Sunday 28 February 2016

National Juried Show Finalists

The jurying to our 2016 National Juried Show (NJS) is done! Below is a list of the finalists whose quilts will hang in the NJS at Quilt Canada 2016 and be judged in their respective categories and for Awards of Excellence.
A huge congratulations to all those accepted, and to those that had the courage to enter!




Lori Carlson AB
Leanne Chahley AB
Alison Dean Cowitz AB
Leah Gravells AB
Marianne Haak AB
Pat Markley AB
Birdie McLean AB
Patti Morris AB
Cindi Plant AB
Gwynneth Reid AB
Judy Weiss AB
Janet Archibald BC
Terry Aske BC
Karen Brewer BC
Maya Brouwer BC
Michaela Byrne BC
Jan Clark BC
Deanna Corrigan BC
Patricia Dance BC
Anne de Verteuil BC
Faiza Elmayergi BC
Victoria Gray BC
Anne Hall BC
Janet Harper BC
Krista Hennebury BC
Judy Leslie BC
Tracie L Maryne BC
Debra McCracken BC
Jenny Perry BC
Wendy Whiting BC
Coreen Zerr BC
Natasha de Souza Bugarin Brasil
Aline Stéfane  de Souza Bugarin Brazil
Naoko Hirano Japan
Susan Selby MB
Catherine Ugrin MB
Valerie Wilson MB
Krista Zeghers MB
Judith Le Clue NB
Susan McEachern NB
Carolyn A Hudson NS
Anne Morrell Robinson NS
Debra Plestid NS
Debbie Vermeulen NS
Wendy Anderson ON
Ilene Atkins ON
Georgia Beale ON
Pat Borecky ON
Kerry Burke ON
Margaret Cale ON
Beth Cameron ON
Diane Carson ON
Stasha Ceglarz ON
Michèle-Renée Charbonneau ON
Marsha Clarke ON
Cathy Climpson ON
Clare Clovis ON
Carol Cote ON
Sandra Croley ON
Sandra Dammizio ON
Carol Darou ON
Joan Dorsay ON
Natalie Dudycha ON
Deanna Ellis ON
Marilyn Farquhar ON
Dorothy Fu ON
Helen Fujiki ON
Helen Garland ON
Carol Goddu ON
Gunnel Hag ON
Monica Hennessy ON
Jean Hillis ON
Dorothy Holdenmeyer ON
Carmen Huggins ON
Lynda Hutchison ON
Evelyn Jago ON
Jayne Jenkins ON
Jennifer Johnston ON
Roxanna Kantarjian ON
Ruth Kennedy ON
Doris Lovadina-Lee ON
Angela Maves ON
Kristyn McCoy ON
Nancy McCracken ON
Janet McGoey ON
Kim Mullen ON
Margaret Notar ON
Ann Marie Patrick ON
Anita Payne ON
Anne Peters ON
Hilary Rice ON
Joan Robinson ON
Nancy Sachro ON
Elizabeth Schneider ON
Linda Stemp ON
Yvette Sullivan ON
Judy Thomson ON
Beth Van Wyngaarden ON
Maggie Vanderweit ON
Cathy Vickers ON
Audrey Vrooman ON
Jackie White ON
Grace Whiting ON
Jim  Wilford ON
Margaret Worsick ON
Heather Jarmyn PE
Cinzia Allocca QC
Josée Carrier QC
Dianne Chretien QC
Micheline Lecomte QC
Brigitte Villeneuve QC
Tannis Fahlman SK
Jaynie Himsl SK
Paula Jolly SK
Laurette Russman USA
Krista  Withers USA
Joanne Love YT

Thursday 25 February 2016

Quilt Canada 2016 Update

Are you considering coming to Quilt Canada 2016?  

Have you already booked your trip? Finalized your plans?  Whatever the case may be, here are some really fun things for you to consider doing while you are at the conference.

First off, is take in a workshop. How amazing is it that CQA/ACC brings in instructors from everywhere and puts them all under one roof so you have a smorgasbord of talent to choose from!




We even have long arm and mid arm workshops and lectures this year! Handi Quilter is supplying the long arm and mid arm machines for these workshops and lectures.



Grab a lecture! They are quick and fast and you can gain so much information on topics you wanted to explore but never had the time to!

Check out our Demo Booth. Stationed right in the Merchant Mall with around the clock demos on new products, tips, techniques and tools, it is a must stop. Grab your lunch and come on by!

All the shows!  The National Juried Show is the icing on the cake showcasing the incredible talent we have in all new categories!
We have our fun and exciting Trend-Tex Challenge where you can not only take in these beautiful small quilts, but bid on them and support Canadian quilting. The incredible Toronto Modern Quilt Guild is having a show plus our Invitational quilt show!  There will be so many quilts for you to be inspired by.

Did I mention the Merchant Mall?  We are pleased to bring you the largest Merchant Mall we have ever had at our conference!  Yes, it is HUGE! Click here to see a list of the vendors.

You do not want to miss our Quilters' Nite Out with Jane Sassaman!  The freebies and giveaways will rock your world.

Quilter's Nite Out – Jane Sassaman Lecture and Social


Jane SassamanJoin Jane Sassaman for a very special evening lecture followed by a social time with fellow quilters. Refreshments: tea, coffee and dessert will be served.  A cash bar will also be available.
We are thrilled to present a lecture by well known and respected quilter, author and fabric designer, Jane Sassaman (see bio).  You will enjoy Jane's lecture on the visual and philosophical ideas that have influenced both her life and her work.  Jane brings an extraordinary range of wonderful images making this a colourful lecture.  Jane excites and inspires her audience by exposing them to an unusual combination of fantastic images.
Book your ticket early for this entertaining and informative evening as seating is limited and will sell out quickly.  This is a rare opportunity for Canadian quilters to hear Jane Sassaman in person and to mingle and meet with old and new quilting friends.
Cost: $25.00 ($30.00 at the door, if available)
TIME: Thursday, June 16, 7:00 p.m.
Jane Sassaman Lecture









The International Gathering of the Guilds is a once in a lifetime opportunity as well!

The International Gathering of the Guilds – Quilt Canada 2016


Paula Rafferty
Paula Rafferty
A public gathering such as the International Gathering of the Guilds™, for quilters by quilters around the world, is an incredible and unique occasion. Please join us for an evening in celebration of quilting and sharing on a global scale.
The most common thread among quilters worldwide is fellowship and camaraderie. The evening will include presentations from guest speakers from the global quilting project movement, followed by a Show & Share quilt parade like no other! Won't it be fun to see what other quilters around the world are working on? Please bring a finished quilted piece to show and share with others. All skill levels are welcome.  Seating is limited. 
Book your ticket now!



Cost: $22.00 ($25.00 at the door if available)
Time: Friday, June 17, 7:00 p.m.
Cash bar available
Keynote Speaker: Paula Rafferty of Ireland (see bio)
Show & Tell parade
Sponsored by: Celtic Quilt Tours
For more information, please contact:
Kathy Strawson kstrawson@gmail.com
Kim Caskey kim@kimcaskey.ca




Did I mention that our door prize is a long arm quilting machine?  Sponsored by Handi Quilter!



Tuesday 16 February 2016

Mystery Blocks for Canada's 150th Birthday

  Canada Mystery Quilt, designed by Shania Sunga, to celebrate Canada's 150th Birthday will consist of 13 Blocks featuring 10 Provinces and 3 territories of Canada, Quilt size will be  48" x 58". Beginning September 2015 and finishing April 2017, a ready to go shop kit consisting of the pattern and fabric will be available. Shania Sunga has captured the imagery of the incredible beauty Canada has to offer.




Nova Scotia – Block 4

Nova Scotia is Canada’s second smallest province and is located on the southeastern coast of Canada. The province includes Cape Breton, a large island northeast of the mainland and another 3,800 coastal islands, including Sable Island. Nova Scotia has over 3000 lakes and 7,500 km of rocky coastline.
The name Nova Scotia is Latin for “New Scotland,” reflecting the origins of some of the early settlers. Given its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean, Nova Scotia’s economy is largely influenced by the sea, and its harbours have served as military bases during many wars.
The Bay of Fundy, famous for extreme tides, is a popular location for whale watching. Humpback whales become very abundant mid-June off the shores of Nova Scotia. The Humpback has a distinctive body shape with long pectoral fins and a knobbly head. It is known for breaching and other distinctive surface behaviors, making it popular for whale watchers.
Peggy’s Point Lighthouse (also known as Peggy’s Cove Lighthouse) is in Peggy’s Cove, Nova Scotia, which is an iconic Canadian image. The first lighthouse at Peggy’s Cove was built in 1868 and was a wooden house with a beacon on it. That structure was replaced by the current lighthouse in 1914. It stands 15m high (49ft). The old wooden lighthouse became the keepers dwelling until it was damaged by Hurricane Edna in 1954 and was removed.



To see more Information go to www.cantikbatiks.com

Sunday 14 February 2016

Jane Sassaman Workshops at Quilt Canada!

You heard it right! CQA/ACC has booked Jane Sassaman to come and teach 4 incredible workshops at Quilt Canada 2016, June 15-18th in Toronto ON!

You will not want to miss an opportunity to learn from a legend in the  quilting world!
Her quilts have traveled everywhere, she is a published author, her fabric collections are like no other and she is an extraordinary teacher!

Ms. Sassaman is teaching four workshops, one each day of the conference so that you have plenty of opportunities to choose one that fits your schedule!

111-Personalities of a Leaf
111-Personalities of a Leaf
1 Day: Wednesday, June 15, 2016
Kit Fee: N/A
Skill Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Cost Including Lunch: Members: $140.00; Non-Members: $155.00
Machine embroidery adds personality to your quilts and needlework. The stitches you choose affect the emotion and atmosphere of your work. In this workshop we will make a simple sampler using a repeated leaf appliqué, but by changing the finishing embroidery stitches each leaf takes on different personalities and attitudes.
This is your chance to get familiar with the stitches contained in your sewing machine or to sample some stitches you have never tried before. Whatever machine you have, we will try to find the stitches which speak your language and will make your needle projects more expressive.
211-Machine Appliqué
211-Machine Appliqué
1 Day: Thursday, June 16, 2016
Kit Fee: N/A
Skill Level:  Beginner to Intermediate
Cost Including Lunch: Members: $140.00; Non-Members: $155.00
This workshop will focus on rich surface design as students learn techniques of precision machine appliqué. Students will be exposed to organic shapes in other mediums (Art Nouveau, etc.) and will be challenged to apply these shapes to their textile compositions. Each student will experiment with several appliqué and decorative embroidery options.
311-Suns and Moons
311-Suns and Moons
1 Day: Friday, June 17, 2016
Kit Fee: N/A
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Cost Including Lunch: Members: $140.00; Non-Members: $155.00
Suns and Moons is a machine appliqué workshop based on the circle motif. Using Jane’s appliqué techniques and experimenting with our decorative stitches, we will begin by making a series of colorful fabric discs which will then be arranged into a dramatic and contemporary composition.
411-Abstracting from Nature (designs class)
411-Abstracting from Nature (designs class)
1 Day: Saturday, June 18, 2016
Kit Fee: N/A
Skill Level: Beginner to Advanced
Cost Including Lunch: Members: $140.00; Non-Members: $155.00
Nature is an endless source of inspiration. In this class we will examine a wide variety of artists interpretations of nature before beginning to manipulate natural forms ourselves.  Through a series of exercises we will experiment with abstraction and exaggeration to capture the essence and energy of your favorite flora and achieve dramatic visual effects.  We will then translate these ideas into fabric . Drawing skills are not needed but participants should have a strong interest in developing their own design language and unique visual symbols.
This class is especially beneficial for the drawing impaired and the tragically literal.

Not only that, we have her booked for a lecture, during our Quilter's Nite Out!   Without saying too much, not only are you getting to hear Jane Sassaman speak, but we have gifts for all attendees, giveaways and door prizes galore! It is going to be a party for sure!

Don't wait too long, her classes are filling up quickly!


Friday 12 February 2016

CQA/ACC IS HIRING AN EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR



Executive Director

The Canadian Quilters Association/Association canadienne de la courtepointe is accepting applications for the position of Executive Director who will be responsible for the successful leadership and management of the organization.  This is a part time position of approximately 20 hours per week, working with a volunteer board of directors, one staff person and several contractors.  Compensation will be competitive.

The Canadian Quilting Association/Association canadienne de la courtepointe (CQA/ACC) (www.canadianquilter.com) is a national not for profit organization that promotes excellence in quilts and quiltmaking and fosters a climate of sharing among Canadian quilt makers and enthusiasts.

QUALIFICATIONS and COMPETENCIES
·       Marketing and/or Business degree and experience with a Not for Profit Board of Directors.
·       Knowledge of administrative procedures and legal requirements for a not for profit organization.
·       Communication skills
·       Advanced Computer and Website skills.
·       Ability to develop, plan and implement Projects and Strategic Goals.
·       Ability to work both independently and as a team member
·       Experience in budgetary and human resource management.
·       Operates in a timely, objective and transparent manner.
·       Excellent decision making, problem recognition and problem solving skills.
·       Good interpersonal and team management skills.
·       Understanding the quilting scene in Canada and its trends is an asset.
To inquire about this position and for the full job description contact the President at president@canadianquilter.com  


Applications will be accepted until March 15, 2016.  

Tuesday 9 February 2016

Coats & Clark Present a Slipper Tutorial!

CQA/ACC is thrilled to have Coats & Clark guest blogging for us! They are one of our amazing sponsors that is participating in Quilt Canada 2016 and boy did they go all out for you! 7 huge boxes of thread is waiting to be distributed to quilters attending the conference!

Coats & Clark Thread – Hints, History & Spa Slippers Project

Annette Millard is passionate about sewing and has worked in the sewing industry for many, many years and is always happiest with needle, fabric and thread in her hands. She currently enjoys supporting the Coats & Clark community writing blog posts about products and projects for the Coats Sewing Secrets Blog.


Dreary weather makes me want to stay inside and sew. You will love the Spa Slipper Project we have to share with you below! First, I have a bit of info about the over 250 year history of Coats & Clark threads. I always wonder how products began and who invented them, don’t you?


The Clark brothers were weavers in Paisley, Scotland in the 1750’s and in the early 1800’s, silk, the primary thread used in weaving at that time, became quite scarce due to Britain’s war with France. To keep the industry going, the inventive Clark brothers came up with a method for twisting cotton to make thread that was strong enough to replace silk and linen for weaving and hand sewing. They soon opened their first mill and invented a process for winding thread onto wooden spools. Remember those?


Impressed by the Clarks’ success, the nearby Coats family also began producing cotton threads. Both brands became popular in America when threads arrived with British sailors. Coats and Clark brands were exported from Britain to North America until war once again changed how business was conducted. In the 1860’s, US Civil War tariffs made exporting costs prohibitive, so both brands began manufacturing in the US. By the late 1800’s, the Coats and Clark families merged operations and birthed the tradition of thread excellence that we still trust and enjoy today. To read more Coats & Clark history, click here.

Our Spa Slipper project calls for two colors of Dual Duty XP General Purpose Thread. Due to Coats’ continued inventiveness, innovation and dedication to quality, Dual Duty XP thread is core-spun using modern technology for consistent tension and fabulous stitches. This means that smooth, long, multi-filament fibers are tightly spun as a “core”, then wrapped and twisted again with spun polyester to create a single strand. Two or more of these core-spun strands are then twisted together to make the high-strength, beautifully fray-resistant Coats thread you count on. The General Purpose weight is exactly what you need while you’re zigzagging and sewing through several layers. But, you’re not always sewing Spa Slippers, so let’s take a look at all three weights of Coats Dual Duty XP.
Coats Dual Duty XP General Purpose Thread . . . the thread you’ll use most for machine and hand sewing.
·        Available in 114, 229 or 457 meter spools.
·        Easily find just the right color for your project - General Purpose 114m has the widest color range available, including Fashion Brights, Color Tints and Multi-Colors.
·        Perfect for all fibers and fabrics – quilting cottons, knits and wovens.
·        Use a size 70 to 80 needle.
Coats Dual Duty XP Fine Thread . . . the thread you’ll use for sewing sheer magic.
·        Solves your longing for pucker-free seams in light-weight fabrics.
·        Strong, yet the perfect weight for lingerie, bridal, silks, organza and sheers.
·        Excellent for Machine Embroidery.
·        Use a size 60 to 70 needle.
Coats Dual Duty XP Heavy Thread . . . the thread that makes bold, heavy stitching fabulous.
·        Heavier and stronger than General Purpose or Fine.
·        Great for creating bold accent Buttonholes, Cording and Topstitching.
·        The right choice for interior and exterior upholstery fabrics.
·        Use a size 100 to 110 needle.




And here’s my secret favorite thing about Coats thread – the trap spool! On the end of each spool, you’ll find a little slotted “trap” to lock the end of your thread in before you store the spool or you can lift up the trap, wind the thread inside and snap it closed to secure the thread. You know that exasperating, knotted, wild mess that you call your thread box? Gone!

A thread hint story: One day, while I was working in a sewing store, a customer came in steaming mad because the thread kept breaking on her brand new machine. Since thread choice is key to successful sewing, I asked what kind of thread she used. Her answer? “I don’t know. It was in a box of sewing stuff my husband’s ex-wife stored in the attic years ago”. When I explained that old thread may not be good thread and cheap thread is the worst, she cursed the ex-wife a little, but bought new thread and came back later to thank me. Thread can last for years if it’s stored properly, but exposure to direct or sunlight, moisture and extreme temperatures can compromise its integrity.
Pamper yourself this month and go through your thread box with the following in mind.
·        Test your “old” threads. Take a 38 – 45cm piece of thread, hold one end in each hand and pull on it until it breaks. If you feel some resistance, it’s probably okay, but if it breaks easily, it’s time to say goodbye.
·        Look at the color of a few meters of your old threads. Do they start out light, then get darker? This is thread that has been discolored by light exposure and it’s probably time for it to go, too.
·        Consider tossing thread with just a few meters left on the spool. It’s unlikely that you’ll actually have enough to use on a project when you need that color, so its really just clutter.
·        Banish any “5/$1.00 bargain” or thrifted threads and replenish your supply with fabulous new Coats threads.
·        Click here to download a PDF of the Dual Duty XP 114 meter spool color choices so you can pre-shop. Print and stash this in your thread box for future reference!

Click here for the free pattern for these wonderful Spa Slippers. They were featured along with several other Spa Projects on the Coats Sewing Secrets Blog recently and you’ll love the other projects, too. You can have an all day Spa Sewing session! Click here to read the Spa Projects post. For more information about Coats brands and products, click here to visit Make It Coats.

Enjoy your sewing and make good thread choices – you deserve it!

Saturday 6 February 2016

Counting Inches #3

Great news!

After totaling up the inches from December and January meetings, we are able to announce that we’ve made it as far as Winnipeg, MB. This is amazing as there were some guilds who didn’t have a meeting in December.


It’s a good thing we are making progress. Going through these COLD months (and also the colder provinces right now), we sure need all those quilts to keep warm! 

Don’t forget to send your inches to Marilyn at marilyn_cqa@vaxxine.com. We'd like to make it to Toronto in time for Quilt Canada 2016!

Here are some pictures of Show and Tell:


Quilt from Annapolis Valley Quilters
Quilt of Valour quilt that was quilted by one of their members.












Victoria QG

Manitoba Quilters - one of their ABC (Adults, Babies, Children) quilts

Nanaimo QG 


Kemptville Quilters