About Our Guild Evergreen Piecemakers Quilt Guild

Evergreen Piecemakers is a quilt guild that was formed to promote and preserve the art and craft of quilt making. We meet on the second and fourth Mondays of each month at 7:30 pm. The first Monday is a business meeting and "Show and Tell" afterwards. The second Monday of the month is a Program Meeting night with various speakers or perhaps a "hands on" demonstration. Dues are $25 per year and includes a directory/handbook and monthly newsletter. The newsletter contains dates and times for meetings and quilt-related activities plus articles and a "Block of the Month" pattern (See Rules for participation in Block of the Month).

Every Fall, the Guild puts on a quilt show. This is the fundraiser for the year. The major part of the fundraiser is the Opportunity Quilt. This quilt is designed, made and quilted by the guild members. The money generated by the sales of raffle tickets allows our vice-president to arrange for speakers for the program nights. Our Vice-President also tries to arrange special workshops with different teachers in the quilting world during the year.

Community Service (The Joyful Quilters) makes lap quilts, baby quilts, and fund-raising quilts, which are donated to various charities and organizations. For more information go to the Charities Page.

There are satellite groups that meet to quilt and have fun during the week. There are retreats that you can attend where you may do anything you wish while you are there. No cooking, cleaning or chores!

In March, the Evergreen Piecemakers arrange a weekend of classes with nationally known and local quilt teachers. The Spring Quilt Break is three days of classes with luncheons with speakers. We also take an annual bus trip to the NW Quilters Quilt Show at Portland State University. This is a fun day at the quilt show with side trips to one or more fabric shops in the Portland, Oregon area.

Business Related

Business Meetings Business meetings are normally held on the 2nd Monday of each month and are for all Guild Members. Old and new business is discussed along with reports and announcements from various committees and groups. The general financial status of the Guild is reported. The meeting is chaired by the President and lasts about 45 minutes to an hour long. After a short break, we reassemble for "Show and Tell". Attendance at business meetings is encouraged as important matters are discussed.

Dues Dues are collected yearly and must be paid no later than January 15th to the Membership Chairwoman. Make checks payable to Evergreen Piecemakers. The current dues are $25 for general membership. Be sure and update your listing in the Membership Handbook at this time as well, or whenever changes occur. New handbooks are published in mid-winter and will be available to dues-paying members only. (We have authorized a $15 yearly membership for the founding members of the Guild).

Guest Policy Normally, we allow someone to come to a few meetings prior to joining. This allows them the opportunity to see if the Guild fits their needs. If we are sponsoring a Program for which we have incurred expenses (national speaker, etc.) we ask for a $2 donation for that particular meeting.

Donations The Guild makes cash donations to various non-profit organizations including a $500 annual donation to the Association of Pacific Northwest Quilters. Requests for donations are submitted to the Executive Board for consideration. The Board presents their recommendation to the general membership for a vote. Donations are made consistent with the purpose of the Guild as written in Article II of the By-Laws.

Program Meetings Program Meetings are normally on the 4th Monday of each month. The Vice President of the Guild arranges for speakers and various program meetings of each year. The Guild budgets for the speakers, who are generally nationally known. The speakers are generally recruited many months in advance of announcements are printed in the Newsletter. Other program nights consist of various activities such as: auctions, potlucks, take and make night, community service sewing, and our quilt show celebration.

Sunshine Committee The Sunshine Committee was established because everyone in our Guild is special, and we want them to know it by remembering them in their time of need. If you know of anyone who is ill,suffering a loss, or otherwise hurting or experiencing some life difficulty, please contact the Sunshine Chairwoman (listed in the Newsletter), so she may send the Guild's best wishes.

Volunteers Volunteers are an intregal part of the Guild. Without volunteers the Guild would cease to exist. There are many opportunities to support the Guild by volunteering throughout the year, and is a great opportunity to meet and get to know other members. Some positions are a one-time shot and others are for longer periods of time. A few examples are sewing blocks, quilting and binding quilts for Community Service, helping with our annual quilt show, and ad-hoc committees. Executive Board positions are also volunteer/elected positions.

Quilt Show The Quilt show is an event that every member of the Guild is encouraged to enter items they have made or own, including quilts, quilted clothing, accessories, etc. The show is organized by the Quilt Show Committee. The event is made possible by volunteers in the Guild signing up for various positions on the Committee and working during all or part of the three days of the show. This is an annual event that includes judging of entries and ribbon awards.

Show Me How Show Me How is a demonstration of quilting skills and tips presented by volunteer members and is normally conducted starting about an hour before the business meeting and the break. Show Me How is also a part of the quilt show. The skills taught can be very basic or more complicated as there are all levels of learners at our meetings. The Show Me How Chairwoman's job is to arrange for someone from the Guild to demonstrate each month. It is always fun to participate and it is a great way for members and guests to observe a new skill or learn a new tip.