Author: Michael Sengstack

Savannah Squares

A Piece of Savannah Through Your Eyes

Inspired by the cherished tradition of the Baltimore Album quilts from my home state of Maryland—which brought together deeply personal symbols and imagery into expressive, story-filled blocks—this year’s President’s Challenge invites you to create your own Savannah Square.

Your challenge: design and complete a 16″ x 16″ quilt that reflects what Savannah means to you. It could be inspired by your favorite square, a blooming tree in your neighborhood, marsh birds on a morning walk, a bit of historic ironwork, or simply the way the sunlight hits your porch. This is your opportunity to share a personal connection to Savannah—through color, texture, shape, and stitch.

Whether you work in appliqué, piecing, embroidery, or mixed media techniques, all approaches are welcome. This is a space for creativity, not convention—so let your materials and methods speak as freely as your inspiration.

Guidelines:

• Create one finished 16” x 16” square quilt sandwich
• It should be an original design, inspired by something personal and Savannah-based
• Any technique—or combination of techniques—is welcome
• Be ready to share a brief reflection at the November meeting: what inspired your square, what you challenged yourself to try, or what you learned

All completed “Savannah Squares” will be shared at the November meeting where you can tell your story and a give glimpse of Savannah through a quilter’s eye.

We can’t wait to see your piece of the story.

Michael

Meeting Reminder – Tomorrow, July 13

We’ve got a full “summer boardwalk & beach” celebration planned, so here are a few quick notes:

• No Take-It Table this month. Every surface will be in action for games, food, and beach-themed fun, so please save your giveaway items for the August meeting.

• Bring your Six 2½” strips for our Left–Right–Center game. The more strips in the pot, the more fun!

• Don’t forget the pot-luck dish you signed up to provide—the picnic spread depends on it.

Cheryl Dingledine and her team have packed the agenda with plenty of seaside-inspired activities. Come ready to relax, laugh, and swap a few strips with friends. And, don’t forget to come dressed for the party!

See you tomorrow! It’s “shore” to be fun

Michael

Dear Members,

A downtown neighbor was cleaning out her sewing room and decided to part with this table.  It is available to anyone who would be interested and I can deliver in a reasonable area.  It’s a nice double drop leaf table.  With both leaves extended on the gate legs it is 72″ long by about 30″ wide.  Folds down to 15″ x 30″. One drawer for your supplies functions with leaves down or up. Looks like she had a piece of tape or measuring tape attached that has faded.  First come first served.  Email me at mgsengstack@msn.com and it is yours.

Michael

Hello Members,

Just a quick reminder that our regular meeting is tomorrow at 10:00 AM, and we’ll be back at Southside Baptist Church. There’s a lot happening at check-in, so here’s what to expect:

Retreat 2026 Registration
Bring your completed registration forms and deposits to reserve your spot! Forms and full details are in the newsletter. Be sure to fill out the entire form, including any mobility needs, so we can assign rooms accordingly. A registration drop-off area will be set up near the check-in table.

Food Pantry Donations
We’re collecting items for the IAm Food Pantry at the Church of the Epiphany. Requested items include canned meats, vegetables, fruit, rice, pasta, grits, boxed mashed potatoes, peanut butter, jelly, and shelf-stable milk.
Don’t forget—your donation earns you an extra entry in the Thank You for Coming Raffle!

Class Sign-Up
Cindy Ochoa will be accepting registrations for our August 8th class with Vicki McCarty of Calico Patch Designs. The class fee is $70, plus a small kit fee.

With so many great things happening, we kindly ask everyone to bring a little extra patience to check-in. Our volunteers will be working hard to keep things moving smoothly, and your cooperation is always appreciated.

See you tomorrow!

Michael

Dear Savannah Quilt Guild Members,

After reviewing Robert’s Rules of Order and discussing member feedback, the Board has determined that the proposed amendment to our membership bylaws—originally scheduled for a vote at the April 12th meeting—did not follow the correct procedural process and will therefore be removed from the agenda.

The original proposal to establish a minimum membership age of 16 was brought directly to the Board. In an effort to ensure members had the opportunity to voice their opinions, I moved the process forward for a vote. However, it was not properly introduced to the membership as a formal motion, seconded, and then opened for discussion and debate as outlined in Robert’s Rules.

This was an oversight on my part, and I appreciate those who brought it to our attention. After reviewing the process together, the Board has agreed that the vote should be removed from consideration at this time.

Moving forward, if a member wishes to bring this issue—or any bylaw amendment—to the Guild, it must be presented as a formal motion at a meeting, seconded, and then opened for discussion before it is brought to a vote.

Additionally, it has come to my attention that my email address was listed incorrectly in the membership directory. If you attempted to reach me and did not receive a response, I likely did not see your message. Please feel free to reach out to me directly at mgsengstack@msn.com with any questions or comments.

Thank you for your understanding, your commitment to proper process, and your continued support of the Guild.

Binding Us Together,
Michael Sengstack

At our next guild meeting on Saturday, April 12th, we will hold a vote on a proposed amendment to our bylaws regarding membership eligibility. The proposal is to set a minimum membership age of 16 years old. Currently, membership is open to individuals of any age.

This amendment was brought to the board for consideration, and we believe it is important for the full membership to have a say. We encourage all members to attend and cast their vote.

Current Bylaws Language:

“Membership is open to anyone interested in promoting the art and craft of quilting. Members 80+ years old are considered honorary members with free membership. Annual dues are payable in January and any Executive Committee recommended changes to the dues amount are subject to membership approval.”

Proposed Revision:

“Membership is open to anyone 16 years of age or older who is interested in promoting the art and craft of quilting. Members 80+ years old are considered honorary members with free membership. Annual dues are payable in January, and any Executive Committee recommended changes to the dues amount are subject to membership approval.”

How the Vote Will Work:

• If you are present at the April 12th meeting, you will vote via ballot at check in.

• If you cannot attend the meeting, you may submit a proxy vote using the link below. Proxy voting is only for those who will not be at the meeting in person.

• Each member may vote only once.

Link: https://forms.gle/jdeYqfgT2LNapgsR8

We look forward to seeing everyone at the meeting and appreciate your participation in this important decision for our guild!

Michael Sengstack