Our Guild’s History
On May 12, 1982, ten ladies decided to meet at The Stitchery, a now defunct quilt shop. Cheryl Lowe chaired this first meeting of a budding quilt guild. Out of three names submitted to the NQA for consideration, one was chosen, and the Southern Comforters Quilt Guild became official.
In the beginning, the guild was managed on dues of $1 per meeting. To better get to know each other during the meetings, Show & Tell was instituted. This activity gave every attendee an opportunity to speak about themselves and their recent projects, even sharing tips or seeking advice from fellow quilters.
Over the years, our guild has stayed active and exciting. What started as only ten members has become a community or quilters, and friends, that spans across the country!
Some Interesting Firsts
2010 — First “Out of the Attic” held
2007 — First Quilt Bingo hosted
2006 — Newsletter available in color via email
1999 — Southern Comforters goes online
1998 — First show held at the C. Elizabeth Rieg Regional
1997 — First “Kids Corner” at the Quilt Show
1996 — First Southern Comforters Retreat
1994 — First “solo” Quilt Show for Southern Comforters
1993 — First two day quilt show, held at Bowie City Hall
1988 — First Quilt Show, held at Belair Mansion on June 12th
1988 — First Quilt Club Pins designed by Rolinda Collinson
1988 — Community Quilts Projects started by Jean Reger
1987 — First Friendship Quilt
Past Guild Presidents
2024-Present — Jacque Nino
2022-24 — Karen Todd
2021-22 — Carrie Casto
2020-21 — Frank Rucky
2019-20 — Anna Marie Williams
2016-19 — Peggy Alexander
2008-16 — Pat Scully
2007-08 — Evelyn Kirby
2005-07 — Carolyn Martel
2003-05 — Carol Z. Berg
2001-03 — Jean Reger
1999-01 — Irene Gambino
1998-99 — Cathy Brown
1997-98 — Janet Freitag
1995-97 — Barbara Bletch
1993-95 — Bonnie Maneer
1992-93 — Beth Esmont
1991-92 — Rolinda Collinson
1989-91 — Helen Johnston
1988-89 — Carol Hobbs
1987-88 — Carol Conrad
1985-86 — Grace Galetsky
1984-85 — Jean Reger
1983-84 — Barbara Dolney
1982-83 — Cheryl Lowe
Quilt Show Featured Quilters
2019 — Elfreida harris
2018 — Judith Keane
2017 — Jean Dwyer
2016 — Trish Rader
2015 — Mary Nielsen
2014 — Pat Scully
2013 — Misty Cole
2012 — Terri Tomoff
2011 — Charlotte Kieliszek
2010 — Barbara Dahlberg
2009 — Karen Sim
2008 — Pam Budesheim
2007 — Susie Stevenson
2006 — Margy Hill
2005 — Susan Dicks
2004 — Bette Mock
2003 — Marion Wise
2002 — Florence Marion
2001 — Eileen Schamel
2000 — Jean Reger
1999 — Renee Hunt
1998 — Father Raymond Prybis (Quilt Show Theme: Quilts for Men)
1997 — Helen Johnston
1996 — Bonnie Maneer
1995 — Ribbon Winners: Challenge, Sotterly Plantation Best in Show, Maryland State Fair, Prince Georges County Fair, Annapolis Quilt Guild Viewers Choice, Londontown Needlework Show, Champlain Valley (Vermont) Quilters Annual Show
1994 — Joan Blalock
1993 — Mary Lancaster