan

eQuilter is partnering with Mission of Love to send a container of disaster relief supplies, and donated quilts, to the victims of this disaster in Japan. The quilts will be personally handed to the victims and survivors – not piled up and forgotten in a warehouse somewhere.

Be sure to put your name, address, and a message of hope on a label, on the backside of the quilt. Even if you don't hear back from the recipient, they will surely read your message of caring. Use a permanent waterproof pen like a Pigma or Sharpie, write on a light colored fabric, use a double-sided fusible and hand-tack for security.

A suggestion is to make small personal-sized quilts for a child or small adult. Sizes from 46" x 60" for a child's cot quilt, to 60" x 68" for a lap quilt, or 65" x 85" for a small twin size.

Consider backing it with flannel for warmth. Don't be afraid to piece together the batting from scraps (butt the ends together and join with a zigzag stitch) or even piece together the backing.

Send completed quilts to:

Mission of Love Foundation
2054 Hemlock Court
Youngstown, Ohio 44515

Website:www.missionoflove.org

December Meeting

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