For those of you who weren’t able to attend the last Guild meeting, here is a photo of the Raffle Quilt for 2025 which was on display for the first time.

A huge thank you to Barbara Allen who brought her quilting and organizational skills to bear over this past year to put this gorgeous quilt together.  Barbara based the quilt on the design “Supernova” by Jacquie Gering, and the name perfectly describes this wonderful quilt with its starburst of color.

Thanks also go to Angela Vertucci, who quilted the top so beautifully, and to the other members of the Guild – too numerous to mention individually — who helped to piece and bind the quilt.

The recipient of the raffle proceeds this year will be Mt. Tremper Outdoor Ministries.  Mt. Tremper runs a sleep-away and day camp in Putnam for underprivileged children in the five boroughs of New York City, currently serving around 5,000 children. In 2023, it provided $130,000 in scholarship funds to campers.

Tickets for the Raffle Quilt will be distributed to Guild members towards the end of this year. We hope that you will all support the Guild’s Raffle for this very worthy charity that provides enriching summer experiences for children in need.

Anne Chehebar, charitable@northernstarquilters.com

Lancaster Trip 2024

All About SIGs (Special Interest Groups)

SIGs are small groups of NSQG members who meet to explore quilting ideas.  If you have an idea for a new SIG, please organize and invite other members to join you.  SIGs are a great way to meet other members in a small setting.  Present SIGs are as follows:

• Scrappy SIG – Meets on 1^st Tuesday of the month at 9:30 AM via Zoom.   Contact person is Jennifer Larrabee,  jeneric829@optonline.net
• Skill Building SIG – For beginners and those who want to enhance their quilting skills.  Meets at 5:00 PM at the Fox Lane HS cafeteria before each NSQG guild meeting.   Contact person is Francine Jacobson,  FJacobson12@gmail.com
• Improv #1 – Presently full.  Meets twice a month, once on Zoom and once in person at a member’s home.
• Improv #2  – Meets online.  Contact person is Rita Romeu, ritabell2555@gmail.com
• Improv #3 – Presently 3 members are forming a new improv group. Contact person is Janet Wright, janetwright@gmail.com

Quilters Retreat

Our scheduled retreat at Mariandale November 5-7 is almost full.  If you haven’t signed up but want to go, please email Jody Sullivan (jodysull@optonline.net) sooner than later.  Those staying over pay $250 and commuters pay $130.  For those who already signed up but have not yet paid, checks should be made out to the guild and sent to Jody Sullivan.

Tie Challenge

There is a lot of buzz about this challenge.  The ties on the give-away table were scooped up quickly by members.  See the rules on our website Challenge page.  Only one entry per person and maximum of 80” perimeter or circumference.  Questions?  Contact Debra Oaks, doaks@mac.com

Ugly Fabric Auction

Fall Cleanup?? Bring your excess fabrics to a Guild meeting or to Comfort Quilts.  In mid Westchester, contact Rona Spar, ronaquilter@gmail, who will also arrange to accept your fabric,
Save your Selvages – We need them to tie up the fabric bundles.  Bring your long selvages to a Guild meeting or CQ.  Questions? Contact Liz Titus, BT97mail@gmail.com, chair of Ugly Fabric Auction.

Super Saturday

Plans are under way for this February event in which members teach members quilting and sewing skills and enjoying lunch together.  Schedule and class registration will be available soon.  Contact person is Kathy Tuttle, kathytuttle9@gmail.com.

Rona Spar, activities@northernstarquilters.com

Hi everyone,

Autumn is upon us, and this means the deadline for renewing your membership in time to be included in the paper version of the NSQG Member Directory is almost here. The deadline is October 5^th!  If your membership renewal is late, it will be included in the online version of the directory. Given the ongoing influx of new members, Joanne and I have decided to wait and roll out the online directory in early to mid-November. Any time is a good time to email us your photo at: membership@northernstarquilters.com.

Since the September newsletter article was written,  two returning members and six new members have joined NSQG. The returning members are Suzanne Sunday of Bedford and Debra Katz of  Danbury .  Please join us in welcoming our newest members, Elizabeth Marriott of Port Chester, Katie O’Brien of Hastings-0n-Hudson, Natalie Reeves of Norwalk, Sharon Goldberg of Cortlandt Manor and Karen Karlik of Briarcliff Manor. We are especially delighted to introduce our first junior member, Elizabeth Harman of Carmel!    Most of you remember what it was like when you first joined the guild and didn’t know anyone. Please make an effort to introduce yourself or invite a member who is new to our group to join you and your friends at your table.

The 2024-2025 Membership Directory will be available at the October meeting. You can pick up your copy at the Membership table when you sign in.

Wishing you a beautiful Autumn and many hours for quilting!
Carol Sterk and Joanne Visovsky, membership@northernstarquilters.com

Remember to check out our upcoming lectures and workshops – see our Calendar.

Questions? Contact Jo Thomas, programs@northernstarquilters.com.

• AQS Show Trip
  Kudos to Christine Bunke for all her hard work in organizing our trip to the AQS show this month.  Thirty-seven members and guests will
  enjoy the bus trip, visits to several fabric shops, local food, welcome rest at a fine hotel and the AQS Quilt Show in Pennsylvania.  Thank you, Christine!
• Quilt Retreat Signups
  Our first retreat for this new year is November 5-7 at the Center at Mariandale.  Quite a few of you have already signed up, but there are a few openings for others who may be interested.  The “overnighters” will receive 6 meals, snacks, own room, wonderful work space and lots of fun for $250.  The “commuters” will receive 4 meals, snacks, wonderful work space and lots of fun for $130.  Checks should be made out to NORTHERN STAR QUILTERS GUILD and sent to me: Jody Sullivan, 74 West Lane, Pound Ridge, NY 10576 (or hand to me at CQ or meeting).  If you haven’t signed up but want to go, email Jody Sullivan,  jodysull@optonline.net.
• Super Saturday
  Plans are underway for another wonderful mid-winter get together.  Guild members have volunteered to share their knowledge in a full day of learning and camaraderie.  Stay tuned for more details.  Questions, contact Kathy Tuttle at kathytuttle9@gmail.com.
  
• Quilt Challenge
  

Jo Thomas shared this tie quilt image from a Joe Cunningham workshop.  Does this wonderful quilt give you any ideas for our 2025 challenge?
Check online for all  the parameters for our Tie Challenge 2025.

Here’s a funny tie story from Rona:  I went to a charity fabric store in Auburn, NY and bought a bunch of batiks and other stuff.  As I was checking out, I asked the volunteers if there was a Salvation Army or Goodwill store nearby.   I told them that I was looking for ties.  One lady, MaryBeth, said, “Just stay right there, I’ll be right back.”  Off she went and returned with a carton of old ties that she was thrilled to give away.  Those ties will be on the ‘give away’ table at the 1^st Guild meeting.
Questions, contact Debra Oaks at doaks@mac.com

Congratulations to those who participated in our 2023 Challenge ‘Card Tricks’, winner of this year’s AQS Ultimate Guild Challenge, with thanks to April Russell for shepherding our entry thru the process.

• Ugly Fabric Auction
  Liz Titus will begin to collect Ugly Fabrics at the September Guild meeting and at Comfort Quilts.  Start your Fall cleanup by donating fabrics to the auction, which will take place in the spring.  If you live in central Westchester, you can also drop off fabric at Rona Spar’s house in Mount Kisco (email first at ronaquilter@gmail.com).  Questions, contact Liz at bt97mail@gmail.com

Hi everyone,

Joanne and I want to welcome you to the start of a new guild year filled with opportunities to learn, get involved and renew old friendships. With the addition of over 70 new members this past year, there will be many unfamiliar faces in the room. We encourage each of you to help us by introducing yourself to at least one new member of the guild.  Please join us in welcoming our four newest members: Roberta Sutherland (Larchmont), Joanne Ferretti (Somers), Jazmine James (Brewster) ad Amy King (Mahopac).

If you haven’t renewed your membership and would like to be included in the hard copy of the Membership Directory for 2024-2025, this is the time to do it!  The Membership Directory will be delivered to the printer on October 5, 2024

Three ways to renew:

• Renew online right now! nsqg.formstack.com/forms/nsqg_member_registration_cc
• Bring your registration form and check to the next Comfort Quilts meeting or to the September 18th guild meeting. 
  
• Send your registration form and check for $45 to NSQG, PO Box 232, Somers, NY 10589
  Please note that checks sent to the PO box are picked up by a board member about once per week and are then passed along to the membership team. If you would like to be included in the hard copy of the Membership Directory, remember to allow at least a week for processing.

Photos for the Membership Directory
Pictures will be postage stamp size and cropped to include only your face. Use a selfie, favorite recent photo, special event photo, professional shot, …
JoAnne Hochstein has offered to take pictures of members at the September guild meeting for inclusion in the membership directory, should you prefer not to do it yourself or text your photo to Joanne Visovsky at 914 548-2310.

See you in September!
Carol Sterk and Joanne Visovsky, membership@northernstarquilters.com

*** SHIBORI WORKSHOP – WAITLIST ONLY ***

*** QUILT JACKET WORKSHOP ***

Quilt Raffle Booth – Many thanks to Dee Plouffe for overseeing the guild’s charitable efforts and raffle for 6 years, baton now being passed to Anne Chehebar! Go Anne!

And many thanks to the rest of our Board members who will be continuing on next year, listed HERE.

Raffle Quilt Winner – Claudia Milne

CONGRATULATIONS to the winner of our quilt ‘Parfait’, Claudia Milne, who resides in Stamford, Ct. She purchased her ticket at our Quilt Show.

CONGRATULATIONS to the North Salem Volunteer Ambulance Corps, they will be receiving a very generous check at our June Salad Supper.

THANKS again to all our members for supporting our yearly charity raffle.
Dee Plouffe’,  charitable@northernstarquilters.com

*** SHIBORI WORKSHOP – WAITLIST ONLY ***

*** QUILT JACKET WORKSHOP – WAITLIST ONLY ***

• Sign Up for the Lancaster Trip, ASAP
  Seats and rooms are filling so don’t miss out.  The trip is open to non-members.
• Quilt Retreat Signups
  Limited space left!  Come sit and sew, Tuesday Nov. 5 – Thursday Nov. 7 at The Center at Mariandale, Ossining NY.  Cost of retreat is $250 for two nights and six meals and $65/day for commuters with 2 meals a day.  To sign up, contact Jody Sullivan at jodysull@optonline.net
• Super Saturday – If you want to teach at Super Saturday 2025, please contact Kathy Tuttle,  kathytuttle9@gmail.com
• Volunteer(s) needed to run the 2025 UGLY FABRIC AUCTION
  If you or a group of friends wants to run the Ugly Fabric Auction for May, 2025, please contact Rona Spar at activities@northernstarquilters.com.  It is really a lot of fun to see what others consider ‘ugly,’ and to get an early preview of what has been donated.  This year’s auction raised about $1000 for Northern Star.  Please step up to help.

TIES AND SCARVES

Format:

• Maximum perimeter is 80” (any shape you choose that fits this size is acceptable, i.e., square, rectangle, hexagon, circle, star, etc.)
• Primary fabric should be neckties or dress scarves. Fabrics should  be recognizable as such.  The idea of the challenge is to utilize neckwear fabrics retired from the workplace, ties or dress scarves that people used to wear to work before the business casual era.  Note: woolen scarves and outerwear are not appropriate for this challenge.
• Neutral background and enhancement fabrics may also be used, but the focus should be the fabric of the neckties/scarves.
• Embellishments may also be used.
• Use any technique: piecing; paper piecing; applique; collage; etc.
• The quilt must have a label with the maker’s name and, if you wish, a quilt name.
• The quilt must have a quilt sleeve or other hanging mechanism.
• Normally, a quilt should have 3 layers: top, batting and back. To accommodate our fiber arts members, this rule can be adjusted to meet your artistic viewpoint.
• This challenge is open to NSQG members ONLY.
• Questions, contact doaks@mac.com

There is NO Show N Tell and NO Free Table at the May meeting since we have so much going on – our annual voting meeting plus our regular business reports, the charity raffle drawing, and  the ‘Ugly Fabric’ Auction.
Save everything for next time, thank you.

• Ugly Fabric Auction
  Helpers needed to fold the fabrics on Friday, May 10^th, at Jean Degl’s house in Mahopac.
  Contact Linda Finegan, linfin612@gmail.com
• Super Saturday Chairperson Needed for 2025
  Contact: Rona Spar ronaquilter@gmail.com
• Sign Up for the Lancaster Trip, ASAP
  Seats and rooms are filling up fast!

• Retreat Signups
  Our first retreat for next year is scheduled for Tuesday November 5 – Thursday November 7 at the Center at Mariandale, Ossining NY.  It’s a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in what you love and be surrounded by others who love the same.  A two night, six meal stay costs $250.  There is also an option to be a “commuter” and forgo the overnight and receive two meals a day for $65 each day.  To sign up, contact Jody Sullivan at jodysull@optonline.net.

LAST CALL for returning your raffle tickets… the drawing is coming soon at our Guild meeting, Wednesday May 15^th.

THANK YOU to our Guild members, their families, and friends for supporting this year’s charity, the North Salem Volunteer Ambulance Corps.

Thank you Carol Auer and Karen Carlson for coordinating this project and  to our Guild members for the beautiful hand quilting.

Dee Plouffe’,  charitable@northernstarquilters.com

1.  Thanks to all who have registered quilts.   It’s going to be an amazing display! Quilt number labels and drop-off information letters should be received by the week prior to Dropoff, Saturday, April 27.  Contact Karen Carlson, registrar@northernstarquilters.com, with any questions.

2.  We still need volunteers – click HERE.  Please pitch in – there’s a job for everyone!  Specific volunteer job instructions will be sent to you by that area’s coordinator prior to the show. Any questions, contact the job coordinator or showvolunteers@northernstarquilters.com

3.  Bring your Raffle Baskets and any donated items to the April guild meeting.  Donations of empty baskets in good condition are welcome.   Contact Shelley Lounsbury, Rita Romeu or Kathy Tuttle with any questions.

4. Bring quilt and craft books (no magazines) for the quilt show book sale.   Contact Patricia Loquet with any questions.

Challenge Coordinator(s) –  Do you have an idea for the 2025 NSQG quilt challenge?   If your challenge is chosen by the board, you will be responsible for informing the members of the challenge, collecting the quilts in March, organizing the voting in April and displaying the challenge quilts with ribbons at the Quilt Show.  Share the job with a friend if desired.  Send your idea along with proposed rules and parameters for your suggestion to activities@northernstarquilters.com.

Super Saturday Coordinator(s) – Encourage members to teach at Super Saturday, make arrangements with the church in Yorktown, coordinate with the Hospitality about lunch and snacks.  This event takes place during February.  Share the job with a friend if desired. Willing to take on this activity?  Contact activities@northernstarquilters.com.

• Black and White Challenge
  Vote for your favorite Black and White Challenge quilt at the April 17^th Guild Meeting.
• Ugly Fabric Auction
  Last chance to bring in those ‘Ugly Fabrics’ for our May auction.
• September Lancaster AQS trip
  Bring a check and signup!  Check the details on our website Trip event page  or contact coordinator Christine Bunke, chrisme214@aol.com.
  
• Fall and Spring Mariandale Quilt Retreats
  Sign-up for the very popular Mariandale Quilt Retreats will start in May.  The Fall retreat will be Tuesday 11/5/24-Thursday 11/7/24. The Spring retreat will be Friday 3/21/25-Sunday 3/23/25.  Questions: Jody Sullivan jodysull@optonline.net.

NSQG Workshops

• April – Pictorial Whole Cloth Quilts, Christina Arcenegui Bono
• May – Dancing with the Wall, Irene Roderick

Questions? Contact Jo Thomas, programs@northernstarquilters.com

Click pic for video interview

Affirmation Quilts & Quilt Typography

Saturday, 9 March 2024
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm ET
Zoom link will be emailed to all members a few days before the event, no signup necessary.

Every NSQG member is invited to this free Zoom event during which we will learn about Nicole’s Affirmation Project and then explore different methods by which we can put text onto a quilt!
Review details and supply list HERE.

1.  Quilt registration is now open!  You can always find all the details on the NSQG website on how to register your quilt including which category to register under, when to drop off your quilt and more!  Remember your quilt does not need to be finished to register – just enough to send a picture and then you have until drop off on April 27 to complete. Contact Karen Carlson, registrar@northernstarquilters.com, with any questions.
Review quilt registration guidelines and register now.

2.  Volunteer sign-ups for the 2024 Quilt Show start Friday, March 1, 2024.  Details and signup link can also be found on the NSQG website.  Each member is expected to sign up for one or more shifts. Details about each volunteer job are included in the sign-up details. The show is only a success because of the volunteers!

3.  We will again have a raffle booth at the quilt show this year which so far includes 12 raffle baskets with varying themes and a Bernina 475 sewing machine donated by Lisa Alfonzetti of Pins and Needles.  Our themes include Welcome Baby, Baking, Travel to Quilt, Comfort Quilt Kit and Quilting Essentials, Pre-K Reading, Pillows by Karen Griska, Birdfy Smart Bird Feeder, Dog Lovers, Quilts and Cocktails, and Beads and Jewelry Making. The raffle basket committee would welcome any new offers of raffle baskets!  Each basket should contain new merchandise valued at least $100.  Baskets will be due by the April guild meeting.  All proceeds from the raffle booth will go to programs for our guild.  Donations of pre-owned empty baskets are welcome.   Please contact Shelley Lounsbury, Rita Romeu or Kathy Tuttle.

4.  Help Fill a Basket – Donations Needed!  Bring to guild meetings or Comfort Quilts.

• Narcita Medina is making a GLOBAL FABRICS basket and is looking for donations of ethnic fabric (1/4 yard minimum) to include in her collection.  Please label fabric with country of origin.
• Shelly Lounsbury is requesting NEW books (or like new) for ages 3-4, not board books, for the Pre-K Reading basket.   Please contact Shelly before donating to avoid duplicates.

5. I’m hoping many of you will be ‘spring cleaning’ and have lots of quilt and craft books and patterns to donate to the Quilt Show Book Sale. Questions?  Contact Patricia Loquet.

• Collections will take place at the March and April meetings.
• Donations will be accepted at Comfort Quilts as well
• We are NOT collecting magazines.
• Items must be clean, complete, in good condition, and odor free.
• Bring in boxes or sturdy reusable bags, NOT paper or plastic bags.

• Super Saturday
  Bring in your creations for Show n Tell.
• Black and White Challenge
  Due at the March meeting, please have a friend bring if you can’t make the meeting.  Contact coordinator Constanze Toplansky, constanze.toplansky@gmail.com.
• Ugly Fabric Auction
  May 15 – keep bringing in those ‘Ugly Fabrics’. You can review details on our website May Meeting page or contact our auctioneer, Linda Finegan, linfin612@gmail.com.
• Lancaster AQS trip
  Bring a check and signup!  Check the details on our website Trip event page  or contact coordinator Christine Bunke, chrisme214@aol.com.

NSQG Workshops

• April – Pictorial Whole Cloth Quilts, Christina Arcenegui Bono
• May – Dancing with the Wall, Irene Roderick

Questions? Contact Jo Thomas, programs@northernstarquilters.com

Wholecloth created in Teri Lucas Workshop by CathyJo Rogers