Activities and Events
Piecemakers members are eligible to participate in many guild activities. Learn more about becoming a member by visiting our Membership page. Check the calendar on the home page for specific dates and times.
Many of our meetings include speakers with national reputations who present inspiring and informative presentations. This is a great opportunity to examine prize-winning quilts and to gain inspiration from innovative techniques. Some months, participants enjoy member-conducted mini-workshops or tie community quilts.
Block-of-the-Month
The current month’s block is published in the newsletter. All members are welcome to make a block and take part in a monthly zoom to share and ask questions. At the end of the year, the twelve blocks can be made into a quilt.
Show & Tell
One of our most popular events, Show and Tell encourages members to share their needlework projects with the group. Our regular meetings ends with Show & Tell.
Ways and Means
Meeting attendees may buy tickets for the Ways and Means drawing. Winners claim small prizes, which are donated by members or supplied by the guild. Proceeds from Ways and Means support guild activities and events.
Piecemakers Lunch
A fun way to get together at a local restaurant and socialize with other Piecemakers, usually on the second Thursday of each month. Check the calendar or newsletter for dates and locations. Be sure to RSVP to Shomi S. or Darlene C. so that a spot can be saved for you.
Quilting Opportunities
Challenges
Anyone can offer a challenge by setting up a few rules for a quilting project. This activity encourages creative use of specific patterns, fabrics, colors, or shapes. Completed projects may be displayed at meetings, our quilt show, or in public buildings.
LAFS
LAFS (Ladies Auxiliary Finishing School) is a Saturday to drop in and sew with other Guild members. You can work on your own projects and if you’re stuck you can get help from the others attending. Bring some food to share and bring your lunch and drinks. Meet in the White House at the Community of Grace church in Hayward; tables, irons, ironing boards and extension cords are supplied. Contact Gwen G. for more information.
Open Sew
Another fun opportunity to sew with your guild friends! Participants meet in the White House at the Community of Grace church in Hayward, the first Saturday each month to work on unfinished projects and more. Tables, irons, ironing boards and extension cords are supplied; just bring your project, sewing machine and a snack. Note: Open Sews are cancelled if a workshop is scheduled, so keep an eye on the calendar!
Each year Piecemakers design and create an Opportunity Quilt. Guild members display the quilt at various venues throughout the year. Donations are accepted in exchange for raffle tickets as a fund raiser for the guild. The quilt is given away in November when we draw the winning ticket.
Work Parties
Our Community Quilts project provides members with opportunities to set up frames and baste or tie quilts. This is a no-experience-needed activity, and a good chance to learn some basic skills while we visit. The newsletter announces dates and places.
Workshops
Each year we invite professional quilters with national reputations to conduct workshops where participants learn skills by working on a project. On other occasions talented Piecemakers share their skills by leading classes either at meetings or events. When scheduled on the first Saturday of the month, Workshops replace Open Sew.
Piecemakers Quilt Guild members turn donated fabrics into quilts of all sizes for local agencies and organizations, as our primary public service project.
School Grants
The Piecemakers Quilt Guild awards grants to local schools to teach quilt making to children.
Ardenwood
Since 1985, Piecemakers Quilt Guild has participated in special events at Ardenwood Historic Park in Fremont. In addition to displaying quilts, we demonstrate basting, tying, or quilting as we chat with visitors.
Major Events
The Piecemakers Quilt show usually occurs once every two years. Quilts, wearable art, and dolls are displayed. Also included with the show are the Piecemakers boutique, raffle baskets, visiting vendors, and refreshments.
Camp Stitches is held each the third weekend of September each year. These two days of workshops provide opportunities to learn new methods in an informal atmosphere. But, the best part of the weekend is the shopping! Materials for sale are donated by guild members. All proceeds support guild activities and programs.
Retreats
The twice annual retreat is a fun-filled weekend away from home, participants gather to work on individual projects.
Weekend mini retreats are sponsored by the Community Quilts committee. They are held at a local hotel, and members bring their own projects to work on and share fellowship.