Quilt for Domestic Abuse Family Shelter

We have donated a 75" x 103" Rail Fence Quilt in bright primary colors to the Domestic Abuse Family Shelter to be used in their efforts to build a new and larger facility. The Hattiesburg American (http://www.hattiesburgamerican.com/) reported in an April 6, 2009, story on the goal of $500,000 for this purpose. This agency serves as a haven for abused women and their children. It is our hope that the proceeds DAFS gains from this quilt can assist in their goals to more adequately serve those in crisis. Becky Sims, Director of DAFS, stresses the need for a place for women to go when they are in an abusive relationship. She said most homicides stem from domestic violence.

(Showing backing of quilt with Charlie Brown and friends fabric)

How to Build a Log Cabin

Members were treated today to a presentation by one of our own, Donna Burges. Donna researched the log cabin block and shared what she discovered. Did you know the log cabin design has been found on cloths used to wrap mummies in Egypt? Here are some other interesting tidbits Donna shared:

• The design was first brought to the US by Swedish immigrants. Pioneer women modified the design to suit their supplies, situation and needs. The log cabin was easily hand pieced while riding in a covered wagon. The design allowed women to make use of any available scrap material. Because of this many of the early quilts had several different types and weights of fabric - for this reason the quilts were tied rather than quilted.
• Though the first documented log cabin quilt was made in 1869, during the Civil War women were asked to make quilts to raffle and raise money to support the troops, the log cabin design was commonly used for these quilts.

The traditional log cabin block has a red center square, signifying the hearth of the home. Some have a yellow center signifying the light of the home. The logs (the walls of the home) are done in lights and darks, the light logs signify sunshine, the dark logs signify shadows. There are many variations of the log cabin block - the pineapple, courthouse steps, and a chevron (made with an off center block). Members shared some of their log cabin treasures to demonstrate the various settings that are possible with this block - Barn Raising, Fields and Furrows, Sunshine and Shadows, and many more.

Thanks, Donna for a great presentation. Now get to work, ladies, on building your own log cabin quilt to enter into the next show!

Copyright Matters

Pine Belt Quilters invited Rhonda Blasingame from Jackson to speak at our March 18 meeting on Copyright. Rhonda is passionate about this topic, as illustrated by her "soapbox." Everything she makes is original and she explained the difference between copying a pattern and creating an original design. She said that although quilters have always generously shared with each other, we need to be knowledgeable about protecting the rights of others.
As this relates to quilters, she explained that photographs, quilts seen at a show, quilts pictured in a magazine are the property of the maker and cannot be used without permission. When one creates a tangible object, she holds the copyright (example: publishes a book or article, composes a musical score, writes a song, paints a picture, designs a pattern, makes a quilt, that person holds the copyright, whether or not it is officially registered with the US Copyright office).
Rhonda provided several links for more detailed information. She also fielded questions to help the group understand what constituted copyright violation.
The following is quoted directly from "Copyright Basics" http://www.copyright.gov.

"Copyright is a form of protection provided by the laws of the United States
(title 17, U. S. Code) to the authors of 'original works of authorship,' including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. This protection is available to both published and unpublished works. Section 106 of the 1976."
To paraphrase, the owner has these rights:
• To reproduce the work;
• To prepare derivative works based upon the work;
• To sell or lease the work;
• To perform the work publicly;
• To display the work publicly.

It's All In The BAG

Linda Basden, Jo-Ann Evans, Florence Peyrefitte, Nancy Knight, Diann Loper, Leslie Kiger, Gloria Green, Marilyn Tucker

Pine Belt Quilters were treated to a scrumptious trunk show of quilted BAGs - just about any type of bag you can think of was displayed to the delight of members. There were organizer bags, weekend bags, bags large enough to transport quilts, evening bags, baby bags and of course the old fashioned (purse) bag! Here are some tips I picked up from the program today, given by Florence Peyrefitte:

• When making quilted bags think border fabrics, they make a very handsome bag!
• A pocket or center portion of the bag is a great place for some of those UFO blocks you have lying around your sewing room.
• For a rigid bottom you can use Deco-Bond, Timtex (both found near interfacing at your sewing supply store), foam core board, stiff cardboard covered with fabric (sort of like a pillow case) that can be removed for laundering, or even plastic canvas (the kind used for cross stitch embroidery.)

At the workshop next week, headed by Diann Loper, participants will fashion their own quilted bags. Can't wait till next month's show and tell! If you are attending the workshop -- before the workshop you need to quilt at least 1/2 yard of fabric using VERY THIN batting. Bring your quilted piece, machine and sewing supplies to the class. A walking foot or even feed foot may also be helpful.

PBQ is already hard at work on the 2010 Quilt Show, the theme is log cabins. Leslie Kiger and Ellen Hall will co-chair the show. Rhoda Libiez has agreed to chair the committee to make the donation or opportunity quilt. Jo-Ann Evans has already come up with ribbons and nametags, and members were asked to pick up patterns and make some. We are off and running....after all, the show is only 20 months away!

Quilters Learn About Tiny Babies

Pine Belt Quilters first program of 2009 featured Terri Daniels of Forrest General Hospital and University of Southern Mississippi with information about the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at Forrest General and how this special facility cares for premature babies struggling to survive. Terri is showing two diapers to illustrate the difference in the size of the NICU babies and a full-term baby. Pine Belt Quilters is starting a project to make isolet covers for the hospital's new unit. The inside of the covers needs to be a gray fabric to give the nurses a more true coloration of the babies' skin. The outside can be a cheerful print to give a less clinical atmosphere for the parents. Something colorful can help soften the harshness of the tubes and equipment and frightening aspects of the medical challenges facing these babies.

Leola's 100th birthday; more Children's Quilts given

Our member Leola Kriegbaum was honored with a 100th birthday celebration at our November Children's Quilts meeting. The two Chinese mothers and babies who received her quilts were present, also.

In addition to our party, Sherrie Tate and Clara Oakes delivered 35 quilts to Wesley Medical Center and Forrest General Hospital. Pictured below is the Forrest General Neonatal ICU staff graciously accepting the quilts. They asked if we could make a pattern and construct some covers for isolets in the new wing for preemies.

Children receiving quilts

Chaplain Malin lost no time in getting the quilts to the families. Look at these happy little fellers!