President's Message - Quilters Unlimited

April 2021 Newsletter

Mount Vernon Chapter Officers 2020-2021
President – Martha Dyckes
Vice Presidents – Sharon McAuliffe and Helen Shaver
Secretary – Rickie Frost
Treasurers – Carol Allen and Nancy Barkume
Nominating Chair – Libby Dudley

          President’s Message
Spring is in the air! There are daffodils blooming and trees budding! It looks as though we may be leaving
winter behind!

I was looking at my stash the other day, feeling despondent that I have so many bits and pieces as well as
larger lengths of unused and basically unwanted fabric. What can I do with it all? Why do I have so much?
What does it all mean?

Then I started to read The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World, by Virginia Postrel. In just one
chapter my appreciation for the role of textiles in my life and, indeed in world history, put my stash dilemma
in a new perspective. That stash isn’t simply a tangle of unwanted stuff, it is part of a long history of human
technology, ingenuity and creativity. For 50,000 years people have been experimenting and learning how
something as apparently simple as a boll of cotton can be bred and studied to take part in the development of
cotton fabric as we know it today. From string to a quilt, a miracle. The book is a huge compendium of
knowledge about textiles, their origins, development and uses, their importance in social hierarchies and in
the off-shoot productions of dyes, synthetics and spacesuits. I highly recommend it.

My stash now looks like an archeologist’s dream. There are many layers to uncover, many meanings to
assemble, many opportunities waiting to be visited. I can hardly wait to give it the attention it deserves!

Cheers,
Martha

Here is the article by the author of the book referenced in Martha’s President’s Message: Women and Men
Are Like the Threads of a Woven Fabric:
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/26/opinion/women-weaving-history.html?referringSource=articleShare

                                              April 13 BEE
                                           12:30 pm via Zoom
The next Bee for MVQU is Tuesday, April 13 at 12:30 on Zoom. We will have a “Show and Tell” by slide show or
showing your items in person. If you would like your items in the slide show on Zoom and in the Blog, please
send your pictures to Sally Barber at sdbarber1@verizon.net by April 8. Also, there will be friendly
conversation and sharing on; “What is the best advice received or technique learned that has been helpful in
your quilt making journey?”

           MVQU SLATE OF CANDIDATES FOR 2021-22 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The slate having been presented to the membership in February, and having received no further nominations
“from the floor,” via electronic or other means, the Nominating Committee declares nominations closed. The
chapter’s Annual Meeting and Elections are scheduled for April 13. All candidates have consented to serve if
elected. The 2021-22 chapter year begins July 1.

Information about how to vote will be forthcoming from the MVQU Board. To have an election, your
participation is important.

The candidates for 2021-22 MVQU Board:
President – Dianne Tippins
Co-Vice Presidents – Sharon McAuliffe and Helen Shaver
Secretary – Ginny Mayes
Co-Treasurers – Kathy Watson (Financial) and Sandra Kennedy (Membership)
Nominating Committee Chair – Martha Dyckes

Another big “thank you” to all those willing to serve.
2020-21 MVQU Nominating Committee
Libby Dudley, Chair; Veronica Abrams, Member; Kathy Watson, Member

                                         Jean Herman
                        “My Journey Through the World of Art Quilting
                             April 20, 2021 at 12:30 pm via Zoom
Jean made her first art quilt in January of 2005. She was motivated by a book by Ricky Tims and visits to the
Houston Quilt Show. Jean had been sewing all her life but her training had been in drawing, painting, pastels,
pen and ink and other fine art endeavors. She has found her training in color and composition to be crucial in
her art quilting journey.

Jean will show how her work has changed and developed. She works in diverse areas; landscape, cityscape,
abstract and figurative work. Materials found in Jean’s work ranges through fabric collage, paint, stitching and

oil pastels to create unique representational pieces that are impressionistic and painterly. Her art pulls you in
to the incredible detail while at the same time the entire work will engage you by telling a story.

Jean’s work has been shown in galleries and museums across the United States and has won many awards.
She travels extensively exploring cultures, religion, people and geography through her art. Find her work on
her web site, www.jeanherman.com, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and Sync Gallery Denver.

                                             Quilts by Jean Herman

                                     Your Generosity Continues….
Thank you to everyone who worked on charity quilts throughout the winter. On March 30th, we collected 56
quilts from Carol Conahan, Helen Shaver, Carol Allen, Ginny Mayes, Mary Mazzuchi, Kathy Zahaczewsky,
Martha Dyckes, Lynda McGee, Dorie Simmons, Veronica Abrams, and Susan Crowe. 46 are going to Mother of
Light Center and 10 to United Community’s at-risk baby program. These organizations and the people they
serve truly appreciate all you have done to provide the lovely, warm, comforting quilts. If you know of other
organizations which are currently accepting in-kind donations and would benefit from receiving our quilts,
please let us know.

We hope you will continue to make quilts for us to give away as spring and summer come. For those of you
who would like to have kits to make charity quilts, please contact either Ginny
Mayes at ginny_mayes@yahoo.com or Mary Mazzuchi at mazzuchimw@aol.com and we can deliver them to
you or meet you at the senior center.

Again, thank you for all you do. Your efforts are truly appreciated!

                                       Days for Girls Opportunity
MVQU was asked by The Days for Girls Organization (Fishers of Men) to make 300 cotton drawstring bags by
the end of April. On Friday, March 26, 2021, we mailed 100 of those bags and 45 shield liners. Many thanks to
Veronica Abrams, Sally Barber, Zoe Ann Brown, Erica Frost, Nancy Barkume and Ginny Mayes who are working

to meet the goal. If you would like to help, please contact Veronica at (703) 328-7849. The bag construction is
easy!

                                         Bark and Meow Report
After many beds were made and delivered, our receiving site is not taking them at present. (I think our
previous delivery of 47 did them in.) They suggested I store them until they are ready.
Currently there are 18 completed. If you have suggestions for recipients, please let me know. Until then, we
will continue to make them. Dianne Tippins, dbearadk@aol.com.

                                                  QU Events
 QU Virtual Spring Event 2021 – Pack and Follow by Jenny Bowker, QU Virtual Spring Event 2021 – Pack and
                  Follow by Jenny Bowker. Saturday, April 10, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. EST via Zoom
QU is excited to host international quilt teacher Jenny Bower from Australia as she discusses her quilts,
including both art and traditional quilts; the travel she’s done that has inspired her amazing quilts; and her
work to bring the Tentmakers of Cairo to international quilt audiences. Jenny is really funny, down to earth
and her story and work are moving. See more at http://www.jennybowker.com.
This is a FREE EVENT for all QU Members, but registration is required and limited to 500 attendees. Register
at https://forms.gle/r9Vx8hFC5X5Jyjrv6. A Zoom link will be emailed to you a few days in advance of the
event. Contact Julia Graves, QU VP, at juliagraves82@gmail.com for more information.

                           Abu Ali and the Gilded Chairs         Pathways in Stone
                                                 By Jenny Bowker

All Star Virtual Sampler Platter - Saturday May 22, 2021 3-6pm (eastern) and Sunday May 23, 2021 3-6pm
(eastern). No Preregistration Needed for the Virtual Sampler Platter means just that – you don’t need to sign
up, you just need to save the date and look for an email from the chapter with the link a few days
beforehand.

In this live Zoom meeting, an All-Star cast of 18 quilt teachers will demonstrate some of their favorite quilting
techniques in short, 15 minute spots, over two different days. This is similar to the demo format at the
Houston Quilt Show. They’ll be showcasing a wide variety of styles and techniques, from traditional to
modern and art quilting techniques. Something to please everyone! You will also receive a PDF to share with
your guild members that includes written instructions to go along with each teacher’s demonstration, as well
as a page with tips for making the most of live zoom workshops. This event will not be recorded.

QU Virtual Fall Event – Landscape Lecture by Gloria Loughman, Fri Sept 10 - lecture 7 p.m. This is a FREE
EVENT for all QU Members, but registration will be required and limited to 500 attendees.

Light up your Landscape Virtual, 2-Part Workshop, Gloria Loughman Part 1 - Sept 11, 2021 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
AND Part 2 - Sept 18, 2021 3:30 – 6:30 p.m.
Signups will begin on June 1, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. EST
Create a lovely landscape, full of movement and light, using internationally known Australian quilt artist Gloria
Loughman’s tiling process. This virtual, 2-part workshop will include both prerecorded video and Gloria live
on-line to provide supplemental teaching, feedback and answer questions. Gloria will be available via email
before and between class sessions to review fabrics and designs. Students are encouraged to use one of the
patterns provided but can draw their own designs. Key design principles are outlined in the class notes and a
variety of color schemes are presented to assist with color selection. This class is suitable for all levels,
including beginners. Cost of the 2-part class is $40 (plus an additional kit fee). Limit of 30 students.

                                          June Challenge Block

                                          MVQU Challenge Quilt Block

Want to learn an easy and fun quilt block and maybe win enough blocks to make a quilt?
Join in on the challenge by making the block below!
There are some rules though:
Background must be white or white on white
Use blues or greens for accent color
Find fabric from your stash (If not, you could purchase or ask someone to give you an 8-inch square)
Cut 2 - 8” squares, one blue or green and one white and follow the directions below.
For each block you make, you will receive a ticket for drawing—-so making more blocks will increase your
chances of winning all the blocks.
We will start collecting the blocks in May for the drawing in June (maybe at an in-person event—who
knows??)
If you have problems or questions, contact Helen Shaver (hlshaver@hotmail.com or 248-909-9748)

MVQU Challenge Quilt Block

   1. Cut two 8-inch squares. One white and one blue or green.
   2. Right sides together, sew ¼ “, leaving 2-inch openings as shown in attachment.

3. Cut on the Diagonal through the sewn corners.
   4. Stack the triangles-aligning all edges.
   5. Measure and cut 2 inches from the left edge through all layers
   6. Measure and cut 2 inches from bottom edge without disturbing the stack.
   7. Press the seams open and arrange. Sew together in rows. To reduce bulk, press seams in top and
      bottom sections inward and seams in the middle outward.
   8. Center and trim the block to 9”X9”.

                                           April Birthdays
                                Joyce Barnes   Susan Crowe    Ginny Mayes

           This Is Your Newsletter!
Our next newsletter deadline is April 27. Send your articles to mvqu.news@gmail.com.