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Arapahoe County Quilters

Celebrating the Art of Quiltmaking for 30+ Years

ACQ News

  • June 02, 2021 8:25 PM | Anonymous

    June 2021 - Sawtooth Star



    Each month of this year I will be introducing a new block as well as the history behind the block. You may take this as an opportunity to build your own skills. Additionally, I encourage you to post your block creations either on our ACQ Community Facebook page or on Instagram using #ACQPresidentBlock2021. Each block you post will be entered into a monthly drawing for a fat quarter bundle. If you aren’t on social media – no problem, just send me an email with your photo (pond.jennifer@comcast.net). We will draw the winner at the next guild meeting, and you don’t need to be present to win (although we hope you will because we have a great line-up this year!). The winner of May’s block will be announced at the June meeting, and the June block at the July meeting.

    We have the opportunity to provide quilts for women veterans who are getting back on their feet, and I would like to provide this month’s block as a challenge to start thinking about helping out in this manner. As such, this month we are seeing stars – Sawtooth Stars to be exact.

    The Sawtooth Star block has had many different names throughout history. Before quilt patterns were commonly published, women created patterns on their own or borrowed them from friends. This block became standardly known as the Sawtooth Star in 1884 when a pattern was published by Farm & Fireside magazine.

    A link to a 12 inch version of the block may be found here: https://www.seasonedhomemaker.com/how-to-make-a-perfect-sawtooth-star-quilt-block/

    Don’t love flying geese? Try the no-point star found here:

    https://cluckclucksew.com/2017/12/no-point-stars-a-free-printable-pattern-in-5-sizes.html

    Many members have wondered what to do with their challenge blocks once finished. This month I am giving you the option to make your blocks in reds, whites and blues, and donate them to the guild to help create quilts for these worthy veterans!

    DELIGHT IN THE PROCESS


  • June 02, 2021 8:24 PM | Anonymous

    Last year, Stitchin' in Aurora Bee began a service project to provide quilts for Clermont Commons, a transitional housing complex for female veterans. As a small bee (7 members), they find that they need help to fulfill this mission. The guidelines are simple - patriotic themed with traditional (or non-traditional colors), any size, design or pattern of your choosing.

    Ideally, this is an ongoing project and quilts will be donated whenever there are a few ready to deliver. The turnover at Clermont Commons varies significantly, so the need is difficult to determine. The houses are happy to accept whatever we can donate.

    For more information, please contact Jan Wolfgram 720.550.7690.

    Thank you for considering supporting this partnership between Charity Quilts and the Stitchin' in Aurora Bee.


  • June 02, 2021 8:18 PM | Anonymous

      

                

    More quilts were donated to the VOA Family Motel at the end of May.  As you can see in the photos several were placed on chairs in the lobby. I love the variety of styles, colors and sizes of these quilts.  The Family Motel helps individuals and families in emergency situations.

    The next ACQ Drive Thru at the church is Saturday June 19th. I look forward to seeing you to receive and hand out tops and quilts.

    The next Charity Zoom Sew is Sunday June 27th 11:30 am to 4:00 pm. You are invited to join us to sew, share stories and ask questions. 

    Charity Quilts is reaching out for a few more opportunities for our quilts to find love and appreciation.  

    Sheila Clark 

    Charitable Quilts Committee

    sheila-clark@comcast.net



  • June 02, 2021 7:41 PM | Anonymous

    New Bee Born from Free Motion Quilting Club  

    We are a product of the FMQ Club that initiated from the March 2021 Guild lecture by  Leah Day. We have a mutual interest learning and improving our free motion quilting  skills and know the best way to do this is practice, practice, practice. Our expertise is  varied and all benefit from the encouragement and support of each other. We believe that a Bee is meant to provide fellowship and learning opportunities. We are a new Bee  finding our groove as we grow. Our meetings may include a presentation by a member  on a particular topic and always includes time to share projects and ask for design  assistance. We’ll meet the fourth Tuesday of the month. Contact: Lynn Roginski



  • May 10, 2021 6:00 PM | Anonymous

    Safe Spaces and Empowering Others

    Did you know that the world accounting system values “women’s work” at zero productivity?  In fact, worldwide, women earn 63% less than men, yet they spend three times as many hours on unpaid labor.  This includes raising children, and our common love of fiber arts.  This is not meant to be a political statement, but more to raise awareness about the safe space that our quilt guild provides to empower and build up each other.

    Last weekend, I had the pleasure to join the Portland Modern Quilt Guild’s virtual quilting retreat.  It was an amazing opportunity to share time and space with other ladies across the country who share the common love of quilting.  There were ladies of all shapes, sizes and shades – yet quilting and creativity became our bond.  We sat and chatted about all kinds of things from social justice to volcanos, all while working independently on our quilt projects.  And I realized that even with all our differences, it was a place of empowerment and a safe space to share.

    One of the three tenets of ACQ is fellowship and friendship through quilting.  My hope for our guild is that we can continue to foster important conversations through creating a psychologically safe space to share and to encourage others to join us.  Whether it be in person through our drive-thrus and future events, or through our virtual time in charity sews, Friday Night Sewcials, or workshops I hope that we can strive to be inclusive and invite others to do the same.

    Jen Dietz


  • May 10, 2021 5:55 PM | Anonymous



    A total of 38 quilts were donated to the VOA Family Motel in early April.  As you can see in the photo several were placed on chairs in the lobby. I love the variety of styles, colors and sizes of these quilts.  The Family Motel helps individuals and families in emergency situations.

    I look forward to seeing you on our next Charity Zoom sew scheduled for Sunday May 23th 11:30 am to 4:00 pm. 


    Sheila Clark


  • May 10, 2021 5:50 PM | Anonymous

    Each month of this year I will be introducing a new block as well as the history behind the block.  You may take this as an opportunity to build your own skills.  Additionally, I encourage you to post your block creations either on our ACQ Community Facebook page or on Instagram using #ACQPresidentBlock2021.  Each block you post will be entered into a monthly drawing for a fat quarter bundle.  If you aren’t on social media – no problem, just send me an email with your photo (pond.jennifer@comcast.net).  We will draw the winner at the next guild meeting, and you don’t need to be present to win (although we hope you will because we have a great line-up this year!).  The winner of April’s block will be announced at the May meeting, and the May block at the June meeting.

    This month’s block is the Friendship Star.  Here is a little history about the block: The quilts the homesteaders brought with them were a comfort to the women who traded their home, family and friends in the East, for the uncertainty of traveling to a new home. A quilt that held special value to the pioneer women was the Friendship Quilt.

    Often it was done is secret, and then given to the woman as a going away gift. It usually was a group effort, with each block being sewn by a friend or relative with their name
    embroidered in the center.

    Putting a Friendship quilt on the bed, gave a woman a sense of connection with her former way of life. It kept alive the memory of family and friends, providing comfort and company during the difficult days of homesteading.
    One woman homesteader said, “When I get lonely, I read the names on my quilt.” It was like getting a hug from home.

    A link to the block in 5 different sizes is here: Friendship Star Quilt Block Instructions in 5 sizes



  • May 10, 2021 5:45 PM | Anonymous

    We are the "Night time Needlers” bee and have been meeting every other Thursday for 32 years. The number of members has varied but we now have 7 members. We live in Highlands Ranch, Centennial, Aurora & Greenwood Village.  We bring our own projects to each meeting.  Every year we have Sew Days where we meet for 2-3 days of all day sewing.  As the saying goes, "A good time was had by all”.

  • April 05, 2021 2:07 PM | Anonymous

    ACQ Members: Help spread the word about our Spring Silent Auction. Let your quilt-loving friends know about this opportunity to buy handcrafted quilts to support our guild and our charitable quilt efforts. Since it’s an online auction, you can let friends nearby and far away know about it. We’ll also begin posting images of the quilts for sale soon. 

    Use the copy and images below to tell others about our upcoming auction. 

    WHERE TO SHARE:
    Facebook: Remember to share posts from our public page—anything posted inside ACQ Community cannot be shared.

    Here's the event listing that can be shared—more posts coming.
    https://www.facebook.com/events/892545451539009

    Instagram: Comment, like and tag people on any of our auction posts. Please repost any auction post. Use #acqQuiltAuction #quiltguild and tag @arapahoecountyquilters when you create your own post.

    NextDoor: Tell your neighbors about our event by posting in your local NextDoor. Use any of the images below or on our social media. 

    Pinterest: Share from the ACQ Spring 2021 Quilt Auction board.


    Details:
    Arapahoe County Quilters • Spring Silent Auction

    Buy a quilt at our premier silent auction and support our charitable quilt efforts.

    Bid online for handcrafted quilts perfect for baby showers, wedding gifts, Mother’s Day, graduation gifts or just because. These heirloom quilts are made by ACQ members with artisanal skills knowing that they will bring delight to their new owners. Your purchase will support our guild as we make quilts for local charities all year long. 

    • Bidding will open Friday, April 23, 2021 at 12:00 noon Mountain time. 
    • Bidding closes on Sunday, April 25, 2021 at 5:00 pm Mountain time.

    Preview the auction. Register to bid:
    https://charityauction.bid/ACQSpring2021Auction


    Images:

    Good for Facebook and NextDoor posts:


    Square, good for Instagram posts.


    Tall, good for FB and IG story posts:


    Video:

    Find it on YouTube!

    Thanks for helping to spread the word!

  • April 01, 2021 2:35 PM | Anonymous

    ARE YOU AN INFLUENCER?

    Word of mouth has always been one of the most effective ways of marketing. Just think, are you more likely to join something because you see an advertisement or because your friend told you it was amazing? Just by sharing your experiences, you are being an influencer! And as an influencer in your community, we challenge you to spread the word about the wonderful things that ACQ is doing, not only through our programs and fellowship but also in the community through charitable quilts.

    One of the benefits of having to be virtual this past year, is that the geographic boundaries have been pushed. As a result, we have members from across the country that are benefitting from our guild. How do you think that they learned about us…you guessed it, through word of mouth.

    This month I am challenging you to be an influencer and let others know about our guild. Whether it be sharing with your quilty friends about the upcoming programs, or letting that pesky family member who is always begging for a quilt know about the upcoming auction where they can purchase one of their own. The best way to share the wonderful things that ACQ is doing is through its membership – and people like you.

    Look for more details on pictures and posts you can share on your social media (Facebook and Instagram) as well as information about our upcoming programs and auction in format that is super easy to cut and paste into an email or message to your friends. Let’s all share our excitement about ACQ! Are you in? Are you an influencer?


MONTHLY GUILD MEETINGS

Meetings held the 2nd Thursday of each month

All meetings are streamed online

In person meetings are held at:

Our Father Lutheran Church

6335 S Holly St, Centennial, CO

CALENDAR


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Quilters

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PO Box 5357
Englewood, CO 80155

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