UNL Community Quilt-N begins May 25

Newly developed quilting opportunity for UNL Employees
Newly developed quilting opportunity for UNL Employees

All UNL employees who are quilters -- or those who just want to give quilting a try -- can attend the newly created UNL Community Quilt-N.

The Quilt-N will take place the fourth Saturday of each month at the International Quilt Study Center and Museum at 33rd and Holdrege streets.

Every month will feature a time to get together. From 10:30 to 3:30 quilters can come and go as they please. Admission is free with a UNL employee ID.

Some months there may also be demonstrations or lessons or may be asked to bring a "UFO" -- an unfinished object -- to get help and make it a done project. Other times the focus will be to learn a new way of doing certain techniques or bringing friends and colleagues in to join.

By becoming involved in the UNL Community Quilt-N, employees will have a chance to learn new techniques, enjoy like-minded company and perhaps share something that they enjoy.

The Quilt Center will have tables and chairs set up for quilters, but they will need to bring their own sewing machines. There will be an ironing station with a few irons available. A cutting station with mat also will be available, but quilters will need bring their own rulers and rotary cutters.

The UNL Community Quilt-N started because of the 2014 UNL Employee Quilt Show Challenge, in which quilters are challenged to make a quilt out of only half-square triangles. Several different ways to make these will be demonstrated on May 25.

Those who may not yet want to reveal their challenge fabrics or who have not decided what they want to do can bring other fabrics to play with and learn this versatile block.

The plans for Quilt-Ns for the rest of the year are:

>May 25: "Half Square Triangles," to help get started on challenge quilts.

>June 22: "Show and Tell," tools and rooms.

>July 27: "Baby Shower." What pattern do you like to use?

>Aug. 24: "Start your Engines!" Winner of the race wins a prize.

>Sept. 28: "Make Your Own Fabric."

>Oct. 26: “Make Your Quilt Extra Special Day." Embellishments and bindings

>Nov. 23: "Portraits and Landscapes." Make a quilt of what you see and cherish.

For more information, and to be put on the list for UNL Employee Quilt Show announcements or to get the UNL Employee Quilt Show Challenge rules, contact Trudy Rhoads at trhoads1@unl.edu.