David Taylor is known for the highly detailed appliquéd images featured in his award winning quilts created by using simple shapes, and by letting the fabric create texture to achieve a ‘painterly’ effect. David will present a digital slideshow of his award-winning art quilts and humorous anecdotes about the creative process behind his works. David hopes to inspire quilters through his love of fabric and meticulous attention to detail.


Potholders and Mug Rugs for the Artisan Boutique: Noon: Immediately following the regular meeting

DEMO – no machine needed

We CAN NOT make enough of these best-selling items.  They fly off our “shelves” at the Boutique and are a joy to use.  Donna Jacobs will demo how to attach the simple but effective hanger to the potholders and the construction of the mug rugs.  KITS, KITS and MORE KITS for the taking and making. Please stay after the meeting for the demo and check out a kit to make at home for the Artisan Boutique.

This workshop demonstrates David’s layered, hand appliqué technique with simple appliqué shapes using freezer paper templates and liquid starch. The class will also cover how he builds his pictorial wall quilts and how to get beautiful details by letting the fabric choices do all the hard work. The fee is $70 plus $10 for the pattern or $30 for the kit (which is the pattern plus pre-washed fabric).

The Pattern only option is $10 and includes full color instructions, full-size pattern, and freezer paper appliqué templates for the 14"x10" humming bird. David's advice is that if you bring your own fabrics, you should research humming bird images online and bring plenty of scraps to create a bird in the colors of your choosing. Visit http://davidtaylorquilts.com/onlineshop.html to view the Summer Garden (humming bird) pattern online.

The Kit option is $30 and includes the pattern as stated above along with pre-washed fabric swatches and background fabric.

This workshop is limited to 30 participants. Once it fills, you will be placed on a waitlist. The registration sheet is here.

The “IT” Bag

Make, Buy & Take, Machines Needed

Wide open bag with frame in 2 sizes

We’re calling this the “IT” bag because you will want to make one for everyone you know (as well as treating yourself to one!)  This bag has an internal wire frame that allows it to stay open while you search for that special treasure you have stashed within.  You will have the chance to make and take.  You can pick the kit you want to create and we’ll teach you to put together a fantastic medium or larger-sized bag that you can buy for the price it would cost in the October 2018 Artisan Boutique (or simply learn to make one for the Boutique)!

Karen shares two totally different techniques with the same fun results! She presents her two favorite approaches to playing with fabrics: Fabric collage (Happy Villages) and layered/topstitching (Accidental Landscapes). This lighthearted and informative power point presentation will show you how the techniques evolved and will inspire you to try fabric collage or layered/topstitching in your own creations. 

This workshop will explore the freedom of fabric collage! No seams to piece or match, no lines to trace ... Just free form cutting of step and window shapes. Glue and tulle is used to hold everything down. Step by step your little village will magically come to life.  Finished size 16 1/2 inch square. The fee is $60.

This workshop is limited to 25 participants. Once it fills, you will be placed on a waitlist. The registration sheet is here.

October 25, 2017: Sit and Sew: 10 AM to 3 PM, Community Room - Lunch Provided    

Kimono Silk Scarves

Make, Buy & Take, Machines Needed

Create a beautiful, elegant and one-of-a kind treasure.  With our help you will successfully use improvisational piecing to construct an exquisite scarf.  Because we know you will be in love with the scarf you create you will have the opportunity to purchase the scarf you make that day and take it home!  You can pick the kit you want to create from among dozens of beautiful silk collections OR you can learn to make one for the Artisan Boutique. Please RSVP to Debbie Lamb-Mechanick at lambmechanick@verizon.net since lunch is provided.

November 8, 2017: Maria Spetainik - Organizing Your Sewing Space, 10 AM, Harlow Hall

Maria is a certified professional organizer and has been quilting for 25 years. She will show us tools and techniques ha has learned over the years that make it possible for her and her clients to spend more time sewing and less time looking for things. We will talk about fabric, retreat supplies, tools and all those little things that tend to get lost.

November 29, 2017: BONUS Sit & Sew: 10 AM - 1 PM, Community Room, Machine Needed       

“Need A Gift Fast!”

Business Card Holder, Fabric Magnets, Key Fobs, Tissue Cases

Four, count ‘em, 4 different simple gifts you will learn to make for all those last-minute and “little” gifts you want to give to thank someone or remember them for the Holidays.  Each one will take you less than 20 minutes to make – PROMISE!  Make them by the dozen.

December 13, 2017: Holiday Luncheon 11 AM until 1:00 PM in Harlow Hall

We will have our annual holiday potluck lunch at Harlow Hall  starting at 11:00. Start thinking about what culinary creation you want to show off this year and we will have sign-ups at the September meeting.

Also, remember that we will continue our NCCC tradition of sharing donations of food items and collecting checks for the Capital Area Food Bank. $250 provides 625 meals for the needy and our guild makes a cumulative donation as a part of this luncheon. The 'Most Wanted' items on the Food Bank's wish list are: canned or dried beans, peanut butter, canned veggies (low sodium or no salt added), grains (brown and white rice, pasta, mac & cheese), hot and cold cereal, canned tuna, salmon or chicken, canned fruit (in light syrup or in it's own juices), 100% percent juice (all sizes including juice boxes), and healthy snacks (raisins and granola bars).