Fabric Postcards are fun!

An enthusiastic group of members stayed after the March 15 meeting for a class on fabric postcards. They soon learned how easy and fun it is to create these small works of art.A fabric postcard is a small quilt created on a stiff inner layer that allows it to travel through the postal system.

Teacher Martha Lorshbaugh was happy to share not only her own collection of postcards, but those of fellow member Kathi Everett, to inspire the class. Many of these cards came from internet swaps. The creativity represented on these cards inspired the some of the class participants to play, rather than follow the pattern provided.

Donna's Easter card for her Grands

Ann learned the benefits of taking her time
on the blanket stitching!

Mary Ellen decided to be very artistic- even adding some sequins!

More of the class postcards can be seen here! And hopefully many more will soon follow.

Coming Attractions

So far, 2008 has been good to us, and the Museum Quilt Guild is expecting the rest of the year to only get better!

Several workshops are already on the schedule, with several more in the planning stages. The after meeting "sit and sew" may never have another opportunity to gather!


In March, one of our members, Martha Lorshbaugh, will be teaching members to make fabric postcards! Several members have been showing off postcards they have made and or received in online swaps, which has generated enthusiasm for this class. (See some of Martha's postcards !)



In April, we are pleased to host Joan Ford, with her "Scrap Therapy" lecture. A class will follow, where members can learn how to cut, sort and organize scraps for future projects.



In June, members of the Museum Quilt Guild will be taking a road trip!! A bus has been reserved to transport interested members to "Quilter's Holiday 2008" hosted by the Quilters Consortium of New York State. The trip, on June 14, will cost members $125.00 and includes admission to the show, a lunch with speaker Kaye England, and dinner with speaker Ami Simms. Two locations have been arranged to meet the bus- at the Valu Plaza in Batavia and the Park and Ride in LeRoy. Contact Elaine Ross at elainejr@rochester.rr.com for more information, or to sign up and arrange payment. Reservations must be made before March 31, 2008.



Other upcoming workshops include a wool felt project and a fun dimensional applique class! Check back later for details!

Black and White and.....

The Museum Quilt Guild members turned in quilts to be entered into the annual challenge show on January 19. Among the entries is a "Little Black Dress", a city scape and a tv test pattern! See the entire show here.

The Challenge theme is chosen by the Guild's 2nd VP each spring. The anticipation of each announcement is met with enthusiasm most years. This year the announcement was followed by questions, and more questions: Does grey count as a third color? What about cream? What if I use different shades of my third color??? And yet, despite all the questions, this challenge may be the most popular the Guild has ever had! A total of 33 quilts were entered by 29 members! There are those who participate every year, but this year there were several newcomers to the challenge, including one former member who was inspired to create a challenge quilt and rejoin the Guild!

The Museum Quilt Guild's membership is made up of every level of quilter, from beginner to expert. Many are strictly traditional quilters, while others use the annual challenge to try out a new technique and stretch themselves a bit.

Awards are givien to the entrants based on the workmanship and overall appearance of the piece as well as specific awards for the hand or machine quilting, use of color, creativity, use of theme and design. Visitors to the show are also invited to vote for their favorite, so that a viewer's choice award can be given.

The Museum Quilt Guild hosts a biennial quilt show in October. Much more of the work created by the same artists will be on display there. Please check back for details later in the year!

A Day in the Country

On Saturday, October 13, twenty seven members of The Museum Quilt Guild took a bus tour of the Country Barn Trail in Orleans County, NY. This project was created by quilter and fifth generation farmer, Lora Partyka, after hearing about a similar project in Iowa. She never consulted with anyone about funding, she just painted a quilt block that was relevant to her and hung it on her barn. Friends and neighbors, upon seeing hers, decided they'd like to join her and the project has taken off at a very rapid pace.

The block on Lora's barn is titled, aptly, The Farmer's Daughter. Her farm includes a seasonal market, which also serves ice cream and a limited menu and has charming country wares for sale. Many of the blocks are recreated in smaller form for purchase.

The tour includes a volunteer- one of the participants in the project- who rides along on the bus and tells stories about the blocks to give visitors insight into why certain blocks were chosen. One family chose "Railroad Crossing" (above) as the railroad formerly passed through the property. Another family's members enjoy walking when they can see the stars, so they chose a lone star block they titled "Constellation"

The blocks make an interesting addition to the scenery of the area and were well worth the day's drive. Since 30 or more blocks are in the planning stages, we may go again next summer!