BeeArtful

Cut the Fabric

How many times have you run your hand across a gorgeous piece of fabric - one you purchased or even created yourself- only to fold it back into your stash because it feels too precious to cut?

We all do it. That brings to mind a quote by author and entrepreneur Sahil Bloom: “Thinking, planning, strategizing and organizing often get in the way of doing.”

We put that to the test at our April retreat. Bev challenged us to move quickly and trust our instincts. We picked up our rotary cutters and scissors and cut the fabric. The results were stunning. (Photos in the newsletter) Be sure to check out Kathy’s final woven piece - the two starting fabrics combined to make a stellar piece. We oohed and aahed what we created Wednesday afternoon. Bev guided us and kept it fun.

One final word of advice that came out of the retreat regarding fabric was, never cut into your fabric after 9:00 pm. So this month, you have permission to look for that fabric you have been saving. The one you keep patting and putting back and just do it. Cut that fabric!

And keep on pedaling…

May 12 Bev will lead us in Trapunto as well as help everyone who needs it on woven fabric pieces.

June 9 Kathy and Melinda will lead a program on self-portraits

July 14 Gini will lead a show and tell for table toppers

Aug 10-14 Summer retreat

Sept 8 Caroline and Bev will lead a program on vintage design

Oct 13 Open sew

Nov 10 Bev will lead 12x12 refrigerator quilt AND calendar for the 2027 meeting

Dec 8 Christmas party and KISS it goodbye

• Bring lunch
• Fabric weaving: bring your finished or unfinished weave to work on. If you starting new, see supply list below.
• Discuss plans/attendance for August retreat

Bev will inspire us once again with a demonstration in Trapunto. And always, bring your Show and Tell projects, including the weaving project you started at the retreat. We will admire finished projects and can suggest next steps if you’re stuck. Bev will help get you started if you missed the retreat

and want to start a new woven piece (see supply list below). Bring your own projects if you’d like.

From Bev: I will lead a short demonstration on Trapunto and have samples to show the steps. It’s fun!

June meeting preparation: Please email either Kathy Ingmundson ingmundson@hotmail.com or Melinda Oliver mandmoliver@gmail.com with a photo you would like to recreate in fabric before the May meeting. They will convert it into greyscale and send the files to you so you can choose your fabrics before the June meeting when we will construct our photo renderings. We’ll discuss this in May, too.

As always take or buy your lunch. Bev Mannes beverlymannes@gmail.com or 706-490-1708

Regarding August (10-14) retreat: Gini will be collecting information regarding your possible attendance and number of days for the August retreat. Keep in mind that this retreat is earlier in the year so get your reservations for rentals done asap.

Another trapunto example.

As noted in the guild newsletter, Dottie's passing was a surprise to many. She was a big help last year with our opportunity quilt and she will be sorely missed. Rest in peace and love Dottie.

This quilt was purchased 20 years ago in an antique shop in Savannah. No information on quilter, etc.

Thank you to all of the Bee Artfuls who sent in forms and photographs for the upcoming show. Rebecca Brantley has said that the list of quilts selected for the show will be finalized before August 1. The artist reception is September 10, 2026, 4:30-6:30 at the Mason Scharfenstein Museum of Art in Demorest, GA. The exhibition opens on September 3, 2026. The art will remain on display until April 22, 2027.

Note: The method for hanging your selected quilt has not been determined. You might want to wait until the final selections are made and the method for hanging has been established by Rebecca. In one of our meetings, we will revisit how to hang your quilts.

Geri's printer is the Canon PIXMA G6020 All-in-One Supertank Wireless (Megatank) Printer, Copier and Scan with Mobile Printing, Black. Can find it at a similar price at Staples, Office Depot, etc. Sometimes goes even cheaper holiday sales. Originally $324. Link on Amazon ($214):

https://a.co/d/0ejeXYNT

Ink refills:

https://a.co/d/0iHYJZao

Pressing Matters (fused applique, cotton)

Have you noticed the changes in fusible web over the years? The consistency of the glue changes, the paper changes, and companies go out of business. For 20 years or more, I recommended using Pellon Wonder Under #805. This recommendation for a dry glue transferred to fabric with the heat of an iron is in my books and online classes.

But now I have my reservations.

Recently, the glue formula for #805 has changed, as has the paper backing the web. The glue is thicker, and the paper only has silicone on one side.

So I’m recommending Misty Fuse for fusing my fabrics. It’s lightweight and easy to hand-stitch through. There is also a new product called Gentle Fuse that closely resembles the old #805 and Soft Fuse that I loved. Both Misty Fuse and Gentle Fuse are available online, and I’ll be purchasing them from now on.

Get Gently Fuse here: https://www.equilter.com/search?p_filter_keyword=Gentle+fuse&p_search_type=all&p_func=live

Another idea for hanging : metal furring strip from Home Depot attached to wall with Command strips - then either magnets in sleeves or as shown magnets on furring strip then metal pole in sleeve.

https://nancysnotions.com/add-hand-embroidery-to-clothes-and-shoes-its-easy/

How to Have More Meaning Conversations About Quilts

By Frances O’Roark Dowell

https://www.quiltingdaily.com/talking-about-quilts-how-to-have-more-meaningful-conversations-about-quilts/

Quilting Arts (Where We Work):

https://www.quiltingdaily.com/where-we-work-quilting-arts-podcast

New Haptic & Hue podcast link:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/haptic-hue/id1530400722?i=1000682370590

Podcast with local flair:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-long-thread-podcast/id1508572777?i=1000663499933

Her upcoming book is: Marking Your Time by Tommye McClure Scanlin

Marking Time with Fabric and Thread: Calendars, Diaries, and Journals within Your Fiber Craft https://a.co/d/71Q7u8N

Podcast on Tales of Textiles:

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/haptic-hue/id1530400722

Need the password for member section for the guild (www.mlqg.org) website? Contact Kathy Wasden (kathy99@wasden.net).

Silke uses Superior thread 100 weight (micro quilter)-blends in well.

Kathy I. uses 100 weight silk thread by Yli (order from Amazon or another vendor online).

https://www.janedunnewold.com/resources/critiques

One is a checklist that can be used as a guideline when looking at a quilt - this is published on her website as part of her creative strength training class.

The second is a detailed essay she wrote concerning the process.

I hope that these documents will help the Bee Artful group conduct critique sessions that are productive.

April retreat is done but I still haven't unpacked! I am sure I am the only one, right? There is so much going on as illustrated in the photos and articles in this month's newsletter. I am very excited for the Piedmont show as we cannot expect to "pay it forward" in order to grow our craft for the future if we do not share the beautiful work done by this group. Thanks to all who might have stepped outside their comfort zone to submit entries. We have trapunto next month and then photo images to make into art for the June meeting. Please do not forget to send the photo you want to use to myself (see email below) or to Kathy Ingmundson (ingmundson@hotmail.com) in advance of the May meeting so we can share a printed copy of your posterized photo.

I am happy to convey all of these wonderful "goings on" via this newsletter. Try to get things to me in advance of the end of the month via email (mandmoliver@gmail.com) or text. If you put the word "newsletter" somewhere in the message line I will be able to find it easier (if using email). See you soon.

Melinda