Author: Michael Sengstack

Ready to transform two neckties into a unique and useful zipper pouch? Join us for “Knot Just a Pouch”, a hands-on workshop where we’ll quilt, sew, and finish your very own memory pouch—just in time for holiday gift-giving (or treating yourself!).

Sign up in August or September & pick up your kit at the September meeting

• When: The workshop will be right after our October Guild meeting on Friday, October 11
• Cost: $20
• FREE Kit Includes:
  • Two coordinating men’s ties with fusible backing
  • Iron-on fleece
  • Zipper
• You Bring:
  • Your sewing machine & neutral thread (A medium grey/blue is usually a good choice here)
  • One piece of lining fabric from your stash. A fat quarter is plenty big.
  • You may also want to include additional coordinating fabrics from your stash. For this you can mix cotton with silk, or any other fabric you like.
  • A plan for how you want to piece the exterior—bring sketches, favorite block templates, or simply cut your strips in advance!

Workshop Thought Starters:

• Mix It Up: Front and back panels can be different—mix blocks, simple strips, or improv piecing.
• Community & Creativity: We’ll quilt, sew in the zipper, and finish the pouch in class
• Practical Pouch: Perfect for hand-work projects, chargers, quilt supplies, travel essentials, or even your phone and glasses.
• Upcycle with Purpose: Give new life to those ties you’ve been saving—and carry your memories wherever you go.

How to Reserve Your Kit:

1. Sign up with Terry Duncan at the August or September meeting.
2. Pay $20 and choose from our selection of pre-made kits (available for pickup at the September meeting)—each one features two different tie fabrics, so pick a combo that speaks to you!

Don’t miss your chance to participate and create a one-of-a-kind zipper pouch.

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Quit It or Quilt It—The Choice is Yours.

Let’s face it—we all have a project (or three) that we were once excited about but just… fizzled. If you’re ready….let go, and let someone else sew….

Welcome to Stitch It Forward: The Brown Bag UFO Rescue, where creativity gets a second chance and UFOs find new homes.

How It Works:

1. Pick up one of our Guild supplied brown paper bags labeled with the challenge name at the August meeting.

1. Fill it with a UFO you’re ready to “quit”— include any related fabric, patterns, pieces, or helpful notes (all must fit inside the bag).
2. Include a note telling the story: What was it meant to be? Why did you stop? Feel free to sign your note- but keep the outside of the bag blank so it stays anonymous.
3. Return the bag at the September meeting. You must be willing to give up the project entirely.  Whoever “Quilts It” will be the new owner and it’s final destination is entirely up to them.
4. Adopt a Bag: At the September meeting, members can drop off their surrendered UFO, at the Brown Bag Rescue Table. The bags will then be adopted in two ways:
   • Swap It: Bring a bag, take a bag – If you leave a bag you can take a bag. It’s an even swap and FREE
   • Buy It: No bag to swap? Chip in $10 to our community outreach fund and pick up a mystery project.

6. We’ll track who picks up a bag so we can celebrate the finished projects at the Big Reveal

The Big Reveal, January 10^th, 2026

At our Show & Tell, each “rescuer” will present their finished piece, describing the challenges they faced and how they solved them in the design and execution. If the original maker recognizes their former UFO, they’re invited to stand and take a bow—then sit back down, because the new quilter now decides its fate. Hey, they Quilted It, it’s only fair.

Are you ready to Quit It and make space?
Or are you ready to Quilt It and bring something new to life?

Either way, Stitch It Forward—because one quilter’s UFO might just be another’s creative spark.

Let’s have some fun give these ideas life.

Michael

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All,

Wanted to send a reminder that we have our Summer New Members Zoom call scheduled for tomorrow morning at 9:30AM. This is an occasion to welcome new members and share some Guild resources.  We also invite existing members to join to meet everyone and build our quilting community. You can click the link below to join.  Bring your coffee and a project you are working on if you like and spend some time with your fellow quilters.

Looking forward to saying hello.

Michael

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/81904521175?pwd=VGnBeai3ATR4957acYMKamN3abNUsQ.1

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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

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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

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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

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