Mary La Tourelle
At our meeting on March 4, we welcomed Sebrina Riddle of West Valley Quilting in Litchfield Park. She and her husband James started the online business and provide a full range of quilting supplies as well as long-arm quilting. James taught himself how to use the computerized long-arm during COVID-19 and has become an expert. Sebrina spoke to us about using panels in quilting. There are many more ways to use panels than simply sewing borders around them, and the 14 quilts she showed displayed various techniques. The most important tip in using panels is to square them up, since they can be off by up to an inch. She recommends lightly misting and starching the panel, ironing it, and then finding the center by folding it in fourths. She particularly likes panels from Windham, Studio E, Northcott, and Island Batiks.
At the conclusion of our meeting, President Karen Pitts announced that we would use our scheduled time at the Oakwood Sewing Room on Thursday, April 16, to work on panels, including squaring them. The room is available from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. She also noted that we have an Open Sew session the first Tuesday of the month from 9 a.m. to noon. Members are encouraged to utilize these sessions.
Faith Bragg announced that we have a candidate for president, Teri Jimerson, who will step into Karen’s place as her term ends. Teri lives in Oakwood and has served in various leadership positions. The club still needs someone to take on the fundraising role, which is primarily focused on a quilt raffle twice a year.
We delivered 119 quilts to Valleywise Medical Center, included in a grand total of 4,615 quilts given to charity. Judith and team also put together several red, white, and blue quilt kits to donate to veterans, and all but one has been snapped up by our busy membership.
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.