February Minutes- Sorry these are late!

 

Laramie Art Quilters
Meeting Minutes
February 21, 2026 – 9:30 AM

Attendance (19):
Brett, Ashley Hope, Jodie, Sarah, Paige, Michaella, Mary K., Judy McBride, Marilyn Sinclair, Roberta, Lynne, Barbara, Andrea G., Cathy Wissner, Judy Knight, Sue, Ann L., Regan, Harper, Carmen, Ronda

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Experiments – Due in March

Members are encouraged to try a new technique or ingredient for fabric. The goal is to play and experiment—there is no pressure and projects do not need to be finished. Bring your experiment to share during show and tell.

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Book Sale

The Albany County Book Sale will take place at the beginning of March (Friday–Monday).

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Hospice Quilt Planning

LAQ has been making quilts for Hospice House for the past 10 years, with over 70 quilts donated. These quilts are matched with patients, and after the patient passes, the quilt goes home with the family.

• Barbara coordinates this effort. Please let her know if you have quilts to donate, and photos are appreciated.

• Preferred quilt sizes: approximately 55"–75" (full-size quilts are generally not needed).

• If you would like to make just the quilt top, Mary K. is willing to quilt them.

• LAQ provides batting and backing fabric when needed.

• LAQ labels are also available to attach to completed quilts.

• Hospice has a pediatric space, so quilts made with children’s fabrics are especially welcome.

• Barbara recently completed a quilt top that Mary quilted.

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LAQ Retreat

April 30 – May 2
Hosted by Joan in Fort Collins

Members gather to share techniques, work on projects, and learn from one another. Everyone is welcome.

• Last year the group went out to dinner a few times.

• Michaella is looking for a few volunteers to help organize this year’s retreat.

• Joan has a long-arm machine in her basement available for use.

• Members are encouraged to bring unfinished projects (UFOs) or work on Hospice quilts.

• The retreat is a great opportunity for both beginners and experienced quilters.

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Dye Days – Show & Tell

Members shared examples from recent dyeing experiments.

Notes shared:

• Dharma Trading Company sells clothing and fabrics suitable for dyeing.

• Michaella washes fabric using Synthropol.

• Fabric is treated with soda ash, then dyed using Procion dyes.

• Rinse first in cold water, followed by a rinse with Blue Dawn dish soap.

Several members brought dyed fabrics to share during show and tell.

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Upcoming Guest

May 18 – Methodist Church

Guest speaker: Lydia Dameskins
Topic: Teaching experiences while working with Semester at Sea cruise programs.

February 2026 Derwent Inktense Demo notes

 

February 2026 LAQ demo

Derwent Inktense Pencils and blocks

Random notes gleaned from various videos

- Pencils are cleaner to use, but less versatile.

- Blocks can be messy, depending on the application method

- Once the Inktense is on the fabric, it is permanent.

- Can be added in layers (dried in between)

- Use fabric medium if you are going to wash the fabric and want more permanence and/or light fastness

- Write down what colors you are using!!

- NOTE: Inktense also comes in a pan set, like watercolor paints.

Ways to apply Inktense to fabric:

1. Apply to dry fabric, then wet.

- When using pencils, color in the direction you want (sympathetic or similar shape)

- Doesn’t need to be colored solid

- Then “liquefy” with water, aloe vera gel or fabric medium

2. Wet the fabric, then apply ink

- Wet the fabric with water, aloe vera gel or fabric medium

- Apply Inktense directly or with brushes.

Stiff brushes work a bit better, especially for blending.

White blocks are more opaque than the white pencils.

Some videos for further exploration:

This gal is using very wet fabric with Inktense. I have some examples and might be exploring this during Dye Days this summer. The Youtube Channel is “From my blue desk” and is called “Derwent inktense on fabric-custom backgrounds for slow stitching”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8nIbRe3f1E

Helen Godden has several great videos on YouTube using Inktense on unwashed fabric. She uses the Inktense similar to painting on a prepared canvas. She doesn’t use any gel or medium; she uses water only.

Minutes from October 2025 meeting and 2026 calendar

 Meeting was held at the Albany County Fairgrounds Extension office meeting room Saturday October 18.

We welcomed Cathy Wissner to our meeting.  She saw our show in August and found us that way.

We discussed the calendar for 2026.  The theme for 2026 is “Fun in the Making”.  Since we spent so much time getting ready for the show in 2025, it’s time for fun!  After much discussion we came up with a calendar with lots of different demos and playing.

Cathy is a representative for SW WY at the WY state quilt guild.  The state retreat is July 8-12.  She also noted that LCCC in Laramie is also a place to be able to hold classes.

We did discuss having a nationally known teacher for the upcoming year.  If anyone knows of a teacher that might work well, let us know.  Although it is getting late to be able to secure a spot in someone’s calendar.  Another option mentioned by Cathy is that Cynthia England is going to be at the WY state guild retreat.  She might be an option to hire to teach a class since she will already be in WY.

We will be having challenges again in 2026!  We are now calling them experiments, because they should be fun not “challenging”.  Barbara and Joan will be in charge of coming up with ideas for the experiments.  The first one will be given at the January meeting.

NOTE:  Since the meeting, Ashley has had something come up where she won’t be here in July for Dye Days.  So we have decided to switch it to June.   Dye days will be June 19-20th.

Barbara said she went to the Avenir Museum in Fort Collins and they currently have a great exhibit of Christmas stockings.  They were very creative and were lovely.

Cathy mentioned that a good resource for felting and natural dyeing would be Izzy Anderson from Glenrock.  We will be trying to connect with her to get more info.

It was also mentioned as a reminder that the dues for 2026 LAQ will be $25 and due in January.

Minutes and more....

 

LAQ Meeting Minutes

Date: June 21, 2025
Time: 9:30 AM
Location:UW Sculpture Studio

Attendees:
Judy, Christy, Ashleyhope, Sarah, Page, Rhonda, Carmen, Barbara, Rocio, Lynn, Roberta, Sue, Jodie, Michaella, Sharon

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Dye Days – July 17–19

Location & Sign-Up:

• Members: $5/day.      Non-members: $10/day

• A sign-up sheet was circulated.

Schedule:

• Thursday: Prep (mix dyes, soda ash, etc.)

• Friday & Saturday: Dyeing activities

• Saturday (3 PM): Cleanup

Demonstrations:

• Dolly and Michaella will demo printing techniques.

• Folding and mandala techniques will also be demonstrated.

• Group may place an order for ice dyeing supplies or colors they are interested in.  We are ordering more yellows as we are low in that color. 

Supplies:

• A supply list will be emailed to all participants for dye days.

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Uncommon Threads Exhibition

Update from Barbara:

• Posters are printed and available.

• Andrea and Barbara will compile artist labels and statements.

Artist Statement Guidelines:

• Limit statements to 100 words.

• A small booklet will accompany the show with these details.

Submission Deadline:

• All materials (labels, artwork, statements) due August 2, 2025.

Pricing Guidelines:

• Suggested: $1 per square inch

• LAQ will retain a 20% commission on all sales.

Artwork Requirements:

• Each piece must be signed and include a label.

Next Meeting:

• August 2nd at the West Laramie Fire Station.

Finishing techniques May 2025

 Here's some references for finishing:

Pdf of a hanging sleeve technique that many art quilters use

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1q9Bnn7CGDmuwsBGH_QkMyLaGMrqd30kS/view?usp=sharing

Pdf of how I (Mary) hang my quilts:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oQJPZP55oJ3tRtK-1QWJuU1tLW9tL-Km/view?usp=sharing

How to do a whole cloth facing:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QrQwWacllzJqFTCs9Z_RdldwozZKH8Y2/view?usp=sharing

How to gallery wrap art quilts:

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1VNezXsQPf8McLo7iGh0cMhlFW6Vdx-mX/view?usp=sharing

How to add facings to a quilt:

https://thesillyboodilly.blogspot.com/2012/09/tutorial-super-duper-easy-way-to-face.html

Another tutorial on how to add a sleeve to a quilt:

https://thesillyboodilly.blogspot.com/2016/05/inconsistent-suggestions-for-making.html

April 2025 retreat

 Here’s some photos of the retreat held in Fort Collins at Joan’s house.  A HUGE thank you to Joan for her wonderful hospitality.  It was a nice, relaxing and productive retreat.  Thanks to Joan, we got 4 quilts quilted for hospice! 

March 15th 2025 Minutes and images

Meeting Minutes – March 15, 2025

Attendance

Twelve members were present: Joan, Mary, Barbara, Andrea, Carmen, Rocio, Sue, Judy, Roberta, Christine, Ashleyhope, and Lynne.

Five members brought work for critique.

Book Club Update

• Three members have signed up for the book club. Those interested should contact Michaela.
• Finding Your Own Visual Language by Jane Dunnewold is out of print. Jane has granted permission for Michaela to scan and distribute copies. She has also agreed to join a Zoom session with the group.

Announcements

• Happy Birthday, Andrea! 🎉
• April Retreat: Six members (excluding Joan) have signed up. The retreat will take place the weekend after Easter and will replace the general meeting for April.
• Blog Participation: Members interested in contributing to the blog should email Ashleyhope (ahc1@uwyo.edu). She will share the link, and a blog introduction session may be scheduled later in the year.

Project Updates

• Members are encouraged to communicate any changes in their work, including piece sizes and direction. No concerns—just keep the group informed.

May Meeting Focus: Finishing Techniques

The upcoming meeting will cover:

• Hanging methods
• Edge finishes
• Blocking (flattening a piece)
• Various framing options

If members would like specific demonstrations, they should let the group know. Barbara inquired about blocking techniques if her piece is completed by May, and it was confirmed that this can be accommodated.

Demonstrations & Tips

Sue’s Free Motion Quilting Tips

• Use stabilizer early in the process.
• When stopping, remove your foot from the pedal.
• Maintain a steady rhythm.
• Always stop with the needle down.
• Plan ahead for when to add batting.

Labeling and Signing Artwork

• Labeling on the front is common; some members also sign their pieces.

Member Showcases

• Barbara shared a piece from Mary featuring metallic thread and beading in a spider web design.
• Mary discussed themes of family relationships and the decisions we make about what to inherit from our ancestors.
• Christine presented several needle-turn appliqué pieces.
• Roberta demonstrated Jean Wells-style curved piecing.
• Joan showcased multiple pieces featuring the Trapunto technique.
• Judy displayed a fabric wall piece and a quilt created for hospice care.

Adjournment

The meeting concluded at 11:30 AM.

 Work by Barbara

work by Mary

 work by Sue

 work by Christine

 work from Roberta

work by Joan

work by Judy

Hospice Quilt by Judy!