December 2023 - Shannon Fraser - via Zoom
Finding Your Creative Practice Through the 100 Day Project
Shannon is a colour and textile lover who accidentally stumbled into quilting!
You’re probably thinking “how does one stumble into quilting?”!
Well, I’d been working in the corporate world for over 15 years when I decided to step away to focus on starting a family. I had a stressful job and we thought maybe all the travel and pressure weren’t helping the situation. Little did I know what an all-consuming, long, and difficult fertility journey I’d be embarking on.
It was a strange time as I went from being very busy and constantly on the go, to my main focus being doctor’s visits and taking it easy. All I knew, was that I needed more creativity in my life and I turned to sewing as my outlet.
It wasn’t until years later when I stumbled upon a YouTube video on how to make half-square triangles (or HSTs as I’ve lovingly come to know them) that I became fascinated with quilting. One HST led to another and another and, before I knew it, I was well on my way to making my first quilt! That was back in 2015 and I’ve been hooked since!
This surprised me as I had completed discounted quilting as something I’d be interested in — too slow, too many details, too much hand stitching.
Turns out, the very elements of quilting I thought I would dislike are the ones I needed the most. Slowing down, reconnecting with my creative instincts, and learning to enjoy the process (not just being focused on the end result) were key lessons I needed to be reminded of.
You’re probably thinking “how does one stumble into quilting?”!
Well, I’d been working in the corporate world for over 15 years when I decided to step away to focus on starting a family. I had a stressful job and we thought maybe all the travel and pressure weren’t helping the situation. Little did I know what an all-consuming, long, and difficult fertility journey I’d be embarking on.
It was a strange time as I went from being very busy and constantly on the go, to my main focus being doctor’s visits and taking it easy. All I knew, was that I needed more creativity in my life and I turned to sewing as my outlet.
It wasn’t until years later when I stumbled upon a YouTube video on how to make half-square triangles (or HSTs as I’ve lovingly come to know them) that I became fascinated with quilting. One HST led to another and another and, before I knew it, I was well on my way to making my first quilt! That was back in 2015 and I’ve been hooked since!
This surprised me as I had completed discounted quilting as something I’d be interested in — too slow, too many details, too much hand stitching.
Turns out, the very elements of quilting I thought I would dislike are the ones I needed the most. Slowing down, reconnecting with my creative instincts, and learning to enjoy the process (not just being focused on the end result) were key lessons I needed to be reminded of.
January 2024 - Stephanie Hackney of Hobbs Bonded Fibers - via Zoom
Batting: What's Inside Matters
This lecture offers quilters and other creatives a chance to learn all about fires and batting. This lecture covers:
- The questions we ask quilters to assist them in narrowing down the many batting choices to what's 'best' for achieving the results they desire
- The various finer types, and pros and (potential) cons of each type
- What we recommend for specific use cases (modern quilts, charity quilts, art quilts, wall hangings, runners, throws, etc.)
- Proper use and care of battings and quilts
- Tips and tricks for best results
- And, a bit of fun!
This lecture offers quilters and other creatives a chance to learn all about fires and batting. This lecture covers:
- The questions we ask quilters to assist them in narrowing down the many batting choices to what's 'best' for achieving the results they desire
- The various finer types, and pros and (potential) cons of each type
- What we recommend for specific use cases (modern quilts, charity quilts, art quilts, wall hangings, runners, throws, etc.)
- Proper use and care of battings and quilts
- Tips and tricks for best results
- And, a bit of fun!
February 2024 - Tamara Kate - via Zoom
For the Love of Colour
Tamara is a licensed fabric & product designer, quilter and illustrator based in Montreal. While she has been drawing and painting since her childhood, the work she is best known for today didn't start until a number of years after she graduated with a BFA in Textiles from NSCAD.
Having spent her youth in the Caribbean plays a large part in Tamara’s design aesthetic. She is greatly inspired by nature, color and pattern and plays on a combination of her weekend wanderings, her children’s current fascinations and her own memories to tell stories through design. She creates work that is fresh, joyous and youthful with a touch of whimsy.
Tamara's online shop is a place where sewists can find a wide range of:
Having spent her youth in the Caribbean plays a large part in Tamara’s design aesthetic. She is greatly inspired by nature, color and pattern and plays on a combination of her weekend wanderings, her children’s current fascinations and her own memories to tell stories through design. She creates work that is fresh, joyous and youthful with a touch of whimsy.
Tamara's online shop is a place where sewists can find a wide range of:
- recent as well as hard to find/out of print Tamara Kate fabrics
- sewing & quilting patterns
- some fun items she has recently had the pleasure of designing for a variety of companies.
May 2024 - Trina of Cotton Harvest
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September 2023 - Quilt Show Wrap Up
Janet and Deanna will talk about the making of their award-winning quilts.
Lee will do a slide show summarizing the entire show.
Lee will do a slide show summarizing the entire show.
September 23 and 24 - Global Quilt Connection All-Star Sampler Platter
The guild has purchased 'seats' for this virtual presentation. Members, you will receive a link the day before the event.
October 2023 - Michael Rikley-Lancaster, Curator of the Mississippi Valley Textile Museum - in person
Michael will present a trunk show selected from the museum's collection. This is sure to be an informative and entertaining presentation!
November 2023 - Jennifer Tryon of homemade - in person and via Zoom
In her past life as a network news correspondent, Jen travelled with a craft project in her suitcase to stay sane. Now, Jen has a full-time crafting on TV gig and a store in Kingston.
