Quilters recount the decades

MILFORD — Twenty years ago, four women gathered together in a living room to quilt. Almost 100 more ladies and two decades later, that intimate group has become the Milford Valley Quilters’ Guild, which recently celebrated its anniversary by etching — or in this case, stitching — it into history. Nine months ago, 20 of the 93 quilt-ers were chosen to take on an additional project to commemorate the Guild’s anniversary. Each woman was given a year from 1989 to 2009 and the task to create a quilt emblazoned with a newsworthy event from that year. The only stipulations were that quilters should explain why they chose certain events, and the quilt must have been 24x24 in size. During the Apr. 22 meeting, quilt-ers unveiled their projects for the first time. Up first was Carol Hill, who pictured the Tienanmen Square Massacre on her quilt square. Hill said that because she has visited the Square, that event meant more to her than any others that occurred during 1989. The quilt had photos Hill took of locals at the Square, along with news pictures of the incident. Among the quilts following Hill’s were depictions of the Hubble Space Craft, Operation Desert Storm, Southeast Asian Tsunami, Hurricane Katrina, and the seventh book in the Harry Potter series. When all pieces are completed, they will be sewn together to form one anniversary quilt. For the last 12 years, the Guild has met on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month in the Delaware Valley Middle School cafeteria. According to Cheryl O’Sullivan, one of those meetings is typically a business meeting, at which members may discuss new programs or techniques, share information on fabrics and designs, or invite others to activities. Outside speakers are also a part of monthly meetings, and may tell stories or display projects for Guild members to observe or purchase. The other meeting is generally dedicated to discussing ongoing projects. The Quilters’ Guild is also preparing to sponsor a quilt show at the Best Western Inn at Hunts Landing on July 11 and 12. From 10 a.m. to 4p.m., quilts will be on display, handmade boutique items will be up for sale, raffles will be sold and educational demonstrations given. For more information, visit www.geocities.com/mvqg/guild.html.