July 2006 Newsletter

Our display case came out beautifully! Thanks to everyone who loaned an item for the month, and especially to Julie, Gary (a.k.a. Mr. Julie), Gill, Theresa, and Joann for setting it up. Swing by the library to check it out, and as always, happy creating!
Katy

Recap of June Meeting (June 29, 2006)
The challenge was met by five harried artists: Michele, Katy, Gill, Theresa, and Julie. Michele’s couched collection of fabulous fibers won “judge’s choice” because her piece was the only one that was truly finished before the meeting began! Viewers’ choice went to Gill’s innovative leaf appliqué.

Katy explained the reverse appliqué technique she picked up from an article by Deana Hartman in Quilting Arts #3. She used this technique on her challenge piece, so be sure to swing by the library to check it out if you’re interested.

Michele has done a fantastic job on our blog at conversations-in-cloth.blogspot.com. Newsletters will be posted monthly, and she’s added beautiful pictures of many of the items in our display case.

Show and tell included Michele’s “bubble quilt,” back for a visit by special request! She’s taking a class through QuiltUniversity.com to help with finishing it. Gill brought three of her antique quilts. Katy had a single wedding ring quilt finished for her parents’ anniversary. Julie had a profusion of beads and regaled us with the tale of the “barefoot sandal.” Mary brought two samples of the thread scarves we’ll be making in August.

Reminders and Announcements
July mess-making at Katy’s house is Friday July 14 starting at 6:00. We’ll be doing flower pounding and/or bleach discharge, as individual fancy dictates. Bring a sandwich and we’ll brown-bag it together. Or eat with your family and come late. Wear old clothes! We’ll plan to “play” outside, but if it rains we can use the garage and basement.

Supplies for flower pounding

• Fabric already prepared (if you didn’t give it to Julie to prepare in June, you can buy prepared fabric at Sew & Sew or call Julie RIGHT NOW to ask her to throw in a yard of muslin for you. (Cost will be around $4.)
• Fresh flowers or leaves
• Masking tape
• Hammer

Supplies for bleach discharge

• Fabric: solid colors or hand dyes work best. Black can be very fun. Prints may not discharge.
  Any cleaning product you have that has bleach in it (Comet, Soft Scrub, Clorox pen, bathroom cleaner spray with bleach…)
• Optional: freezer paper precut shapes, leaves, or other items of your choice to mask areas of the fabric.
• Bags to take home wet fabric

July Meeting (Thursday July 27, 2006) at the Menasha Public Library
July’s meeting will be show and tell from the mess-making party and a work night.

Upcoming Events
July 14, 2006: Brown bag supper and mess-making at Katy’s house
July 27, 2006: July meeting, 6:00. Show and tell and work night.
August 31, 2006: August meeting, 6:00. Thread scarves with Mary.
September 28, 2006: September meeting, 6:00. Couching party.

Conversations with Cloth meets the last Thursday of each month at 6:00 at the Menasha Public Library.