Spring Retreat 2023 — Updated with COVID Safety Protocol

Our spring retreat is happening March 2–5, 2023 at the FFA Leadership Center in Trafalgar, Indiana, starting at 9 AM on Thursday and ending at 2 PM on Sunday. We’ll have the entire Fellowship Hall space to ourselves for sewing, socializing, snacks, and shenanigans! There is space for 13 overnighters to have their own beds and 8 single-day retreat-goers on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday.

Registration for retreat is now closed. If you are interested in attending, please contact the retreat committee.

We are asking attendees to assist us with the planning of the retreat. After submitting your payment, you’ll be taken to a form to answer a few quick questions— the second page has the details about the snack swap for full retreat attendees.


To keep members as safe as possible while we are eating, sleeping, sewing, and laughing in a communal space, the IMQG board has decided on the following protocol to prevent the spread of COVID-19. All attendees must do the following:
Be able to show up-to-date records for COVID vaccination according to the CDC, which generally includes a bivalent booster shot.
Test for COVID infection before attending the retreat, at least the morning of their first day of attendance. Testing a few times in the two weeks before the event is encouraged, especially if there has been a suspected (or known!) exposure. Antigen tests done at home are acceptable. Many insurance plans reimburse for at-home tests or provide them free of charge.
Skip attending the retreat if they test positive within 10 days of their arrival. The guild will refund your money and miss seeing you but there’s always next time!
Be willing to make concessions for others’ safety if they are experiencing symptoms of a cold or other contagious respiratory illness (e.g., wear a surgical mask when not eating or drinking, sleep separately). This is especially courteous during a cold & flu season when many people have weakened immunity to other infections after experiencing COVID.
Test for COVID infection 3–7 days after attending the retreat and share the results with the other attendees.

Thank you for caring about others enough to take these measures!

January Block Lotto — Summer Smoothie

two summer smoothie blocks on a green cutting mat

For our January block we’re throwing you a curve! Curves are not as hard as you might think so give it a try!

Follow the Campbell Soup Diary tutorial using the following guidelines:
— For feature fabrics, follow your heart with modern fabrics. Pay attention to value differences.
— For the background, use low-volume white or off-white.

As a reminder, these blocks will be turned in at the February 2023 meeting and the lotto is open only to current, paid members.

November Block Lotto — Evergreen Tree

three evergreen tree blocks on a green cutting mat

For our November block we’re making winter trees! This pattern is courtesy of our very own Lindsay Conner. For our block lotto, make one of the larger trees for an entry—the smaller tree is optional and does not count as a chance to win.

Follow Lindsay’s Winter Woods pattern* using the following guidelines:
— For the tree, use modern fabric(s) in green, optionally scrappy.
— For the background, use navy blue fabric.

* Lindsay is allowing members of our guild to access this pattern free for the purpose of this activity. Please do not take advantage of her generosity! UPDATE: Link removed.

As a reminder, these blocks will be turned in at the December meeting and the lotto is open only to current, paid members.