Red Cross Tote Bags - Want a really easy version?

I have not been very motivated to sew lately.  I think the hustle and bustle of the summer zapped my creativity.  However, after the meeting the other week I was inspired to come home and get sewing!  I love the sew-n-tell and hearing what you are making, patterns to try, books to see...

I decided to start by making a tote bag for the Red Cross program.  I wanted a tutorial that was EASY, quick and makes a nice size bag.  A little "googling" on the web and I found this tutorial:

http://www.thelongestyear.typepad.com/EasyToteTut.pdf


Easy - check
Quick - check
Good size - check

A couple notes if you use this tutorial:
- I used interfacing on the exterior, lining and straps.  I like bags with some structure to them.

- Step 5 shows the "boxing" of the corners.  She does not specify a distance, but I used 2.5" up from the point and that worked well.

It feels good to be sewing,
Karen E.

Two smiling faces - Handmade dolls

I thought periodically I would feature a pretty sew-n-tell item, a book, notion or other item we see or discuss at our meetings.  Today I want to feature some adorable dolls made by Joanie.  She brought the dolls to the August Sew-N-Tell and the detail and workmanship are incredible.  You can read more about the dolls on Joanie's blog and Etsy shop:

Joanie's blog http://joanieinnc-quiltershaven.blogspot.com/

Etsy shop http://www.etsy.com/shop/JoaniesTrendyQuilts?ref=pr_shop_more

p.s. I goofed on the due date for the next BOM block-of-the-month.  The 16 patch block is due at the SEPTEMBER meeting.

August Meeting Recap

Our August meeting was held last week and we had a great group of quilting fans (24 members and 8 visitors).   Jenn T. and Vicki from The Quilted Thimble Cottage gave a presentation about their shop and a neat tool for making easy flying geese.  Thanks ladies!

Also, a HUGE thank you to Vicki for volunteering to quilt the Dowd YMCA donation quilt.  The top was made by Joyce M. and the ladies that attended the spring Sew Modern retreat.  This quilt will be donated to the Dowd YMCA for their fund raising auction later this year.

SWAPS
Xandi (Swap Captain) kicked off 2 swaps.

The first was the Block-In-A-Bag program.  This month was the first exchange of bags and I can't wait to see these blocks at the end of the exchange.

The second swap is the Swap For Someone You Love (swap items due in October).  I have Beth's 4 year old granddaughter as my swap recipient and I can't wait to sew something girly girly!


BLOCK OF THE MONTH (BOM)
We have a new BOM Chair, Cindi.  She will be selecting the monthly BOMs, themes/colors and running the BOM program.  Thank you Cindi! Remember for each block you turn in you get a chance to win all the blocks submitted that month.  I LOOOVE the block for September.

Block: St Louis 16 Patch (Sew With Sass blog)    http://sewwithsass.blogspot.com/2013/04/quilts-st-louis-16-patch.html

Color:  Modern Scrappy
Due:  September Meeting


RED CROSS BAGS
Woohoo, bags are already being made and turned in for the Red Cross.

One of the beautiful bags already turned in!

If you can help, the American Red Cross needs tote bags for their volunteers.  These volunteers assist veterans and they need to carry various supplies with them.  The bags should be big enough to hold a 3 ring binder.

You may use any pattern/fabric/style, but here is one the Red Cross shared with us http://mamaspocketbook.com/freebies.htm.

The bags will be due at the OCTOBER meeting.

UPCOMING DATES/EVENTS

September Meeting: 
9/26/13 at 6:00 - Dowd YMCA

BOM St Louis 16 Patch


October Meeting: 
10/24/13 at 6:00 - Dowd YMCA

Red Cross Bags Due
Swap For Someone You Love Due


Have a great weekend,
Karen E.

Meeting This Thursday

I hope everyone can make the meeting this Thursday 8/29. 

Dowd YMCA

400 East Morehead Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

704.716.6100

Conference Room #4 - 7th Floor

Jen & Vicki from The Quilted Thimble Cottage will be our featured speakers. 

Xandi (Swap Captain) asked me to remind everyone that 1) we will re-launch the Swap For Someone You Love, due at the end of October and 2) Block in a Bag will start, so people should bring their fabric kits. 

Hope to see you Thursday!

Calling all Long-armers...

With the exciting news of finding a permanent home for this upcoming year, we have to get busy with a charity quilt due October 1 for the YMCA Silent Auction.  Thanks to Joyce and the ladies at last April's retreat, we have a quilt ready...it just needs to be quilted.

Any of you lovely ladies with the beautiful long-arms willing to quilt our charity quilt?  It's all so that we have a place to call home.  :)

Please email the guild and let us know so that we can get it to you as soon as possible.

Thanks so much!

August Meeting traffic update...

We just wanted to let you know that there is a Panthers Home Game the same day as our August meeting (how dare them!)  :) 

Please note that traffic and parking may be a little difficult.  Allow enough time so that you can arrive safely to the meeting.

Drive safe and we look forward to seeing you in 2 weeks!

Dates For The Next Year

Good news!  For the upcoming year we have arranged to hold our monthly meetings at the Dowd YMCA.  The meeting space is nice and the location is very central which makes it easier for members coming from various areas of town. 

We hope to see you in August!

Dowd YMCA

400 East Morehead Street

Charlotte, NC 28202

704.716.6100

Conference Room #4
Take the elevator to the 7th floor,
Take a left out of elevator and the room is at the end of the hall.

Unless noted below, the meetings are held on the last Thursday of the month:

2013
August 29
September 26
October 24 (* not the last Thursday due to Halloween)
December 12 (* not the last Thursday, Holiday Party)

2014
January 30
February 27
March 27
April 24
May 22
June 26
July 31