Keystone Quilters Inc.

A brief History

On September 24, 1983, a group of fifteen women from Quakertown, Springtown, Sellersville, Pleasant Valley, and Perkasie met for the first time in the basement of the historic Burgess Foulke House in Quakertown. Co-founders, Vicki Derenick and Brenda Kalata, wanted to provide a forum for the area quilters where new techniques could be tried and evaluated, problems discussed and solved along with personal abilities stimulated, challenged and expanded. Over the years, membership has kept pace with changing times.
We average just under 100 members.

The Keystone Quilters chapter Banner is made up of school house blocks with the central block a "keystone" showing our chapter number. The school house represents our goals of education and growth in quilt making and the Burgess Foulke house where our group began.

The 216^th chapter nationwide to join the National Quilting Association, the Keystone Quilters set the following goals:

To stimulate interest among members and the general public about quilts, including the history and craft of quilt making.
To create and promote good will and fellowship among chapter members.
To encourage quilters everywhere to strive to improve their workmanship.
To define standards of quality that quilters could use to evaluate their work.

One popular way of bringing the beauty and history of quilting to the community has been our annual quilt show. The first show was held in October of 1984 at the Burgess Foulke House & Marketplace, Quakertown, PA. In 1987, The Keystone Quilters hosted the NQA National Show at Lafayette College. This Show boasted an attendance in access of 7500.

In 1988, due to increased interest and attendance, the show was moved from the Burgess Foulke House to the Milford Middle School, Milford Square, PA.

Currently, our 2009 Quilt Show, "Relish the Moment" including a Saturday workshop "Ascending Logs" with George Siciliano, is scheduled October 16 & 17, 2009 at the Quakertown Christian School, 50 E. Paletown Rd., Quakertown, Pa. 18951.

Keystone invites the public to attend our October 2009 show,which continues to be a judged show with prizes and ribbons awarded in more than 20 categories.

We average 160 quilts, wall hangings, and/or clothing items from guild and non guild members. With special exhibits, free demonstrations, door prizes, vendors, guild sponsored boutique and our famous Keystone Cafe to round out the show experience,

This show has continued to be a fall destination for many.

With a "no repeat" policy the public is guaranteed to see a new and exciting show each year.

Keystone Quilters' 2000 Raffle Quilt is "Sweet Pickles". See you at the October 2009 show.

In keeping with the commitment of community involvement

and education, one of the first projects Keystone Quilters worked on were several antique quilts for the Quakertown Historical Society which are on permanent display in the 19^th century Burgess Foulke house, Quakertown, PA. The guild has purchased and donated books to local libraries and software to local schools. We have contributed to breast cancer awareness fund raisers. The local women's shelters and food bank regularly see donations from us. We currently make and donate in excess of 1,500 teddy bears yearly to the two local hospitals, and have participated in making blankets for the Linus project. Each first New Year baby born at Grandview Hospital and Doylestown Hospital reveive a baby quilt made by members, and donated in the guild name. Also a portion of the Quilt Show profits are donated locally.

As a guild and as individual guild members, we have accepted invitations to display quilts, wall hangings, and quilted clothing at the local mall, library, and at community functions where we have also demonstrated the art of quilting.

Guests are welcome to attend our guild meetings and all other guild functions, space permitting. Our programs are planned to appeal to all levels of quilters from beginners to the advanced. A $5.00 guest fee is charged for meetings with a Guest Speaker.

Over the years we have added other programs to encourage members, and non members alike: Saturday specials (low cost workshops), bus trips, charity workshops just to name a few.

Our December Membership Tea was added to our yearly calendar of events. This fills the gap between the sometimes early November meeting, and the meeting held at the end of January.

Regular guild meetings are held at the Qukertown Christian School 50 East Paletown Road Quakertown, Pa 18951. Saturday Specials will be held at St. John's Evangelical Lutheran Church, "Avtivity Center" West Union and First St. Richlandtown, Pa. unless otherwise noted. Our monthly meetings are usually the last Monday of the month, (except for December, [3rd Monday May 2009] July and August).

See Saturday Specials for schedule.

Membership information contact
membership@keystonequilters.org

Quilt show information contact
qshows@keystonequilters.org

Newsletter information contact
newsletter@keystonequilters.org