York Heritage Quilters Guild
September
Helen Fujiki--Popular award winning quilter and presenter, Helen Fujiki, says in her own words,” Quilting lets me “pass it on”! My needle and thread tell my story." Some of that story is how Japan and its people have inspired and influenced her. Through the Broderie Perse method of applying cut out motifs onto a background Helen incorporates Asian inspired motifs in combination with western fabrics and techniques to create new designs. She will speak about the five original Japanese quilt masters and experience her own quilts borne of Japanese inspiration melded with western appreciation, skills and experience.
October
Penny Berens-- As Penny says in the introduction to her blog, "I am an Artist working in the tactile medium of fabric and thread. I live surrounded by woods and water and critters, all of which influence my work." This former York Heritage member now living and creating in Nova Scotia whose work has been exhibited both nationally and internationally is also acclaimed as a consummate teacher and learner. Penny is a living encyclopedia of all things tactile. The multitude of its ever increasing pages is surpassed only by the generousity with which she shares its contents. Proficient in machine and hand work, Penny's pieces are multi dimensional, multi directional and ever changing. Penny continues to participate in the Connections Fibre Artists group of Oakville
November
Vikki Pignatelli-- soared from non-sewer in 1991 to full time professional quilt artist, designer, international teacher, lecturer and author of "Quilting Curves" and "Quilting by Improvisation". Inspiration, adventure, persistence, and self confidence form the basis for Vikki's classes in which she simplifies seemingly complex construction techniques to allow her students to design their own creations. These piecing and appliqué methods are wonderful for those who enjoy making innovative quilts, it has many other applications: traditional, pictorial, wearable art, table runners, etc. can be constructed all or in part by this technique."
December
There is no meeting in December. Happy Holidays, and see you in January!
January
Happy New Year! The Community Quilts Workshop is held at the January meeting. This is a chance to meet new people and have fun working together while enjoying refreshments and the good company of other quilters. Smaller groups or individual members transform the blocks into quilts which we donate to selected organizations in the community for fund-raising purposes. There is no show and share tonight.
February
Judi Blaydon-- Judi was hooked on quilts even before she knew it herself. Early in her fine art career Judi created large paintings of quilts until her quilter grandmother said, "If you love them so much, why don't you make a real one?" Judi has used her MFA and background in Art Education as a foundation from which to make quilts, judge, lecture, teach and to write her recent book, "Collage+Cloth=Quilts: Create Innovative Quilts from Photo Inspirations". Judi's workshops are applicable to both traditional and innovative quilting styles. "I try to document both traditional and contemporary quilts that have taken my breath away and touched my heart - not because of their complexity but because of their honesty, their poetry, their eloquence, their exemplary craftsmanship, expressive color and dynamic design." .
March
Jane Sassaman--In 1980, the confluence of art education, varied design experiences and a whole lot of talent converged as Jane Sassaman, quilt artist, designer and teacher as we know her today discovered quilting. Her easily identifiable bold graphic designs and exuberant floral motifs have won Jane international critical acclaim and grace both private and corporate collections. Her quilt, "Willow" was named one of the best 100 American Quilts of the Century. Jane will spend two days with us sharing signature appliqué, surface embroidery and floral construction techniques. Jane said that she wanted to" dazzle the viewer" so until her arrival at YHQG you can visit her book, "The Quilted Garden," perhaps as you sit in a garden.
April
Frieda Anderson-- Frieda likes every step of quilt making which is perhaps why after years of art education and trying other media and fabric constructions, she decided that all she really wanted to do was make quilts. By working with smaller pieces to work out designs which are then reproduced in a bigger bolder format Frieda confirms her commitment to process. This "process" can be found in her books, "Fun Fast Free Motion Quilting", "Fun Fast Fusies" and most recently, "Fabric to Dye For" in which Frieda explains how she achieves the colours in her hand dyed cottons and silks. In one of her workshops Frieda will guide you through the creation of a small wall hanging and the second is graciously being tailored just for us
May
The May meeting includes the AGM (Annual General Meeting), a yard sale, beverages and snacks and more fun activities to wrap up the guild year!
