Welcome to the Central Iowa Quilt Sew-ciety Guild 

 

 

 

 

Our Mission

● Promote fellowship among persons interested in all aspects of quilt making 

● Preserve our quilting heritage and traditions 

● Promote an appreciation of fine designs and workmanship 

● Encourage quilt making and collecting 

● Provide service to the community using our quilting and sewing skills 

● Educate Guild members to increase their knowledge of quilting techniques, patterns, tools, textiles and new ideas 

 

Retreat

What is a “retreat?” 

These are times to pack up your sewing machine, projects, and your pajamas for a few days and nights sewing with other guild members. Locations have included the Christian Conference Center near Newton and Hen and Chicks Studio in Conrad. Traditionally, the CIQSC Guild has had two retreats per year, one in the spring and one in the fall. This may vary from year to year. Meals are available, the snack table fills up, and it’s a great time to get to know other members in a smaller group. There may be planned activities or projects, and there are costs for lodging and food. Things are still coming together with the pandemic situation, so there may be changes. 

 

Website

More information can be found on our website: Centraliowaquiltsewciety@webs.com

 

Facebook

Our guild is on Facebook as a “Closed” group, membership limited to paid members of our guild. 

 

Email

centraliowaquiltsewciety@webs.com

 

Group Sewing Times

1. We have access to our meeting space at Grace Church from 9:00 AM until the end of our meeting that evening. Members and potential members are welcome to come and spend all or any part of the day sewing on their own projects. This is a great time to become more familiar with other guild members. You can bring your machine and project materials or hand work. At times service projects such as neck pillows or Quilts of Valor can be the focus of these sewing days. 

 

2. Every month has four full days dedicated to sewing time. We meet at the Consumers Energy building near the intersection of Highways 30 and 330. Enter on the west side. There is no charge for this time, and things can be left in place overnight. You may bring your own lunch or take part in a group lunch. Again, you can bring your own projects or work on group projects. Sometimes members give short demonstrations/instructions about techniques or patterns.

 

Door Prizes

Door prizes may be given at monthly meetings, depending on availability. 

 

President's Challenge

 As our president leaves that “post”, it has become a custom for that past president to issue a President’s Challenge. This usually involves a particular fabric selected by her/him, and portions of it supplied to any interested member. Generally, the project has been up to each person, just as long as it includes some of the challenge fabric. Presentation of the challenges is done all together at a guild meeting. 

 

Name Tags

Thank you to our machine embroiders, name tags are provided, and should be worn at all guild meetings. 

 

Charity Activities

Our primary quilting project is for Quilts of Valor. Along with this project (in cooperation with the Iowa Veterans Home, and local groups of The American Legion and VFW) members conduct award ceremonies when veterans receive their Quilts of Valor. More information can be found on the Quilts of Valor Foundation web site.

 

Other projects have included sewing neck pillows to be donated to area hospitals, and some members sew dog/cat beds using fabric scraps.

 

Sharing

Each meeting has a time for show and tell. All are welcome to bring things to show the group. 

 

Greeters

We try to have a greeter assigned to each meeting. That person will be glad to answer any questions you may have. 

 

Small Groups

Currently, formal small groups focusing on particular techniques are not in place. There may be demonstrations during our sewing times at Consumers Energy. Techniques may include: 

 Applique (usually hand applique) using wool or cotton or a combination 

 Machine Embroidery 

   (Machine embroiderers have the opportunity to work in a group periodically. This                    gathering is held at Consumers Energy and may last four days. Watch the minutes calendar, the website calendar and/or Facebook for dates.)

 Machine Quilting on a domestic machine 

 Foundation Paper Piecing (generally machine work) 

 English Paper Piecing (stitched by hand) 

 

Members with skills are more than happy to share either in a small group or individual setting.

 

Ready to Volunteer?

 Guild activities are only possible through the efforts of our members. We need your talents! Consider serving on a committee or becoming a Board member. If you’re interested, let our Guild President know.