Orchid Workshop with Gail Bachorik

Gail Bachorik from Milton, FL, was our workshop leader yesterday in making her Viva, Orchid! art quilt. Gail designed the pattern from a photo she took. We all worked from her pattern, most using the kit fabrics she had furnished.

Participants worked on fusing and placing their fabric pieces onto a background. Her technique was different than our usual method of fusing, so many had to re-think and got off to a slow start. We did not get to the quilting stage, but Gail demonstrated her method for quilting the piece after it is assembled.

 Here is Gail's finished piece.

Photoshoot for Quilt Show Publicity

Martha Ginn, Ellen Hall, Susan Ellis, and Ella Lucas

Joanna Holbert from Our South magazine met several Pine Belt Quilters at the Meador Homestead Cabin to take pictures and write an article for an upcoming issue of the magazine. The log cabin was built in 1885 and now operates as a bed and breakfast and special events venue. Its picturesque setting is the perfect place to display our quilts. We are getting ready for our show--Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, October 5, 6, and 7, at Lake Terrace Convention Center in Hattiesburg. For more information, see the Fiber Art and Quilt Show page of our website.

Kathy Brown speaker at June meeting

Kathy Brown from Baton Rouge was our speaker at the June 20 meeting. 

Kathy is an accomplished quilter, fabric designer with Red Rooster Fabrics, and sought after teacher in the quilt industry. In conjunction with her pattern company ‘The Teacher’s Pet’, Kathy has self-published over 200 patterns and 7 booklets as well as having books published by Martingale and The House of White Birches. She has been a featured contributor in numerous magazines. Her patterns are geared toward both the experienced and beginning quilter and are designs that may look intricate but are very simple to construct (“Take 5” and “Take 5--Quilts From Just 5 Fabrics” and “Strip–Smart Quilts”).

Kathy showed her Creative Grids Ninety Degree Double Strip Ruler and  Fat Quarter Cutter Ruler, which make quick work of the many ideas and patterns contained in her books.

Our members are still faithfully sewing and stuffing pillows for Forrest General and Wesley Medical Center.  Another 50 pillows were brought in at the June meeting.

We are looking forward to our art quilt workshop next week with Gail Bachorik and to hosting the Mississippi Quilt Association educational seminar with Marilyn Doheny on July23-24 in Hattiesburg.

Of course, plans are in full swing for our October 5-6-7 14th biennial fiber art and quilt show at Lake Terrace Convention Center. See our website for registration and entry information: www.pinebeltquilters.com

Quilts Presented to Fallen Soldiers' Families

Quilts were presented to Mrs. Alicia McElroy and her son Dane in memory of her husband and Dane's father, SGT James A. McElroy, who died June of 2011. James Robinson, Survivor Services Coordinator-SOS assisted in arrangements.

Alicia McElroy and her Casualty Assistance Officer SFC Cecil Wilson

A quilt was presented to Mrs. Sylvia Ogbonna and her daughter, Ashley, in memory of her daughter and Ashley's sister, SSG Demikia Cola, who died in December 2011. George Cain, Sr Survivor Service Coordinator-SOS assisted with these arrangements.

Sylvia Ogbonna with a picture of Demikia

Following a Quilt to Afghanistan

When we placed quilts with several military families in July 2010, we didn't know where they would wind up. One of the quilts was presented to Sarah and John Odom for their daughter, Captain Rachel Odom, an Army physical therapist serving in Afghanistan. She is the only PT attached to the 3,500 men and women of the Fourth Brigade Combat Team of the 25th Infantry Division.

Rachel flies in helicopters to help with the wounded, as well as assisting them back at their base.

“These bodies get a beating,” she said as she spent the next 12 hours stretching out legs, lifting arms or standing on a box to lean over and pummel pulled back muscles. "They walk up and down mountains carrying a lot of gear, just a lot of weight, and that can result in daily aches and pains, and also injuries,” she said. “I am keeping them doing their job, living their lives with as little pain as possible.” 

A New York Times article recently described the Jones County native's days and nights in an article entitled "Patching Troops Together One Ache at a Time." WDAM TV later interviewed Rachel's parents to learn more about her. 

What a joy it is to us quilters to think we can provide some of the comforts of home to soldiers like Rachel!