Mississauga Quilt Guild – Canada 150th Challenge 
The Great Canadian Quilting Bee
​To celebrate Canada’s 150th Birthday quilters across the country are joining together to make blocks that will turn into 1000 quilts to be donated to Ronald McDonald Homes across the country. The project is the brainchild of the Canadian Quilters’ Association. This coming June, as part of Quilt Canada which will be held in Mississauga, thousands of donated blocks will be pieced into quilt tops and quilted.

Read the article from CBC here.

UPDATE:  Great Canadian Quilting Bee – Mississauga Challenge

Totals so far: 402 blocks received to date; 55% of members participated; 3 finished quilts and 8 tops.

Thanks #1: I huge thanks to the members who were at the April CORE workshop. Blocks were assembled into tops and several tops were sandwiched and are ready to be quilted.

Thanks #2: Several companies have helped to support this project with prizes that will be drawn at the May meeting including Northcott, HA Kidd, SewFreshQuilts, Quilt Canada, Quilter’s Connection, A Needle Pulling Thread, Cotton Candy (the source for the Canadian 150 pins), 1 anonymous donor and the Mississauga Quilters Guild. While participating in a this project is a great way to celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday and support a great cause, these sponsors also recognized the great work that the Mississauga Quilters Guild to support our community.

Thanks #3: To everyone who has made blocks, assembled tops, quilted and bound quilts, you are amazing. Children and families in Mississauga and other communities across Ontario and Canada will be thrilled with the creativity and love put into each quilt.

Thanks #4 and call for volunteers: Elaine Theriault has generously offered a day – Saturday June 3rd-  when members can use her long arm machine to quilt tops and show you how to do bindings by machine. Sign up with Jane at the meeting if you are interested.

Next Steps/Other ways to support the project:
1)    Return all finished blocks at the May meeting please.
2)    Return all finished tops at the May meeting please.
3)    Return all quilted and bound tops at the May meeting please.
4)    Volunteer to quilt some of the tops that have been returned.
5)    Donate backings (kid friendly) or batting (42X54 or 54X78). CQA is eagerly looking for donations for the Quilt Bee!
6)    Volunteer to quilt a top either on your own or using Elaine Theriault’s long arm machine and machine sew on bindings on June 11.
7)    Bring a needle and white/beige thread to sew on labels at the quilt meeting.
8)  Cross your fingers and hope your name is drawn at the May meeting for one of the great prizes.

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Archived Posts:
The Mississauga Challenge
The Mississauga Quilters’ Guild is challenging members to make one (or more) quilt block(s). Starting in December and each month until the March meeting, members can pick up a 2½” strip of fabric from one of the many fabrics designed specifically for Canada’s 150th. Every block finished and handed in gets you a draw for some amazing prizes. Not only does the Guild want to submit at least 150 blocks, we want to see every member submit at least one block!
 
The Slab Block
Beginner and experienced quilters can make this block – it is all straight line sewing! The pattern is a simple “slab” designed by Cheryl Atkinson. You can use scraps, new fabric, batiks, prints, florals, brights, reproduction – anything your heart desires and any colour you like. Your block can be all Canada 150 fabric, have a scrappy look or build on a specific colour palette. There are only 2 rules:
  • at least one fabric must be from one of the Canada 150 fabric lines
  • the finished block is 12½” square
 
Making a block is easy:
  • Start with a rectangle or square
  • Sew that fabric to another fabric strip any width, then another and another
  • Attach strips in a circular fashion (like a log cabin – top, left, bottom, right) or be totally abstract (top, bottom, right, top, left) or sew groups of fabric together  and sew one group to another
  • Strips can be made up of 2 or more fabrics
  • The Canada 150 fabric can be anywhere in the block
 
For More Information
For instructions on making the block pattern click here
To see a video on constructing the block click here
To see the Canada 150 fabric lines
                Northcott click here
                Cantik Fabrics click here
                Trend Tex click here
                J N Harper click here 
 
Pick up a strip and sign up for the Canada 150 Challenge at the December meeting!
Jane Sanders will happily accept donations of scraps from any of the Canada 150 fabric lines to share with members. Email Jane if you have questions [email protected]
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There are many other ways, in addition to our own challenge, that some of our members might want to celebrate Canada's 150th birthday.
Here is a link to some other suggestions:
​http://www.nextstepquiltdesigns.com/