October 2025
October: No Meeting – See You At the Quilt Show!
New Quilt Show Feature: Thread Talks by Members!
Thread Talks is a series of presentations by six Village Quilters guild members on various quilt related topics. The presentations will last 45 minutes with 15 minutes to switch out from one presenter to the next. You are invited to attend any or all of the free presentations. Thread Talks will take place in the presentation area, which is in the back far right corner of the gym.
Thread Talks Schedule – all on Friday, October 24
10:00 a.m. - Barbara Schober - Broderie Perse
Broderie Perse is a form of Applique which uses printed motifs from one fabric to create a design on a background fabric. Popular in the late 18th and early 19th century, not only for their beauty, but as a way to maximize the use of rare, expensive fabric. Still used today, we will review antique and current uses.
11:00 a.m. - Feather Schroeder - Bog Jacket History and Construction
My Bog Jacket presentation will consist of a brief history of how the jackets were discovered, preserved in peat bogs in northern Europe, being worn by people who had been deceased for hundreds of years.
I will present a demonstration of how to create a jacket, which is made from one large piece of fabric (hundreds of years ago they were made from large animal hides). Examples of the jackets will be offered to participants, made from colorful wrapping paper. I will bring two of the jackets I have made,and will wear one.
12:00 p.m. - Erica Jarrett - Vintage and Antique Quilts
Enjoy a trunk show from Erica’s collection.
1:00 p.m. - Kate Klein - Invisible Applique Sewing
I will be teaching my students about how to do invisible applique and all the tools I use. How to prepare what will be sewn on as well as how to sew it on - fast!
We will look at how to cut and turn the edges, how to put it on the background, how to sew it on with what thread, needles and sewing machine foot.
I will then do a short example of sewing on the machine. You will receive a flier with all of my instructions, tools, etc.
2:00 p.m. - Christine Tindell - Wool Applique – “Not itching, just Stitching”
I have been quilting since 2004. As I have progressed in my skills, I am usually on the lookout for a challenge. I first heard about Sue Spargo and her wool applique designs about 20 years ago but thought the process would be too advanced for me. However, as I saw more wool projects, I was drawn to the texture and beautiful things that could be done with threads!
After the first month of my beginning Sue Spargo project, I was hooked. I am by no means an expert but have learned so much in the past six or seven years. In my presentation, I will touch on types of wool, threads, embellishments, fusibles (gasp! Don't tell Sue) and finishing.
My hope is that those who are hesitant to work with a different material will get the courage to try it sometime. I will also have a small trunk show.
3:00 p.m. - Kearstie Grenier - Tech Tools for Quilt Design
Our world seems to look for technical solutions to everything, and quilting is no exception. My presentation will begin with a look at a few tools that have changed the way we make quilts over the last 30 years.
I will then move on to some of the newer, higher-tech hardware and software that continues that trend, with particular emphasis on aids for quilt design.
Learn some of the things computer programs like EQ8 can do, and what they can't. Learn about ways you can use smartphone and tablet apps and websites to inspire and aid you in developing your own original designs, whether they are traditional, modern, or art quilts. This is meant to be a survey of tools, not a course in how to use them.
I plan to bring some quilts I have made using various techniques and tools, and explain what I would do differently were I making those quilts today.
Top Row Left to Right: Barb Schober, Feather Schroeder, Erica Jarrett. Bottom Row Left to Right: Kate Klein, Christine Tindell, Kearstie Grenier
Quilt Show Corner: Volunteer Staffing
Ladies and Gentlemen, (yes, many members have recruited their spouses to help with setup), we are up to 83% of shifts being occupied. Remember, you can go online and check what you have signed up for and you will get a reminder email on your shifts before the show starts.
We have 61 members signed up for Thursday. The guild will provide lunch, so please get your name on the Thursday sign up. Please invite your friends, spouses, and family to help. If you’re new, don’t worry, because you will be put in a group with others and you will leave with new friends! It’s amazing after all our hard work to see our quilts in the show.
Starting next week, I will post shifts that need attention. What a great response! This team effort is what makes our show so great!
If you have any questions, call or email. I will help!
Andrea Krier
Quilt Show Corner: Boutique
The countdown is on and we have less than a month to go! We have received many great items which can be described anywhere from Adorable to WOW! Thank you guild members for sharing your talents and generosity!
If you want to be a Member Vendor, please reach out to Rose, Robyn or Sari for additional information. We still have slots open for you to sell your wares!
On October 16th we will join the Sunshine Stitchers at State Bank of Lakes in Grayslake from 10:30 -3:00 for those who have items to drop off, or those who want to sew together to finish their items. Additionally, on October 21st between 7:00 - 8:00 p.m. at Panera Bread in Lake Bluff (SE corner of Rt 176 & Rt 43) you can meet us to drop off items - this will be the last drop off opportunity.
Thanks again from the Boutique Committee
Sari, Rose and Robyn
Quilt Show Corner: Silent Auction
We hope you all will participate in this important fundraiser. Many thanks to the 26 members who have already donated, several with multiple beautiful items.
Wondering what to donate? Small is perfect, larger is welcome, too. Whatever you'd like. If you love it, others will too! Seasonal items are very popular, so if you need an idea, consider a seasonal wall hanging or table runner. Any season is welcome, so choose your favorite!
When finished, you can drop off your items, or arrange pickup by contacting Donna Derstadt or Erica Jarrett. We also plan a “drop off” opportunity on Tuesday, October 21 from 7:00-8:00 p.m. at the Panera in Lake Bluff on the corner of 176 and Waukegan Rd. If you plan to meet up with us then, please let us know so we don’t miss you.
Thank you in advance, Donna Derstadt and Erica Jarrett
President’s News
By now everyone knows that for many months we have been working toward our next Quilt Show. As always I expect Quilt Show 2025 to be exceptional because of the wonderful talent in our guild and all of the hard work by many members to make the Quilt Show happen.
My hope is that every member participates in the quilt show and has been inviting friends and family to attend. This quilt show belongs to every member and I hope that every member takes great pride in it!
After the show we can start looking at other initiatives to broaden our exposure to our communities. For now, enjoy Quilt Show 2025!
Members Meeting Members
Meeting guild members who are kindred spirits is such fun! Entering Carrol Stovold’s home the other day it was clear I was meeting a quilter who believes in education and learning – on her door was a charming door banner of pencils just in time for the start of school! (A kit from Riley Blake). With no fuss she promptly led me up to the “bonus” room created in the old attic of the split level she and her husband have owned since 1985. Surrounded by her organized stash, sewing and cutting tables and many works in progress, I learned Carrol had a very similar sewing upbringing to me – and many of us I suspect.
Her mother was a garment sewer, making all her clothes (same!), her wedding dress (same!), and teaching her to sew as a young girl (same!). She grew up in Michigan, and participated in 4-H, sewing her first quilt in the mid 1970s. She still has a quilt she made while in college in 1979 though it is in a rather well-loved state. She used her clothing remnants, cutting squares out with cardboard templates, and using her mother’s old sewing machine.
When that machine went kaput, Carrol went to Libertyville Sewing Center in 2000 and purchased a “fancy” Baby Lock. Her husband was wowed by all the electronics and what quilter is going to deny her husband buying her a fancy machine when all she wanted was a plain vanilla one?! She has sewn on a Baby Lock ever since, and now has a “mid arm” Husqvarna Viking as well for machine quilting.
As a social worker in a hospital ICU, the Covid pandemic was difficult and she turned to sewing for therapy. After making a myriad of face masks, she googled “quilt guild near me” and found Village Quilters in 2021! Her first meetings were all zoom based, and she finally met many of us in person at the VQ show at the Libertyville Sports Complex in 2021.
Carrol has a nice side business making tee shirt quilts for people in the community, mostly found through a local website group. In fact, she has steered a few “non tee shirt” clients my way, and we shared the trials and tribulations of making quilts for customers. We had a few tangents to rant about unhappy topics, but mainly enjoyed sharing stories and getting to know one another. Carrol doesn’t sit around, but dives right in, and she led the last show’s Art Quilt Challenge. This show she is spearheading the Quilts of Valor as well as Publicity. She has also taken control of the Guild’s public Facebook page to entice others who are interested in quilting to join us! Make sure you “like” her Facebook posts to help her spread the word!
Erica Jarrett
Treasurer’s Report
Bank Balance as of July 31, 2025: $32,836.94
Income: $603.25
Expenses: $3,424.36
Bank Balance as of August 31, 2025: $30,015.83
Income from routine Guild activities totaled $260; $150 from memberships and $110 from workshop fees. Show income totaled $343.25 and was comprised of $238.25 in vendor booth payments and $105 in raffle ticket sales.
The Guild portion of expenses totaled $3,403.85 and was primarily for July and August workshop related activities. Show expenses of $20.51 were for raffle baskets and Stripe fees.
Respectfully submitted, Melanie Houser, Treasurer
Membership Report
We had 52 in attendance at our September meeting! We have 102 members as of this writing! Welcome new member Joanne Binkley.
We are looking for seasoned members to become a mentor or buddy to our new members as they come in. If you are interested, please do not hesitate to reach out to the membership committee for details.
We also want to know the year that you joined the guild for archival interests. If you can’t pinpoint a year but recall a decade, we will accept that. Additionally, please identify your cell phone number vs land line on the sign-in sheet. This is for future interest with possible communication.
Please don’t forget to wear your name badges (remember your quarters if you forget!).
Lorraine Potts and Robyn McGarrigle are your membership co-chairs. If you have a question, please feel free to reach out to us!
Happy October Birthday!
Mary Phemister 10/5
Sarah Stannard 10/6
Nancy Zamor. 10/8
Monica Morris 10/9
Barb Jolley 10/15
Ellen Ewbank 10/19
Caroll Stovald. 10/22
Sue Ann Kuby 10/26
Candy Gerber 10/27
Karen Jacobsen 10/29
