Meeting Programs & Events
We’re on the move!
UNLESS OTHERWISE NOTED, MEETINGS ARE HELD AT:
Divine Savior Parish Hall
6700 Main Street, Downers Grove, IL 60516
7:00 - 9:00 PM
The parish center is a separate building, behind (west of) the church with its own parking lot. Everything is on one level, no hills, ramps or stairs.
July 22, 2026
Lecture: “The Art of Mixing Textiles”
Lynn Schmidt
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Lynn Schmidt is the founder, owner and designer of A Different Box of Crayons in Glen Ellyn, Illinois. She has been designing projects for over 15 years. She is known for her amazing eye for color and the use of various textiles in her work. We occupied our new/old farmhouse In Glen Ellyn, IL in mid-October 2017. Surprisingly, five years later, we are still evolving as we continue to settle into our new home, pursue new venues and opportunities and expand our resources. We remain excited to be part of a vital textile community.
We are located in Glen Ellyn, IL, in our newly renovated 1890's farmhouse affectionately referred to in the neighborhood as "the red house." I was excited to see my first book published in 2017 with C&T Publishing, and our horizons expand as I take on new teaching and vending venues reaching across the US and even into Europe!
August 26, 2026
Lecture: “The Magic of Cork!”
Lynn Gerard
The Cork Emporium
Cork is the sewing world’s most underrated superstar, and this presentation proves it. Lynn Gerard pulls back the curtain on how cork is grown, harvested, and transformed into the gorgeous, durable textile makers love. Expect real samples, smart tips, and a lively look at why cork belongs in every sewing room. It is inspiring, practical, and guaranteed to change how you think about this remarkable material.
Lynn’s Bio
Lynn Gerard, owner of The Cork Emporium, has embraced cork, a sustainable material sourced from cork oak trees in Portugal, to create a variety of bags and accessories. Located in downtown Napanee, her store also offers sewing classes to teach others how to work with cork.
September 23, 2026
Lecture: “Accuracy 101 Aren’t we all searching for some of this?”
Sue Pawlowski
Jack Squares Studio
Sue will present Precision 101 and will discuss many proven, suggested and funny rules and laws to achieve perfect precision piecing, improve your life and to take your quilts to the next level.
Sue’s Bio
My name is Sue Pawlowski and I am the quilter behind Jack Squares Studio. I have been quilting for about 30 years and haven’t gotten tired of it yet. I guess that means I am hooked. A few years ago, I decided to try my hand at writing quilting patterns. It has been an interesting journey with a huge learning curve. My goal is to create patterns that make you really happy. After all, isn’t that why we do this thing called quilting?!!
October 28, 2026
Lecture: “Threads of History: The Story of the Bayeux Tapestry”
Cathy Grafton
Like many who love needlework, I consider the Bayeux Tapestry to be one of the most amazing embroideries ever stitched. I have studied this work since I was a child and have visited Bayeux to see the tapestry seven times.
After learning the "Bayeux Stitch" I have worked on my own embroideries featuring scenes of this 11th Century embroidery. This new lecture will feature some of my work, along with the history and secrets that this epic embroidery still keeps today. The lecture includes pictures, a pull out of the tapestry and my own stitched pieces based on the original. This wonderful piece of art still speaks to us today and has influenced my work on several levels.
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Just a few things about me ---
I am a quilter and needlework artist living in central Illinois -- on the Grand Prairie.
I draw my inspiration from the farmland and bits of remaining prairie that surround me everyday.
My quilts reflect the colors and patterns I see on the land.
I work primarily by hand using traditional techniques, however, the quilts and embroidered pieces I make are not really traditional.
I love sharing and teaching others - please see my lecture workshop page for details.
The "about me" page on my website has a listing of events I will be attending each year.
Silk ribbon embroidery is a major component on my quilts as well as on the small silk ribbon "picture pieces" I create which capture small scenes in nature.
Something about my lifelong love of needlework...
I have been making quilts since 1971, however I have been doing embroidery for much longer, since I was six. I was taught basic stitches by my Mother and Grandmother, and continued to learn about embroidery all through high school. At that time crewel was popular and I remember loving all the colors of wool and choosing my favorites to work into small embroidery pieces.
My quilt style evolved through many stages as the popularity of quilting grew along with my own skills. By 1976 the quilt craze was deepening and I suddenly found myself teaching - first basic classes, then specializing in the areas of miniature quilts and finally teaching applique techniques and design.
My love of handwork has stayed with me throughout the years and the traditional quilting techniques I learned have blended well with my love of embroidery.
November 18, 2026
Lecture: “Post Modern Quilt Making”
Joe Cunningham
We all know what “Modern” quilt making is. Sort of. Now that Modern Quilts have been around for a while, the world is starting to move on, or maybe it’s just me.
In this lecture I’ll talk about Modern Quilts and how they have influenced the wider quilt world, and explain how I have come to find my own style of “Post” Modern quilt making. With lots of examples and time for questions, this is a crowd favorite!
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Joe Cunningham has been a professional quilt artist since 1979. He has written essays on the subject for museum catalogues, books and magazines. His book, Men and the Art of Quiltmaking was the first book on its subject. In 2004 he received a $30,000 Shulte Grant from the Fort Mason Foundation.
In 2009 he received a grant to study with the Gees Bend quilters in Alabama. In 2010 he was artist in residence at the De Young Museum in San Francisco, which purchased one of his quilts for its permanent collection.
Joe travels throughout the country to give lectures and workshops on quilt making. His ten books on quilt making include the first biography of a living quilter, the first book on men who make quilts (Men and the Art of Quiltmaking,) and a definitive book on marking quilts for quilting called Quilting with Style, published by AQS. He has been seen on the Peabody Award-winning PBS series Craft in America, the HGTV series “Simply Quilts with Alex Anderson,” as well as “The Quilt Show” with Ricky Tims and Alex Anderson, and others.
Cunningham has performed his musical quilt show, “Joe the Quilter,” for guilds and theaters nationwide. His latest book is "Man Made Quilts: Civil War to the Present," a catalogue for the show of the same name at the Shelburne Museum. His quilts are in the permanent collections of the DeYoung museum, The Shelburne Museum, The Newark Museum, The San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles and many private collections.
He has been invited to give lectures in museums and colleges including the DeYoung Museum, University of Michigan, the Chicago Art Institute, the Shelburne Museum, and the International Quilt Study Center and Museum, The National Quilt Museum and the San Jose Museum of Quilts and Textiles.
Joe began making quilts in his hometown of Flint, Michigan. He eventually moved to San Francisco where he maintains a gallery/studio to make and show his quilts. He lives with his wife, Carol LeMaitre, above her Pilates studio, Sanchez Street Studios. Cunningham travels the world to show quilts and teach as well as teaching his popular online classes from his studio.
January 27, 2027
Schoolhouse Demos
Guild Members
In January, our guild starts the new year by sharing our quilting experience and expertise. Members present quilting tips, techniques, patterns, and other valuable quilt-related information.
This meeting is held entirely online. Both presenters and attendees will meet by Zoom. The link will be sent before the meeting date.
Come join us and learn something new!
February 24, 2027
Long-Arm Quilters Panel Discussion
Learn what a long arm quilter prefers you to have in your quilts, the how and why. A panel of long-arm and mid-arm quilters will share their perspectives on how to successfully prepare your quilts for quilting.
Watch here for coming details.
March 24, 2027
Lecture: “My Stripology Journey: A Trunk Show”
Lynn Vock
After years of quilting, the Stripology Ruler was a revelation for Lynn. This lecture and trunk show is about Lynn's Stripology Ruler journey to becoming a GE Designs Certified Instructor.
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My name is Lynn Vock, and I live in Itasca, Illinois with my husband. I learned how to sew in high school. I then started a sewing business making bridesmaid & flower girl dresses. Then one day a friend invited me to go on a shop hop. That is when I discovered that quilts weren’t just country style. They were pieces of art. I wanted to learn more.
I joined a quilt guild and met Gudrun of GE Designs at one of their guild meetings, and knew I had to follow her. I took one of her classes and was amazed at what you could do with only one ruler.
My goal is to share what I have learned over the past 6 years with every person, quilter or non-quilter, on how easy it is to create something beautiful and functional in no time at all.