A Bit of History About Our Guild...
Cottonwood Quilters formed
March 24, 1980
From a basement classroom to the reception hall of St. John's Church, the Cottonwood Quilters
have made great strides.
The Bicentennial's "return to the basics" played an important role in the
formation of our group (a gathering together of persons with similar interests). As more and more interest was shown in learning
to quilt, regular classes were started in my basement. Paulette and I "found" each other through our same appreciation
of quilts and quiltmaking and she was soon teaching, also, under our co-op name of "House on the Hill Quilters".
We often lamented that there were such fantastic people in the different classes who would never meet each other, and the
idea was sparked for a nonteaching group.
Thirty-four quilters attended the first "get-together" and
thirty became charter members. We met in our basement classroom for two years on the 3rd Monday of each month. It was understood
to "Come early, bring your own chair or plan to sit on the floor".
At that first meeting, the Cottonwood
Quilters of Nebraska name was chosen and the aims of the group were accepted:
• To promote the appreciation and
knowledge of fine quilts.
• To sponsor and support quilting activities.
• To encourage quilt making
and collecting.
• To contribute to the growth and knowledge of techniques, textiles, patterns, history, and quiltmakers
by providing educational meetings, travel and fellowship.
At the April meeting a logo was chosen, the first raffle
quilt was planned, small social quilting groups were formed and By-Laws were submitted...COTTONWOOD QUILTERS was on its way!
If we never stray from the original purpose of our organization, it will always be a "warm and friendly"
haven for those of us who share the love of a "warm and friendly" quilt.
Lois
A Bit of History
– Addendum June 2005
The year 2005 brought a number of changes to Cottonwood Quilters. One of the original
founders presented a suggestion to add a “Day Time” meeting to our Guild in the spring of 2004. A “trial”
to test the feasibility of such a group was begun in January, 2005. The interest has been significant and has created a very
positive addition to our already great quilt guild. At the same time, the Steering Committee felt that to support this initiative,
it was time to find a facility that
would allow for growth and accommodate the Guild’s growing needs. Bethany
Lutheran Church was selected as the new meeting place.
Judy
