Mary La Tourelle
The Agave Quilt Guild hosted Lori Schrage of 35th Avenue Sew & Vac at our Nov. 5 meeting. She spoke about and demonstrated AccuQuilt machines. They cut very accurately and can go through six layers at a time, greatly reducing the time involved in making a quilt. Besides the machine, there are many different types of dies or patterns that can be used. Strip dies are the most popular. A few members of our guild have an AccuQuilt, but most haven’t learned how to use it yet. However, members asked Lori lots of questions, indicating an interest in becoming proficient in using theirs and/or purchasing one. Lori noted that her store currently is offering a sale on the machine, and purchasers receive a 30% discount on the dies. You can also rent a machine at the store for $5 an hour. The guild is in the process of establishing an AccuQuilt Friendship Group, which would enable members to share dies and help each other learn. Contact Agave Education Chair Nussy Merchant at NZM65@live.com for more information.
Classes being offered this season include BOM Mystery Quilt (in process), Machine Applique, Folded Flowers, Rope Bowl, and Cathedral Windows. Note that the Jelly Roll Race class scheduled for November has been postponed to early 2026.
Led by Jean Hedberg this past summer, several members made more than 30 red, white, and blue quilts, which were given to the Arizona Patriot Guard Riders. The Riders serve veterans in a variety of ways and will distribute the quilts to veterans over the holidays.
Upcoming speakers/programs:
• December: Annual holiday luncheon at Palo Verde
• January: Kim Kubsch on ways to declutter your sewing room
• February: To be announced
• March: Sebrina and James Riddle of West Valley Quilting on using panels
• April: Cristy Fincher of Purple Daisies Quilting
• May: To be announced
• September: Heidi Pridemore of Whimsical Workshop
Visitors are welcome to attend any of our meetings, held on the first Wednesday of the month, September through May, at 1 p.m. in the Navajo Room at Sun Lakes Country Club (25601 S. Sun Lakes Blvd.). For more information, please visit our website at agavequiltersguild.com.