Who We Are
PIECEMAKERS QUILT GUILD
A Brief History
1985 -1996
Quilting has enjoyed a long existence in Forsyth County, but until 1985 it had not been organized into a guild. Church groups would get together, quilters would work in their own homes and quilting was a very private and personal hobby.
In March 1985 Jill Schneider, Pat Kilmark and Jean Davis began organized quilting under the umbrella of the University of Georgia County extension of the Homemakers Club. An ad was placed in the Forsyth County News inviting all quilters to attend a meeting to be held at the Homemakers Building, located next to the Forsyth County Jail. About 15 ladies attended that meeting and the Piecemakers Quilt Guild was formed. Dues were paid to the Homemakers Club of Forsyth County. The meetings were held on the first Tuesday of each month, September through June.
Charter members included Margaret Stow, Marion Porter, Mattie Watson, Betty Knipfer, Jean Davis, Jill Schneider, Vivian Newman, Gladys Noble, Kay Barrow and Nell Deadwyler.
The meetings were very unstructured. New members were recruited through word of mouth and an occasional article in the newspaper. The goal of the guild at that time was to motivate and to learn more about quilting and help one another with problems.
In 1990 Annie Ruth Davis gave a program on The North Georgia Quilt Council and its reorganization. The guild joined the Council.
In June the first quilt show was held at Midway park. Guests of the show were invited to vote for their favorite quilt. A viewer's choice ribbon was awarded to the Best of Show. The membership had grown to 29 members.
May of 1991 the second quilt show was held at Midway School gymnasium. The meeting place was moved to Bethelview United Methodist Church in the fall. The guild continued to grow and mature to 39 members.
In 1992 after 7 years, Jill Schneider stepped down as President and a full slate of officers was elected. Holly Anderson - President, Jill Schneider - Vice President, Mattie Watson - Treasurer. A constitution was adopted and dues were set at $10.00.
The idea of making gift quilts for the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta was introduced by the Georgia Quilt Project.
The tradition of small award ribbons for completed projects was started. Still continues today.
In 1993 the guild logo was changed to a sailboat motif. A new banner was designed and made. Guild pins were designed.
The third quilt show was held in May 1993 at Sawnee Community Center.
In 1994 the guild Newsletter was started. Peggy Kerr was the editor.
The fourth quilt show was held in May 1995 at Sawnee Community Center.
In October of 1995 we participated in the First Cumming City Fair, held at the newly built Cumming City Fairgrounds in October. A tent was shared with the Lacer Guild of Forsyth County. Hurricane Opal came through with torrential rain and wind.
All 397 Olympic Quilts were displayed at the Atlanta History Center from January to May of 1996. Many members spent at least one day at the center, demonstrating quilting, answering questions and enjoying the quilts.
Spring of 1996 we participated in the Cumming Spring Fair. We were located in Heritage Village in a small cabin, which we named the Quilt Cottage. We still use our cottage every fall as part of the Cumming Fall Fair.
Summer of 96 brought the Olympic Games to North Georgia. Through the perseverance of the members of the Georgia Quilt Project, we were invited to attend the Welcoming Ceremonies for the countries to which our quilts were being given.