QGOA Community includes Groups that get together to share their love of quilting and Community Outreach organizations that members support by donating time, money, or crafted items to further their causes.
Stitch Groups
Quilters’ Guild of Arlington has many active stitch groups that meet at a variety of locations. These groups are designed for quilters of all skill levels, from beginner to advanced, to get together and work on their quilt projects and share in their quilting experiences and have a good time. All of the stitch groups gladly welcome new members. Please contact support@qgoa.org or the individual stitch group representative, shown below, in person at our next meeting to get more detailed information.
| Friendship Stitchers Meets at First Christian Church 1st & 3rd Thursdays 10 am Contact: Helga Smith |
Etcetera Art Quilt Group Meets @ Sew Fabricated 1st Thursday of the Month 7 pm to 8:30 pm Contact: Denny Cornett |
| The Piecemakers Meets @ Bob Duncan Community Center 2nd & 4th Thursdays 6 pm to 10 pm Contact: Nancy Shortino |
Sew-N-Sews Meets @ Trinity United Methodist Church 1200 W Green Oaks Room A208 1st Monday of the month unless it is a Holiday 10 am to 3 pm Bring your lunch and $3 per person per meeting as a donation to the church Contact: Randa Dillon or Carolyn Bowden |
| Jane & Friends (formerly Dear Jane Club) Meets @ Quilt Among Friends 2238 Michigan Ave, Suite A 2nd Monday of the Month 10 am to 3 pm Contact: Sherry Livingston |
Sew Touching – Fidget Quilts Meets @ Sew Fabricated 2nd Friday of every month 1 pm to 5 pm Contact: Billie Brecheen |
New Groups Welcome
If you would like to set up a new stitch group associated with the Quilters’ Guild of Arlington please contact support@qgoa.org
Community Outreach
The Quilters’ Guild of Arlington encourages all members to take part in helping our community. There are a variety of different projects to choose from. Please check the list below to see if there is one or two you would like to be a part of.
Military Quilts
The Military Quilt Project encourages members to make and donate quilts to be presented to military veterans, injured service personnel, and their families in hospitals or Veterans’ Homes. We reach out to local Veteran Services and organizations to place these quilts in the hands of those who have served and sacrificed for our country. Quilts may also be presented through the National Quilts of Valor program. If you wish to donate a quilt, please bring it to any guild meeting. Preferred sizes are 55 x 65 up to 72 x 90; red, white and blue or any colors are greatly appreciated.
2019 Military Quilt Judged Challenge
We are setting a goal of 22 quilts, in recognition of the 22 veterans who lose their battle to suicide each day. Quilts are due at the September General meeting and will be judged by the members at the October General Meeting. Ribbons will be awarded in each division. Divisions are:
- Quilts of Valor (see website for requirements: www.QOVF.org)
- Other Quilts
- Group Quilts
Project Linus helps provide love, a sense of security, warmth and comfort to children who are seriously ill, traumatized, or otherwise in need through the gifts of new, handmade blankets and afghans, lovingly created by volunteer “blanketeers.” The Quilters’ Guild of Arlington, Inc. (QGOA) has been actively supporting projects that support children since March, 1991, and has been responsible for supplying over 400 quilts to agencies in the Metroplex that distribute them to affected children. Click here for helpful guidelines on creating your own quilt top for donation to a child in need.
SafeHaven operates the only domestic violence shelters in Tarrant County. Women and children fleeing the horrors of domestic violence would have nowhere to go and no way to escape the cycle of abuse. Through SafeHaven, they find the safety, shelter, support and independence they need. QGOA has chosen this charity to receive cash donations from the annual raffle quilt since 1984.
In addition to the travel size toiletries accepted year-round, the particular items of need will be announced each month.
2019 Ronald McDonald Challenge
The 2019 Ronald McDonald Challenge is underway! Quilts entered in the challenge will be donated to Ronald McDonald House Fort Worth, for seriously ill children and their families. The challenge fabric was donated by Quilt Among Friends, so be sure to thank them for their sponsorship. Packets containing the challenge fabric are available at guild meetings for $5. Quilt makers who submit quilts using the challenge fabric will receive $5 Quilt Among Friends gift cards. Guild members will be voting on their favorite entries at the June guild meeting, so good luck!
Guidelines
Ronald McDonald Challenge Fabric Quilts
- Quilts must use a recognizable amount of the challenge fabric.
- Any other coordinating fabrics may be used.
Ronald McDonald Non-Challenge Fabric Quilts
- Any fabrics may be used to make a quilt to donate to the Ronald McDonald House.
For ALL Quilts:
- Finished quilts must be at least 50” on each side.
- Quilts must be washable and not have any buttons or similar items attached that could be a choking hazard.
- It is not necessary to attach a sleeve.
- Quilts are to be submitted at the May guild meeting and must be accompanied by an entry form.
- Entries will be displayed at the June guild meeting for voting by guild members.
Ronald McDonald House Fort Worth provides a “home away from home” for families with seriously ill children who travel to Fort Worth for pediatric medical care. For more information regarding RMH Ft. Worth, go to https://rmhfw.org/.
Cancer Care Services
Miniature quilts needed for the quilt show!
The guild needs miniature quilts for the quilt show in August 2019. The quilts will be auctioned off at the quilt show, with the proceeds going to the guild or to Cancer Care Services. The guild has two miniature quilt categories for the quilt show in August 2019.
The first category is the “Pink Challenge.” The challenge was started in memory of a former guild member, Nancy Martinson, who passed away from breast cancer, with the intention that the proceeds of the sale of these quilts would go to those in need of care due to cancer. The requirements for this category are as follows:
- 75% of the quilt must be made of pink fabric
- Blocks no larger than 3” finished
- Minimum of nine blocks
- Must not exceed 24” on any side
- Due at the June guild meeting (Fill out the online form for each miniature to submit with the quilt.)
The second category can be of any color combination. The requirements for this category are as follows:
- Any color of fabric can be used
- Must not exceed 24” on any side
- Due at the July guild meeting (Fill out the online form for each miniature to submit with the quilt.)
NOTE: When completing the application form, you can choose to have proceeds of the sale of your quilt submission to either QGOA or Cancer Care Services.
Linda McPherson has challenged each member of the guild to make AT LEAST ONE miniature quilt for the quilt show. If you have any questions or need any assistance, please contact Linda. She is a miniature quilt enthusiast, so she can point you in the right direction to find those miniature quilt patterns!