Today We Feature Carolyn Conrey
TH:
Why did you join the guild?
CC:
There was a need for a day quilt guild.
TH:
How was the guild different when you joined than it is today?
CC:
There has been growth, and a variety of different interests among members
TH:
How would you describe the guild or its members to others?
CC:
Like a large flower garden.
TH:
Tell us a story in the guild’s past?
CC:
Much like a utilitarian scrap quilt, our Guild’s beginnings are linked together with the threads of friendship, a need, and the desire to comfort and share warmth ...
So one fine spring morning, Carolyn Conrey called Clare Jones and asked, “Are you serious about starting a day guild?” Clare’s response, a resounding yes. Clare offered her home as a meeting place (or battleground) for the first feasibility meetings. They made the decision to keep the first meetings small and short.
They decided to invite Gloria Comstock and Jean Rosell to the initial meeting due to their expertise, demonstrations of tireless work, love for the craft of quilting and both of their reputations for the inability to say "No." Clare invited Jean and Gloria to that first meeting on April 13, 2003, but chose not to tell them the purpose of the gathering. Carolyn did let the reason for the meeting “out of the bag” to Gloria, but Jean was led to believe they were to sit & sew…
The next couple of weeks were spent much like making a quilt: there was the planning stage; next the tedious toil over words and phrases; the ripping and mending of the fabric of the text so it would appear seamless ... Finally, they felt confident to present the body of work, the “guild” product, to quilting buddies for their opinion and approval.
The first guild meeting was held at Westminster Presbyterian Church on Aug. 7, 2003.
TH:
What should newer members know about the guild or its history?
CC:
We are a 501(c)(3) organization, which protects each member plus offers protection from personal lawsuits. We were formed as both an EDUCATIONAL AND CHARITABLE organization. We could be one or the other but chose both. Also, we keep our charitable endeavors to Alachua County groups.
TH:
What should other quilters know about quilting today?
CC:
How broad the guild has grown – the bees are a great help.
TH:
What would you like current members to know about the guild?
CC:
Join a Bee (or two or three), broaden your quilting skills and get to know the other members.
