Tidewater Quilters' Guild Virginia (TQGVA) - Blog

54-40 African American Quilt Guild of Virginia

9/12/2019

This 120"x120" quilt project was organized, sewn together and quilted by the "54-40 African American Quilt Guild of Virginia" with blocks crafted and sewn by African American volunteers all over the USA.

The quilt memorializes the 400th year Anniversary of the first slaves coming to the USA at Fort Monroe, Virginia: 1619-2019

The quilt currently hangs in the Hampton, Va, Convention Center.

The 2 other photos are of blocks that our own Wilma Gerald created and sewed as her contribution to the 54-40 African American Quilt Guild project.

Message from the President

6/25/2019

Hello again. This month I have lots of thank yous.

Firstly, thank you to everybody who has made, and is continuing to make, blocks for the quilts for the victim’s families of the 5/31 mass shooting. And, also to everyone who attended our sew day on June 19. There will be another sew day on July 17 and there is an article inside this newsletter giving more information on where we are and what remains to be done.
My second thank you is to everyone who attended our Anniversary Symposium on June 22. It was a wonderful day and everyone who attended seemed to enjoy themselves. Cheryl See did a wonderful “talk” whereby rather than speak on a topic she invited the audience to ask questions. This meant the discussion was wide ranging but informative on so many things you didn’t realize you even wondered about. The lunch was provided by Gourmet Gang and was a feast. Then re-fueled by the buffet and cake we enjoyed a second wonderful presentation and trunk show. This time by Paula Golden of the Virginia Quilt Museum.

I must also add a couple of personal thanks - my husband Carl, who turned my ramblings about what I thought the pin should look like into a beautiful pin. For those of you who weren’t at the event but would like a pin they will be available to buy at the forthcoming meetings. And to Pat Carney and Carole Harris, my co-committee members, who listened to my ideas and helped me bring them to life, as well as chipped in with thoughts about the pin.

Some of you may recall that last year Betsy Kessler encouraged us all to consider putting a quilt into the State Fair. Last year the Guild entered 14 quilts and 8 of them were awarded a ribbon. I would like to repeat the request to consider entering the Fair. This year the fair will be held in Richmond between September 27 and October 6. So you have plenty of time to think about your entry. Details and registration forms can be found on the State Fair of Virginia website.

Have a great month quilting and see you at one of the chapter meetings.

First Ever TQG Retreat

5/19/2019

FIRST QUILTERS RETREAT - OPEN TO MEMBERS ONLY.
September 16-19, 2019, Register by June 7, 2019. Wakefield 4H Center, 15189 Airfield Road, Wakefield, VA 23888

This Registration Form here and on the Workshops/Events page has all the information you need to know.

Symposium Registration Form

5/16/2019

The Symposium Registration Form has been uploaded to the Workshops/Events page.

Symposium

5/14/2019

Our Symposium event will be held on June 22 to celebrate the 40th Anniversary of the formation of our Guild.

The event will take place at the Wycliffe Presbyterian Church on Great Neck Road, Virginia Beach from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm and will cost $10.00, includes lunch.

Cheryl See will be presenting the lecture in the morning “Quilter Curiosities.” This will be your opportunity to ask those questions you’ve always wondered about but have never quite been able to ask. Cheryl will also have some of her beautiful quilts with her.

We will then serve a buffet lunch before a trunk show by the Virginia Quilt Museum who are bringing some of their collection for us to admire.

Jackie O'Brien visited with us

4/10/2019

As always we welcome Jackie to our guild meetings. She showed us all the wonderful quilts you can make with Deb Tucker's Studio 180 tools and technique sheets.

April 02nd, 2019

4/2/2019

March 25th, 2019

3/25/2019

President's Message:

Hello again, I am still waiting for Spring to arrive and to be able to banish the thick sweaters to the back of the closet for another year.

This year’s Spring Fling was, once again, a fantastic day. Lots of new skills learned, food enjoyed and chatter amongst friends both old and new. Thank you to all who helped in the organisation. I know there has been some discussion about the increase in cost this year - the first since 2014. The increase was set last September and considered the rise in the rental cost of the venue and food prices. I am sure you will agree the venue is a superb facility and we would be hard pressed to find a more suitable venue for the event; and Jason’s Deli always a provide a superb lunch on the day.

It is also election time again (it seems to come around so quickly) and we are struggling to fill a number of vacancies, particularly on the Chapter Boards and the Quilt Show Chair. As someone who has filled several seats I can tell you it is hard work, but also very rewarding and enjoyable. You get to meet so many people, become involved in all aspects of the Guild and have a hand in shaping the future of the Guild. If any of you can spare a few hours a month to help by volunteering to take on one of the vacant positions, either by yourself or with a friend as co-chairs, then please contact either myself or Karan Fisher.

Virginia Beach Spring Market

3/23/2019

Guild Members having a blast talking about the guild, selling raffle tickets and selling their handmade items at the Virginia Beach Spring Market, through Sunday at 5 p.m. Come to visit.

Spring Fling 2019

3/18/2019

As usual, because of the excellent planning by the committee, Spring Fling was a success, as depicted by the photos of happy students. Go to the Spring Fling 2019 tab to see those photos.