In 1996 a quilting group called the Napanee Piecemakers began discussing the possibility of starting a Quilting Guild in the area. They knew that there were Guilds in the Belleville and Kingston areas but felt that, particularly in the winter, driving conditions and the distances involved would prevent many from participating.
The Piecemakers have met together for fifteen years. However they met in a private home and, although they wished to spread the joy of quilting, there simply wasn’t the room to expand. Therefore they had another way to include people and share the fun, accomplishment and camaraderie of quilting.
The Piecemakers decided in the spring of 1996, in the fall of that year, they would shoulder the costs involved in holding two meetings. The first meeting would hopefully give an indication of what interest there might be in the area for the formation of a Guild. If there was sufficient interest they would fund a second meeting, where they hoped a Guild would be formed. If was felt that from that point on the Guild would be able to pay for itself.
The Guide, one of the local newspapers, was very helpful and printed an article before the first meeting telling people about the proposed Guild. A room was rented at the Napanee and Regional Conservation Authority (now the home of the Public Library). Napanee Piecemakers members got tea and coffee supplies and baked goods ready. Preparations had been made to accommodate about twenty-five people. The Piecemakers number ten and it was felt that if another ten or fifteen people showed up the meeting would be considered a real success. Forty-four people showed up! Everyone scrambled. More chairs were set up…closely. Bonnie Welsman, the President of the Piecemakers, explained the purpose of the meeting and divided everyone into four groups. Each group then discussed one of four different areas of interest for about fifteen minutes. It should be noted that five of the attendees are still members of the guild: Carolyn Bellegham, Nancy Holden, Heather Hughes, Bette Jean Slaven and Mary Wamboldt.
In one area, June Donaldson held a discussion on templates and patterns. She passed a template to someone in the group, told them to copy it and then pass their own template on to the next person who would repeat the process. Everyone was astounded when at the end of the meeting June had showed them the last template made. It was at least 1″ larger all around than the original and graphically reinforced the need for accuracy when making patterns.
In another area, Mary Ester Hicks and Eleanor Taylor demonstrated and encouraged people to try piecing blocks together.
In a third area, Margaret Henshaw demonstrated applique techniques and encouraged people to participate.
In the last area Bonnie Welsmen showed people some of the paraphernalia acquired by quilters such as rulers, makers, thimbles, threads, books, colour wheels, etc. and explained their uses.
Partway through the evening, Ann Craig from the Napanee Beaver, took pictures and gathered information for an article for publication in the next issue of the “Napanee Beaver” newspaper.
It was decided that the next meeting would be held on the 3rd Tuesday of November at a place to be determined. An advertisement would be placed in the “Napanee Beaver” in the Community Pulse column indicating where the meeting would be held.
Refreshment were served, and the rest was history…..