Quilting in the Digital Age - When Technology Meets Tradition

Theresa Benson, 'the AI Quilter'

Theresa shares her personal journey from her first sewing project to embracing
digital tools in quilting. She explores how these advances are reshaping quilting
today, making it more accessible and diverse. Her down-to-earth discussion
highlights the blend of technology and tradition, showing how it's shaping both the
art and community of quilting.

https://theaiquilter.com/

 Note: This lecture will be delivered by Zoom on a large screen in the Canton Senior Center during the regular meeting.

*** Non-Members may attend for a $35 fee (cash or check only), space permitting ***

Come join Debbie and Cathy for Batting University. Learn about all the different types and lofts of batting and when to use them. You might think there’s just one batting for your quilt, but there are so many things that go into choosing the right batting for each quilt.

Learn how to make the decision while answering those questions.

They will have sample swatch booklets for everyone from Quilters Dream Batting with all 10 types and the different lofts.

Also Sue and Marcia will Present the September Challenger. See handout here

Let’s Have Fun With Fabric Stamping!

Have you ever wanted to play with fabric stamping or painting on fabric?  Here’s your opportunity to try it out!  Pam and Karen C will show you how you can easily make your own foam stamps using your own designs or something you have traced.  You can use your homemade stamps or borrow some commercial stamps from other members to create your own fabric design.  Stick to the basics or explore your inner child and print with household items like bubble wrap, pencil erasers, toilet paper tubes, leaves, string, sponges, etc. You can also choose to paint your fabric with a brush.  Wear your old clothes or bring an apron! This will be fun!

Optional Open Sew for those who prefer to sew.

 Bring your imagination and the following items:

-          Fat quarter size pieces of fabric that you’ve washed (no fabric softener) and backed with either stabilizer (such as SF101) or freezer paper.

-          Pen/pencil and paper for designing and testing stamps

-          Scissors – not your good sewing ones.

-          An apron or older clothes and gloves if you want to protect your hands

-          Anything from home that might lend itself to stamping on fabric like bubble wrap, toilet paper rolls, leaves, string, pencil erasers, sponges, etc.

- A garbage bag to protect the table.

-          OPTIONAL - Fabric paint, or acrylic paint plus fabric medium if you want to have your designs be permanent and washable, or any kind of acrylic or craft paint or well inked stamp  pad if you just want to play.

-          OPTIONAL - Your collection of stamps and/or stencils

The Guild will provide the basics for making and playing with foam stamps.

This meeting will be an Open Sew where you can bring your favorite project to work on or just chill and talk with your fellow guild members.

Members will also bring their favorite tool and tell others why it’s their favorite.

In addition, the guild will hold an Orphan Block Swap. More on this to come.

June Social at the Canton Senior Center

Beginning at 6 pm on June 8th.

 It's the perfect time of year to enjoy great food and mingle with creative friends old and new. 

Please bring your favorite Potluck dish, serving utensils for your dish, and your favorite beverage, if desired. The Board will provide bottled water and seltzer. No alcohol please.

Don't forget to bring your Show and Share. Also, Members will show their second quarter Art Quilts featuring the prompt "Earth".

Note: Members will vote on the Revised By-Laws during the meeting.

During Monday's meeting, we will enter the world of Inspector Gadget. With Erin Byrne, owner of Cotton Candy Fabrics in Simsbury and Brookfield as our guide, we will see some of the latest innovative tools available to quilters and also get to admire some quilts that utilize them to their full advantage.  This should get our juices flowing for new projects. 

Mega Dream Bag pattern by Bodobo Bags by Ticklegrass Designs presented by Debbie D.

 This is a great bag to carry all your supplies to classes, workshops, sew days & retreats!  Holds everything you need including an Oliso mini-iron!  Zips closed so you don’t lose anything & folds down for easy access of all your tools when you need them.

 Makes a great gift for the sewers & quilters in your life too!

 Pellon interfacings can be purchased at Walmart along with most quilt shops!

 Purchase pattern (a digital download of the pattern can be purchased on Etsy for $10.50), fabrics, 18” or larger zipper or zipper tape, thread & Pellon interfacings Shape Flex (SF101) & Fusible Thermolam Plus (TP971F).  Precut all your pieces of fabric & interfacings as per pattern instructions.  Also cut a zipper tab piece 2” x 3” from one of your fabrics.  Bring your extra fabrics with you!

 Fuse the strips of Pellon Shape Flex (SF101) to the center of the wrong side of each strap piece & press in the long edges of the straps in per instructions twice, then topstitch along both sides using a 3.5 stitch length as on page 2.  If you are comfortable do step E & F on page 2 too!

Fuse Pellon Shape Flex (SF101) to the wrong sides of the lining pieces per page 4.

 Fold the 2 pocket pieces per instructions on page 4 & stitch the ¼” seam, turn & press, then topstitch 1/8” from folded edge using a 3.5 stitch length.

 The more prep you have done the better chance we have of finishing the bags!

 Debbie will bring my 2 presses to make the fusing of the Thermolam go quicker.

 Please bring your sewing machine and all related sewing tools.  The guild will provide irons and extension cords.

The month we will be having a Fabric Acquisition Road Trip (F.A.R.T.) to the Quilted Ewe located at 37 Greenwoods Road in New Hartford, CT. This is located about 10 minutes from our meeting location in Canton. They have a big, bright beautiful shop. This is a members only event.

Shop owner, Mary, will demonstrate the Hunter Ruler at 6:00 pm.

Join us for improv curves! And if there is time, we will touch improv circles using Maria Shell’s method.

 Bring your machine of choice (or easiest one to carry), a rotary cutter and cutting mat, and fabric.  Layer cakes, charm packs and yardage are welcome!  If you are using yardage, precut at least two pieces into 6” x 10” in contrasting colors or patterns.  Prints and solids are both welcome.

You can bring a ruler to square up your blocks, but other than that, we won’t be touching it.  No pins needed either.

 The guild will provide irons and extension cords.

We will be having a CCTMQG sewing day at the Quilted Ewe in New Hartford on Saturday, January 17, 2026, from 9:15 am to 3:45 pm.

Amenities include irons and ironing stations, cutting stations (bring your own cutting tools), design walls and a lunchroom with a refrigerator. There is plenty of space with great lighting and the opportunity to browse the shop.

The cost is $15.00 (non-refundable) and is payable in advance to the Quilted Ewe. Registration is open - just go to the Quilted Ewe website and click on the January 17th Open Sew Day.

If you have any questions please contact Patty or Pam

We look forward to seeing you there.

Guild Annual Business Meeting

January is our annual business meeting.

We will discuss guild business, and Marcia will be giving the Treasurer's report.

After the official meeting, Marcia will present: Dice-y Sketches Mini-Workshop - Join us for some creative paper play with simple dice rolls inspiring our path.  Please bring the following:

 - One die
 - Variety of Paper, i.e., color, wrapping, magazines, calendars, etc.
 - Paper scissors, unless you want to tear your paper
 - Glue/glue sticks
 - Alternatively, if not cutting from various papers, you may use paints, markers color pencils, crayons, etc.

If we have time, we will go through a quick, easy paper exercise where you will use six colors of markers, pencils, or crayons.

Marcia will have some paper, dice, and glues available if needed.

The new Board will begin January 1, 2026

Cathy Baldoumis - Co-President

Debbie D’Angelo - Co-President until 12/31/26

Pam Weaver - Vice President

Karen Carvalho - Secretary

Patty Mace - Treasurer

Cindy Grisdela Workshop (Zoom) - Improv Puzzle

Sponsored by CCTMQG

Create Improv Log Cabin blocks in a variety of sizes and put them together into a unique composition–like a jigsaw puzzle. There’s no measuring or precise cutting and each quilt will be unique. We will discuss color choices and using simple design principles to create an original dynamic composition.

Basic sewing skills and a sewing machine in good working order necessary. Confident beginner to advanced level.

Fee for Members: $30   Registration opens August 1, 2025

Fee for Non-Members: $35   Registration opens September 15, 2025

Check or Cash Only

Supply List

Maximum of 24 participants

Contact Marcia for payment information.

Note:  this is a Zoom workshop - learn from the comfort of your own sewing room!

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This month is our annual December social with Friends, Food and Fun!

Rather than a swap this year, we will be asking everyone to make a Standard Size Pillowcase for the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp in Ashford. Fabric is up to you, and you are welcome to make more than one pillowcase.  These are for children and teens – and unisex or boy specific are especially appreciated.  Use your own pattern or the one Marcia has provided HERE.

We will be having potluck main dishes, side dishes, salads, desserts and beverages, and playing our favorite Quilters game - LCR. You will need one fat quarter of each of the following so shop your stash - Solids, Polka Dot (ish) and Ruby Star Society.  Please roll your fat quarter and secure with a rubber band or tie with fabric or string for easier passing during the game.

Please sign up at the November meeting for either a main dish, side dish, salad, or dessert.

Guests are welcome for a $35 fee - Cash or Check only

Hiroko Fukawa -A Chat Among Friends

Join Hiroko Fukawa for an informal chat among friends, where she will show her work and share her inspiration and techniques. She is a local Connecticut quilter who creates modern designs based on classic quilt patterns.

*** Guests are welcome for a $35 fee. Checks or cash only. ***

We will be having a CCTMQG sewing day at the Quilted Ewe in New Hartford on Saturday, September 13, 2025, from 9:15 am to 3:45 pm.

Amenities include irons and ironing stations, cutting stations (bring your own cutting tools), design walls and a lunchroom with a refrigerator. There is plenty of space with great lighting and the opportunity to browse the shop.

The cost is $15.00 (non-refundable) and is payable in advance to the Quilted Ewe. Registration is open - just go to the Quilted Ewe website and click on the September 13th Open Sew Day.

If you have any questions please contact Patty or Pam

We look forward to seeing you there.

I am an author, educator and descendant of Gee’s Bend (Boykin), Alabama and the

granddaughter of Gee’s Bend quilters, I am proud to continue to share the story of how

this small town in rural Alabama made its mark in the art world, Their magic with a needle

and thread can be found in museums such as the Smithsonian and the Metropolitan

Museum of Art. Their work has also been featured on postage stamps and most recently

in Target’s 2024 Black history month collection.

Guests are welcome for a $35 fee.- Cash or Check Only.

Bring a sewing project and enjoy the fun and conversation. Don’t forget your Show and Share.

In addition, the following members will be doing brief demos -

Karen C - Making 3-D fabric flowers using light-weight metal mesh

Ivy - Using perspective points and a ruler to draw three-dimensional shapes. Can you translate them into fabric?

Pam - Using Procreate to import a picture, make a sketch and print it, and play with color and quilting

Sue - A quilter’s diary

Open Sew

Bring whatever quilt or sewing project you’d like to work on. Or, just relax and socialize with your quilty friends. The Guild will provide the normal irons and extension cords.

June Social at Leslie’s House
59 Barbourtown Road in Canton Center

Beginning at 6 pm on June 9th.

 It's the perfect time of year to sit outside, enjoy great food, and mingle with creative friends old and new. 

Special Event: CCTMQG Quilt Challenge - Inspired by Art

Members will present their quilted item rerpesenting an aspect of visual art.

Please bring your favorite Potluck dish, serving utensils for your dish, and a chair. The Board will provide bottled water and lemonade. No alcohol please.

Don't forget to bring your Show and Share. Look for our CCTMQG yard signs, which will direct you to parking.

 In the event of bad weather, we will meet at the Canton Community Center at 6 pm. We will send out an email and Instagram post by 12 pm Monday if we must meet indoors.

Please contact Leslie if you have any questions.

A Korean textile technique called Pojagi will be introduced and demonstrated. This will be a workshop to help you start your own Pojagi.  Please bring your sewing machine and sewing supplies.  The best fabrics are solids or batiks for this process.  

The Infinite Grid

Join Ivy for an open discussion on the ways to use the GRID to implement the ideas you might dream about. What do we see when we look through the grid? How do we express what we see?

She will talk about a few fine art paintings and her quilts to explore the importance of freedom and shapes.

We are all full of creative ideas, we just have to figure out how to access them.

There are so many talented people in this group. Let’s think of ways to translate ideas into fabric.

The month we will be having a F.A.R.T. to the Quilted Ewe located at 37 Greenwoods Road in New Hartford, CT. This is located about 10 minutes from our meeting location in Canton. They have a big, bright beautiful shop. This is a members only event.

From Linda:

Although I made my first few quilts starting in 1975, my journey as a scrap quilt quilter actually began in 1977. Looking back, little did I know at the time that a quilt I started that year held many predictions of my future journey as a quilter in general. Since 1992 I have completed 242 quilts. My earliest quilts were made prior to the invention of the rotary cutter and the advent of longarm machine quilting. My favorite quilts are scrap quilts, but I also appreciate and have made reproduction, art, applique, and modern quilts. I have taken workshops with Bonnie Hunter, Edyta Sitar, Jane Sassaman, Victoria Findlay Wolfe, Jane Davila and Elin Waterston, Karen Eckmeier, and many others over the years. I belonged for many years to the West Hartford Quilters and Quilters West chapters of the Greater Hartford Quilt Guild and Women Against the Grain (Art Quilters). I am currently a member of the Farmington Valley Quilters and the Granbees quilt guilds. I consider myself very fortunate to have worked at Sew Inspired Quilt Shop in Simsbury, Connecticut for the last 17 years, which allows me to keep current with quilting trends and to share my knowledge and passion for quilting with others.

*****Guests are welcome for a $35 fee. Cash or Check Only *****..

We will be having a CCTMQG sewing day at the Quilted Ewe in New Hartford on Saturday, February 1, 2025, from 9:15 am to 3:45 pm.

Amenities include irons and ironing stations, cutting stations (bring your own cutting tools), design walls and a lunchroom with a refrigerator. There is plenty of space with great lighting and the opportunity to browse the shop.

The cost is $15.00 (non-refundable) and is payable in advance to the Quilted Ewe. Registration is open - just go to the Quilted Ewe website and click on the February 1st Open Sew Day.

If you have any questions please contact Patty or Pam

We look forward to seeing you there.

January is our annual meeting.

We will approve the revised Bylaws, and Marcia will be giving the Treasurer's report.

After the official meeting, we will have an Open Sew and Show and Tell with the first quilt you made and how you started quilting.

The new Board will begin January 1, 2025

Leslie Perry - President

Pam Weaver - Vice President

Karen Carvalho - Secretary

Marcia Horan - Treasurer

This month is our annual December social with Friends, Food and Fun!

Rather than a swap this year we will be asking everyone to make a 12 1/2 inch unfinished star block which we will use to make a quilt for our Community Outreach Program. Fabric and star design are up to you and you are welcome to make more than one block.

We will be having potluck appetizers, desserts and beverages and playing our favorite Quilters game - LCR. You will need one fat quarter of each of the following so Shop your Stash - Solids, Low Volume and Brights - solid or print. . Please roll your fat quarter and secure with a rubber band or tie with fabric or string for easier passing during the game.