Activities

Challenges

June 2026 – Red, White, and Blue

In order to honor the 250th birthday of our country in 2026, the next challenge is the red, white and blue patriotic challenge using three or more distinct blocks.

Create a piece with three, or more, distinct blocks in red, white and blue.  Blocks can be of different sizes but must only include red, white and blue fabrics with one optional exception that can be exercised. The exception is to use a patriotic fabric within the piece that may have more colors than red, white and blue.   For example, if a patriotic fabric is used that has a little bit of gold in it, that is acceptable. But it is not acceptable to use gold fabric within the piece to accent the patriotic fabric. The white fabric can be white, white on white or paper white, but not cream

A block can be repeated in the same piece. However, three distinct blocks must be included.

Please include a description of the piece that is approximately 35 words long.

The quilt can be either a traditional or a non-traditional design and will be voted on by members at the June 2026. Prizes will be awarded to the top three viewers’ choice in the two different categories.

To be eligible for this challenge, the quilt must:

  • have been started after the announcement of the challenge
  • have a perimeter of less than 144 inches
  • be finished (quilted and bound)
  • have no uncovered identifying labels

If you have any questions, please e-mail Julie-Ann Fortran or Paul Peters (or use the Contact Us for on this website). Have fun!!

Service Projects (Charity Quilts)

Fidget Quilts  (printable directions)

Designed to keep hands busy, fidget quilts are quilts covered with embellishments and trimmings and can be of great assistance to people with Alzheimer’s, dementia, or memory loss, offering tactile stimulation that helps to maintain fine motor skills. They are also helpful to those with learning disabilities.

Materials:  Two pieces of material 18″ x 22″ (fat quarters). These can be the same or different designs.
1 Piece of batting 18″ x 22″, Matching thread

Directions:  Sandwich the fabric right sides together with the batting on top (so when turned, the batting will be inside). Leave a 6-inch opening for turning. Trim the corners and turn the quilt right side out.
Press the quilt and topstitch ¼ inch around the edge. This will close up the opening.
You can now add items to the quilt. Be sure that they are large enough that they can’t be swallowed and secured so that they can’t come off easily.

An alternative way to make a fidget quilt is to piece together squares for the top, adding embellishments as you go. Then sandwich, quilt, and bind as desired. More information on this method can be found on the YouTube video with Rob.

Some suggestions for items that can be added to the quilt:  flowers with faces that are stuffed to be 3D small fuzzy material animals, 7″ zippers, crochet items (snowflakes, trees), buttons and buttonholes, fringe, lace, bows, rick rack, a key chain on a ribbon, cloth glove, a line of prairie points, a strip of Velcro pockets.

Some Recommended Quilt Sizes

  • Camp Erin Quilts: 48 x 72
  • Comfort Quilts for Albany Med: Minimum 48 x 48
  • Veteran Quilts – Lap Size 35 x 40
  • Veteran Quilts – Bed Size 66 x 90
  • Quilt of Valor – 60 x 80
  • Twin 60 x 72
  • Baby and Kids Quilts also Welcome

 

Patterns

Friendship Star Block Pattern for March 2022 Service Projects (printable pattern and directions)  Please use a white background fabric and colors or patterns suitable for children and teens. 

No Point Star Block Pattern used for Quilt of Valor Block Party 2023

Moda Tree Pattern (Placemat Block Party): https://webfiles.modafabrics.com/webfiles/fp_tole-christmas.pdf

Service Block of the Month

The first block of the month will be due at the March 13, 2026 in person service meeting. Below are the instructions for our first block; the Spool. Please bring all completed blocks to the service meeting. Members will receive one ticket for every block completed. A ticket will be pulled at the meeting for the winner. The winner will receive all blocks, so the more blocks you make, the greater your chances of winning! This is a great way to learn new blocks. Please read all instructions carefully before making the block. Use a ¼” inch seam. The block should measure 8 ½” when completed.

  • 4 half square triangles; cut a 2 7/8” square into two triangles
  • 4 strips 2 ½” X 4 ½” strips
  • Several 1 X 4 ½” or 2 ½” X 4 1/2” strips to make the thread part of the spool, or 1 piece 4 ½” X 4 ½”
  • The background is preferred to be neutral and wood tone fabric for the spool. Your choice of color and design for the thread part of the spool.

Placemat Project (printable directions)

Join the guild’s Placemat Project! Quilted placemats are collected at guild meetings throughout the year and are distributed in December to local organizations serving the elderly, shut-ins, and other people in need. Our placemats bring much joy to the recipients. In December 2025, we donated 379 placemats!

Any cheerful design is welcome. The recommended finished size is 14” X 18”. A collection bin will be at the back table. Trying out a new technique? Turn that unwanted test block into a placemat. Got unwanted orphan blocks? Those could be turned into placemats as well. 

Please add your name to your placemat if you want to have it judged for a possible prize or to qualify for a prize for the most made.

Fundraising 

Raffle tickets are available at the beginning of most meetings to win a basket of goodies. Please bring a few dollars to support the guild and maybe win a prize!

Hospitality

The hospitality committee always appreciates donations of goodies to go along with coffee and community at our guild meetings. Remember to bring your own coffee mug!

Mini Mart

Please stop by the Mini Mart open before most meetings to support the guild. We currently are accepting donations of fabric no less than a fat quarter and no scraps please. Patterns, magazines, tools, etc, are also accepted. Please contact the chair (use Contact Us form) if you have donation questions. As always, small bills are appreciated when making purchases! Please consider supporting the guild by making purchases at bargain prices! The Mini Mart will usually be open during all meetings except December, June and those conducted via Zoom.

Library

The Library welcomes suggestions and requests from people for purchases of books and materials they are interested in. Meanwhile, if you have borrowed books, please return them when you are finished enjoying them. Returns can be made at any in-person meeting, whether the Library is open or not so we can put them in someone else’s hand!

We’d also like to remind members that the library also lends templates for hand quilting and rulers. The library will be open during all meetings except those conducted via Zoom.

Our traditional practice of fines for overdue materials ($1 per month late, unless renewed) has resumed as of September’s meeting (9/2025). Members may renew materials they have borrowed by emailing the chair (Contact Us), or in person at meetings. Thank you for your interest!

Featherweight Gather

No official open sew, but a Featherweight Gather. Let’s spend some time working out what we want to do next year. In general terms do we want more demos, projects, maintenance, or the fluid, social, same get together? We have a look at accessories planned for next year, but at this meeting, while sewing and listening to the beautiful hum of the machines, we will offer the dating and information on your machines. Do you know what year your machine was made? Please RSVP to fwgather@gmail.com to attend.