Greetings to all members of EQI! …
by EQI President: Nadine B.
It is June already and we are heading rapidly to the Winter Solstice. I thought I could look at this fact in one of two ways – “OMG the year has disappeared! The weather is so cold!!” or “Wow, half a year has nearly gone and EQI has been able to meet every month to date. The weather makes staying home and quilting so much more enjoyable.” I have decided to go with the latter and be a “glass half full” person. After all, we have been through with the Pandemic, I think I have learnt how to appreciate even the smallest joys in life.
Last month we celebrated the Biggest Morning Tea and as always EQI members displayed generosity towards each other and our visitors by providing a lovely spread of food during the Day Meeting and the Evening Sit and Sew. Thanks to everyone who bought raffle tickets for items that had been donated by members of the group and made a gold coin donation. $302.20 was raised during the day meeting. The breakdown of this amount has been provided by the Treasurer. $71.20 was donated in the Gold Coin donation drive. The multiple prize raffle raised $146 and the raffle for the beautiful framed butterflies donated by a member raised $85.00. Attendees of the Evening Sit and Sew were also very kind, donating $46.00 for the gold coin donation drive. It is so wonderful that we successfully raised funds that can help to support the work done by the Cancer Council. Thank you, once again, EQI members and visitors!
At the Day Meeting, we were privileged to have Irene Blanck, a renowned quilter and teacher tas our special guest. Irene shared her creative processes and showed us so many of her truly beautiful quilts. She talked about her love for colour coming from her family background, the saris her mother wore and the places she lived. Irene also made a really interesting observation about colour and pattern when she showed us a hexagon quilt she had made. The hexagons were made from fabrics given to her by students in different classes she had taught. She pointed out that fabrics used in different classes often reflected the nature of fabrics stocked in a local shop (particularly) in regional areas and also that the fabrics from America were darker than the ones used here in Australia. Irene will offer a workshop later this year, which will focus on developing and/or refining applique skills. More details will follow in due course.
June Events:
As you look forward to the month ahead, please consider booking for the Saturday Sewing Session on the 25th, starting at 10 am. EQI members are respectfully asked to bring a plate to share for morning and afternoon tea. Everyone is asked to bring their own lunch. Tea and coffee will be provided. Members of the Kilmore Quilters have been invited to join us for the day, as the judging of the Paint Chip Challenge quilts can finally take place. External judges have been appointed.
Quilts will then be hung in the Hall so that anyone present on the day can vote for their preferred quilt. The Paint Chip Challenge quilts will also be hung at the July day and evening meetings for EQI and also at the Kilmore Quilters July meeting so that we can all have the opportunity to cast a vote for the Viewer’s Choice Award.
Day meeting: June 15, 10am -3pm
Guest Speakers: Judy Robinson-Whitty and Robyn Packham will present a Trunk Show of their works and discuss their inspirational sources
Skill Sharing Session: Using the Go Cutter
Quilts for Others workshop: June 22, 10-2 pm. Please come along and help to sew on a binding or a label, piece a quilt etc. Last year many quilts were donated to a range of charities. You too can play a part in creating some “quilty comfort” by coming on the day for a short while to collect something to work on at home or spend the day sewing at the Hall.
Evening Sit and Sew: June 22, 7-9.30 pm
Skill Sharing Session: Using the Go Cutter
The year ahead:
The committee has been working hard to try to book a variety of guest speakers for future meetings. In August, Susan Smith will be our guest speaker. We will continue to add information about guest speakers as we confirm bookings.
Skill Share Sessions:
Our own EQI members are a very talented group. During day and evening meetings, various members will be sharing their very diverse skills. We will post a new Skill Sharing session in the EQI eNews each month.
Other events:
We will continue to run ‘Saturday Stitching’ Sessions and workshops and a bus trip in the latter half of this year. The Bus Trip will travel to Gisborne and Ballan. More information about all these events will be made available as the year progresses.
If you are having difficulty travelling to the Hall, feel free to contact committee@essendonquilters.org.au, we can try to help find someone who is willing to pick you up.
Please reach out and bring a friend who hasn’t made it back to the group after the period of lockdowns etc.
Before we meet again, I hope you all get to make the most of the cold weather to fit in as much quilting as your heart desires.
Regards,
Nadine Bond
President
