Hill Country Quilt Guild

P.O. Box 293177 · Kerrville, TX 78029 · info@hillcountryquiltguild.com

General Information

A Brief History - In the summer of 1984 ten women met to discuss a common interest - their love of quilting.  From this first meeting evolved the Hill Country Quilt Guild with a membership of 240 as of January 2006.  The guild’s first project was a Sesquicentennial quilt.  President Maudie Jacobsen presented it to the City of Kerrville and it now hangs on the second floor of the Butt-Holdsworth Library.

Biennial Quilt Show - In odd numbered years we have a quilt show during Memorial Day weekend.  This is a primary fund raiser to enable us to have programs by nationally known quilt experts as well as local artists.  We have a quilt raffle in conjunction with our show and also a boutique with items made and donated by our members.

Spring Luncheon - In even numbered years we have a Spring Luncheon along with a raffle.  Members donate small quilts for auction with the proceeds going into the guild’s general fund, allowing the guild to offer scholoarships.

Other Activities - We support and participate in those activities which encourage appreciation of fine quilts and quilt making.  This includes displaying quilts in windows of businesses, the downtown visitors’ center, and the Kerr Arts & Cultural Center.  Our members have made quilts for organizations in need, such as Ronald McDonald House in San Antonio and the Kerrville organizations of Any Baby Can, The Crisis Council Center, the Veterans’ Hospital patients, Star Ranch for Boys, and K’Star.

Budget - The three major sources of income for our guild are a biennial quilt show, an annual quilt raffle and membership dues.  The money is used to pay all operating expenses and to pay speakers who present monthly programs.  A monthly financial statement is published in each issue of the newsletter for more detail. 

Bees - When a new member joins the guild, the best way to get to know other people is by joining a bee.  A smaller group like this brings you in closer contact with a few people at a time.  The Bee Keeper has a list of bees with openings for new members if you are interested in joining a bee.  New bees are also formed when an interest is shown.

Block of the Month - Each month the Block of the Month chairperson prepares fabric and a pattern for members to sew into blocks.  Any member who wishes to participate may sign their name and take a block home.  They sew it together according to the instructions and return it to the next meeting, cross out their name on the sign-up list and put their name in a box as each person who has made a block is eligible for the drawing.  The lucky winner becomes the owner of all the blocks.  Members may make a block every month, but after winning must wait two years before being eligible to win again.

Challenge - A challenge is when members are asked to make a quilt following certain restrictions.  The restriction can be a color, a fabric, a technique.  Challenges can be all sizes, from a single block to a wall hanging or full size quilt.  Our guild periodically issues a challenge, in which participation is strictly voluntary. 

Birthday Pins - The guild presents a pin to each member in their birthday month.  Members pick up their birthday pins at the Shopkeeper’s table where pins are also for sale for personal pin collections.

Refreshments – In their birthday month, members bring desserts to share during break.  A reminder of this is in each newsletter.

Annual Luncheon Meetings- A potluck Holiday celebration is held in November, our last meeting of the year.

Holiday Gifts - At our November meeting, members traditionally bring a gift for distribution to area agencies that have children in residence at holiday time.

Library - We have an extensive library of books and tapes which may be checked out for one month.  Library additions are made through member donations and memorial book purchases.

Bring ‘n Brag - Other members would love to see your latest creation, so bring it to the meeting and show it off.  Prior to showing an item, an information slip is filled out for use by the Newsletter Editor and Historian.

Name Tag - You must wear a name tag to each meeting or pay 25 cents at the door for a stick-on name tag.

Coffee Break - You are encouraged to feed the coffee kitty to help pay for supplies.  If you forget to bring your coffee cup, please drop in an additional 25 cents.

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