Kanata Quilt Guild

Good morning everyone.  What a difference a month makes.  I want to thank you all for doing your part to keep each of us and our community as safe as we can.  I think it is so interesting how everyone is expressing their appreciation for each other, their friends, their neighbours and  their community.  I love seeing the banner “Apart but not Alone”  to remember we are part of a community that works together. And I cannot believe how many face masks you have all made and given away!

But time is marching on and one day dissolves into another, and I have to check my computer to recall what day it really is.  At least, we quilters have something we love doing to keep us alert and active. And I have loved looking at your projects on social media.  I have made a huge dent in all my UFOs by bribing myself that I can start 2 new projects if I get others done first.  I have no idea when I thought these would ever get finished and it is a good feeling.

It is mid April and we have to make a decision about  the rest of our quilting year.  We have the guidance on social distancing that we have all been following, but there is also guidance to businesses and organizations about measures they should take.  It looks like we cannot hold any large gatherings until at least the end of June. And I am not sure that the Public Health folks would recognize quilting as an essential service!  So the KQG Exec has taken the decision to cancel our meetings and activities for the rest of the year.  We hope to work over the summer to have a great program for you starting in September if we can all bring this virus under control. We will hold the September meeting taking all actions necessary to stay safe and healthy, so make a mask to wear! 

Not even a pandemic can stop us from giving the gift of love. Still while respecting the ‘social distancing’, Rosemary from the Cornerstone Housing for Women came over to our Charity coordinator, Carol’s house to pick up 10 quilts. She said this could not have come at a better time since more women than ever are suffering from anxieties during this pandemic. I reassured her that each of these quilts were sewn with extra hugs in hopes to provide more comfort. From the bottom of their hearts, the women at the Cornerstone thank us for our continued support.

At our Meeting on March 12, we agreed to undertake some measures to help stop the spread of the COVID – 19 virus.

As a way of being prudent, we are canceling the rest of the events for March, notably the March In-Town Retreat, and the Sew Days on March 18 and April 2. Until further notice, all planned April events and the guild meeting, including the retreat at Fort Coulonge, will be assessed on an event by event basis, as there is a more definitive approach proposed to groups like us. The Exec will be assessing the situation weekly and will let you know as soon as we make a decision. We will refund the In-Town retreat funds at our next guild meeting. Your Fort Coulonge cheques have not been cashed yet so we will hold them until a decision is made either way.

Additional Information

Yesterday, the Glen Cairn United Church contacted all its renters with some requests with regard to the COVID-19 virus. As recommended by the United Church of Canada in accordance with WHO, they asked that we please communicate to our group the following precautions in order to prevent the spread of the virus should there be an outbreak in our community:

• Regular and thorough hand-washing. Hand-sanitizing is the next best alternative.
• When coughing or sneezing, please do so into a tissue or use your elbow bend
• Avoid touching eyes, nose and mouth.
• Stay at home if feeling unwell, or if in contact with anyone that has visited an infected area.
• Practice social distancing.
• Wipe down any surfaces used with a cleaning agent.

Yesterday, the Legion Exec also addressed the COVID-19 situation and came to the conclusion to assess each event on a case by case basis. We will let both the Church and the Legion know what we are planning.

The President also contacted the City of Ottawa Medical Office of Health who advised that we follow the WHO guidelines and remain vigilant and prudent. We used all this info to come to our decisions listed above and will continue to monitor the latest advice from medical experts.

Thank you for your support and stay safe, Leslie

To celebrate our guild′s 10 year anniversary we are organizing a Quilt-a-Long for our 2020 – 2021 guild year.

As a guild we will be making the True North Sampler Quilt Pattern designed by our guild member Beth van Wyngaarden! The pattern includes instructions to make a Queen (74″ X 90″), Lap (60″ X 80″) and Bed Runner (36″ X 80″).

The quilt is a sampler of unique blocks with a Canadiana theme. Blocks represent seasons, northern lights, north star, pine trees, snow geese and Canada geese, snowy mountains, snowballs, inuksuk, beaver, Beaver airplane, RCMP, bears, canoes and a Zamboni!

Starting in September 2020, and each month afterwards, demonstrations will be available for blocks focusing on a different skill each month. The focus skills will include precision piecing, half square triangles (HSTs), two methods to create flying geese units, stitch & flip snowball corners, paper piecing, machine and hand applique.

The quilt pattern is written in two different colourways. The original pattern was written for a neutral background and 5 colours (blue, green, orange, red, grey). The second pattern is written for the Northcott ″Oh Canada″ fabric line with themed patterns in beige, red, blue and black. You can choose to make either the Original pattern OR the “Oh Canada” fabric pattern.

True North Sampler by Beth van Wyngaarden. Left: Original colourway. Right: Northcott’s “Oh Canada” fabric line.

Starting March 2020, you can purchase a pattern at guild meeting for $28 payment , due on purchase, by cheque made payable to Kanata Quilt Guild. Patterns will be available at Guild meetings starting March 2020.

Kits for the ″Oh Canada″ fabric pattern will be available for purchase with delivery at the September 2020 Guild meeting. Due to the production time required by the fabric company and kit preparation, these kits will need to be ordered by the March meeting, with a deposit. The remaining payment will be due at the June meeting. Kits include fabric for the quilt top and binding. Kits are available at the following prices (tax included):

• Queen Quilt $170 (total 10.25 yds fabric) (deposit $50 March,$120 June meeting)
• Lap Quilt $145 (total 8.75 yds) (deposit $40 March, $105 June meeting)
• Bed Runner $140 (total 8.4 yards) (deposit $40 March, $100 June meeting)

If you are unable to get to the March meeting feel free to reserve a kit by emailing Beth at BethsQuiltWorks@gmail.com.

A package of bonus block patterns, including a unique Guild Block, a Parliament Block and a Tulip Block, will be distributed at the September meeting, compliments of the Anniversary Planning Committee.

Click here to download the Northcott kit order form to bring to the March meeting.