General meetings are held the first Tuesday of every month at

Holy Redeemer Church Hall
35660 Cedar Blvd.
Newark, CA 94560

Members and guests meet at 6:15 pm to socialize and the meeting runs from 6:45 to 9:15 pm.

May 2008

May 06 - Lecture with Laura Nownes "Shared Stitches and Stories."
Laura Nownes has taught quiltmaking and written how-to books and patterns with Diana McClun since 1986. They are the authors of some of the most popular quilt books in the world like Quilts! Quilts!! Quilts!!! and Q is for Quilt. Laura will be sharing her knowledge and expertise in this truck show of quilts from the first to the most recent with all of the charming stories stitched into each other. Laura will also be selling her patterns and books at this event. Go to http://www.dianaandlaura.com for more details.

June 2008

June 3rd Lecture - Cindy Needham, "Thread Facts and Fiction"

Cindy Needham is a national speaker for Superior Threads. This is the absolute best easy-to-understand information-packed seminar you'll ever attend. Cindy will teach how to distinguish quality of all types of threads including regular and decorative and learn what to look for and learn what the labels really mean. Cindy will discuss the pros and cons of all major thread types, thread characteristics, the importance of needle selection, and properly setting the tension for your sewing successes. Go to http://www.cindyneedham.com/home.htm for more details.

June 7th Workshop - Cindy Needham, "Open Thread Bar"
This is a very popular and one-of-a-kind class! The morning session teaches the student about thread quality, weight, tensions, needles, working with decorative threads and how to use different threads in design. The afternoon workshop treats the students to an "Open Thread Bar". Five cases of Superior Threads are available while the students learn how to use all types of threads at different tension settings on their own sewing machines. A panel is created which they will use for reference at home. I also bring a large collection of stencils if the students wish to create a small whole cloth quilt during their thread play. Level: All levels. Go to http://www.cindyneedham.com/classes_open_thread_bar.htm for more details.

June 14th Workshop - Jill Schumacher: "Quilting Your Quilt and Design Layout"
Come to learn how to use stencils to mark your quilt properly and learn the "Fudge Factor" method of precise design layout. Jill brings her massive collection of over 850 stencils for you to use during the class. You will have a great time exploring the many designs that are available today to create those heirlooms of tomorrow. Jill will share her many tips of successful quilt marking and pinning and how to eliminate those troublesome puckers and gathers on the back of your quilt that you may have experienced in the past. Level: Intermediate to Advanced (requires machine quilting experience). Go to http://www.quiltmakertothequeen.com/CLASSES.HTM for more details.

July 2008

July 1st - TBA

July 5th - July 05 - Workshop by Jane Hageman and Carlene Stoffers, "Mystery Quilt"
** Sign-up Now - This class is FREE!!! ** Have no plans for the 4th of July weekend? Join guild members Jane and Carlene for a Mystery Quilt workshop and make something unexpected! The kit fee for the mystery class will be $20 and contains what you need to complete a quilt top approx. 40 x 45 before you add the borders (fabric for borders, backing, and binding are not included in the kit). All you need to bring is your sewing machine, basic quilting supplies (cutting board and rotary cutter, pins, neutral color Piecemakers Press Volume 26, Issue 3 8 Piecemakers Quilt Guild of So. Ala. Cty, March 2008 thread, etc.) and your unbridled enthusiasm! In this class, not knowing what you are doing is more than half the fun! We need a minimum of 5 students to hold this workshop (maximum of 15) Level: All levels.

August 2008

August 5th - TBA

September 2008

September 2nd - Lecture by Cathie Hoover, "Retrospective Trunk Show"
Utilizing Holstein cows in her designs was a natural for Cathie even before moving to Moo-desto. During this presentation you will view 21+ years of original quiltmaking. Each quilt is described in detail using a humorous, and relaxed commentary. Any questions you might have about techniques, materials used, and trade secrets will be answered! Go to http://www.cathiehooverstudios.com for more details.

Sept 06 - Workshop by Cathie Hoover, "Wild and Crazy" Bring your outrageous fabrics (large florals, stripes, dots, plaids) to make this quilt! Curves are handled in a quick and easy way in this "Wild & Crazy" quilt that is fast to assemble. Embellish your blocks with machine embroidery, trims, ribbons, rickrack, decorative stitches and more! Learn a few "rickrack" tricks from Cathie, the Rickrack Queen, to use as embellishments. Level: Confident Beginner and above.

October 2008

October 7th - Lecture by Diane Steele, "Group Quilts: Round Robins, Challenges, and Block Exchanges"
If you think the center medallion with three added borders is the only way to group guilt, just wait! Diane will bring a trunk show of group projects which she has been a part of and spice up your quilting life. Everyone will receive a handout with lots of ideas for projects they can enjoy with from 5 to 100 of their quilting friends. Go to http://www.dianesteelequilts.blogspot.com/ for more details.

October 11th - Workshop by Diane Steele, "One Block Wonder - A Kaleidoscope of Fun" Diane tells us the she has had a lot of success with this class! Because there is only one fabric in this quilt, its success depends on the fabric you select. So pull out that large repeat fabric (or buy that big, beautiful print you just love at the quilt store) and design a "kaleidoscope" of possibilities in a single quilt. The only rule, the fabric must have at least six repeats. In this class you will quickly piece one of the most unique quilts you will ever have the pleasure of showing off! Level: Confident Beginner and above.

November 2008

November 4th - the guilds birthday party and the installation of new officers. Also, the results of the "Bag of Stuff" challenge will be revealed. Come celebrate another great year in the guild.

December 2008

December 2nd - We will have our annual Christmas party on Watch the newsletter so you know what to bring to the potluck.