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Arapahoe County Quilters

Celebrating the Art of Quiltmaking for 30+ Years

ACQ News

  • April 01, 2021 2:32 PM | Anonymous
    April’s featured Bee is the S.W.A.T. Bee

    At one point there was a definition of S.W.A.T., but now there are different ideas of what it stands for.  It might be Southwest Area Threads, but our members are no longer just in the southwest part of Denver.  It might be Sharing Wisdom And Threads.  At this point, we no longer care exactly what it stands for, we just enjoy getting together monthly.  Our meeting dates are selected as a group (no fixed day) each year.  We are definitely more process than product in our orientation, with no set style.  Meetings are spent sharing ideas, books, & magazines, discussing recent classes attended, and showing projects in various stages of completion (including admiring fabric).   Our interests cover many styles:  piecing, appliqué, traditional, modern, fabric dyeing, etc.  In the past, we’ve held retreats in a member’s homes once or twice a year, sometimes for a day, sometimes for a weekend, where we can set up our machines & work on a project for a longer period of time.  We have gone out to tea or lunch once a year for one of our meetings.  Pre-pandemic, we were meeting at Southglenn Library one evening a month, typically on a Thursday.  For now, we’re meeting on Zoom on the first Sat. of the month from 1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m.  We are open to new members & anyone that’s interested in checking us out should contact me at rjyoon@msn.com.


  • April 01, 2021 2:20 PM | Anonymous

    President’s Block: Bear Claw

    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 March’s block will be announced at the April meeting, and the April block at the May meeting.

    This month’s block is Bear Paw. Possibly one of the most recognizable blocks – the Bear Paw Quilt Block may have been responsible for saving lives. One of the most popular theories about the origin of the Bear Paw quilt pattern is that the quilt block was used to guide escaped slaves to food and water in the days of the underground railroad. The block pattern would be a sign that slaves were on the right track to life-saving resources and shelter on their trek to freedom. Although this theory is unproven, there are many stories about how quilts played a role in the underground railroad.

    The Bear Paw is one of those patterns that has many different names depending on the region of the country. In mountain areas, it is known as the Bear Claw or Bear Paw. In Long Island it is known as Ducks Foot in Mud. In Philadelphia it may be called the Hand of Friendship. Almost as plentiful as the names are the ways in which this block can be constructed. Scrappy or plain, it is a fun block to make.

    One site that has many options is https://suzyquilts.com/bear-paw-quilt-pattern/.


  • April 01, 2021 2:15 PM | Anonymous

         

    Before our Drive-Thru events we get ready by putting together kits to sew and preparing backs for quilts to quilt. We also have quilts to bind. Once again our Drive Thru was successful receiving over 30 quilts ready to donate. 

    These pictures are before and after the drive through.

    Our next Drive-Thru is May 1st.  If you have any questions or are looking to donate something specific, please contact me. 


  • April 01, 2021 2:05 PM | Anonymous

    Are you a new member of ACQ?  Would you like to hear what activities are regularly on our calendar?  Come and hear about our plans  for future speakers and workshops.  Get to know the board members;  learn about the 2022 quilt show; and get the inside scoop on Zoom to help you navigate our schedule.  

    Bring your own tea and snacks and come to the Virtual Welcome tea for new members on May 15, 2021 at 1 pm.

  • March 02, 2021 9:07 PM | Anonymous

    Despite having a laundry list of projects and UFOs, I have to admit that I’ve been in a bit of a funk when it comes to quilting.  My one saving grace is that I have a book where I track all of my projects and blocks due each month.  It feels good to be able to check off a project as done – or in the cases of quilt alongs, checking off the assignment for the week.  Anyone else have a great way of keeping themselves on track when you feel like you have quilters-block?

    This month also brings a special day – International Day of Awesomeness – on March 10th.  This day is touted as a celebration of awesomeness.  And, after the past year, I think that we all need some awesome in our lives.  So, take some time (be it on March 10th or the entire month) to identify things in your life that are awesome.  Strive to make things in your life awesome, or do things that are awesome.  I think that making charity quilts or finishing a quilt for the online auction in April would be awesome!  It’s the day before our next guild meeting, so I am eager to hear what you did to celebrate your awesomeness.

    Jen Dietz

  • March 02, 2021 9:06 PM | Anonymous

    Fun with FMQ with Leah Day & ACQ FMQ Club

    ne of the requested topics in a poll for 2021 Guild workshops was Free Motion Quilting. I suspected this request could have easily come from members who have never taken a FMQ class, have taken a class but never felt like they could transfer what was taught to a quilt or members interested in FMQ on a domestic machine or on a long arm. That is a very wide range of skills to tackle in one lecture or workshop, so the ACQ FMQ Club is born. 

    Our March Guild meeting on March 11 will include a video presentation by Leah Day and will kick off the much anticipated ACQ Free Motion Quilting Club. Leah Day is an online quilter, artist, author and creator of the Free Motion Quilting Project. In 2009, Leah began sharing online 365 free motion quilting filler designs with quilting videos over a 3 year period. The number of quilting designs she’s shared to date exceeds 500. Leah does not book live Guild presentations or workshops but she has prepared a video perfect for Guilds to share as a Guild meeting lecture titled Fun with Free Motion Quilting. This video is perfect as a first-time lesson or as a refresher. The ACQ FMQ Club is the vehicle to take this beginning knowledge to a quilt for the first time. But the Club is not just for the novice since it is set up as a sewcial and not a class. FMQ is a learned skill and we need those of us with more experience and confidence in this technique to come and share their knowledge, encouragement and enthusiasm. We learn best when we learn from each other. 

    The ACQ FMQ Club will kick off with two ZOOM sewcials a month starting with the first Saturday after the monthly Guild meeting, March 13, 10:00 to 11:30 am MDT and the second Tuesday after the monthly Guild meeting, March 23, 6:30 - 8:00 pm MDT. Three generous members, Carolyn Morris, Diana Barry & Heather Schiller, have committed their time to host these sewcials with Lynn through May, 2021. Get the ZOOM links for these sewcials by registering Saturday FMQ Club and Tuesday FMQ Club for these free events on Wild Apricot. You will need the most recent ZOOM version to participate. Please update your device here. Please let Lynn Roginski or Heather Schiller know if you need help updating your ZOOM. 

    FAQ:

    • What will be different between the Tuesday and Saturday meetings? Can I go to both?

    Initially, at least, there is no difference between the two events. FMQ is a learned skill that takes lots of practice and we wanted to make it possible for as many people to participate as possible. Our plan is to create three ZOOM rooms for different skills levels but you decide what room is best for you. As time progresses, the configuration of the rooms can change to meet the needs of the group.  

    • Will we be quilting during the meetings?

    Yes! It’s all about practice, practice, practice. 

    • What materials and supplies will I need?

    You’ll need a machine and a darning or FMQ foot. If you can’t drop the feed dogs on your machine you’ll need something like a SuperSlider to cover them. 

    • Will this be helpful if I have a longarm?

    You can FMQ on a domestic machine or a long arm. The best place to learn the specifics for your machine is your machine manual. 

    • If I can’t make it to the March guild meeting, will I still be able to watch the Leah Day video?

    Yes. The video will be made available to all Guild members to watch anytime, anywhere. 

    • My friend isn’t an ACQ member, can she come to a FMQC meeting with me?
      This club is provided as a benefit to ACQ members. Please encourage your friend to join ACQ and she’ll be able to attend the FMQC and guild meetings for the rest of the year.


  • March 02, 2021 9:03 PM | Anonymous

        

    I love suggestions, especially good ones that work out. During a Charity Sew time it was suggested to donate our quilts to Warren Village. This idea was supported by a number of other ACQ members so I called and exchanged emails with Molly Barfus the Volunteer Services Administrator. Warren Village is transitional housing for single parent families.

    To learn more check Denver Post article December 27, 2020 or Warrenvillage.org.

    Please see attached photos. Our next Drive Thru is March 27th a day before the Charitable Sew Day. If you are looking to quilt or sew something specific, please contact me.

    Sheila Clark

    Charitable Quilts Committee

    sheila-clark@comcast.net


  • March 02, 2021 9:02 PM | Anonymous

    Please mark your calendars for the weekend of April 23 – 25.  This will be the first annual ACQ Spring Online Auction.  

    Last year (2020) brought many challenges, and one of the things we were unable to pivot was our raffle quilt program.  Seasoned members and friends may be aware that the majority of our income to fund programs and projects comes from the raffle quilt sales.  Without having live, in person opportunities to market our quilt, we were unable to raise the normal amount of funds to help with our budget.

    This year we are trying something a little bit different – an online auction of quilts and handmade items from our ACQ members.  That being said, the only way we can make this fundraiser work is if we have awesome sponsors or members willing to donate items.   If you are interested in becoming a sponsor or donating an item, please follow this link, Spring Auction Entry,  and fill out the form, and of our auction ladies will get in contact with you.  We are happy to acknowledge all of our donors throughout the auction.

    Donated items will be juried, meaning that only the highest quality products that demonstrate the talent of our guild will be auctioned.  We would like a minimum of 20 items for the Spring auction.  Photos and descriptions of items will be posted in advance, and online bidding will begin at noon on Friday, April 23rd.  The auction will close on Sunday, April 25th and the highest bidders will be notified following the close of the auction.  

    Don’t have something quite ready for the Spring auction?  Don’t worry - we are also planning on a Fall/Holiday Online auction around September/October to provide another opportunity to the public to purchase hand-made gifts.

    ACQ is a 501(c) non-profit, so your donation may be tax deductible.  



  • March 02, 2021 9:01 PM | Anonymous

    Grateful Threads

    First Sunday of the month from 12 noon to 3 pm mountain time on Zoom

    Contact Barb Pond for Zoom link

    This is a new bee starting in 2021 for those who would enjoy meeting on Zoom. When times are better to meet in person, we may do so occasionally, but plan to remain a Zoom bee. We welcome all ACQ, both in the metro area members from out of state to join us.

    We will pick a project to do each year, either individually or as a group, for charity purposes. This year we are making the Raffle Quilt for 2022. Since January, we have completed 6 newborn loss quilts and 4 charity quilts. Our goal is to donate at least 40 quilts for charity in 2021.

    We will have show- and- tell each meeting for members to share current projects or a special project completed in the past. We enjoy conversation while we are working, sharing ideas and expertise, and are excited to discuss all our projects with one another.

    We welcome new members to the bee. Once we can resume visiting and traveling, we may do some fieldtrips to local shops and exhibits.

    If interested in joining us, contact Barb Pond.


  • March 02, 2021 9:00 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 February’s block will be announced at the March meeting, and the March block at the April meeting.

    This month’s block is Aunt Dinah.  It can be made in both a 12 inch and 6 inch version.  I am using the color green for my inspiration this month.  And now, a little history about the block.

    Quilt patterns reflected our country's agricultural society and the family's dependence on the crops they harvested, the fruit and vegetables they grew, and the foods they preserved. Up until 1920, most people lived on farms. Only 2% of the population resided in towns or cities.

    Quilting allowed women to escape from the hard work, rigors, and drabness of their everyday routine. With seven or eight women gathered around the quilt frame, a quilting bee, offered an excellent way to socialize.

    It was such a popular event that Stephen Foster, one of America's beloved songwriters, wrote a song about it:

    “In the sky the bright stars glittered

    On the banks, the pale moon shone,

    And 'twas from Aunt Dinah's quilting party

    I was seeing Nellie home.”

    Originally published in 1940, the Aunt Dinah block is a take-off of the traditional corn and beans block.

    Instructions for both a 12 inch and 6 inch versions of the block may be found at https://abyquilts.wordpress.com/sisters-bom-qal/ under the Sisters BOM – April link.




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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