The monthly meeting of the Cranberry Quilt Guild will end July with the annual “indoor” picnic.

The event, which offers a pot luck covered dish for all members to enjoy, kicks off at 6:30 p.m., with doors opening for setup at 6 p.m. The meeting is held at Faith United Church of Christ, off airport beltway in Hazle Township.

Plans for the next half of the year will be discussed during the business meeting.

In August, the guild members will take part in the art of applique, both through lecture and hands on work. Applique has been practiced for years and to many different styles.

Like embroidery, it has a humble beginning. The technique was actually used as a way to strengthen worn areas of items or patch holes. The craft has been found as far back as the ancient Egyptians, who used it to decorate banners and add highlights to ceremonial clothing.

For large scale quilts, the maker will often quilt the entire piece and accent with appliqué to add interest and enhancement. The guild members will learn all the intricacies of applique, and hopefully a few tricks to make the process go smoothly.

Hand applique, machine applique, needle turn, wool, and fusible collage are just a few of the techniques that quilters often use.

In more recent retail markets, quilters have seen many new additions that can accent or enhance their work.

Baltimore album quilts are most famous and detailed for their exquisite use of needle turn applique, with some even inserting the trapunto technique into the mix. Applique is a finely detailed art form and often takes practice to perfect.

Vintage quilts often exhibit applique and the format shows an expressionist style, where the quilter often represented their lifestyle at the same time. Animals, flowers, alphabet letters and detailed embroidery stitches were added to really make the quilt a personal statement.

Historical references also can be seen in quilts from different eras, many with appliqué additions to tell the story.

Many Cranberry members do use applique currently, some almost exclusively, depending on personal preference.

July, being a very patriotic month, brings to mind those type of quilted pieces. Other than Quilts of Valor, members are asked to bring in any quilted piece that has a patriotic theme. Many have made wall hangings, pillows and throws to display their love for our country.

With thoughts of the 2024 season, quilt show ideas are being developed. Many new concepts and categories are being explored.

Guild members are reminded to bring in their fidget quilts for the service project. Baby quilts can be brought in for donation as well.

All service project items can be brought to any meeting, and the evening highlight will have the popular ‘show and tell’ feature.