Who We Are

The Shenandoah Valley Quilters Guild is dedicated to fostering education through a range of engaging activities, such as lectures, workshops, and demonstrations. Additionally, we host biennial quilt shows and retreats to celebrate and showcase the artistry of quilting. Our meetings typically feature captivating lectures followed by interactive workshops covering a diverse array of topics.

During our monthly Show & Tell sessions, attendees are treated to a vibrant display of quilts representing various styles, from traditional to modern, showcasing both hand and machine quilting techniques. Our members also demonstrate skills in thread painting, bead work, and other intricate methods.

Beyond our passion for quilting, SVQG members actively contribute to the community by crafting and donating lap quilts to hospice patients, creating quilts of valor, sewing pillows and totes for breast cancer patients, and supporting various charitable organizations through quilt donations.

We extend a warm invitation to anyone interested to attend our meetings and explore the possibility of joining SVQG. For further details, please reach out to us via email at info@svqg.org.

Board of Directors
Committees
The Bees

Our History

The Shenandoah Valley Quilters Guild commemorated its 25th anniversary in January 2012.
Delve into the origins of our vibrant community.

1986-1987

  • Dorothy Burks Williams and her husband relocated from Illinois to their farm in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Her first endeavor was to establish a quilt guild.
  • Amidst two record-breaking snowstorms on Saturday, January 25, 1987, nine passionate women convened, marking the birth of our Guild. Alongside Dorothy, the charter members included Eleanor Canter, Guadalupe Cline, Sue Hodges, Barbara Johnson, Beryl Lawson, Paula Tehlewitz, Elsie Terry, and Terry Wessel.
  • In February of the same year, Mary Beery, a quilt teacher from the Clothes Line (now Patchwork Plus) fabric store in Dayton, captivated an audience of 70, surpassing the Library Room’s capacity of 50!
  • By March, we relocated to a larger venue at Mack Truck Company. As a token of gratitude for their hospitality, we crafted a “Trip Around the World” wall hanging which featured an appliqued bulldog.
  • The Guild was initially comprised of five officers: President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary, and Newsletter Editor.
  • Lisa McCumsey’s design triumphed as the Guild logo and name tag.
  • Nancy Pearson, our inaugural out-of-town speaker and teacher, journeyed from Illinois to lead two workshops on applique.
  • The Guild introduced SVQG Pins for sale at $3.00 each.
  • Dorothy Williams generously donated the inaugural raffle quilt, won by Ellen Layman. Terry Wessel donated the following raffle quilt.
  • The Guild attained chapter status within the National Quilting Association.

1988

  • The Guild commemorated its birthday with an auction, which is now an annual tradition.
  • Our meetings transitioned to Harrisonburg Mennonite Church.
  • The Guild produced quilts for use in the play “The Quilters.”
  • Daphyne Thomas, a legal professional part of the JMU faculty, offered assistance in incorporating the Guild and securing non-profit status. In appreciation, a quilted wall hanging crafted by members was presented to Ms. Thomas.
  • The Guild voted to construct a bed-size quilt to be exhibited at the 20th Annual NQA Convention in June 1989.
  • Fran Miller’s quilt earned the “Best of Show” recognition at Belle Grove Plantation.
  • Membership dues were adjusted from $10.00 to $15.00.
  • Plans commenced for the first quilt show, titled “Quilts in the Valley.”
  • We hosted three out-of-state teachers for workshops: Gloria Hartley, Vivian Rothermel, and Jo Nelson.

1989

  • Guild meetings were relocated to Sunnyside Retirement Community.
  • Our service project involved crafting small quilts for donation to “First Step” and “The Ronald McDonald House.” In July, we delivered a total of 27 crib quilts.
  • The first quilt show was held at Blue Ridge Community College, yielding a total profit of $1,859.06.
  • An August “Farmers Market” fundraiser collected $68.20.
  • The Guild diligently worked on a quilt for WVPT’s Collectors Series, showcasing artistic endeavors.
  • By September, total membership reached 144.
  • The Christmas luncheon was held at the Spotswood Country Club.

Friends and Sponsors

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our friends, sponsors, and partners within the community who have generously supported the Guild. Their contributions, ranging from hosting workshops and programs to donating door prizes for our monthly meetings, have been invaluable in enriching our quilting experiences and fostering a sense of community among our members.

Complete List of Sponsors

Newsletters

The SVQG Newsletter is issued on a monthly basis, with no charge for emailed editions. However, for paper copies sent via mail, a fee determined by the Board is applied to cover printing and postage costs.

The deadline for submission is established by the current Newsletter Editor and falls on the second Sunday following our monthly Guild meeting.

Articles featured in the newsletter are typically crafted by Board and Committee Chairs. These articles serve to recap the most recent Guild meeting and to provide insights into upcoming programs and events. Additionally, members are encouraged to contribute articles, share recipes, or exchange quilting tips and ideas, provided they adhere to the ten-page limit. (Please note: Emailed newsletters may exceed the ten-page limit.)

For those interested in advertising within our membership newsletter, the following fee structure applies:

Members’ advertisements incur a charge of $0.50 per word, with a minimum fee of $5.00.
Formal business advertising rates are as follows: $12.00 for a business card-size ad, $20.00 for one-fourth page, $30.00 for one-half page, and $50.00 for a full page.

Archived Newsletters