Illini Country Stitchers, a Champaign-Urbana area quilt guild, was formed in September 1985. The purpose of the Illini Country Stitchers is to contribute to the knowledge of and to promote the appreciation of fine quilts; to encourage quilt making, quilt collecting and an on-going fellowship among people with a serious interest in the art of quilting; to sponsor and support quilting activities; to contribute to the growth and knowledge of quilting techniques, textiles, patterns, history and quilt makers through education.
Meetings are held the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month, January thru October, the 2nd and 3rd Thursdays in November while the December meeting is a holiday party on the 2nd Thursday.
Time: 7:00 pm doors open at 6:30
Place: St. Peter's United Church of Christ
2023-24 Membership form
Calendar of Future Events
- Thursday, September 28: Program: "Last Minute Gifts"
Links for Last Minute Gifts - Thursday, October 26 — The Quirky Quiltress, Kelly Millsap McCleary
Program will include a trunk show and getting to know how Quirky Quiltress came to be, her inspiration and information about fabric dyeing. Contact: Becky Billman - Thursday, November 16 — Philanthropic Work Night
Come prepared to visit with guild members while working on tasks/small projects in support of Quilts of Valor. Contact: LiAnne Kitchen/Kim Lytle. - Thursday, December 14 — Holiday Party!
A fun evening to enjoy one another's company and just have fun. More details will be available in the newsletter and at meetings as the date approaches. Contact: Debbie Swann. - Saturday, January 20 — Saturday Sewing Day
Take this chance to join others for a day of sewing and friendship to dispel the winter blues. Contact: Elaine Schaufele. - Thursday, January 25 — Karen Miller, Redbird Quilt Co, ZOOM lecture
Karen Miller of Redbird Quilt Company will be present a Zoom lecture on "AURIFILOSOPHY: It's all about the Thread!" She notes: Cotton thread education that will help you achieve brilliant results with all those amazing weights of luscious Aurifil thread. She will also discuss using the correct sewing machine needle with the thread weight. Contact: Cyndee Kirwan. - Thursday, February 22 — Vicky Conley, ZOOM lecture
Vicky Conley is a fiber artist from New Mexico whose National Park Poster Quilt series was inspired by the natural scenery of the US National Park system. This lecture will touch on a brief history of the park system, stories of her travels through the park system, insight into her quilt series and a look at her process going from photographs to art quilts. Some of the techniques she uses are turned edge machine piecing, fussy piecing, and silk screening. You won't want to miss this fascinating lecture. Contact: Debbie Dillman.