Challenges - optional

Each year we sponsor several guild-wide challenges - some are free, some are low cost. These are available for sign-up at the opening meeting in September, as well as during subsequent meetings. Each one has a "reveal" date - a guild meeting where those who have participated have the opportunity to show what they have created in response to the challenge. These are intended to be a fun way to stretch your skills and/or explore new ones - if you would like. No pressure, no judges, no prizes - just sharing and fun!! Feel free to pick and choose - or just come to meetings to see what others have created in response to the challenge.

Challenges for 2025 - 2026:

It's good to get involved in guild challenges because you have a due date. It encourages us to get our homework done. Getting involved in a new technique can encourage us to try something new. Again, having a due date for that project can encourage us to address that project and get it done by that due date.

Heart Quilt Challenge - reveal at the Feb 2026 meeting

ideas to get you started:

There are quilt patterns for heart bargellos.
You can make a heart using applique or reverse applique.
There is a Storm at Sea pattern that includes a heart.
There are raw edge applique heart patterns.
Geta Grama, The Romanian Quilter has a heart pattern.
Sue Pelland teaches you how to use her Hearts and More to cut heart shapes. You can purchase pre-cut hearts.
You could stitch hearts in the quilting design itself, or use a printed fabric that includes hearts.
There are watercolor patterns.
Sliceofpi (link here) has Exploding Hearts now available in 2 sizes. You are not limited to these.
Check out Pinterest for heart quilts
There are no size restrictions for this challenge. Make something that fits your needs and interests!

Decorative Stitches Challenge - reveal at the May 2026 meeting

When we purchase a new sewing machine we are willing to pay for all those decorative stitches, but how often do we use them?
Here is your opportunity to be creative and add some of these decorative stitches to your work.
Select a quilt that you have on your bucket list and add some of these decorative stitches in the finishing touches. There are other stitches besides blanket stitch that could be used to accomplish the same task.
There are no size restrictions for this challenge.

Panel Challenge - reveal at the June 2026 meeting

At the September guild meeting I had a collection of per-printed panels that were available free of charge. I will continue to bring these panels to the monthly meetings until they are gone.
If you have a pre-printed panel at home, you may use that for this project. Complete this panel quilt to your liking and bring it in for the reveal at the June guild meeting.
No rules, no restrictions - just start with a panel and be creative!!