Staying healthy.

 

Months ago, guild president Lenore provided information on the benefits of quilting(see below for some links on the topic). But did you know that you might just be able to double those health benefits by singing? Singing while you quilt - I would bet that many of us do just that. Personally, I often talk while I work on a quilt - usually when my points don't line up or I accidentally slice an important piece of my quilt (or my body). In those instances, the words I utter are not joyful noises! But this article - Are You Singing Enough? - details the benefits by reducing stress, boosting cognitive health, improving respiratory function, and stimulating the immune response. Another benefit is that singing facilitates social bonding - can you imagine the melodious quilting we could be doing? 

Instead of whistling while you quilt, try singing while you quilt. Your mental health may thank you!

 The Health Benefits of Quilting for Older Adults: Mindful Crafting for Well-Being

The Benefits of Sewing and Quilting for your Health

New APA Poll: Americans Who Engage in Creative Activities at Least Weekly Report Better Mental Health

November 19 - Wednesday gathering: Quilt as you go Table Runner!

Come join your fellow guild members on Wednesday, November 19 at Pine Hall Lutheran Church 1760 W College Ave, State College, PA 16801 for a Quilt as you go table runner presented by Gail Anderson!   

The “Quilt as you go Table Runner” is a braided pattern with a center square and outside borders that enhances its appearance.

Materials needed:

• Center square – 5” square
• Braid fabrics – Select 6 different coordinating colored fabrics -jelly rolls work well. From EACH of the 6 fabrics, cut two 2 ½ strips. From each strip, subcut into two 2 ½ “ by 6” rectangles and two 2 ½ by 8” rectangles.
• Narrow border and binding – Cut three 1 ½ strips and four 2 ½ strips for binding.
• Wide outer border – cut four 3 ½ “ strips.
• Backing and batting – 20” by 60”

Equipment needed:

·         Sewing machine, rulers, scissors, notions, etc

·         Irons, pressing mats or ironing boards. Pressing stations will be set up. Each later of strips will need to be pressed before sewing. 

·         Extension cords

Each sewer will need about 3 feet of work space to sew and press the runners. Project instruction sheets will be available at the meeting along with show and tell.

Early arrival at the meeting will help with set up so all can start working at 1:00.   

Just an FYI:

 

Toys for Tots quilts can be dropped off at the November 11 meeting and the November 19 meeting.  The quilts will be delivered in early December.

 

Fun with Fabric workshop with Nancy S

 Nancy Silverman led a workshop on 10/15/25 at the Arize Credit Union conference room.  She encouraged us to have Fun With Fabric by guiding us through techniques she has learned and improved upon to make a small paneled screen or fabric book.

Nancy demonstrating some finishing techniques:

Quite a variety of works in progress.

Working through some ideas

October 14 evening meeting with landscape quilts

 At October's Tuesday meeting, the guild was fortunate to host Irmgard Lee and her landscape quilt presentation. In case you weren't able to be there, please enjoy some of the highlights of that meeting and presentation!

Irmgard Lee talked about using panels in her quilts and how she completes them with other blocks and borders.

Here are some of the 'show n' tell':

Carrie’s cat and pumpkins

Lynn’s BIG quilt

Barbara’s fall embroidery quilt from the recent QB Retreat

Kathy Ann

Cindy

Judy

Rachel’s embroidered coat

Becky M’s quilt made with fabric from her trip to the Netherlands (and from Spoonflower)

Lenore’s quilt challenge from her former guild, inspired by a Beatles song.

Quilt history

Virginia Quilt Museum

 In my downtime at work, I like to peruse quilting sites - specifically sites that provide some history of quilting and other textile arts. With our November evening meeting featuring “Cutting Edge: Inventive Nineteenth-Century Quilts from the Collection of Arlan and Pat Christ”, I thought I would post some links to some of the pages I like to view when I have time. Hopefully someday I'll visit a few of these places!  If you have any you would like to add, just comment below or send me an email and I'll add them to the list.

American Folk Art Museum

National Quilt Collection

The National Museum of the American Coverlet

National Quilt Museum in Paducah

International Quilt Museum

New England Quilt Museum

A very late glimpse back at Wednesday gathering 9/17

Scandinavian Star

At September's Wednesday gathering, Diane Gorski led a workshop on Scandinavian Christmas  ornaments. These are folded star Christmas ornaments with no sewing machine required! 

Here are some photos from the event:

Peggy T's show & tell

Tuesday, September 9 meeting recap

See some of the highlights of Tuesday's September business meeting in the photos below. For more information about the upcoming workshop, check out the workshop tab on the main page.

Nancy S talked about her work and gave us a preview of her upcoming workshop on October 15.

Nancy S. showing one of her creations.

The guild choosing their block for 2025/2026 challenge!

Silent auction of Viola S. quilt kits

Guild member Zak giving the details (see previous post) on the 2025/2026 challenge quilt

Lenore C. modeling a dignity cover

Zak's kitty quilt

Carrie F. quilt made after her trip to London

Carrie F. quilt made from fabric selvedges

Karin B-P Halloween quilt

Judy R’s Monet's Garden Block-of-the-Month quilt

Sally R’s new purse won a blue ribbon at the Grange Fair!

Sally R’s quilt received a red ribbon at the Grange Fair.

This Sally R quilt got a red ribbon too!

Sally R’s cross-stitched blocks were awarded a blue ribbon at the Grange Fair.

Lynn S’s baby quilt

Lynn S

Suzanne K

Rachel S’s embroidered coat in progress

Cindy R