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Did you miss the newsletter or accidentally delete it? Below are the two most recent newsletters sent out to members.
July 16, 2026
Hello, quilters!
Here's hoping you're staying cool. An extra-hot day is a great excuse to stay inside and sew -- rather like a snow day, but in shorts and sandals.
This Saturday, July 18, is our July meeting. As usual, it starts at 10:30 a.m. at Meissner's; doors open at 10 a.m. for set-up and socializing. We have a PACKED agenda for this meeting:
Zoom program with Cindy Grisdela
Quilt artist and teacher Cindy Grisdela will present "Anatomy of an Improv Quilt" via Zoom. Here's how she describes her work: "Color and texture are the driving forces behind my contemporary art quilts. Browse my site (https://cindygrisdela.com/) to see how I combine line and shape, then add stitching lines to create texture and dimension – a process I like to think of as painting with fabric and thread." Her new solo show, "Shape Shifting," opened this month at the Reston Art Gallery & Studio in Reston, Va.
Cindy's also teaching an online workshop for us, "Artful Improv Medallion," on Sunday, Aug. 2, from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. As of this week, there were still 6 spaces available in the class, Events director Virginia Hass reports. For information or to sign up for the class, go here.
Bylaws vote
The recruitment timeline revision that was discussed and tabled at the June meeting has been rewritten to clarify, then was reviewed and approved by the SacMQG board. The membership vote on this change will be held during Saturday's meeting. The full text is at the bottom of this newsletter.
The Orphan Block Challenge (Challenge #2)
Debra Thompsen says she can't wait to see what everyone has come up with! If you are participating in turning "before" blocks into something different, bring your "after" project to the meeting. (Note: It can be a flimsy instead of a completed quilt, or something else entirely!)
If you photographed the contents of the "before" bag, you can send the photo to Debra at thompsens@comcast.net
Block Lotto blocks due
The tulip blocks will be collected Saturday by coordinators Christine Westbrook and Sue Klabunde, and the drawing held for the lucky recipient. If you still would like to make 1 or more blocks, the directions are on the website here. Each block = one ticket for the drawing. (The next Block Lotto block already is posted; the sun blocks will be due in August.)
Quilts for Kids
Coordinator Rhonda Burnett reminds us that July is a Quilts For Kids (QFK) pick-up month. This includes the collection of finished quilts with QFK labels and batting/fabric scraps. All scraps need to be in a closed bag that is clearly marked as scraps. Scrap donations are used for making animal pet beds or crumb quilts.
We are currently looking for a long-armer to finish one throw-size quilt. If you can help, check in with Rhonda or Debra at the meeting break. Labels will also be available at Saturday’s meeting if you have run out or need to grab a few for next time.
If you have never sewn a project quilt for QFK, you can find more details on the Sac MQG website. We are out of free QFK kits at this time but will have some orphan blocks at the pick-up station which could be used as a starting point if you want to be creative and use your stash. First come first serve.
The next pick up of finished quilts will be at the October meeting.
Community quilt blocks
The improv blocks will be collected to make bright children's quilts for charity. Julia Smith heads this project. See the instructions on this page of the website.
The secret word this month is penguin. Say it at the check-in desk and receive a ticket for the month's prize drawing.
Speaking of Community Quilts ...
If any member is interested in heading up (or co-heading) the creation of the guild's Community Outreach Challenge quilt for QuiltCon 2027, speak up now! Email President Laura-Beth Thrasher at president@sacmqg.com or speak to her before the meeting Saturday. The entry period opens Sept.1. More information is on the QuiltCon website here.
And the usual!
The library, the free table and Show and Tell also will be part of the meeting. Bring your latest makes to show the other members.
And if you know a member who is not receiving this newsletter, please tell them it will be posted on the website, too. Spam filters are blocking it from some members' in-boxes, we learned.
See you Saturday!
Kathy Hellesen
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Here is the amendment on Executive Board Elections and Recruitment that will be put to a vote Saturday:
Executive Board Recruitment and Elections
During the months of July, August, and September, the Executive Board will actively recruit volunteers to serve on the following year’s Executive Board. Throughout this recruitment period, members will be notified of upcoming Executive Board vacancies and encouraged to consider serving. Members interested in running for an Executive Board position are encouraged to notify the Director of Membership during this recruitment period so they may be included in the announced slate of candidates.
The slate of candidates will be presented to the membership prior to the election. The election of Executive Board members will take place at the October general membership meeting.
Additional nominations may be made from the floor at the October meeting by any eligible member. Eligible members may also vote for a write-in candidate for any office. All nominees, whether included in the announced slate, nominated from the floor, or written in by a member, must meet the eligibility requirements established in these Bylaws.
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June 18, 2026
Hello, quilters!
Our June meeting will be held this Saturday, June 20, at Meissner's Sacramento. Come at 10 a.m. to help set up for the meeting, which begins at 10:30 a.m.
Featured speaker: Amy Friend
The program this month features Amy Friend, speaking to us via Zoom on "Improv Paper Piecing." This will be a trunk show based on the design approach presented in Amy's second book, "Improv Paper Piecing: A Modern Approach to Quilt Design." Read more about Amy and her quilting style here: https://duringquiettime.com/
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Bylaws amendments
We have an important vote to take during the upcoming meeting. The Modern Quilt Guild requires that all guilds in the U.S. include some very specific language in their bylaws concerning IRS regulations governing 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. The MQG has identified three sections of required language that all U.S.-based guilds must include in their bylaws to remain in compliance with these requirements. We cannot change the wording; this will be an up or down vote.
In addition to the three MQG-required revisions, the Board is proposing one additional amendment to our bylaws. This change would adjust the timeline for recruiting and electing Board members, allowing more time to identify candidates, fill open positions, and provide training and transition support for incoming Board members.
The text of the amendments is attached to this newsletter. Please read them before Saturday's meeting. If you know you will NOT be able to attend Saturday's meeting and still wish to vote, you may email president@sacmqg.com with your Yes or No votes on each of the four amendments by 11:59 p.m. Saturday. Thank you!
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Block Lotto Alert! The tulip blocks will be collected and the winner drawn in July, a month later than originally planned. You still have time to make one or several. The instructions are on the website here.
In the meantime, Sue and Christine have released the year's 3rd Block Lotto block, which will be officially unveiled in July, but the quick workers among us can get started now. Those instructions also are on the website.
FYI, the Community Outreach blocks are not due to Julia until July, but if you have some done, you are welcome to turn them in at this month's meeting. Those instructions are here.
Also note: The Orphan Blocks Challenge is ongoing and due at the July meeting as well. Hope everyone is having fun working their magic on those poor abandoned blocks!
This month's secret word is watermelon. Say it at the check-in desk Saturday and receive a ticket for the month's prize drawing.
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Events! Events!
Virginia reports that we have a few spaces left for these events:
--- Artful Improv Workshop with Cindy Grisdela: Saturday, Aug. 2, via Zoom. Details & registration available at: https://forms.gle/WX7efE5Hts2aFXGK9
-- Fall Retreat in Chico: Oct. 22-25. Details & registration available at: https://forms.gle/Bm8iPSJvJQ2ejBD79
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Move fast for this ASG workshop
We received word a few days ago from local American Sewing Guild members that their Sandra Bruce "Material Matrix" workshop, scheduled for July 20-21, still has space available. BUT the deadline to sign up is Thursday, June 18 (today!).
Cost is $160 for non-ASG members.
All participants will work on the project, “Wake Up Cup." Registered participants will receive a supply list and photo of the project.
Sandra Bruce website: sandrabruce.com
Register and find more info here
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Library, Free Table and Show and Tell -- at this meeting, of course! Bring your latest finishes to share.
See you Saturday!
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