Archives

Block of the Every Other Month

Mar31

All,

The times are uncertain…looking for “what’s next” is a daily (or hourly!) event.  Never have we found ourselves with so much “discretionary” time!  Or at least it may feel like that…or it may not…this experience is different for everyone, I suspect!  🤔
The purpose of this email is to send along the next steps of the BOEOM Challenge so you can take advantage of the time you might have, whenever you have it. IMPORTANT NOTE:  Even though we might be able to work ahead, completed blocks and final project end date remains the same as originally planned–October.
Attached, please find the instructions for the two remaining blocks as well as photographs of Betsy’s blocks.  We’ll get these up on the website soon as well!  I’ll also include the links for these online just to make sure everyone has access (we don’t need any additional technical issues, do we?  🙄)
Sending hugs to you all…the virtual kind…along with prayers for everyone’s health and safety.  Take care…more to come soon!
Bridget
Links to blocks:
Link to the BRQG Challenge are on the Guild’s website:

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Membership Chair

Big Red Quilters’ Guild
This entry was posted on March 31, 2020, in News.

Mask Making Opportunities and a Note!

Mar25

Dear Quilting Friends,

I hope that this email finds you and yours doing well in these trying times.  I’m writing to let you know of an opportunity to share our energies with the larger West Michigan community.  I suspect you’ve heard about making masks to help in the fight against the COVID-19, and you may already be working on this cause for a local hospital or other caregiving entity.
Both Holland Hospital and Spectrum Health are accepting handmade masks, per information offered on their websites.  We would invite you to consider this opportunity as a chance to contribute to the cause (and possibly make a dent in that stash… 😉).
Note that fabrics should be pre-washed before assembly, as we are uncertain how the masks will be sterilized/sanitized for use (read:  it likely will include moisture and heat!)  Following is information from each hospital organization, including the link to their “how-to-help” page for COVID-19 as well as a link to the instructions for their preferred pattern.
A closing thought as we consider the days and weeks ahead…and the uncertainty in all of this:  how blessed we are to have a hobby that consumes us, a hobby that we can share with others, and a hobby that produces articles that are at once beautiful and useful.  We can express ourselves and connect with the recipient or admirer alike.  It’s a gift to have quilting in our lives always, but maybe, especially, in times of challenge.  First Lady Grace Coolidge is credited with the below saying…if you haven’t seen it, perhaps it will nudge you to appreciate quilting just a bit more!

“Everyone should be taught to
sew, not merely for the sake of
making something, but as an
accomplishment which may prove
a stabilizer in time of
perplexity or distress.

Many a time when I need to hold
myself firmly, I have taken up a
needle – a sewing needle, some
knitting needles, or a crochet
hook. Whatever its form or
purpose, it often proved to

be as the needle
of a compass,
keeping me to the course.”

– First Lady Grace Coolidge

 

Sending our very best for your comfort and productivity (!) in the days ahead.  We’re thinking of you!

Bridget Morel

—

Membership Chair

Big Red Quilters’ Guild

 

This entry was posted on March 25, 2020, in News.

Monday, February 17 meeting reminder

Feb13

Greetings, Fellow Lovers-of-Quilts!  ❤

We know that this week is all about Valentine’s Day ❤, but we hope that you are making plans for next week, specifically for Monday, February 17! 
  • Our next Big Red Quilters Guild meeting, is scheduled for next Monday, February 17, 2020, in the Beechwood Church Great Room at 6:30 pm for refreshments, followed by the first installment in our program series, “The Artists Among Us”.  The Big Red Quilters Guild has a plethora of talented members who have made so many remarkable quilts!  At our February meeting, we will feature several of these artists and their work!
  • You will not want to miss these programs!  Not only will we learn more about fellow members and their quilting history, we’ll get a view into their creative process, what they like most and least about the quilt-making process and an up-close view of pieces they would like to share most!
  • In case that’s not enough of an incentive, the door prizes for “Artists Among Us” nights will increase as we celebrate the talent in our Guild!
  • Block of Every Other Month Guild Challenge.  The next block is due at the February 17 meeting.  Don’t forget to bring your completed blocks to the Meeting for the drawing!  Website link is: https://bigredquiltersguild.org/block-of-every-other-month-guild-challenge/ which will have the link to the Moda block posted shortly after each meeting. 
Upcoming events:
Tulip Time Quilt Show.  You can find the Tulip Time brochure outlining the 2020 Tulip Time Quilt Show Guidelines, including the 2020 Quilt Entry Form here.  Note the entry form deadline of Wednesday, March 18, 2020.  Visit https://www.tuliptime.com for more information about all things Tulip Time!
 
March meeting information – On Monday, March 23, we will meet in the Great Room at Beechwood Church for a program featuring Deborah Richmond, with a lecture, “Best Quilters’ Tools and Gadgets”.  Deborah runs the Quilted Turtle online quilt shop, personally testing and approving each product included in the shop, relying on her 30 years of quilting experience to share tools designed to make your quilting easier and faster!  This program should be a thought starter as we all try to make the most of every quilting moment!
 
BRQG Quilt Retreat info, March 24-26. – The Guild retreat will be held at Tiara Yachts Corporate Center March 24-26, 2020.  At this point, the retreat is full, and participants are looking forward to this time of getting to know each other better and quilting productivity!
BRQG Schoolhouse, April 20.  The perennially popular Schoolhouse program returns when we meet at Beechwood Church’s Great Room.  Watch as fellow members demonstrate techniques, learn how they use that knowledge and gain creative ideas to use at home!
 
Tiled Backgrounds Workshop, April 28.  Spaces are available!  We will have registration available for the class, “Tiled Backgrounds Gloria Loughman Style”  scheduled for April 28, 10-4 pm.  Barb Bredemeier and Janet Haines will lead this workshop.  For more information, visit https://bigredquiltersguild.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/tiled-background-class-brqg-april-2020.pdf
 
Inclement weather reminder – If West Ottawa schools are closed for inclement weather during the winter months, all activities at Beechwood Church are cancelled.
Hoping life is keeping you in stitches!
Bridget
This entry was posted on February 13, 2020, in News.

Updates and Monday meeting reminder

Jan17

Hello and Happy New Year to each of you!  We wanted to share reminders, notes and updates to get your Guild Year started!  So settle in for a bit of a read and keep this email handy!

Sew-In January 20, 2020.  We’re kicking off 2020 with a Guild Sew-In Monday, January 20, 6:30 pm at the Beechwood Church Lodge!
  • Bring your own project, hand or machine, or work on preparing quilt kits for charity.
    • Our Charity Quilts committee will have patterns and materials (freshly sorted and updated!) available.
  • Vicki Potgeter from Project Linus will tell us more about this program, beginning at 7 pm.
    • The Guild will be working with Project Linus to bring quilts to seriously ill and traumatized children, ages 0-18 years.  All types of blankets are welcome:  quilts, tied comforters, fleece blankets, crochet or knitted afghans and receiving blankets.
    • For Children:  36” x 36” to 40” x 40″
    • For Teens:  40” x 60” and 60” x 70”
  • We will continue to work with Manasseh Project through Wedgewood Christian Services to aid the rescued teens from human trafficking.  20 to 25 quilts needed per year.
    • Size:  48” x 60” (or larger).

Upcoming events:  
 
February 17 meeting information.  On Monday, February 17, we will meet in the Great Room at Beechwood Church for refreshments at 6:30 followed by our program, “Artists Among Us”.  This program features quilters from our Guild who will share a selection of their quilts and the stories behind them!  It promises to be an engaging and inspiring program, and gives us the chance to get to know each other better!
  • Block of Every Other Month Guild Challenge.  Participants continue their hard work on this project, with the next block due at the February 17 meeting.  Don’t forget to bring your completed blocks to the Meeting for the drawing!  Website link is: https://bigredquiltersguild.org/block-of-every-other-month-guild-challenge/ which will have the link to the Moda block posted shortly after each meeting.
Tulip Time Quilt Show.    Note the entry form deadline of Wednesday, March 18, 2020.  Visit https://www.tuliptime.com for more information about all things Tulip Time!
 
March meeting information – On Monday, March 23, we will again meet in the Great Room at Beechwood Church for a program featuring Deborah Richmond, with a lecture, “Best Quilters’ Tools and Gadgets”.  Deborah runs the Quilted Turtle online quilt shop, personally testing and approving each product included in the shop, relying on her 30 years of quilting experience to share tools designed to make your quilting easier and faster!  This program should be a thought starter as we all try to make the most of every quilting moment!
 
BRQG Quilt Retreat info, March 24-26. – To continue a week of All-Things-Quilt, the Guild retreat will be held at Tiara Yachts Corporate Center March 24-26, 2020.  There are three spaces left for those who are hand sewing.  Please email barb.bredemeier@gmail.com if you would like one of these hand sewing spots or want to be placed on the retreat waiting list for machine sewers.
Tiled Backgrounds Workshop, April 28.  Spaces are available!  We will have registration available for the class, “Tiled Backgrounds Gloria Loughman Style”  scheduled for April 28, 10-4 pm.  Barb Bredemeier and Janet Haines will lead this workshop.  For more information, visit https://bigredquiltersguild.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/tiled-background-class-brqg-april-2020.pdf
 
Inclement weather reminder – If West Ottawa schools are closed for inclement weather during the winter months, all activities at Beechwood Church are cancelled.
NOTE:  You can help yourself to a full bolt of great information at our website, https://bigredquiltersguild.org !  You’ll find Guild news and information.  You will need the password for the Members page (which includes our membership list and contact information).  That Password is brqgmembers.
We look forward to seeing everyone soon!
Bridget Morel
This entry was posted on January 17, 2020, in News.

Sew – in Reminder

Nov12

Monday, November 18 ( third Monday) we will meet in the Beechwood Church Great Room at 6:30 for a finger-food potluck supper* followed by a hands-on holiday make and take wool appliqué project with Jackie Bailey.   The kit will be free to members. Non-members can join us for $5.  To ensure that there are enough kits, please be sure to sign up by sending an email to Kathy R at kmryzenga@att.net as soon as possible.  If you have already signed up, thank you!

Please bring basic sewing supplies:

  • Straight pins
  • Needles: Embroidery/Tapestry Size # 18, 24, 10  (These have a larger eye for the thicker thread.)
  • Needle threader  (we will have a few extra)
  • Scissors
  • Neutral thread
  • Bring a task light (such as Ott brand ) this will help with threading needles.

*Finger-food potluck supper: If your last name begins with A-R, bring a finger-food appetizer, if it begins with S-Z, bring a finger-food dessert to share.

We look forward to seeing you all on Monday–with pot-luck goodies and wool applique, what’s not to love!  See you soon!

This entry was posted on November 12, 2019, in News.

Next Monday meeting reminder

Oct23

Next Monday evening, Oct 28, we will meet in the Great Room at Beechwood Church for refreshments at 6:30 followed by our speaker, Nancy Clark McNally, who promises to be entertaining sharing “What was I thinking?” Guest fee is $5. Nancy’s quilt patterns are published in numerous quilting magazines and she has contributed to numerous books with Annie’s Publishing company along with 3 videos with Annie’s also.  Nancy has appeared on the PBS tv show “Quilting Arts” series 1700 – episodes 1705 & 1709 featuring my Whimsical Applique and her Wholecloth Collage Quilting.  She has taught at national shows, symposiums, guilds, quilt shops and has an online channel with YouTube.

We will have the sign up for the April Tiled Background class available. We are also asking anyone who took the class to bring their completed quilts to show and tell so folks can get a look at what they might make. Thanks!

Monday, November 18 (note the date change to the third Monday of the month) we will meet in the Beechwood Church Great Room at 6:30 for a finger-food potluck supper followed by a hands-on holiday make and take wool appliqué project with Jackie Bailey.   The kit will be free to members. Non-members can join us for $5.  Bring basic hand sewing supplies. Sign up for a kit at the Oct meeting or by emailing Kathy at kmryzenga@att.net  so enough are made.

If your last name begins with A-R bring a finger-food appetizer, if it begins with S-Z, bring a finger-food dessert to share.

 

No meeting in December – holiday break

This entry was posted on October 23, 2019, in News.

Meeting Date Changes- Update from your Board

Sep7

As we seek to move as many of our Big Red Quilters’ Guild meetings as possible to the third Monday of the month to avoid conflicts with the Beechwood Church food pantry distributions, we have an update for you confirming our fall dates.

Don’t forget to renew by Sept 30th for a chance at the big red basket of fun sewing supplies!

Monday, September 23 we will meet in The Lodge for a Charity Sew-In at 6:30.  Bring a machine, a charity project to work on, or a rotary cutter, ruler and mat to help cut out charity quilt kits using the guild’s fabric stash. We will have a chance to hear from Victoria Eddy of The Manasseh Project, who helps to distribute our charity quilts.

Monday, October 28 we will meet in the Great Room at Beechwood Church for refreshments at 6:30 followed by our speaker, Nancy Clark McNally, who promises to be entertaining sharing “What was I thinking?” Guest fee is $5

Tuesday, October 29 Nancy Clark McNally will teach a workshop in The Lodge on Home Machine Quilting With Rulers.  Sign up for the workshop using the application form available at https://bigredquiltersguild.org/forms-documents/.

Monday, November 18 (note the date change to the third Monday of the month) we will meet in the Beechwood Church Great Room at 6:30 for a finger-food pot-luck supper followed by a hands-on holiday make and take wool appliqué project with Jackie Bailey.

If your last name begins with A-R bring a finger-food appetizer, if it begins with S-Z, bring a finger-food dessert to share.

No meeting in December – holiday break

Monday, January 20 (note third Monday date) Sew-In at The Lodge

Please note: Beechwood Church has the policy that if the West Ottawa Schools are closed all events at the church are cancelled.  Any questions, call or text a board member for fastest response. 

This entry was posted on September 7, 2019, in News.

Meeting Reminder and News

Aug20

There will be a special Sew Day on August 22nd from 9-4 at the Beechwood Lodge to make book pockets for chair backs. Here’s the scoop if you’d like to help out…  Did you see the recent news about Holland Language Academy having to move buildings? https://whtc.com/news/articles/2019/aug/08/mold-spores-close-holland-language-academy-for-2019-20-school-year/925920/ The teachers had to leave everything in the old building and are moving for a whole year!!   They need book pockets for the back of the chairs in the classrooms. So far there are 4 teachers that want them – ~ 26 students per class.  And there could be more!  Stretchy fabric will be provided. Here’s a picture of what they look like. https://heathershandmadelife.com/2017/09/diy-chair-pockets-for-classrooms.html

Our Guild meeting is Monday, August 26th! The Jane Sassaman workshop is full.  Please do still attend on Monday evening and hear her talk: Jane’s Textile Treasure Garden.  Arrive at 6:30, meeting starts at 7.  We will be meeting in the Beechwood Church Sanctuary – there will be signs and greeters to direct you!

Hard to believe it’s almost time for another round of renewals! But it is since our year runs from Oct 1 to Sept 30th. Check out the well appointed, very quilty and patriotic basket that has been put together as an incentive for you to join/renew before Oct 1.  Bring your cash or check made out to Big Red Quilters’ Guild to the August meeting or mail it in later – Just be sure it’s postmarked Sept 30th to be eligible for the basket!
A fun new Block of the Every Other Month Guild Challenge will be starting up at the August meeting!  The info will be passed at the meeting and will be on the website soon.
Future Programs and Sew-Ins:
The September 23rd Sew-In will be focused on charity quilts. Bring your sewing machine if you would like to sew one or your cutting tools to cut kits.
October 28th is  Lecture by Nancy Clark McNally titled: What was I thinking?  Workshop: Tuesday Oct 29th – Nancy will teach Machine Quilting with Rulers using your home machine. Sign up will be at the August meeting and on the web site soon!
November 25th  Sew-In will feature a Wool Applique Project led by Jackie Bailey.  We also think it would be fun if everyone attending would bring some finger food to share!
There will be no meeting in December.
An Event you might be interested in:
The Niles Piecemakers Quilt Guild presents ‘Inspire Me!’ Quilt show.  Saturday, Oct 19th (10am – 5pm) and Sunday, Oct 20th (11am – 4pm) Admission $5. Location: Ballard Elementary School, 1601 W. Chicago Road, Niles, MI 49120. They promise Vendors, Boutique, Raffle Quilt, Refreshments, Silent Auction, 100+ Quilts on Display.

 

January Sew-In cancelled

Jan28
Our January Sew-In that was scheduled for tonight is cancelled.  But while you are home keeping warm, fill out the sign up sheets for these great  upcoming programs!
It’s not too late to sign up for the Tiled Background Workshop on Feb 25th. This is a Monday class! Kits are all claimed so if you sign up, sort through your fabrics for some that will work. Commercial batiks work too!
Feb 25th evening program will feature Kelly Kindt, owner of Pressing Matters. Learn about how fabrics and patterns are selected for her shop!
March 26, 27 and 28 is retreat week so there will not be a sew-in.  Attend as your schedule permits and leave all your sewing stuff at the retreat location. Enjoy beautiful views as you sew at the Tiaria Yacht S2 headquarters on Lake Macatawa.   You do need to register in advance for meal planning. The deadline to sign up for this retreat is Monday, March 4th.
This entry was posted on January 28, 2019, in News.

BRQG meeting is Tonight

Oct22

Friends,
A friendly reminder that our meeting is TONIGHT, Monday, Oct 22!! Hope to see you there!
We have Lynn Harris’s program “Do it for the Process”, that you won’t want to miss.

Also happening just prior to the Guild meeting is a gathering of those interested in joining a Sewing Bee that meets regularly. Barb Schippa will be on hand at 6:30 to explain how the existing bee’s work and to help you organize into a new bee. Bring your questions!

Janet

Membership Chair

This entry was posted on October 22, 2018, in News.