With the U.S. Bicentennial in 1976 came a renewed interest in quilting among the people of the United States. That was certainly true in Delmar. People began taking quilting classes and from those classes, quilters began getting together to enjoy their activities. Thus in 1977 women in the Capital District met and formed what later became Quilters United in Learning Together, Inc. (Q.U.I.L.T., Inc). A timeline showing some of the highlights and leaders follows.
The group formed to learn more and share information about quilting. The members became a group enthusiastic about spreading the joy of quilting, providing education, and providing comfort. The group often has speakers and workshops to share expertise to those interested in learning new skills. The guild has also provided workshops for children and others eager to learn the techniques. The quilt show, first held in 1988 and biennially since 1991, provides a showcase of members talents as well as an educational opportunity for anyone interested.
The guild incorporated in 1995 and gained its designation as a 501 c(3) organization, providing education and service. Service has been a continuing focus of the guild, providing quilts for a variety of organizations, including homeless shelters, battered women shelters, Ronald McDonald House, Habitat for Humanity, to name a few. Q.U.I.L.T. also provides quilts to organizations which can then raffle them to raise funds for their organization. The quilt show usually includes a Silent Auction of items donated by guild members, the proceeds of which are donated to a pre-selected non-profit organization.
The guild which started with 47 people has grown to have over 200 members, from many communities in the Capital District. It continues to grow and provide education and service to the Capital District.
Year | Term | President | Quilt Show Years | Other info |
03/27/1977 | first meeting at Bethlehem Public Library, Sue Gillespie was chair; 47 people were present | |||
Fall, 1977 | first officlal newsletter by Charlotte Reinhardt; began meeting 2nd Fri of each month | |||
1977-1979 | QUILT led by a different chairman each month; 100 members | |||
1977 | early organizers: Charlotte Reinhardt, Betsy Ellsworth, Margaret Tubbs, Joyce Strand | |||
1978 | ||||
1979 | 1979-1981 | Sue Fillip | ||
1980 | Guidelines drawn up | |||
1981 | 1981-1983 | Ruth Shannon | adopted Cottage Tulips logo, Fall 1981 | |
1982 | ||||
1983 | 1983-1985 | Mary Devane | Moved meeting place to the First United Methodist Church, Kenwood Ave. | |
1984 | ||||
1985 | 1985-1987 | Barbara Welch | ||
1986 | ||||
1987 | 1987-1989 | Barbara Lukovits | ||
1988 | 1st (1988) | Show co-chairs Barbara Lukovits and Margaret Tubbs | ||
1989 | 1989-1991 | Betty Guard | 2 (1991) | Show year changed so that we don't match Q.U.I.L.T.S. (Schenectady) show schedule |
1990 | ||||
1991 | 1991-1993 | Bev Reinhardt | 3 (1993) | |
1992 | ||||
1993 | 1993-1995 | Alvine Dion (Nancy Schlegel VP) | 4 (1995) | Guild incorporated as Q.U.I.L.T., Inc. |
1994 | ||||
1995 | 1995-1997 | Jean Kallop | 5 (1997) | 501c3 status established April, 1995 |
1996 | ||||
1997 | 1997-1999 | Patsy Quimby | 6 (1999) | |
1998 | ||||
1999 | 1999-2001 | Carolyn Olsen | 7 (2001) | |
2000 | ||||
2001 | 2001-2003 | Bonnie Turner | 8 (2003) | 1st Silent Auction at Quilt Show |
2002 | First website in conjunction with Times Union | |||
2003 | 2003-2005 | Carole Ju | 9 (2005) | moved meetings to Delmar Reformed Church |
2004 | ||||
2005 | 2005-2007 | Jan Fecteau/Jane Stearns/Sharon Levenway | 10 (2007) | |
2006 | ||||
2007 | 2007-2009 | Mary Phillips | 11 (2009) | Got our own website domain name: quiltinc.org and moved our website |
2008 | ||||
2009 | 2009-2011 | Tina Raggio | 12 (2011) | |
2010 | ||||
2011 | 2011-2013 | Holly Pennock | 13 (2013) | Members who exhibited in the first show who are still exhibiting, culled from the first program, include Nancy Schlegel, Jo Wilson, Kathy Reidel. Bev Reinhardt, Mary Phillips, Marcia Hajeck, Barbara Gould, Lila Smith, Regina Weatherby, and Linda Miller. |
2012 | ||||
2013 | 2013-2015 | Ardyce Elmore | ||
2014 | ||||
2015 | 2015-2017 | Ardyce Elmore | 14 (2017) | |
2016 | ||||
2017 | 2017-2019 | Kathie Greenwold | ||
2019 | 15 (2019) | Show chair, Susan Cortesi | ||
2019 | 2019- 2021 | Virginia Zajesky | ||