March 2020 Meeting

Possum Town Quilters met on Saturday, March 14, 2020, for their regular monthly meeting.  The meeting opened with a welcome from guild president, Terri H.  There were 18 members in attendance with one visitor.  Minutes from the February meeting were approved as written on the blog on motion by Donna H. and seconded by Ina J.  The treasurer's report was read by Karen C. and approved on motion by Tonya S. and seconded by Marilyn H.  If anyone would like to view the March report in person, please see Molly C.

Old Business

Reminder about the t-shirt design challenge for 2020.  Those wanting to participate, please be working on your design ideas to be submitted for voting at our June meeting.  Designs should be turned in to Terri H.  You do not have to wait until the June meeting to turn them in if you have yours ready.  The winning designer will receive a free t-shirt.

New Business

Charity Quilts - Maple Street Quilters -  It was reiterated that the annual PTQ charity quilt will continue to be donated to Habitat for Humanity.  MSQ will be in charge of organizing our Sit-n-Sew projects where anyone interested in coming to work on charity quilts will be welcome.  In the meantime, should a quilt be needed for charity/donation, one will be provided from the quilt inventory of MSQ.

No updates on the Homeless Coalition partnership.  Judy S. will continue to reach out to their coordinator for more information.

Linda Hahn Seminar - June 27, 2020 - The class Linda will be teaching is "Wicked Wahini."  Maximum class size is 35, and PTQ will pay the class fee for those participants.  Each participant will, however, be responsible for purchasing the pattern/book that goes with the class.  We will have a sign up sheet at the April meeting to get a count of how many plan to attend.  We would love to fill the class but keep in mind, if you sign up, you will be expected to purchase the required materials. 

Crayon Challenge - We drew colors for our crayon challenge!  The three crayon colors drawn from the bag are to be the main colors of the project.  Other colors can be used but the drawn colors must dominate.  We will make a four block wall hanging.  Blocks should be at least 6 inches but no larger than 12 inches.  The projects will be revealed at our August meeting and we will take a vote for viewer's choice.  The winner will receive a prize!  If you were not present but still wish to participate in the challenge, please see Terri H. to draw your colors.

Block of the Month - Judy S. demonstrated the next block  for our Block of the Month quilt.  Please see the Block of the Month instructions, here on the blog, for further details.

Dates to Remember -

Pilgrimage/Artisan Day/Tea & Teacakes Day - All of these events, as part of Pilgrimage, have been canceled due to the heightened awareness around COVID-19.


Vernon Quilt Show - Wanna-Bees - April 9-11

AQS Quilt Week - Paducah - April 21-25

MQA June Gathering - May 29-30


Show and Tell

Block of the Month blocks completed

Pat H./Molly C./Ruby J.

Terry T.

Ruby J. - Jellyroll/All Roads Lead Home

Watana C. - Honeycomb (Wanna-Bees)

Ina J. - Flower Garden - Mother's last quilt

C.C. - Class samples from Mountain Quiltfest

Terry T. - I Spy

Tonya S. - Gnome Grown

Tonya S. - Hen Party

Julia G. - String Quilt (from Romania)

February 2020 Meeting

Possum Town Quilters met on Saturday, February 22, 2020, for their regular monthly meeting.  It was rescheduled to the Sit-n-Sew day due to the MQA Spring Gathering being on the regular meeting day of February 8.

The meeting opened with a welcome from guild president, Terri H.  There were 18 members in attendance plus two visitors.  Minutes from the January meeting were approved as written on the blog on motion by Michelle M and seconded by Ina J.  The treasurer's report was read by Karen C. and approved on motion by Glenna P. and seconded by Michelle M.  If anyone would like to view the February report in person please see Molly C.

Old Business
Remaining t-shirts from the December order were distributed.  There was only one left to be picked up.  Please see Karen C. if you ordered shirts and have not picked yours up yet.

We still have a few members that have not renewed their annual membership.  Please see Karen C. to pay dues for 2020.

Wanna Bee Quilters requested in January to borrow quilt stands to be used in a benefit quilt show to be held in Vernon, AL, in April.  They would like to borrow the stands from April 1-12, with the show being April 9-11, 2020, at the City Complex in Vernon.  PTQ voted to approve the request from Wanna Bee Quilters on motion by Marilyn H. and seconded by Julia G.  Marilyn H. will be responsible for gathering the quilt stands to give to Wanna Bee Quilters.

Reminder, we are having a T-shirt design challenge for 2020.  If you have a design in mind or wish to create a design, please be working on those to turn in for voting at the June meeting.  Designs should be turned in to Terri H.  The winning designer will receive a free t-shirt.


New Business
Time was spent reviewing the assigned committees as follows:
Lunch Lady - Marilyn H./Pat. H. - these ladies have graciously chosen to plan lunch for the monthly meetings.  They will come up with the menu and will ask for volunteers to bring side items.  Next month will be a baked potato bar.  PTQ will provide the potatoes.  Marilyn will send reminders to those who volunteered at the meeting to bring items.  Thank you to those volunteering.

Door Prizes - Julia G./Michelle M. - donations for door prizes are appreciated.  We will have a box at the next meeting for anyone who would like to make a door prize donation that we can use at future meetings.

Charity Quilts - Maple Street Quilters - After a spirited discussion, it was decided that the annual PTQ charity quilt will continue to be donated to Habitat for Humanity.  It was also decided, on request of the Art Center, that PTQ will donate/provide quilts to the Homeless Coalition as needed.  Judy S. will be in charge of contacting the coordinator of the HC to get an idea of their expectations/needs for our community.  She will update us at the next meeting so we will know how to move forward with this request.

Judy S. also reported on the following:
Habitat for Humanity - Habitat is beginning a new home build this month and expects it to be completed by late spring.  PTQ has a quilt ready to donate when this project is completed.

Pilgrimage/Artisan Day/Tea & Teacakes Day -
Pilgrimage will be held 3/26 - 4/4.  PTQ will display our Butterfly Quilts at the Visitor Bureau during this time.  Judy will be responsible for getting all these to the VB.  Hanging day for these will be Friday, 3/20, for anyone willing/able to help.  Artisan Day will be on Saturday, 3/28, from 10am - 3pm at Catfish Alley.  We will have quilts on display to be sold for charity.  We will also be hand-quilting on site.  Tea & Teacakes Day will be on Tuesday, 3/31, from 3-5pm at Mt. Pleasant Church on Wright Road in Caledonia.  Quilts will be displayed on all the pews in the sanctuary.  Anyone willing to provide quilts for this, please bring them to the church on 3/31, by 1pm and plan to stay to answer questions from visitors.  You will take your quilts back home at the end of the event.  More details for this will be discussed at our next meeting.

Karen C. reported from the MQA Spring Gathering about upcoming classes being offered at the June Gathering to be held May 29-30, 2020, in Jackson.  Katie Fowler will be the national teacher if you are interested in taking one of the classes.  Karen also mentioned the Quilts of Valor Challenge through MQA if anyone is interested in participating in that.

Block of the Month
Judy S. demonstrated the next block for our block of the month quilt as well as a bonus block that you may choose to use in your BOM quilt or make a separate quilt of just these blocks.  Please see the Block of the Month instructions for further details.


Show and Tell

Block of the Month blocks completed

Terri H.

Michelle M.

Ina J. - Cancer Ribbon Quilt

Pat H. - Let's Sew by Jenny Doan

Karen C. - Bonnie Hunter Frolic Block

Julia G. - Kaffe Fassett Pattern Quilt

Julia G. - Fiber Art blocks

(Willow, Cyprus, Willow, Dandelion)

Jennifer R - Baby Quilt for co-worker

Jennifer R. - Baby Quilt for co-worker

Jennifer R. - LSU/Mardi Gras Quilt for co-worker's 60th Birthday

Judy S. - "Hen Party" Block of the Month Quilt

Judy S. - Fiesta Star Quilt

January 2020 Meeting

Possum Town Quilters met on Saturday, January 25, 2020, for their monthly meeting.  It was rescheduled to the Sit-n-Sew day due to bad weather on the regular meeting day of January 11.

The meeting opened with announcements for the Art Council by Director, Jan M.  (Congratulations to Karen A. for her new position with the Art Council) Jan shared about upcoming changes to our meeting area as the Art Center will be holding classes/activities in the same area.  New lockers have been assigned in one of the classrooms for PTQ belongings.  All of these items were moved to the new lockers after lunch on Saturday.

Jan also requested that instead of PTQ continuing to donate quilts to the Art Center's raffle each year, we begin donating them to the Homeless Coalition.  PTQ can choose to donate quilts to be raffled or just provide lap quilts for those who utilize this service.  Discussion of this was tabled until the next meeting.

After Jan's discussion our regular meeting resumed.  Minutes from the December meeting were approved as written on the blog on motion by Michelle M. and seconded by Tonya S.

Treasurer's report was read by Karen C. and approved on motion by Tonya S. and seconded by Judy S.  If anyone would like to view the treasurer's report in person, please see Karen C.

Old Business 
T-shirts were distributed; if you did not get yours, please see Karen C.

Pigeon Forge Quilt Guild Challenge Quilts were due,  We had 11 entries.  Judy S. will be in charge of taking pictures of these and shipping them to Pigeon Forge.  Judy will also be responsible for picking up the quilts after the show.  Thank you to everyone who participated.  All of them were beautiful!

Molly C.

CC

Brenda C.

Julia G.

Pat H.

Carol J.

Ebba K.

Naomi P.

Sue S.

Gwen S.

Judy S.

New Business

Wanna Bee Quilters have requested to borrow quilt stands from April 1-12, 2020, to be used in a benefit quilt show in Vernon, AL.  The show will be April 9 - 11, 2020, at the City Complex in Vernon.  No motion or vote was taken on this matter.

There will be a T-shirt design contest for 2020.  If you have a design in mind or wish to design a PTQ t-shirt logo, now is your chance.  Designs will be submitted for voting at the June meeting and the winner will receive a free t-shirt when we order.


Committees were assigned for 2020 as follows:
Lunch Lady - Marilyn H.
Door Prizes - Julia G.
Charity Quilts - Maple Street Quilters
Habitat Quilts - Judy S.
Rent Quilts - see above request from Jan Miller
         *****It was suggested that the 2021 quilt (Terri H) will become a raffle quilt for PTQ since no                     longer needed for rent.
Linda Hahn Seminar - June 27, 2020 - Judy S./Naomi P


Dates to Remember:
MQA Spring Gathering - February 7-8 - Vicksburg (no PTQ meeting 2/8)
      *****PTQ's door prize has been taken care of by Karen C.
      *****If you made heart blocks, those can be turned in to Carol P. in Vicksburg
                (Judy collected 19 that she will deliver to Carol)

PTQ meeting rescheduled for February 22 due to the MQA Gathering

Mountain Quiltfest - Pigeon Forge, TN - March 4-7, 2020

MQA June Gathering - May 29-30 - Jackson


Block of the Month Demo
Judy S. demonstrated how to make the first 2 blocks of the month we will be making this year.  A new block will be introduced and demonstrated each month and at the end of the year we will put all the blocks (12) together into a quilt.  It is not too late to participate.  Please see the Block of the Month instructions on the blog for more detail.

Show and Tell

Block of the Month blocks completed

Block 1

Block 2

Carol J. - ABC's Quilt

Donna H. - Placemats

Glenna P. - Kate's Quilt

Glenna P. - Maple Street Quilt - Lover's Knot by Eleanor Burns

Terry T. - The Picnic Quilt - made from blocks given to her by PTQ members in 2010.  

UFO challenge from MQA Scavenger Hunt last summer.

Terry T. - Olivia's Quilt - Convictions

Julia G. - Peacock Quilt - Not Even Solomon

Ina J. - Cancer Ribbon Blocks

Judy S. - Completed Bonnie Hunter Frolic block for everyone to see what a block looks like all put together.

Block of the Month

PTQ

Block of the Month

2020

Fabric Requirements
Using 4 fabrics for the blocks, approximately  1/2 yard of each.
Using same background for each block, approximately  1 ½ yards.
The suggested layout will be a straight set 3x4 (12 blocks) with sashing, cornerstones, and border.  Finished Quilt – 50” x 64”
Sashing – 1 yard;  Cornerstones – 1/4 yard;  Border – 1 yard.

The blocks will be traditional blocks.
The blocks will be 12 ½” (12” finished).
The blocks will be demo’d at each meeting to be completed for “sew and tell” the following month.  If you need help cutting and/or sewing the blocks, you can bring your machine to the 4th Saturday Sit-n-Sew and I will be there to assist.

This is your quilt.  You select the fabrics you want to use.  If you have any questions, ask Judy Stokes.


This will be our first project for the new year! We would love for everyone to participate. Get those fabrics ready!

PTQ 2020 BOM

Block #1

Uneven Nine-Patch

What you will need:

Fabric 1 (center square)

Cut (1) 6 ½” x 6 ½” square

Fabric 2 (rectangles)

Cut (4) 3 ½” x 6 ½” rectangles

Fabric 3 (corner squares)

Cut (4) 3 ½” x 3 ½” squares

 Block #1 Instructions

Lay out the pieces per the photo.

Flip the 2^nd column right sides together

onto the first column.

Sew all three pieces in a continuous seam.

Fold back the 2^nd  column and add the

third column.  Sew.

Press seams toward the rectangles.

Fold top row onto 2^nd row and sew seam.

Press toward the top.

Fold bottom row onto 2^nd row and sew seam.

Press toward the bottom.

(This method is call Webbing)

Block should measure 12 ½”

PTQ 2020 BOM

Block #2

4-Patch Chain

What you will need:

Fabric 1 (dark) 4-patch

Fabric 2 (light) 4-patch

2 ½” x 26” strip of each fabric

OR

(10) 2 ½” x 2 ½” squares of each fabric

Fabric 3

(4) 4 ½” x 4 ½” squares

Block #2 Instructions

Method #1 –Strip Set

Sew the two strips together right sides together

Press to the dark strip

Cross-cut in 2 ½” segments. (10) pieces

Method #2 – Squares

Sew a light and dark square together. 

Press to the dark fabric.

Sew pairs into (5) 4-patches.

Arrange 4-patches and  Fabric 3 squares into a 9-patch.

Stitch together.

Block should measure 12 ½”

PTQ 2020 BOM

Block #3 (Bonus Block)

Rail Fence

What you will need:

Fabric 1

Cut (4) 2 ½” x 6 ½” rectangles

Fabric 2

Cut (4) 2 ½” x 6 ½” rectangles

Fabric 3

Cut (4) 2 ½” x 6 ½” rectangles

Block #3 Instructions

Decide the order you want for

your strips.

Flip the 2^nd strip right sides together

onto the first strip.

You can chain piece all four sets

Fold back the 2^nd strip and add the third.

Press seams in one direction.

(4) Blocks should each measure 6 ½”

Lay out the four sections to your liking.

Sew together as a 4-patch.

Block should measure 12 ½”

PTQ 2020 BOM

Block #4

Friendship Star

What you will need:

Fabric 1 (star)

Cut (1) 4 ½” x 4 ½” square

Option 1*Cut (2) 4 7/8” x 4 7/8” squares*

Option 2** Cut 1 strip 4 ½” x 12” min**

Fabric 2 (background)

Cut (4) 4 ½” x 4 ½” squares

Option 1*Cut (2) 4 7/8” x 4 7/8” squares*

Option 2** Cut 1 strip 4 ½” x 12” min**

 Block #4 Instructions

*Option 1*

Take the (2) 4 7/8” square background pieces

and draw a diagonal line on the back of each.

Place the star 4 7/8” square and the background

4 7/8” square pieces right sides together.

Stitch ¼” on each side of diagonal line.  Cut apart on the line.  Press towards the star fabric.  Trim to 4 ½” square.

**Option 2**

Take both 4 ½” x 12” strips and place right sides together.

Using an Essential Triangle Tool (or Easy Angle ruler)

cut 4 half square triangles using the 4” line

(or 4 ½ on EasyAngle) on ruler.

Sew the triangles together.  Press towards the dark.

Trim to 4 ½” square.

Lay out the pieces per the photo.

Sew the pieces together in a nine patch format.

Press seams on row 1 and 3 toward the corner squares.

Press seams on row 2 towards the center square.

Fold top row onto 2^nd row and sew seam.

Press toward the top.

Fold bottom row onto 2^nd row and sew seam.

Press toward the bottom.

Block should measure 12 ½”