Challenge Quilt

Challenge Quilt for the 2023/2024 Guild Season

Make something inspired by a library book!

The Common Thread Quilt Guild has an amazing library with a large assortment of books, magazines and even rulers and templates for your quilting enjoyment. Our collection includes something for everyone, whether you prefer modern and contemporary styles, traditional piecing or appliqué. This year’s guild challenge encourages you to check out the library – quite literally.

Entries must be made using a pattern, ruler or template that you’ve signed out from the library this guild year (as of June 2023). There are two categories for your entry – small and large – but we’ll let you decide which category you want to enter.

Finished entries must be submitted no later than the April guild meeting, and cash prizes totaling $300 will be awarded to four winners (two from each category).

Will you tackle a large bed quilt, try your hand at dimensional techniques in a small art quilt or make a wearable like a quilted jacket? Whatever your style, skill or interest, our library has what you need to make a winning entry in this year’s challenge. Check it out. Questions can be sent to: ctqg.challenge@gmail.com .

Diane Grover

Previous Challenges ________

Challenge Quilt for the 2022/2023 Guild Season

“A Sign of the Times”

This year, participants are invited to represent their birth month and birth year in a quilted item, incorporating characteristics associated with both their astrological and Chinese zodiac signs. Entries should be a quilted wall-hanging of no more than 96” total circumference or else a quilted functional item of any size, such as a bag, piece of clothing, postcard, etc.

Charts with information about your birth month and year are provided, however you can always do some research to learn more about your signs. How will you depict your birthdate? As an Aries and a rooster, I might use a red and yellow colour palette, which also reflects my passionate nature. And with the lucky number 8, I could include an 8-pointed star. A patient Taurus may choose to do some intricate handwork, whereas a resourceful rat might want to use repurposed fabrics. However you decide to interpret your signs, you must include at least one aspect of both your birth month and year. You will not be required to reveal your actual birthdate however! Challenge entries are due at the April meeting.

MONTH OF BIRTH

DATE	SIGN	ELEMENT	COLOURS	LUCKY NUMBERS	FLOWER	TRAITS
January 20 – February 18	Aquarius	Air	light-blue, silver	4, 7, 11, 22, 29	orchid	progressive, original, independent, humanitarian
February 19 – March 20	Pisces	Water	mauve, lilac, purple, violet, sea green	3, 9, 12, 15, 18, 24	water lily	compassionate, artistic, intuitive, musical
March 21 – April 19	Aries	Fire	red	1, 8, 17	thistle, honeysuckle	confident, enthusiastic, optimistic, passionate
April 20 – May 20	Taurus	Earth	green, pink	2, 6, 9, 12, 24	rose, poppy, foxglove	patient, practical, stable
May 21 – June 20	Gemini	Air	light-green, yellow	5, 7, 14, 23	lavender, lily of the valley	gentle, curious, ability to learn quickly and exchange ideas
June 21 – July 22	Cancer	Water	white	2, 3, 15, 20	orchid, white rose	tenacious, highly imaginative, emotional
July 23 – August 22	Leo	Fire	gold, yellow, orange	1, 3, 10, 19	sunflower, marigold	creative, passionate, cheerful, humorous
August 23 – September 22	Virgo	Earth	grey, beige, pale-yellow	5, 14, 15, 23, 32	sunflower, marigold	analytical, hardworking, practical
September 23 – October 22	Libra	Air	pink, green	4, 6, 13, 15, 24	rose	cooperative, fair-minded, social
October 23 – November 21	Scorpio	Water	scarlet, red, rust	8, 11, 18, 22	hibiscus, geranium	resourceful, powerful, brave, passionate
November 22 – December 21	Sagittarius	Fire	blue	3, 7, 9, 12, 21	carnation, crocus	generous, idealistic, humorous
December 22 – January 19	Capricorn	Earth	brown, black	4, 8, 13, 22	pansy	disciplined, likes quality, traditional

YEAR OF BIRTH

YEAR	SIGN	COLOURS	LUCKY NUMBERS	FLOWER	TRAITS
1936, 1948, 1960, 1972, 1984, 1996	Rat	blue, gold, green	2, 3	lily, African violet	resourceful, versatile, kind
1937, 1949, 1961, 1973, 1985, 1997	Ox	white, yellow, green	1, 4	tulip, peach blossom	diligent, strong, determined
1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998	Tiger	blue, grey, orange	1, 3, 4	yellow lily, cineraria	brave, confident, competitive
1939, 1951, 1963, 1975, 1987, 1999	Rabbit	red, pink, purple, blue	3, 4, 6	plantain lily, jasmine	quiet, elegant, kind
1940, 1952, 1964, 1976, 1988, 2000	Dragon	gold, silver, grayish-white	1, 6, 7	bleeding-heart, dragon flowers	confident, intelligent, enthusiastic
1941, 1953, 1965, 1977, 1989, 2001	Snake	black, red, yellow	2, 8, 9	orchid, cactus	enigmatic, intelligent, wise
1942, 1954, 1966, 1978, 1990, 2002	Horse	yellow, green	2, 3, 7	calla lily, jasmine	animated, active, energetic
1943, 1955, 1967, 1979, 1991, 2003	Goat	brown, red, purple	2, 7	carnations, primroses	calm, gentle, sympathetic
1944, 1956, 1968, 1980, 1992, 2004	Monkey	white, blue, gold	4, 9	chrysanthemum, myrtle	sharp, smart, curious
1945, 1957, 1969, 1981, 1993, 2005	Rooster	gold, brown, yellow	5, 7, 8	gladiola, cockscomb	observant, hardworking, courageous
1934, 1946, 1958, 1970, 1982, 1994	Dog	red, green, purple	3, 4, 9	rose, cymbidium orchid	lovely, honest, prudent
1935, 1947, 1959, 1971, 1983, 1995	Pig	yellow, grey, brown, gold	2, 5, 8	hydrangea, daisy	compassionate, generous

Challenge Quilt for the 2021/2022 Guild Season

GLOBETROTTER

“Good day ladies and gentlemen, this is your captain speaking. We are about to take off on a special flight to places unknown. Fasten your seatbelts and prepare for take-off.”

This year’s guild quilt challenge has indeed taken off with many travellers already signing up for their quilting adventure. The Globetrotter Challenge requires you to create a quilted wall-hanging or quilted travel accessory using only the colours of your assigned national flag and incorporating the theme of travel. The travel theme can be interpreted very broadly, including:

Blocks with travel-related names (Missouri Star, Trip Around the World, Crossed Canoes)
Images, symbols or designs related to your country
Design that evokes your country

You may use as many fabrics as you’d like, as long as they read as one of the colours of your flag. You may also use up to two neutrals to expand your palette. All travellers will be assigned a mystery destination and provided an information sheet with some details about your country to get you started. Wall-hangings must not exceed a combined perimeter of 96” but there is no minimum limit. There is no size requirement for the travel accessory, though it must be quilted. Will you make a warm jacket to bring with you, or perhaps a beautiful bag? How about a luggage tag or a set of travel accessories? The sky’s the limit.

Entries are due by the March meeting, with prizes awarded in April. To participate in the Globetrotter Challenge, send an email to: ctqg.challenge@gmail.com.

Diane Grover

Globetrotter Challenge Entries

Maria Fleming made a travel pillow case based on the Albanian flag.

Susanne Martin used a striking graphic design to depict the mountains of Bhutan.

Laura Evans represented the demographics of South Africa’s diverse population in her tote bag, and was even able to include some African fabric.

Sue Casey made both a wall-hanging and a sleep mask using the mariner’s compass design in tribute to Sweden’s maritime heritage.

Kirstin Fearon played to her strengths and used a modern design to showcase the mountains of Guatemala.

Sue Cherry made a beautiful and functional jewellery pouch using the blue and yellow of the Ukrainian flag.

Shelley Campagna chose to showcase sharks on the reef in her Australian quilt. Check out the Sydney Opera House too.

Johanna Kovacs made a postcard of Barbados featuring embroidery and applique as a reminder of travels to come.

Janice Namiesniowski also made a postcard but one reflecting the danger and instability of the Central African Republic.

Kathryn Barr made her first watercolour quilt with her depiction of the “First Light” Cedars of God Park in Lebanon.

Wendy Warren made a travel document holder that showcased the Rwandan flag.

Gwenne Pottier pieced a Peruvian llama for her bag that also features her outstanding quilting.

Ann Knechtel pieced a charming elephant in her homage to Tanzania.

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Challenge Quilt for the 2020/2021 Guild Season

Living through the Pandemic

OK friends, this challenge is for everyone. The theme is “Living through the pandemic”. I can hear some of you now… “Ug Kirstin – not something else about the pandemic??!” Well, I couldn’t ignore what we are all talking about and how it has changed our lives so significantly this past year. Our work becomes part of our living history, what will people, a 100 years from now, think about the things we make? What I am hoping this brings you is some thoughts about how our lives have changed for the positive. How we had to adjust to eating at home more frequently, dusting off a favourite recipe, finding new hobbies, cherishing long standing hobbies, supporting our local restaurants differently, virtual shop hops and spending time at home but staying connected with new ways. What did the pandemic bring to you, positive or negative?

The challenge will progress monthly and those updates will be in our newsletter and within the Facebook group, everyone will be able to participate. What’s the prize this year? Well, that is being worked out, and I think we all win with working on how to manage scraps. But as a start, and open to everyone – paid members and new friends not yet with the guild – a paid membership to the Common Thread Quilt Guild for 2021-22. Eligibility for this prize will be determined by following along with the prompts and finishing a piece (fully finished) by May.
I will reveal other prizes along the way, and they will only be open to paid members, so members stay tuned. I promise you will get at least 3 weeks’ notice of any prizes so you can catch-up if you fall behind.

Here is our plan for this 10 month scrap challenge:

October: Organize your scraps! Check pages 14-15 for these instructions November: Select your pattern/Design your own quilt?
December: Prep your fabric
January: Get sewing!
February: Keep planning, making or sewing…
March: How to quilt it?
April: How to bind it? There is more than one way!
May: Last month to catch up & Take a photo of your finish by May 30
June: Sharing with the guild and top prize winners!

For all the details (and excellent information) for the challenge, please see the monthly newsletters from October 2020 to June 2021.

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Challenge Quilt for the 2019/2020 Guild Season

A QUILTY ROAD TRIP ADVENTURE

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Welcome to this year’s challenge quilt and it will definitely be an adventure. There is still a bit of mystery also as everyone’s finished quilt will be different and unique depending upon which blocks you make and your fabric choices. I have designed this quilt using many varied techniques and processes and I hope that you go a bit outside your comfort zone and try something new. Don’t stress and have fun.

The finished size is approximately 76 – 80 inches square (depending on the size of your finished borders) and I will be giving ideas for extensions if you prefer a rectangular quilt.

Fabric requirements : approximately 6 meters of background fabric and 4 meters of other fabric (or 16 fat quarts)

Each month, you will make the required number of blocks but do not put them together. As this is a medallion, it requires each round to be assembled from the center out and there is a formula to ensure success in making everything fit (even if your blocks are not exactly perfect).

Each month, I will provide instructions for cutting the blocks and a list of websites with videos and tutorials on the technique used. I didn’t feel the need to re-write what others have so expertly done.

Of course, I will be available, either by phone (819-930-3041) or by email (ctqg.challenge@gmail.com), if you have any questions or require assistance.

Here are the the finished quilts.