NQA Membership

NQA Chapter Newsletters: Archive

AT A GLANCE

* What's the Buzz...?

* From the President

* New Copyright
Questions

* Little Quilt Auction

* From the Member
Services Chair

* National Quilting
Day

* Dates and Deadlines

* From the Chapter
Services Chair

* See Our Quilt Shows

What's "the Buzz..."?

April showers bring May flowers and this month also seems to be the official start of quilt show season in many places. We are certainly gearing up for the annual NQA Show in Columbus and we hope you are too. See below for opportunities to participate in all sorts of ways!

Remember to visit us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/pages/NQA-National-Quilting-Association/112254952228007

Kathy Lichtendahl, Communications Chairperson

communications@nqaquilts.org

From the President - Judy Taylor

Hello NQA Members,

With approximately 11 weeks to go until the 43rd annual NQA Quilt Show (June 14-16) we find ourselves in need of volunteers and a volunteer coordinator. The show's volunteer coordinator is responsible for securing the volunteers we need to assist at the show. This is a paid position and would require good people skills, proficiency in MS Office and the availability to work at the show from June 12 - June 16. If you would like to get involved in the show's management, we need your help. Contact www.showdirectors@nqaquilts.org for more information.

NQA is responsible for the safety and security of all quilts from intake to quilt return. Accordingly, we need approximately 250-300 volunteers over the course of the week. If you plan on attending the show and could spare 2 1/2 hours to work just 1 shift, it would help us make sure the quilts are secure and our attendees have an enjoyable experience.

So, what do the volunteers do?

Hanging - Hanging occurs on Tuesday afternoon (June 12) and continues until all quilts are hung. It requires volunteers to have the ability to bend and/or go up and down a small stepladder.

White Glovers - White glovers will wear an apron to identify them as part of the show's staff and, of course, white gloves. Their job is to keep attendees from touching the quilts, bringing food or drinks on the show floor or in proximity to the quilts and also to lift up one corner of the quilt so the attendees can see the quilt back. The position requires the ability to stand and to walk the designated aisle.

Sack Sitting - Sack sitters man a designated area where attendees can drop off their purchases and retrieve them later. This is the perfect position for those volunteers who need to sit.

Take Down - Once the show closes volunteers are needed to assist in "dropping" the quilts. This entails removing the quilts from their poles, folding them and moving them into a designated area. This position may require volunteers to have the abilty to bend and/or go up and down a small stepladder and/or fold quilts.

So, why volunteer? Here's our ten reasons - by volunteering you get:

A free pass to visit the show.
A really cool volunteer pin and a special gift provided by our wonderful vendors.
The opportunity to register for classes ahead of the general public for working two shifts.
To touch the quilts!
To hear what people have to say about the quilts.
To connect with other volunteers and NQA members.
To spend some quality time with your friends or make new friends.
To have some fun!
To try something new.
To give back and help support NQA and its programs.

Volunteer registration forms are available in the show registration program or on-line at www.nqaquilts/2012show .

We hope you will give just a little bit of your time and help us make this show as successful as it can be.

We have a really great roster of free lectures at the show this year. They will be posted on the NQA website starting Wednesday, April 4. The lectures will be in a designated area just outside of the exhibit hall. Come and learn something about a new technique, quilt history, how to improve your quilting, quilt evaluation, and much, much more.

Lastly, we are very excited about this year's Little Quilt Auction Gala! With a theme of "Putting on the Ritz", the evening will include live music, a seated dinner and the always exciting live auction. If you are looking for a chance to pull out your old prom dress, mother-of-the-bride gown or dust off your tiara, this is your chance. On the other hand, casual attire is perfectly acceptable as well. It is all about celebrating the 25th anniversary of the NQA Grant Program. We hope you will join us for this fun filled evening.

Happy quilting,

Judy Taylor, President

New Copyright Questions - by Barbara Polston, Editor, The Quilting Quarterly

Running through the quilting industry like wildfire is a new issue regarding copyright. In a nutshell, a quilt pattern designer used a fabric line to make a quilt. That quilt was photographed, used in her pattern book, and the publisher used images of that quilt on tote bags. The fabric designer claimed copyright infringement for the use of her fabrics in these ways without permission. At issue is the fact that the design was licensed to the fabric manufacturer, which has different restrictions than designs which are owned by the fabric manufacturer. The disagreement has settled, but the effects are vibrating through the industry.

The questions being debated are who actually owns the copyright to an original quilt design. Is it the person who designs the quilt? Does the person designing the fabric used own part of that copyright? What does this mean for the quiltmaker who buys fabric at her local quilt shop, believing that she is free to do whatever her creative muse suggests she do with her treasures?

If you make your quilts for personal use, charitable donations, or gifts for family and friends, this issue probably doesn’t affect you. However, if you make your quilts to show, to publish, or to sell, be aware! One of the tests of copyright infringement is whether or not the person making the product from a pattern or licensed fabric line is making a profit from using someone else’s pattern or fabric. Another test is if they have the permission of the copyright holder, obtained prior to showing, publishing, or selling.

How do you protect yourself and honor others’ copyrights? When buying fabric, check the information printed on the selvage. If it’s a licensed design and there are copyright restrictions, it will be printed there. Be especially careful if you’re constructing your quilt all from fabrics in the same collection. You may want to make a different fabric choice, consider mixing in fabrics from other manufacturers or lines, or seek permission for your use from the copyright holder.

For more information on copyright, see Nancy Prince’s article “Getting Copyright Right” appearing in the Winter 2010 Quilting Quarterly.

Call to Action! - by Cindy Casciato, NQA Outreach/Grant Chair

This year marks our 25th annual Little Quilt Auction and we are going to be celebrating in a big way. We hope you will join us at the Hyatt for dinner and music before the excitement of the auction begins. Don’t forget to purchase your dinner tickets for this wonderful exciting event. If you want to really get in the action it’s not too late to donate a little quilt. The deadline is Saturday May 26th. This gives our committee time to get everyone’s name in our auction brochure.

We would like to extend a warm invitation to our NQA membership to donate a small quilt no larger than 28” on any one side and send it to the following address: Ruth Pennell, 4380 Allen Drive Columbus Ohio 43213 by May 26th. Your quilt must also have a LQA form attached. Please visit the website at www.nqaquilts.org to find the form under Programs/Grants.

Your generous Little Quilt contribution is going towards a wonderful and amazing grant program that continues the outreach and education of quilting in our communities. So get busy now little bees and show off those artistic talents. We can’t wait to put your creativity in the spotlight. If you have any questions about this year’s Little Quilt Auction don’t hesitate to contact me at cindyquilts@neo.rr.com .

From the Members Services Chair - Lois Arnold

It is already spring and there is so much to do, but don’t forget to stop and smell the roses – or see the quilts! Our Member Spotlight is on Jo Fifield, a.k.a. JoQuilter this month. Jo lives in a picturesque storefront overlooking the Mississippi River and makes wonderful quilts! No wonder she’s inspired and she will inspire you too with her enthusiasm. Be sure to take time to go to http://www.nqaquilts.org/ and immerse yourself in the beauty she has created!

While you are there, be sure to use your membership discounts to sign up for the 43rd Annual Quilt Show!

Lois Arnold

Membership Services

National Quilting Day - by Martha Ethridge, National Quilting Day Coordinator

National Quilting Day was on Saturday, March 17, 2012. Many celebrated with quilting activities. We heard of some shops offering special sales and events geared toward this day for quilters to enjoy. Pictures of some of the quilts made by members of Shenandoah Valley Guild using NQA’s pattern Pointing the Way have been posted on the NQA website. Several online shops and quilting websites offered links to the NQA website and the free pattern. We are still hoping to hear from more quilters about how they celebrated the day. My guild, Piece and Plenty in Rolla, MO, presented a quilt to a baby born on that day. So, please send news and pictures of how you and/or your guild spent the day. Happy quilting!

Dates and Deadlines for Upcoming NQA Quilt Show – From Linda Miller, Vice-President

I am a pro at procrastination but deadlines really get me moving! If you are like me, you need to check these dates out – NOW! Don’t get left out of the fun at our party in June; join us for a great time!

Whether you are traveling to the show in Columbus or not this year, we invite you to enter your quilt in the 43rd Annual NQA Quilt Show by taking a picture of the quilt, filling out the Quilt Entry Form (available on-line or in the Special 2011 Project Issue of the QQ), writing a small check and sending them all off to Iowa for processing. Remember, we take the first 400 entries so don’t wait too long. I would advise putting that on the calendar by April 10th, that way you’ll get it done. Deadline is April 30th.

We also invite you to take a look at the classes we are offering this year. Think about what has sparked your quilting interests lately, and we have it. Classes are filling up fast, so look at those right away and get them down on paper. And don’t forget the Preview Party, the Thursday Night Gathering, and especially the Silver Anniversary Dinner to Celebrate the Little Quilt Auction on Friday Night. It has been a long year since we all got together, and you need some inspiration and time with friends, so make a plan to join in the fun.

Any spare time in that schedule? How about volunteering your time at the show, and joining the fun from the inside? Be a Helping Hand Volunteer and meet some new best friends in the process. Forms are available on-line to sign-up or send us an email at Volunteers12@nqaquilts.org.

Don’t forget a place to stay while you are in Columbus, too. Hotels with special room rates need to be booked before May 10th. Need some help in getting around? Call for a Scooter rental to insure you have the energy to go all day and evenings too. Oh, and don’t forget to pull that older quilt out for an appraisal. Make an appointment for while you are in town and really feel productive. It just takes a bit of planning. There is information about all of this and more on-line on page 21of the 43rd Annual NQA Quilt Show brochure.

So much to do and so little time! I can’t wait to see you at the show!

From Chapter Services Chair - Sue Castelli

WEBSITE UPDATES:

The Palmetto Quilt Guild from Hilton Head Island, SC is featured during the month of April on the Chapter Showcase. And, make a point to view the NQA Homepage in April to see the Raffle Quilt made by members of the Faithful Circle Quilters of Columbia, Maryland—this quilt was the winner of the Maryland State Fair and it’s a beauty! Come on over! www.nqaquilts.org

SOQS – SEE OUR QUILT SHOWS – 11 Shows in the next 60 days!!

March 31-April 1, 2012 – Venice Area Quilters Guild, Venice, FL

www.VAQG.org

April 13-14, 2012 – El Camino Quilters, Vista, CA

www.elcaminoquilters.com

April 20-21, 2012 – Gulf States Quilting Association, Kiln, MS

www.gulfstatesquilting.org/QuiltShow.html

April 20-21, 2012 – Foothills Piecemakers Quilting Guild, Greenville, SC

www.foothillsquilts.com

April 20-22, 2012 – Bay Heritage Quilters Guild, Bay City, MI

Email: memajchrzak@charter.net

April 21-22, 2012 – Cimarron Valley Quilter’s Guild, Stillwater, OK