2015 NILAG PROGRAM SCHEDULE 

All meetings are scheduled to be held at the PNC Bank, 250 E. Roosevelt Rd, Wheaton Illinois, Lower level meeting room.  Please use the lower level parking area. 

Meetings are 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM. The bank opens at 9:00 AM.

In the event of a cancelation due to bad weather, this blog will be updated a minimum of 24 hours before meeting time.  http://illinoislongarmguild.blogspot.com/

 

February 7, 2015

“Share It Saturday” - Bring a show-and-tell item with your favorite OVERALL FILL . Small or large, computerized or hand-guided, first project or latest award winner, we want to ooh and aah over your work! NILAG is THE place where your quilting is valued & appreciated because we all understand the time, effort, and practice it takes to be a longarm quilter. Whether you have been machine quilting 1 month or 10+ years, we want to support and encourage YOU! Bring something to share (even if you’ve brought it before)!!

“Skillbuilder Saturday” - The Skill Builder for February uses both decorative fabric and plain fabric. Assemble these fabrics & a piece of batting into a sandwich, quilt it using whatever design you like, then use the quilted piece to make some kind of useful item . (Plain fabric on one side so you can see your quilting and the decorative fabric for the outside of your useful item.) This is a chance for you to sharpen your skills AND have some fun!

"What I Learned at MQX" - If you weren’t able to attend MQX (Machine Quilters Exposition) last September or haven’t been to a BIG conference/workshop/extravaganza, come hear from those who had a front row seat! They will share information on classes & presenters, tips, techniques, and observations about the show.

April 4, 2015

"Unlocking Your Creativity" - Ever dream of being able to create your own quilting designs? Are you convinced the Artistic fairy bypassed you when she was handing out talent? Join Patricia Simons from Quilters Rule in Wisconsin in a hands-on lecture/demo as she shows you how to move templates to create stunning designs that look complicated, but are in reality the simplest of shapes. These techniques can be used by all. Learn how to release the creativity inside you. ( Quilters Rule products will also be available for purchase.) http://www.quiltersrule.com/

 June 6, 2015

“Top 40 Freehand Overalls” - Are you looking to expand your free motion repertoire? Julie Lillo from Accomplish Quilting in Michigan will share with you, her favorite overall quilting designs, including swirls, pebbles, crackle, maze, triangular maze, and branching with leaves. Go home with new skills, new confidence and a sketchbook full of background fills! https://www.facebook.com/julie.Lillo

UPDATE: Temporary Location change for the June 2015 meeting.
The Helen Plum Library
110 Maple St
Lombard IL
Tel (630) 627-0316
9:30 am to 12:30 PM

August 1, 2015

“Take a Tour of my Quilting Studio--to see My Favorite Things!” - Pat Barry is set to take us on a photo-tour of her studio(s) at By Design Quilting! She will show pictures of her favorite quilting products (tools, templates, gadgets, supplies), explain the purpose of the product, the benefit to the quilter and how to use it. In many cases she will describe a low-budget alternative using household items that have been re-purposed. And what tour is complete without a trunk show? Pat will bring along some quilts in her collection. Pat is the author of the ABC’s of Longarm Quilting. In addition to teaching, writing and designing new products, Pat continues to do professional quilting. In 2014 a quilt she did, "Roses for Katrina" won Best Longarm Workmanship at the AQS Grand Rapids Quilt Show!  http://www.patbarryquilts.com/

October 3, 2015

"Fresh Ideas for Quilt Design" - Nancy Wick (http://www.imapiecemaker.com/ ) from Minnesota will share her insights and provide fresh ideas on how to conquer the quandary of what design to put on a quilt. Nancy will guide us through the process and we will learn how the design elements in the quilt, fabric, style, and purpose of the quilt may impact design choices. Learn about software options available on the market (including an iPad option, as well as several Windows-based options) to help audition quilt designs before taking a single stitch. Nancy is the author of The Quilt Block Book.

 

December 5, 2015

"Holiday Gathering of Quilters" - Join us for a holiday potluck brunch ! Feast, socialize, & renew relationships with fellow guild members. Festivities will include games, gifts, door prizes, Show & Tell, and sharing of August's skill builder projects. (This meeting is open to NILAG members only).

2015 NILAG BOARD (Northern Illinois Longarm Guild)

 

President  - Marla Margelewski    marlangreg@ameritech.net

2nd Vice President/Programs - Sandy Smith   run6@comcast.net

            With help from Debbie Long   dlmarch5@att.net

Membership - Mary Ann    Maryannfquilts2@yahoo.com

Treasurer - Linda Frankiewicz   istitch2@comcast.net

Secretary - Marlene

Yahoo/Blog Coordinator - Debbie Weber   dweber2009@comcast.net

If you would like to become a member, please contact Mary Ann at the Email address above

The December 6th 2014 program was presented by local judge and appraiser Chris Moline.

Chris shared her knowledge of what a judge looks for when doing show critiques. A trunk show  from Chris's personal collection was used, plus a few member quilts.

Chris identified areas that were done right for a competition quilt and what techniques could be improved on.  Sorry Chris's lecture is copyrighted, so no photos can be shared.  If you would like to hire Chris for a quilt appraisal please contact her at  chrismoline@att.net

 

In December we had the results of the Zentangle skill builder

 

 

A few more coloring book skill builders

And some wonderful regular show and tell

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The members of NILAG, The Northern Illinois Longarm Guild gathered October 25th and 26th 2014 for two days of creative instruction from award winning quilter, Linda Thielfoldt.

http://www.thequiltedgoose.com/

Linda's first class, Batting, Thread & Needles - provided members with all of Linda's knowledge from her batting test project.  Linda brought over 100 quilted and washed samples for us to touch, feel and compare.  We learned what batting works best for bed quilts, and which batting works best for wall hangings.    Many of us left the class choosing a "new favorite" based on her informative lecture. We also learned how batting, fabric, thread and needle choices affect our quilting.

 

In the afternoon, Linda taught - Borders Bonanza - we learned numerous border ideas and how to evenly space motifs with Linda's tips and tricks. This was a hands on drawing class and everyone went home with a sketchbook full of patterns.

 

On Sunday, members gathered for two more classes, Fearless Feathers  and  More Fearless Feathers.  We learned how to put feathers in borders, sashing, blocks and backgrounds. We learned several styles of feathers and how to space them to fit areas of a quilt. Our sketchbooks are brimming with new feather inspiration.

Here is some catch up on the August and October 2014 meetings...

In August the guild brought in Cindy Roth from the LongArm university.  http://www.longarmuniversity.com/ Cindy lead a drawing class on  her Continuous Curve Quilting technique.  We were able to draw along with Cindy as she demonstrated  ideas for quilting blocks continuously . Everyone went home with lots of ideas on continuous quilting.

The October 4th meeting was lead by our president Marla. We revisited  Zentangle for quilting.  There was a slide show of ideas include many of Marla's Zentangle projects.  The slide show images are available for review in the guild's Yahoo photo albums.  https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/nilag/photos/albums/24206454

The results of the Coloring book page skill build were revealed.

 

 And we had lots of great show and tell.

 

 

 

2014 NILAG Board

President  - Marla Margelewski  marlangreg@ameritech.net

2nd Vice President/Programs - Kin Hum    kkh595@comcast.net

Membership - Teresa

Treasurer - Sandy

Secretary - Marlene

Name Tags - Debbie Long   dlmarch5@att.net

Yahoo/Blog Coordinator - Debbie Weber   dweber2009@comcast.net

Oct meeting and workshop information

SCHEDULE UPDATE !!

Due to family obligations the dates of our October Speaker's workshops have been changed. 

Please see the new schedule below.

Oct 4, 2014  Regular meeting at the PNC Bank, 250 E Roosevelt Rd, Wheaton IL. 

Zentangle Skill Builder workshop on fabric.  The guild had Sue Jacobs teach a Zentangle ornament last year.  Now is the time to transfer that skill to fabric.  During the Oct meeting, each member should bring  a 20 by 20 inch piece of fabric and a marking tool that works for that fabric. (blue wash out fabric, chalk pencil, etc.) Students will draw curvy lines directly onto their fabric, the resulting areas can be filled with Zentangle doodle, or any other type of quilting fill stitches.  It is suggested that you practice a few Zentalge designs on paper first. So additional supplies would be a pen, paper, maybe some a ruler or a curved ruler  or a compass. Members will take their fabric home to quilt and bring it back to the December meeting for show and tell.   For additional inspiration please see Sue Jacobs web site http://suejacobs.blogspot.com/  and Marla's show and tell from the June 2014 Meeting.

Remember to bring the results of the coloring page skill builder,

Join us for 4 workshops Oct 25th and Oct 26 2014 with Linda Thielfoldt http://www.thequiltedgoose.com/

Linda is has won many blue ribbons at national shows for her machine quilting artistry and wearable art. (Paducah, MQX, MQS, Lowell Quilt, HMQS just to name a few) Her machine quilting skills are in demand by quilters from all over the United States. She has been teaching quilting for over 15 years and loves to share her knowledge in a fun, lively, no-rules style that will provide inspiration and new ideas.

LOCATION:  Holiday Inn, 150 S Gary Ave, Carol Stream, IL (630-665-3000)
We have a block of rooms set aside for those that would like to stay overnight. Please contact the hotel directly to make your reservation.

Oct 25 a.m. 9:30 – 12:30  Batting, Thread & Needles ~ Decisions, decisions, decisions!

Lecture class  The top is complete, you have an idea as to the type of quilting but now you have to choose the batting, the thread and oh yeah, those needles! How do you decide which combination is the best for your project?  In this class you will see firsthand the results of Linda's batting testing project, where she tested nearly 100 different kinds/types of batting. Learn how to choose the best batting for wall quilts, snuggly quilts, bed quilts and how the battings can impact all of your quilts.

Thread, a major component of every quilt! Learn how to choose the right one and the one that works well in your machine AND does not cause tension headaches! Linda shares her time tested process for navigating the often difficult thread and tension situation and shares her secrets that garner her "excellent tension" remarks and scores on her award winning quilts in shows across the country.

Needles, how to choose the proper needle for your project and the different types available and why they matter are covered in this class. You will never look at batting, thread and needles the same way after this class.  FREE to paid NILAG members, $40 for non members

Oct 25 p.m. 1:30 – 4:00  Borders Bonanza – Lecture class
This class will take you through a bevy of border techniques you can add to your quilting repertoire. Wish you knew an easy way to evenly space motifs in borders? Not sure how to adjust to make a design fit the corners? Stumped on how to make borders look good without taking hours and hours to complete them? Want to jazz up your quilting with some new ideas? If so, this class is for you. Don't miss this opportunity to learn a bevy of beautiful borders and corners! 

Drawing paper and pencil with eraser supplied with class fee. Bring standard office ruler (helpful but not required).  $30 to NILAG members, $40 to non members

WORKING LUNCH $15 offered by Holiday Inn (optional)  Please be aware that the hotel does not allow any outside food or drink in the meeting rooms or hallway. There are no other eating establishments nearby that will work in the short lunch period. The working lunch  will be an assortment of sandwiches, homemade seasoned potato chips, and a fresh-baked cookie.

Oct 26 a.m. 9:30 – 11:30  Fearless Feathers Fun - Drawing Class

Feathers, feathers, feathers!  The time honored quilting motif that is appropriate for many quilts.  Join in this class and learn to execute feathers freehand. Feathers in borders, sashing, blocks and yes, even backgrounds are all covered in this lively and inspiring lecture class. If you have never done a feather on any quilt or perhaps are not happy with your feathers or maybe you are just looking to get a better grasp on the technique, this class is the perfect place to learn to be fearless with your feathers. If so, this class is for you! In this class you will learn to draw different styles of feathers, as well as how to space and size them properly to fit your quilt.

This class will take the student through all the steps necessary to be fearless with those feathers.  Using some time-tested techniques and tricks Linda will help take the fear out of feathers. Get an up close look at some of Linda's "just for fun quilts" and get ready for some inspiration!

Drawing paper and pencil with eraser supplied with class fee.  $30 to NILAG members, $40 to non members.

WORKING LUNCH $15 offered by Holiday Inn (optional)  Please be aware that the hotel does not allow any outside food or drink in the meeting rooms or hallway. There are no other eating establishments nearby that will work in the short lunch period. The working lunch  will be an assortment of sandwiches, homemade seasoned potato chips, and a fresh-baked cookie.

Oct 26 p.m.12:30 – 3:00  More Fearless Feathers - Drawing Class  You have taken Linda's Fearless Feather Fun class or you have been doing feather work on your own and you are looking to kick things up a notch! In this class you will learn some different styles of feathers and many creative ways to execute them. Are you looking to improve your feathers or the time it takes you to put them on a custom quilt? Not sure how to draw a feather design to fit a specific shape on your quilt - let Linda show you how she designs custom feathers for any quilt.

This class will take the student through all the steps necessary to be even more fearless with those feathers. Using some time-tested techniques and tricks Linda will help take the fear out of feathers. She will have lots of award winning quilts for an up close and personal look at her feathers. 

Drawing paper and pencil with eraser supplied with class fee. $30 to NILAG members, $40 to non-members.

A registration form is REQUIRED for all classes.  

CLICK HERE to download form

You can turn in your registration and check at the August meeting

or -- you can use the U.S. Postal service and mail it to the P.O Box on the form.

Registration for guild members (in good standing as of July 1, 2014) is open now.

Registration for non guild members opens after August 17th, 2014

The deadline for registration is Oct 11, 2014

Cancelation can be made up to Oct 11, 2014

Please contact our program chair Kin if you have questions-  kkh595@gmail.com

Please tell your friends and we hope to see you at the workshops.