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The monthly newsletter from the
East Cobb Quilters' Guild
| May 2026 ~~ Volume 33, Issue 5 | | |
With Gratitude
Each month, I watch in wonder as you give your time and talents in the most meaningful of ways. You make quilts for kids you will never meet but who will feel the warmth you’ve made just for them, you buy food for families that are struggling, you share supplies with teenagers that want to learn to sew, you sew teddies for babies no bigger than the bears themselves, you volunteer your time to help keep our guild running like clockwork, and sew much more.
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So, my message this month to each of you reading this…Thank You…for showing up, for doing the work, and for being there for the rest of us. Our guild functions and thrives as a direct result of your tremendous efforts…and for that,
I am so very grateful.
Chris
Chris Ison, President
president@ecqg.com
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Evening Group
Thursday, May 28 @ 6:45 pm - 8:45 pm
Day Guild Meeting
Friday, May 29 @ 10:00 am - 12:00 pm
The Catholic Church of St. Ann - 4905 Roswell Road, Marietta, GA
(from the main parking lot, look up and to the left for our meeting space)
Visitors Always Welcome! Visitor Fee $10
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Meet & Greet
Thursday, May 28 @ 6:45 pm
Members Always Free
Visitor Tickets, $10, Here
Lecture:
Beyond Color - The Other Elements of Design
Friday, May 29 @ 10:00 am
Members Always Free
Visitor Tickets, $10, Here
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Cassandra Beaver began sewing at three or four and holds two degrees in Theatre Design, working behind the scenes as a costume designer. As a contemporary quilter, she refuses to limit herself to any specific style, often blending modern and traditional elements.
Her precise craftsmanship has earned her recognition at major shows, and while she strives for accuracy in seams, she prefers a bit of wildness in free-motion quilting. Cassandra encourages others to be fearless with their work: "Try a new technique! Create an original design!
Visit her website, thenotsodramaticlife.com, for fantastic tutorials from this innovative quiltmaker!
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Friday Guild Meeting, Lecture:
Beyond Color – The Other Elements of Design
When you walk into a quilt Show, what catches your eye first? Many will say color, but what makes that color truly stand out? Color works best when it has strong design partners. That's where the elements of design—line, texture, shape, and space—play a vital role in creating compelling work.
In this lecture, Cassandra will invite us to think more deeply and explore how these elements expand the boundaries of color in powerful ways.
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HALF DAY - WORKSHOPS
CASSANDRA BEAVER
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Quilting in Circles
Thursday May 28
9:00 am to 12:00 pm
Members: $45
Not-Yet-Members: $55
| Elevate your quilting design when you join Cassandra Beaver for Quilting in Circles. Discover how to use thread color and dense circular quilting to make your quilt absolutely sizzle! Creative ideas and technical knowledge will combine to add panache to your quilts. | | |
Sewing with Slivers
Thursday, May 28
1:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Members: $45
Not-Yet-Members: $55
| Add some pizzazz with slivers and watch your quilt blocks transform! Join Cassandra Beaver for Sewing with Slivers, a fun class that will open your eyes to new design possibilities while building the skills you need to sew slivers with confidence. | | |
FULL DAY - WORKSHOP
CASSANDRA BEAVER
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Join Cassandra Beaver for Hand Accented, a relaxing class that blends quilting with beautiful embroidery stitches—using both hand and machine techniques. Color and thread weight will enhance your creative choices in this beautiful small quilt.
Saturday, May 30, 9:30 am to 4:00 pm
Members: $75, Not-Yet-Members: $90
| | Click Registration Buttons for Workshop locations. | | | | |
Lynn Carson Harris will share her quilts and reflect on her journey from making her first quilt as a teenager in 1976 to her current work.
Her process-driven art emphasizes the act of creating—the materials, techniques, and journey—often valuing the steps of making a quilt more than the finished product. This focus allows her studio time to be filled with play and discovery.
| | Lynn's quilts have been featured in international shows and gallery exhibitions, and they are part of private collections worldwide. She is the author of *Every Last Piece* and has contributed to various books and magazines. | | |
Evening Meeting
Meet & Greet
Thursday, June 25, 2026
6:45 pm - 8:45 pm
Members Always Free
Visitor Tickets, $10, Here
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Day Meeting
Lecture: Do It For The Process
Friday, June 26, 2026
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
Members Always Free
Visitor Tickets, $10, Here
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TWO JUNE WORKSHOPS
LYNN CARSON HARRIS
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Tiny Pieces - Precision Perfect
Thursday Workshop
Thursday, June 25
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
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Master the art of working small!
Join Lynn Carson Harris for Tiny Piecing- Precision Perfect to learn tips for piecing tiny stars, baskets, and more. Add a touch of sparkle to your quilts—or use these mini blocks for projects like pincushions and pouches!
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Intuitive Piecing with Solids
Saturday Workshop
Saturday, June 27
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
| Make solids the star of your next quilt! Join Lynn Carson Harris to learn how to use shape and line to bring bold, modern designs to life. She'll share approachable concepts and techniques to help you discover a fresh, creative way to quilt! | | See more information on the Programs & Workshops page, here. | | NEWS FROM THE EVENING GROUP | | |
Evening Groups Accomplishments
Greetings from the Thursday Night group!
We had a lovely time learning about how quilts are judged from speaker Pat Harrison. Next month, our speaker, Cassandra Beaver, promises to give us a pep talk on being more fearless with our quilting.
A shout-out to Leigh Ann Kloefkorn for turning in the best (and only) chaos-inspired item for last month's imagination station. Her original fiber art postcard is being donated to the fast-approaching quilt show.
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Our next month's Imagination Station prompt is …. Macaroni and Cheese!
For May, Imagination Station subject was provided by Nancy Hutchison. It is …
Macaroni and Cheese!
Did you grow up eating Kraft from the blue box? Or was your household into orange box Velveeta Mac ‘n Cheese? Or did you grow up eating the real stuff made from scratch?
Whatever Mac and Cheese means to you, take those memories and make a quilted item.
| | | Anything is acceptable whether it’s a postcard, mug rug, placemat, pot holder, pillow, oven mitt or king sized quilt! All skill levels are encouraged to make something. We’d love to see a variety of items. It is just for fun nothing will be judged. So channel your inner child and show us your best macaroni and cheese inspired object. | | | | | | Image from iStock, modified 10%, & made into a mug rug. | |
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GEORGIA CELEBRATES QUILTS®
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Quilt Show Volunteer Request
June 4th through June 6th
Sign up links below.
Afternoon needs you!
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Location: Cobb County Civic Center, 548 S. Marietta Parkway, Marietta, GA
Need help with a Quilt Show volunteer sign-up? Ask Mary Duncan!
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Celebrating 250 Years of Inspirational
American Women Through Quilts
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Matriotism Exhibition now open at Alpharetta City Hall
We currently have 42 beautiful Matriotism quilts on display in the Alpharetta City Hall this month, no tickets necessary.
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Please note that City Hall is open Monday through Thursday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm, and on Fridays, 8:30 am to 4:30 pm; it's closed on the weekends.
Alpharetta City Hall, 178 S Main Street, Alpharetta, GA 30009
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Matriotism Exhibition's Next Venue:
The Georgia Celebrates Quilts® Quilt Show from June 4th – 6th, at the Cobb County Civic Center in Marietta. Some of the Matriotism quilts will be among the judged quilts on the Show floor, while the others will be in a special area on the upper level.
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**Volunteers Needed for the Matriotism Exhibit at Georgia Celebrates Quilts®**
We are looking for White Glove Volunteers to assist with the Matriotism exhibit at the Quilt Show, Georgia Celebrates Quilts®. We need at least 6 more volunteers to fill these positions. If you're interested in helping, please click here to sign up. Thank you!
A week after the Quilt Show, all 62 Matriotism quilts head to the Southeastern Quilt and Textile Museum (SQTM) in Carrollton, GA, where our exhibit will be displayed from June 20th through August 5th. There will be an opening reception for Guild members, their friends, and the community on June 20th from 2:00 to 4:00 - we hope you will attend. In addition to Matriotism, SQTM will simultaneously host a second exhibit, "Georgia Mountains to Shore," featuring the work of the Upcountry Fiber Artists, which should also be an interesting show. Carrollton is a fun place to visit with many great restaurants and little shops, so make a day of it!
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Finally, we were honored to have Meg Cox include an article on Matriotism in her national newsletter, Quilt Journalist Tells All, April issue.
Thank you, Meg!
| | Discover more about the amazing Matriotism exhibit by the East Cobb Quilters' Guild! For details, visit their website or reach out at matriotism@ecqg.com with any questions! | |
PROGRAMS
Needs your assistance!
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Lend A Hand, Make an Impact
In 2026, ECQG will host seven speakers, offering 15 lectures and 14 workshops filled with inspiration, learning, and connection for quilting enthusiasts of all levels. Our guild is known for its warm Southern hospitality, and that reputation helps attract outstanding local, national, and international speakers each year.
Creating these exceptional programs takes a team effort. From airport drivers to workshop support and meeting setup, volunteers play an essential role in making every speaker visit a success. Hosting each speaker requires about 20 volunteers. Even helping once during the year makes a meaningful difference. We extend our sincere thanks to everyone who has already stepped up to help ensure we can continue offering programs featuring local, national, and international speakers. (Pictured here is Emily Taylor from CollageQuilter.com and one of our members, Lisa F.)
Volunteer positions include:
Airport drivers
Venue setup volunteers
Workshop proctors
Help at the meetings
Whether you can help once or several times, your support keeps ECQG strong, welcoming, and vibrant. Contact Janet Schwerzel, Programs Chairperson, to learn more. Many hands truly do make light work!
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Teddy Bear Donations!
Thanks to so many guild members, Tiny Stitches' customers, and Tiny Stitches Quilt Shop, the community service goal for teddy bears is above target! That does not mean we should stop, but we can now work on other targets as well.
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MONTHLY HIGHLIGHTED - COMMUNITY SERVICE PROJECT
DONATIONS NEEDED FOR OUR PARTNERS
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May - June: Donation Project Needed
This month, we would like to stress bereavement diapers. We know they can be emotionally challenging, but think of how precious and comforting they are to families. The pattern is on our website, and we can supply safety pins if you do not have them. Click here for the pattern.
REMINDER: please keep working on our primary project...QUILTS. There is an endless need.
The Community Service Co-chairs, Glenda Jones, Joanna Miller, and Sue Schultz, want to extend a heartfelt thank you for your wonderful support! We truly appreciate your involvement and look forward to working together to make a difference!
We are ready to route your donations to our Community Service partners.
Questions about Community Service? Email CommunityService@ecqg.com.
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A total of 157 members attended our April Meeting, while 34 members attended the Evening Meeting.
Our membership to date is 343 members. We welcome new and returning members at any time. To join, click on our Join Us link and follow the instructions. You can join online, by mail, or at the April meetings.
Members have a chance to "WIN" the Door Prize by signing in at the Friday Guild Meeting!
Questions about membership? Email Denise Cornett.
| | MYSTERY PAINT CHIP CHALLENGE | |
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The 2026 Mystery Paint Chip Challenge is underway. There's still plenty of time to get your Challenge quilt finished! If you have not gotten your paint chip, please see Alexa Morrison, Challenge Advisor, at the next guild meeting. Click here for Paint Chip Challenge Rules.
| | | | GOLDEN SCISSORS & THIMBLES | | Three quilts qualified for Golden Scissors this month, and one qualified for both Golden Scissors and Golden Thimble. Those earning Golden Scissors were Chris Ison, Michele Bautsch, and Clare Schueren. Beth Wallace earned Golden Scissors and Golden Thimble for her quilt. These quilts will be loved for many years to come. Well done, all! | | To qualify for Golden Scissors, your quilt must be at least 280 inches around the perimeter, be made entirely by one person, and be submitted within one year of completion. A Golden Thimble will be awarded if that same quilt is hand-quilted. | | | | |
Thank you again to everyone who brought a donation for the Food Pantry – St. Ann is so grateful for our support! Please consider bringing something with you to the next meeting – drop boxes will be near the Membership Table.
Click Here for the list of needed items: Food Pantry List
| | IMPORTANT LINKS TO GUILD BUSINESS | | Check out our financial statements and meeting minutes at the links below. You'll need your ECQG Member login to access this page. Need help? Click here. | | The Basket Bulletin is the monthly newsletter of the East Cobb Quilters' Guild. It is published on the 15th of each month, except for December. Members receive the Basket Bulletin automatically. Not-yet-members may sign up for the Basket Bulletin here. Comments and suggestions may be sent to the editor. | |
Advertise in the Basket Bulletin! | | | | |
