The Women in Science and Engineering residential community at NC State is looking for volunteers to help with their annual service project, Pads for Empowerment, on the afternoon of Sunday, March 29th,2015. Through this program, the WISE students sew re-usable flannel liners and absorbent snap-on shields that are sent to African schoolgirls through the organization Days for Girls. WISE needs volunteers to help teach the WISE students to use sewing machines and to sew the pads. To volunteer, contact Annelise Gorensek, ahgorensek@gmail.com. For more information about Days for Girls, and to view the patterns and instructions, visit http://www.daysforgirls.org/ To learn more about NCSU WISE, visit http://www.ncsu.edu/wise/index.htm

When: Sunday, April 19, 2015 from 1:30-4:30pm Where: New Hope Volunteer Fire Department , 4012 Whitfield Rd., Chapel Hill, NC Cost: $25 (DOQ member) $40 (non-DOQ member, if space available) plus optional kit fee of $15. This quilt pattern popularly known as Log Cabin is one many American quiltmakers assume was home-grown. But the Log Cabin quilt pattern may in fact have originated on a tiny island off the coast of England! Called the Roof Tile pattern on the Isle of Man (located between Ireland and England), the pleated quilt-as-you-go block is constructed (pieced) and quilted all at the same time and does not use batting. The blocks are then joined, front to front, and the backs’ foundations whip-stitched together. The Antique English Pleated Log Cabin Block’s casual sewing is an excellent introduction to hand stitching and has the advantage of being totally portable for today’s busy quiltmakers. This pattern is a super addition to your quilting skills and one you can teach kids and do at any time and any place. Please bring to class: *Four pre-cut 8 ½” squares of soft pre-washed muslin and four pre-cut 3 ½” squares in a solid color (Coordinate the color of your 3 ½” …

April 2015 Workshop – Antique English Pleated Log Cabin Block with Pepper Cory Read more »

When: Saturday, April 18, 2015 from 9:00am-4:30pm Where: New Hope Volunteer Fire Department , 4012 Whitfield Rd., Chapel Hill, NC Cost: $40 (DOQ member) $70 (non-DOQ member, if space available) plus kit fee of $22. Yokosu! Welcome to Sashiko (Japanese quilting) Start the new year right in blue and white! You’ve admired classic sashiko in quilts and wall hangings-now it’s your turn. Even non-hand quilters remark on how easy and soothing sashiko stitching is-it’s the Zen side of quilting. Finally—a quilting style that will inspire you to use all that gorgeous Oriental fabric you bought! In the morning learn how to mark and stitch a classic sashiko design. In the afternoon learn the back-basting appliqué technique on your own patchwork blocks. These skills will combine to make a wall hanging. Note: prior to class you need to make six simple patchwork blocks and bring with you (See What students need to bring to class) Kit The class kit consists of  ½ yd. hand-dyed indigo homespun, a ball of #8 white perle cotton, needle threader,  a sashiko sampler needlepack (10 needles), a stencil with three sashiko designs, template plastic for moon shapes, a white marking pencil, two thimble alternatives, written how-to directions, an essay on the …

April 2015 Workshop – Sashiko with Pepper Cory Read more »

February program canceled due to snow will be rescheduled for November 2015. Among Elaine’s work are the whimsical collages that depict Chapel Hill, and the illustrations to the children’s book “Goodnight Carolina.” Elaine says of her work, “My artistic process begins with the simple, pure memories of my childhood. I strive to conjure up the essence of those good times and capture them through whimsy and color, stitching them together with a sense of humor and delight.  My process begins by approaching each textile collage with a simple sketch. Then through snips and cuts, my scissors, like a painter’s brush, slowly reveal the image. Layer upon layer of fabric, stitched into place using a variety of colors and textures, brings the piece to life. In each piece I create, my hope is to evoke the kind of pleasure and delight of childhood, when life is simple, sweet, and full of endless possibilities.” To see more of her work visit Elaine’s website www.elaineoneil.com.