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Guild News
Nominees for 2021 board election
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In conjunction with the Belknap Mill, our Guild is teaching a series of beginner quilting classes. Michelle Plourde is a wonderful instructor! The classes began in February and will meet for a total of 6 sessions – one each Saturday for six weeks. Each of the classes (children from 9am to 11am; adults from 11:30am to 1:30pm) was limited to a maximum of 12 students to ensure we were in compliance with all COVID-19 safety precautions, to include social distancing. Both classes filled up quickly, and both have a waiting list for “next time!”
Michelle is assisted by 12 Guild members who are serving as mentors. We have one Guild member per student to cut down on the need for an instructor moving from student to student during the class. This one-on-one mentoring is a really positive side effect to the COVID protocols. Regardless of the individual student's skill level, the mentor can meet them where they are, and move them along at whatever speed works best. Both the children and adults are learning basic sewing and quilting techniques, and will complete a lap quilt or table-topper. Ask any of the mentors, and I bet they will tell you it’s been AMAZING! FUN! HEARTWARMING! (and okay, maybe even…exhausting!) Hats off to all the teachers of the world who do this all day long, all week long! These beginner quilting classes are made possible, in part, by funding from the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. And they are made possible in no small part by YOU – the members of the Belknap Mill Quilters Guild! THANK YOU for your Quilting Angel donations, for the loan of a sewing machine, for fabric, prep work, volunteering to help in all the ways you do! I know you’re looking forward to the SHOW and TELL portion of these classes – and believe me, these students will not disappoint! It is our intention to display the completed quilts from the beginning quilt classes as the SPECIAL EXHIBIT of our 2021 Harvest of Quilts Show!! Stay tuned! Supported in part by a grant from the
New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts. |
A bunch of busy quilters!
Dawn helps Aubrey align quilt blocks
Denise and Lori examine a seam
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Belknap Mill Welcomes BMQG
January 2021
Belknap Mill in Laconia, NH
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Our Guild is now an “Industrial Educator” for the Belknap Mill. This means that we have formed a partnership with the Mill, and will hold all of our meetings, Sit & Sews, and in-person classes at the Mill. They have refurbished the third floor, and it is beautiful. There is an elevator, a kitchenette, hardwood floors, a countless number of electrical outlets, plenty of lighting, a built-in sound system, and lots of furniture. We will continue to work with the Mill to offer great programming for the Lakes Region. It is a distinct pleasure to be “going home,” back to the location of our very first meetings in 1978. We look forward to a great partnership.
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