PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Winnie Wells
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Several years ago I was sitting in on a county fair judging and I heard the judge (a KPQG member) mention that a contestants blocks would lay so much flatter if the person had used a clapper. Okay – I was not the only one that did not know what that was. After the judging was over, several of us stayed behind and asked – ‘What is a clapper?’
That was the beginning of my
loving relationship with a piece of close grained, heavy, hardwood that makes
the best crisp and flat seams you have ever seen. Thank you Ms. Judge! Wonder
what I am talking about? Call a dress
making friend or look up Tailors Clapper on the net. (https://suzyquilts.com/tailors-clapper/ ) You can buy them, find plans to make them,
and even find them at yard sales – cause no one else knew what they were
either. Since then, I have also added a
ham and a seam roll. And yes, all for
Quilting, not tailoring.
The
right tools make the job so much easier.
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PROGRAM
Tag Team - Pat G. and Julia R.
Quilters do more than just quilt. Here are the stories of two - Grandmother and granddaughter and what they have been up to.
Pat Gilbert finds that her crazy quilt and her volunteer work for American Red Cross have a lot in common.
Crazy Quilt Red Cross & their Volunteers
Different size and shapes of fabric Different age, ethnicity, experience and yes sizes.
Stitched together to form top "Stitch" volunteers together to form the right response team for each particular disaster.
Put together with what you have Teams put together with volunteers available
Need a backing Need monetary donations to keep going
Gives comfort and makes memories Gives comfort and makes memories
Pat and her husband Ron, have been volunteering since his retirement in 2013. She appreciates that they get to pick the areas they volunteer in and that they are there to help EVERYONE. What they can do is very well defined by the Red Cross and they are supported every step of the way.
Pat remembers a mother breaking down and crying when she found out what Red Cross could do - She got to get diapers for her baby. Pat remembers two older ladies that had been without food all day and were overjoyed with the monetary support so they could buy something to eat. Whether it is Fires, Hurricanes, Tornados, Ice Storms, Flooding, what ever the disaster - Red Cross Volunteers are there helping, whether it is a place to shelter; replacing medicine, glasses or health type aides; blankets, comfort kits, or even a stuffed toy, they are there to help.
I can not begin to tell you even half of the things that Pat wrote to me about her volunteering for Red Cross; however, you can read everything in her own words by clicking here.
Tag - Julia, Your turn.
Both of Julia's grandmothers (Pat G. and our own Bev. R.) have helped her learn to sew and have taught her along the way. Here is Julia's story in her own words:
"My name is Julia Rieger, I'm 16 years old and I have been an entrepreneur since I was 12. I've always enjoyed sewing and creating with my own hands. I love to make pieces that are one of a kind and eye catching. My mom and my grandmothers have been very helpful to me as I have learned how to sew. They show me tips and tricks that I wouldn't think of and I don't think that I would have the skills I do now without them.
I started making T-shirt quilts when my mom and I decided to give away one in our swim team's raffle as a prize. The person who won the blanket asked if she could pay us to make another one for her. At the time I was trying to make money for my 8th grade Washington D.C. trip, so I took up the offer. I finished that blanket and put out an ad on Facebook to make more. The response was overwhelming. I thought this was an amazing job to have as a 7th grader. I could stay home in my comfy clothes, watch TV in my basement and work on my T-shirt blankets. I would guess that I made around 30 T-shirt blankets over the past 4 years. But over that time the process definitely changed and improved as I practiced. I learned easier ways to cut the shirts, better ways to add the backing and generally improved my sewing abilities. Each blanket would take about 10 hours each, unless I added customization. They are made with 20 blocks and a flannel or cotton backing. I do not put batting inside because I wanted them to be lighter and was afraid they would get too heavy. They are not quilted, though I used to tie them until I realized that the blankets looked better without and it would still stay together.
In my 8th grade year, I entered into a young entrepreneurs contest so that I could improve my business - JbevStudio and Design. I won 2nd at the county contest and honorable mention at the state contest. Winning these prizes came with prize money that I will use when opening my next business - Roaming Sun Coffee. Soon I'm hoping to open a mobile coffee business where I will travel to surrounding festivals and events to sell gourmet coffee drinks. Over my life I can see myself running all kinds of businesses. Maybe sometime I will get back to the creative sales side, but for now I think it's time to try something new.
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