Common Threads
Quilt Guild
Hancock County, Indiana
The Common Threads Quilt Guild was organized July 1988. An organizational meeting was held in Greenfield at the Farm Bureau Building with approximately 15-18 ladies in attendance. Two ladies from the recently formed Greenwood club were there to help and lend support. The club name was suggested and voted on that day.
The first officers were:
Dee Oakerson, President
Shirley Eller, Vice-president
Alice Tidrow, Secretary
Virgina Collin, Treasurer
Our first quilt shows were held at the Chapel in the Park in Greenfield. We used chairs to display quilts and some were hung on the walls. A few years later we were financially able to have quilt racks built so we could hang more quilts without folding them. We have been able to obtain many instructors through the years who have presented classes on all phases of quilting.
Since 1988 we have had more than 150 ladies as members. Charter members who were present at the organizational meeting and are still active are: Jean Edwards, Shirley Eller, Lucille Hartley, Lois Schaekel, Norma Jean Smith and Edna Martin.
Lucille Hartley, Historian (2002)
Our Guild Now
In our 24th year, a membership of 126 gathers now on the west edge of Hancock County surrounded by Cumberland, Fortville, Greenfield, Lawrence, Mt Comfort and New Palestine. We meet the third Wednesday of each month at Mt. Comfort United Methodist Church, 3179 North 600 West – just north of I-70 at Mt. Comfort exit – from 9:30 – 11:30 AM. Meetings are held in the huge , well lit Life Center in the rear of the building. With entrance gained through the large doors under the drive – thru. New members are always welcome to join no matter what their skill level or experience. Membership dues are $15.00. A guest may visit twice before joining, although without membership some guest speakers cost $5.00 at the door. This will be noted on the Web or in the newspaper. The meetings often include a quilt related demonstration or mini workshop, pot luck luncheons, make it and take it, auctions and nationally known instructors. We always include door prizes, block of the month, show’n tell, tips and a supportive and fun atmosphere.
Some quotes from members in the past regarding Common Threads; “It’s a good way to make new friends and renew old friendships having that common bond of quilting brings you together” – Marietta Christ. “Everything that I’ve been able to experience through quilting has been a good experience. The people that are into the craft are very wholesome and nice” – Melodie Wright. “The neat thing about quilting is there’s a social life associated with it. There are day trips and shop hops…We get together and make a day of it and go all over creation finding shops and eating lunch” – Karen Mitchell.
