Citrus Belt Quilt Guild located in Redlands, California, boasts a membership of 200 members, 12 years and older. The quilt guild meets the last Friday of the month during the day and also sponsor a Moonlighters evening group, which meets the third Thursday of the month.
The Citrus Belt Quilt Guild participates with 15 different charities including Santa Claus, Inc., The Ronald McDonald House in nearby Loma Linda, and The Painted Turtle Camp, a year-round, life-changing environment, started by Paul Newman, for children with life-threatening diseases and their families that allows children to participate in an authentic camp experience by supporting their medical needs and offers their families care, education, and respite.
The quilt guild regularly makes Turtle Pillows for the Painted Turtle Camp, as well as pillowcases, Alzheimer’s Fidget Quilts, Pet Beds, Tote Bags for walkers, and wheelchair quilts to support their charities.
The guild was on hand at Road to California 2018 to share their popular Quilt Guild Opportunity Quilt, Autumn Amour.
Member Robin Grube designed and organized the construction of the quilt along with two other guild members. One floral fabric was chosen to cut into 6 strips and many sets of equilateral triangles were cut from the layers. Fifty members created fifty kaliedocopic hexagons. The shapes were then placed on top of a panel depicting a Parisian scene. Free motion quilting was done in multi-color threads on a domestic swing machine. It took the guild 3 months to complete.
[caption id="attachment_6052" align="aligncenter" width="710"]
Autumn Amour[/caption]
Tickets for the quilt are still being sold for $1.00 each. The winning ticket will be drawn on October 26, 2018. To purchase tickets, please contact the guild.
Does your guild have an Opportunity Quilt you want to showcase at Road to California? Limited tables are available each day of the show. If interested, please contact Road at info@roadtocalifornia.com.]]>
Archive for the ‘Quilt Guilds’ Category
Meet The Citrus Belt Quilt Guild
Thursday, September 13th, 2018Meet The Beach Cities Quilters Guild
Monday, May 14th, 2018 
Past President Sherri Peltier remarked that their guild “gives so much.” Anywhere from 60 – 100 quilts are donated each month to military bases in San Diego for their military mother baby showers. Each prospective mother and her yet-to-be born baby receive a quilts at these events. Another popular philanthropy is Quilts of Valor. In 2017, the guild donated 1,500 quilts to this organization. The quilts are presented to the soldiers as they get off the airplane and each soldier gets to pick which quilt he or she wants.
New member Jeanette Floyd joined the guild last year and is a new quilter. She became interested in the guild through their philanthropy work, particularly the Angel Baby project. Guild members sew diaper, hat and blanket sets. One set goes to the mother as a keepsake and the other set is buried with the baby.
A new philanthropy the guild has just formed a partnership with is the National Institute of Health in Bethseda, Maryland. The Institute treats children with rare diseases. The guild became familiar with the Institute’s work because Sherri’s granddaughter is treated there. Guild members are working on making teddy bears for the patients.
FantaSea of Quilts is the theme for the Beach City Quilters Guild Quilt Show and Auction which is being held June 2-3 at the Soka University Gymnasium in Aliso Viejo. Their Opportunity Quilt that will be given away at the show, Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows. The guild reports that this “stunning” quilt has had so many wonderful comments as it has traveled to other guilds and was a huge hit at Road to California. 
One of the guilds that hosted the quilt was the Friendship Square Quilt Guild in March. It was Beach City’s fifth time attending their show. They appreciated the opportunity FSQG gave them to share Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows.” Quilt Guilds have a goal to support each other and share the tradition of quilting especially to a new generation of fabric artists,” said member Elaine.
Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows was made with Kaffe Fassett Fabrics. Sixteen hand applique quilters made the blocks and Sherri Peltier put it together. The quilting was done by Cecelia Quilts in Orange County, California.
To learn more about the guild and their quilt show, visit their website.
]]>
The Nite Owl Quilters Guild
Friday, February 23rd, 2018 Carolyn Reese founded the current model of Road to California 23 years ago. She also founded her local quilt guild, Nite Owls. Over 200 members meet the fourth Thursday of each month at 7:00 PM at the James L. Brulte Senior Center located at Central Park in Rancho Cucamonga. 
The guild is all about sharing homegrown talent and experience in promoting the art of quilting. Member Elizabeth said she appreciates how the guild brings in speakers as well as offers in-house workshops taught by their members. Two Saturdays a month, the guild offers Open Sew Days 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM at the center. Members are invited to come and bring their unfinished projects and receive expert advice from experienced guild mentors.
[caption id="attachment_5600" align="aligncenter" width="480"]
Carolyn Reese showing off her stuff!![/caption]
Nite Owls is also known for contributing “lots” of charity quilts to local hospitals (Kaiser in Fontana and San Antonio Regional Hospital in Upland), to the local police department to be used in comforting children who need to be picked up in police vehicles, and to area homeless programs.
The guild was on hand at Road to California 2018, selling tickets for their current raffle quilt, Rhapsody in Blue. 
Road to California appreciates and supports the tradition of local quilt guilds, making a difference in their communities.
]]>
Get To Know The Valley Of The Mist Quilt Guild
Wednesday, September 13th, 2017Does your quilt guild have their quilt show outdoors?
That’s what the Valley of the Mist Quilt Guild has been doing for 19 years!! Their display quilts are exhibited on rustic buildings throughout Old Town Temecula, California for a two week “Quilt Walk.” After, the The Quilt Show culminates with a featured quilter, vendors, and two live quilt auctions.
This year’s opportunity quilt, “Sweet Treats,” which was on display at Road 2017, will also be awarded to a lucky winner at their quilt show.
[caption id="attachment_5163" align="aligncenter" width="412"]
Picture by Brian Roberts Photography[/caption]
Formed in September,1990, Valley of the Mist Quilt Guild is located in the Temecula Valley and promotes the knowledge and appreciation for all aspects of quilting and fiber arts. The guild has a strong philanthropy heritage, sewing quilts, pillowcases, Christmas stockings, and baby blankets to donate to their community. This past year, they have also collected donations each month to put together kits that will be donated to veterans at nearby March Air Force Base.
A fun guild activity that they started this year was “The Charming Strip Exchange.” Guild members brought strips they had cut from three different fabrics that followed a particular theme and exchange them with each other.
For more information about their quilt show or the guild, please visit their website.
]]>
Getting To Know The South Bay Quilters Guild
Saturday, August 19th, 2017 The South Bay Quilters Guild is very active in the Southern California area. Founded in 1979, their goal is to “further quilting excellence in the South Santa Monica Bay area of Southern California through educational meetings, travel, and friendship, and, at least once each year, to promote quilting in a philanthropic endeavor.” Based out of Torrance, California, with over 125 members, they meet the third Tuesday of the month. 
At Road to California 2017, the guild had on display their opportunity quilt that they gave away at their 2017 Quilt Show, “World of Color.”
[caption id="attachment_5108" align="aligncenter" width="625"]
Photo by Brian Roberts Photography[/caption]
In 2013, the South Bay Quilters provided the quilts for the atrium of the Ontario Convention Center during Road to California.
Active in the community, the South Bay Quilters Association participates with many philanthropy projects. They have donated over 1,000 lap quilts to local nursing homes and hospitals. The guild began a “Read Me A Quilt” program with CASA- Court Appointed Special Advocates. This group provides volunteers who advocate for children in foster care. The guild became aware of CASA from one of its members. For over 10 years, the guild has been providing quilts and books to toddlers through teenagers in the foster care system.
The South Bay Quilters Association is also active in the Wounded Warrior Project. One of their members had connections with field hospitals in Afghanistan which led to the guild’s participation. Their donated quilts are made to fit the size of a gurney and are mailed directly to the field hospitals. The quilts are given to soldiers and remain with the recipients throughout their hospital stay and their journeys home. The guild has been involved with this worthwhile endeavor for 10 years.
Past Presidents of the guild include Pam Overton and Lynn Crawford, founders of The Traveling Quilters. Lynn and Pam lead the bus trips that are offered during Road to California. At Road 2018, their trips will be going to “Robert Kaufman, the Farmer’s Market and then some!” on Wednesday, January 17th, and on Monday, January 22nd, they will take guests to Hoffman International and more in Orange County, California.
The guild is already preparing for its next quilt show to be held February 17-18, 2018 at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center where they will have over 150 quilts on display and featured quilter, Sue Glass, an extraordinary applique quilt artist.
]]>
Meet The Simi Valley Quilt Guild
Thursday, May 25th, 2017 The Simi Valley Quilt Guild was started over 30 years ago. With approximately 150 members, they meet the 2nd Wednesday of every month at the Simi Valley Senior Center.
The guild’s main philanthropy group is called, “Quilts in Force.” It is always ‘in-force’ sewing for others. Originally, the group made quilts for the Simi Valley Police Department to use in incidents where children were involved. The goal now is to provide warmth and comfort to anyone in need whether it be from illness, fire, lack of resources, loss of a loved one, or other cause.
On their website, they post a poem dedicated to their members who have passed away but who are not forgotten:
Our family is like a patchwork quilt, With kindness gently sewn. Each piece is an original With beauty all its own. With threads of warmth and happiness, It’s lightly stitched together, To last in love throughout the years, Our Family is forever.
(author unknown)
Walking in the atrium on Friday of Road 2017, no one could miss Simi Valley Quilt Guild’s Opportunity Quilt on display. Member Beth Bastian said they “wanted something bright” and that was certainly what they created.
All members in the guild had a chance to work on the quilt, receiving packets to work on various blocks. When completed, it was sent to a non-member gentleman to quilt. The drawing for the quilt was held at their regular meeting on February 8th. Proceeds benefited Pets for Vets and the Samaritan Center of Simi Valley, a homeless support center.
Road to California appreciates their partnership in supporting local quilt guilds like the Simi Valley Quilt Guild.]]>
Meet the African-American Quilters of Los Angeles
Wednesday, March 29th, 2017 The African-American Quilters of Los Angeles (AAQLA) began in 1986 with just a handful of members after an exhibition of African-American quilts was held in the California Afro-American Museum in Exposition Park of Los Angeles. Today, the guild has grown to over 125 multi-ethnic members of all ages. The mission of the AAQLA is to bring awareness of the historical value of African-American quilts, as well as to celebrate and continue the tradition of quilting.
The guild meets the third Sunday of each month from 1:00 – 5:00 PM. They began meeting at a new location starting this month (March, 2017) at the Veterans Memorial Center in Culver City.
Caring Hearts is the name of their philanthropy committee. The committee organizes the creation and donation of hundreds of quilts and other quilted items annually to hospitals, foster homes, and senior citizen homes. Most recently, they donated over 30 quilts to Junior Blind of America.
At Road 2017, AAQLA displayed their opportunity quilt which will be given away at their semi-annual quilt show, It Takes A Village, to be held November 4, 2017 at the Carson Community Center in Carson. 
The quilt was designed by guild member Pam Johnson and was quilted by Claudette Bettis, another guild member. All of the stars on the quilt were made by various members of the guild. Proceeds from the quilt will go to support Caring Hearts.
[caption id="attachment_4822" align="aligncenter" width="486"]
Photo by Brian Roberts Photography[/caption]
Olga, the guild’s opportunity quilt coordinator, has been with the guild since 1999. She loves the “fellowship and creativity of the very talented members and teachers. It’s a fun place to be on Sunday.”
Set your calendar for November 4th to enjoy a truly cultural celebration.
To learn more about the African-American Quilters of Los Angeles, please visit their website.]]>
Meet The Inland Empire Quilters Guild
Wednesday, March 15th, 2017 Inland Empire Quilters Guild.
[caption id="attachment_4788" align="aligncenter" width="448"]
Picture by Brian Roberts Photography[/caption]
Founded in 1981 and located in Corona, California, the Inland Empire Quilters Guild has 120 members. They said it was “a huge surprise and honor to be chosen. The whole guild was excited.” Each member could enter up to four, large quilts for the exhibit. A guild committee chose the 35 quilts that ultimately hung in the atrium, representing work from all levels of quilting.
[caption id="attachment_4790" align="aligncenter" width="448"]
Picture by Brian Roberts Photography[/caption]
Vice-President Susan Helliar was honored to have her quilt chosen. She made her own template and free-motioned quilted her entry using a Gammill Machine. 
Each year, The Inland Valley Quilters Guild makes over 100 quilts for foster children that attend the Royal Kids Camp held at Crossroads Community Church every summer. Every member is required to make at least one quilt which the guild says “is both a requirement and a blessing to be able to provide quilts to Royal Kids Camp.
The guild’s bi-annual Country Fair Quilt Show will be held May 5-6, 2017. Over 200 quilts made by guild members will be on display along with Vendors, Challenge Quilts, a Craft Boutique, Second Hand Treasurers, Door Prizes, a Special Exhibit, and Quilts for Sale. In addition, there will be a drawing for their opportunity quilt on Saturday afternoon. The guild displayed their quilt during Road 2017. It is all hand appliqued by five guild members. Susan Helliar did the original longarm quilting for this quilt 
Road appreciated the wonderful atmosphere provided by the Inland Valley Quilters Guild. Which guild will be up next for Road 2018?
]]>
Meet The Friendship Square Quilt Guild
Monday, September 5th, 2016 
The Friendship Square Quilt Guild was started in 1981 when a group of women in the Whittier, California area wanted to get together to share their love of quilting. Today, with over 120 members, the guild meets monthly, sponsoring guest speakers on both traditional and modern quilting. Every other year, the guild holds a quilt show at the La Habra Community Center. Their next show is scheduled for March, 2018.
[caption id="attachment_4294" align="aligncenter" width="625"]
At Road 2016 showing off their Opportunity Quilt[/caption]
The friendship activities that the guild is most proud of is their community and philanthropic outreach. One of their longstanding projects is with Quilts for Wounded Veterans. Members work together on red, white and blue themed quilts quilts that is part of a nationwide effort to thank wounded veterans for their service. The Marine Corps Family Foundation distributes the quilts to the Veterans Hospital at Camp Pendleton.
Another adopted organization is From Maddi’s Closet which is dedicated to the memory of little Madison Holmes, whose brief life touched so many and continues to inspire others to reach out to children and families who still struggle in search of a cure for pediatric cancer. Guild members make pillowcases and Beads of Courage Bags for children undergoing treatment for cancer. The Beads of Courage Bags are used to store the beads they receive for their courage in undergoing treatment. 
Each December at the guild’s holiday meeting, local non-profit agencies are honored and receive a donation from the guild along with quilts to be used in their programs. Agencies honored last December included Women’s and Children’s Crisis Center, St. Matthaias Episcopal Church, Interfaith Food Center, Salvation Army Transitional Living Center, Rosie’s Garage, and From Maddi’s Closet. 
Friendship Square Quilt Guild is so much more than a love of quilting. It is reaching out in friendship to those less fortunate, providing them warmth and security through quilting.
To learn more about the Friendship Square Quilt Guild, please visit their website.
]]>
Meet The San Fernando Valley Quilt Association
Friday, May 6th, 2016 
The San Fernando Valley Quilt Association is actually made up of two quilt organizations: a day group, the Valley Quiltmakers Guild and an evening group. Their 180 members come from all over the San Fernando Valley, meeting monthly at LIFEhouse Church in Northridge,California.
Philanthropy is a big part of this association. Their Quilters 4 Others (aka Q4O) meets monthly to tie quilts for various charities including Ahead with Horses, Save the TaTas (recovering cancer victims), Lutheran World Relief, Northridge Hospital Pediatric Trauma Unit, Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission, Rotaplast (to go with the doctors who repair cleft palates in South America), and for returning veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan.
In addition, this group also makes placemats for Meals on Wheels and the Valley Interfaith Council, beanie babies and scarves for Operation Gratitude and heart pillows for those who have had heart surgery at the Veterans Association Hospital in West Los Angeles. These pillows act as a way to counter the pressure of the incision for the heart surgery.
This year’s Opportunity Quilt is Autumn Garden and was on display at Road 2016.
The San Fernando Valley Quilt Association hosts a biannual quilt show, Quilting in the Valley. Their members enter quilts for judging and for a quilt auction. Their next show will be held May 6 and 7, 2017 at the Airtel Plaza and Hotel in Van Nuys.
To learn more about the San Fernando Valley Quilt Association, visit their web site.]]>
