Quilting guild votes selects a new name – 'Material Girls'

The Material Girls quilting guild now has 21 members. (Facebook)

By Meribeth Kehl

Guild secretary/treasurer

The Linn County Quilt Guild met on March 19 at the F&M Community Building with 14 members and 10 visitors present.  Two of the visitors joined: Donna Largent and Mary Lou Brownback.  Total membership is now 21.  Since there were several visitors, we all introduced ourselves and talked about our quilting journey.

First item of business was to vote on a new name for the guild.  All choices suggested at February meeting had been posted on our Facebook page for members to pick three favorites.  Those most favored were Granny Squares, Stitching Sisters and Material Girls.  Members present voted on one of the three. Material Girls received 11 votes, Stitching Sisters 10 votes, Granny Squares 3 votes.  Our new name is MATERIAL GIRLS.

Rhonda McGown presented information about different cuts of quilt fabric such as charm packs (5” squares), layer cakes (10” squares), jelly rolls (40 or so strip WOF – width of fabric – by 2.5"), fat quarters (18”by 22”).  Different manufacturers use different names for their precuts. Also recommended using color grabbers in first wash in cold water after quilt is done.

We plan to make a patriotic raffle quilt of red, white and blue from the Hammer/Woody stash to raffle as a fundraiser. Volunteers to cut kits for blocks are to meet at Denise Jurgen’s on Tuesday, March 24 at 1 p.m.  Kits will be handed out to members to make a block of their choice.  If someone needs help on which block to make, suggestions will be given.  Blocks

are to be returned at the May 21 meeting.  This will give enough time for sewing blocks together, quilting and binding before for showing at Mound City Historical Park Colonial Day celebration on July 3.  Members will be asked to sell raffle tickets, price to be determined.

In May members are requested to bring an “orphan” block to exchange with those willing to participate. The block is the be the focus, with additional fabrics, for making any item, perhaps a wall hanging, a bag, table runner, whatever.  Item should be returned for Show & Tell at June 18 meeting.

A mystery quilt, instructions to be provided by Denise, will begin at a later date.

A quilty Scrambled Words game was played with about four winners.

Nine members and visitors presented at Show & Tell.  Pictures of items were taken and will be posted on our website with makers’ names.

Refreshments were provided by Theresa Barr and Marsha Windisch.  Volunteers for next month are Johnna Schreckhise and Maribeth Kehl.