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St.
Croix International Quilters' Guild (SCIQG) was organized in 1982 and currently has over
35 enthusiastic members from both sides of the US/Canadian border.
Our members are quilters at all levels―most are beginner or intermediate
quilters. We have a few members who have taught quilting classes and
some who are very advanced. We all learn something from each other,
regardless of our own skill level.
 In addition to
learning new techniques in quilting, we often work together on quilts for
charities. In the past we have created raffle
quilts for breast cancer research, the Pembroke Historical Society, and
Washington County's domestic violence agency.
Pictured here are Dana Bard (l) and Jan
Beane holding a quilt we made for the 400th anniversary celebration of the
settling of St. Croix Island. The center panels were hand painted on
fabric by former member Carla Price of St. Andrews, NB, Canada. The
quilt is on permanent display at the Downeast Heritage Museum in Calais.
Meetings
Meetings are held at
the Recreation Hall, Calais Methodist Homes, Palmer St., Calais, Maine,
and guests are always welcome. We hold three meetings a month:
Wednesday Evening
Workshops—the first Wednesday of the month, 6 pm
Workshop nights
offer members instruction in a variety of topics. Recent workshops
have included sewing machine care and repair, selecting colors, paper piecing,
and machine quilting to
name a few. Depending on the topic of the month, participants
bring their sewing machines, supplies, equipment, and fabric for the
workshop and take home enough knowledge and confidence to complete the
project on their own.
Saturday
All-Day Workshops—the first Saturday of the month, 9 am to 3-4 pm
Similar to the
Wednesday evening workshops but more in depth, our Saturday workshops
offer members more intense and involved learning experiences to expand
their quilting skills. In the past we brought nationally-known
quilting instructor, Bethany Reynolds (who created the unique
Stack-N-Whack approach to creating kaleidoscope quilt blocks) to
Calais for an all-day workshop.
In addition to
national and regional teachers, several of our members also take on the
role of instructor, teaching a variety of classes including mystery
quilts, photo transfers, and other topics of interest to members.
Business
Meeting—the third Wednesday of the month, 7 pm
Our monthly business
meetings are exciting and inspiring. We finalize plans for
up-coming workshops and discuss possible charity work. In addition
to other agenda items, regular features include:
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Program—at each business meeting, we feature a
demonstration, guest speaker or mini workshop (as time permits)
highlighting a new quilting technique, book, fabric, etc. We're
always open to suggestions.
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Fabric Basket Door Prize—members are encouraged to bring 1/2
yard pieces of fabric to be included in a fabric basket drawing.
Chances are sold for $1 and the winner takes home all the fabric.
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Block Drawing—at each meeting we pass out a pattern for a
quilt block and offer instructions for its construction. Members
are encouraged to make as many blocks as they wish at home and bring
them to the next business meeting to be included in a drawing―a lucky
quilter wins all the blocks.
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Show and Tell—members are encouraged to bring in quilts and
quilted items to share with the group. Sometimes they seek
advice or just want to show off their creations. It's a great
opportunity to see new techniques others are using.
Each business
meeting ends with light refreshments.
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