Presenters and Workshops
2023-2024
September 11, 2023 7PM
Sarah Nishiura
"Looking Back and Looking Forward"
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This lecture tells the story of my quilts: why I make them, how I make them, and what inspires them. This talk will include a trunk show.
Sarah Nishiura grew up in Detroit and now lives in Chicago, where she uses traditional techniques to craft one-of-a-kind quilts from her own designs. Sarah learned to sew from her mother and learned to love geometry from her father. From her grandparents, who were great builders, painters, stitchers, weavers and gardeners, she learned that making things is one of the greatest imperatives, privileges and pleasures in life.
Sarah's quilts are all pieced from 100% cotton recycled and vintage materials, backed with new yardage, and then hand quilted. It can take up to 4 months to complete a quilt, but the result is strong, durable, and suitable for warmth or display.
To learn more about Sarah's education and experiences, see her website at sarahnishiura.com
Also a great link to more information about Sarah can be found at: https://okanarts.com/blogs/blog/sarah-nishiura)
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September 12, 2023 9AM to 4PM
Sarah Nishiura Workshop
"Unique Strip Piecing"
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Strip piecing is a wonderful technique for producing perfect checkerboard patterns, zigzags and diamonds, but it can also be used when creating exciting improv designs. In this workshop, we will examine
strip pieced designs developed by the Seminole Indians in the early twentieth
century, and other traditional patterns that utilize strip piecing, and then we will shift focus to experiment with the improv
potential of the technique. Participants will create a range of unique pieced designs
samples that they can choose to incorporate into larger quilt projects or
keep as standalone works of art.
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October 9, 2023 7PM
OCQG Small Group "One Block Wonders"
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One Square Short Small Group (Diedre Fleener, Dawn McKenzie, Jackie Morrical, Mary Ott, Sally Strah, Theresa Weihe)
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Our small group will provide a trunk show and a high level overview of the One Block Wonder process, including the use of panels to create quilts. There will be a reference/tip sheet available and completed quilts for viewing/inspiration. Bring any questions you have for utilizing this technique!
November 13, 2023 7PM
Heather Thormodson
"Cherrywood History"
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Hello! My name is Heather and I am an Ambassador for Cherrywood Hand Dyed Fabrics in Minnesota. I LOVE Cherrywood!!! I have been working with Cherrywood for 7+ years; traveling to quilt shows with the company, hosting its traveling Cherrywood Challenge art quilt exhibit, creating samples and am now starting to write my own designs. I am also the owner of the North Star Retreat Center in Ashby, MN where the Cherrywood Retreats are held! My love for Cherrywood is infectious and I can’t wait to share stories, a great collection of my quilts and more with your group. I have traveled all over the country selling Cherrywood at quilt shows, and have given many guild presentations and classes throughout the upper Midwest.
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The company looks very different than it did 30 years ago when founder Dawn Hall started dyeing in her kitchen. Hear how the current owner, Karla Overland, has evolved Cherrywood while showing many examples of how we use gradated color in quilts and garments. Hear and see unique stories of dyeing, quilting, and traveling.
January 8, 2024
7PM ZOOM
Patricia Belyea, Okan Arts
"The Alluring World of Japanese Yukata Quilts"
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April 8, 2024 7PM
Codi Josephson, HomeEc
"Title TBD"
November 14, 2023 9AM to 4PM
Heather Thormodson Workshop
"Infinity"
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February 12, 2024
OCQG Service Day
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The Guild’s annual Service Day provides a way for members to work together on projects to contribute to our community service agency partners including: UI Hospitals and Clinics, Veterans Administration Hospital, 4Cs Child Care Center, Domestic Violence Intervention Program, Visiting Nurses Association, Shelter House, and Houses into Homes.
Members enjoy meeting other members, sharing projects, and exchanging information throughout the day.
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April 9, 2024 9AM to 4PM
Codi Josephson, HomeEc Workshop
"Title TBD"
December 11, 2023 7PM
Holiday Show and Tell Social
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March 11, 2024 7PM
OCQG Auction
Wears Auctioneering House--Brent Wears
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May 13, 2024
7PM ZOOM
Maday Delgado
"The Chaos of Perfection"
June 10, 2024
OCQG Elections and Guild Potluck
July 8, 2024
OCQG Challenge