Tavern Quilt Guild

 

 

History  

In the summer of 1995, a group of quilters from the Northern Neck decided to form a Quilt Guild. Leading the group was Anna Holland,a well known quilter who had moved to' Arcadia' in Heathsville. She was interested in working with the non-profit Rice’s Hotel/Hughlett’s Tavern Foundation to restore the Tavern to its former status. The first meeting was held at the Historical Society building in March of 1996 with 23 quilters. Severe weather in January and February had postponed the meeting.

 

In order to raise money for the restoration of the Tavern, The Tavern Quilt Guild with the sponsorship of the RHHT, a nonprofit foundation, made a hand pieced, hand quilted, and queen-sized quilt. The quilt pattern featured a Mariner’s Compass which commemorated the heritage of the area. The Mariner’s Compass has become the logo of the Guild.  A raffle was held which netted $15,000 and the proceeds were donated to the RH/HT Foundation. Since the founding of the TQG three more quilts of original design, all hand pieced and hand quilted, have been made by the members. Raffles were held with the money earned, $45,000, earmarked for the Tavern reconstruction. With the Tavern reconstruction completed, money raised then was used to construct an education building which is used by the public and where the TQG now meets.

 

In 2006, the Guild completed another quilt, the pattern of which is called, "Chesapeake Bay Small Craft Warnings", in shades of blue and white, also with the Mariner's Compass as the main feature. It was auctioned at the Fourth Biennial Quilt Gala and the proceeds will be used to fund programs and speakers for the Guild.

 

The TQG meets the first Tuesday of the month in the education building behind the Tavern.  Membership is open to anyone interested in quilting and guests may attend two meetings before joining. Annual dues are twenty dollars. At present the membership consists of about 100 members from all counties of the Northern Neck, Middle Peninsula, and some from Northern Virginia. The meetings are lively affairs; monthly programs may include a nationally known speaker, trunk show, demonstration of varied quilting techniques, workshops, or slide presentations. "Show and Tell" is an important part of each meeting where members share finished and unfinished projects.

 

"Bees" were formed from the Guild, which in turn spawned workshops for special projects, such as; quilts for the quilt galas, Katrina victims, the Haven Shelter, and returning injured veterans. They also are involved in fund raising for the Guild.  Current Bees include:   Ladies of the Night, Formerly Known as Perfect, Sew Bee It, and Village Chicks.