Friday, November 8, 2024

Local Quilt Guild Turns 40

Pictured: Back row from left, Linda Auge and Beth Filko, Charity; Peggy Natoli Duffy, Sunshine; Toni Fiedler, Penny Haag and Sue Knapp, Programs; Paula Snell, Vice president; Grace Holloway, Treasurer; front row from left, Bonnie Smith, Secretary; Mellissa Campbell, President; Leigh Anne Langston, Publicity; Carla Esposito, Retreat.

WILLIAMSBURG — The Colonial Piecemakers Quilt Guild is celebrating its 40th anniversary.

The anniversary is confirmed by a piece of notebook paper that reads “Do you want to start a quilt guild?” with the handwriting of approximately 30 ladies on it who went on to call themselves the “Williamsburg Quilters,” the group said.

The group’s first organizational meeting was held on Sept. 17, 1983 at the Williamsburg Soap and Candle Factory. Dues at the time were $10, and according to the group’s historical records, twelve people attended that first meeting, where “Colonial Piecemakers Quilt Guild” was adopted as the official guild name.

It wasn’t until February of 1984 that “Fabrications” was chosen as the name of the group’s newsletter, it said. This was after rejecting the names “Bits and Pieces” and “Scrapbag.”

According to the guild, it has grown out of spaces at the Williamsburg Soap and Candle Factory, the James City County Public Library and the meeting room at Our Saviour’s Lutheran Church in Norge over the years. It has now been meeting monthly at King Of Glory.

As technology changed, so did the needs of the guild, it noted. A website was designed in 2001, the same year as guild pins were sold to the membership. The primary focus of the guild was, and continues to be service projects, meeting people and fellowship, lectures, workshops, and inspiration.

Over four decades of talent, instruction, persistence, and service have grown the Colonial Piecemakers Quilt Guild from 30 members to over 177 members in 2024, it notes.

The Colonial Piecemakers Quilt Guild meets the first Saturday of each month (except July) at King of Glory Lutheran Church at 4897 Longhill Road in Williamsburg. Check-in begins at 9 a.m., with the meeting beginning at 9:30 a.m. Workshops are held after meetings for an extra fee.

Monthly programs, speakers and workshops encourage learning and sharing, the guild said. Annual membership is $35 for new members. Members also receive discounts for workshops.

For more information, visit colonialpiecemakers.com.

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