Martinsville Woman Founds Virginia Foothills Quilters Guild
crafting tradition, culture, martinsville woman, piedmont arts center, virginia foothills quilters guild,
An avid quilter‚ Shar Peitz joins a guild whenever she relocates to a new city – and that has happened a lot. Her husband‚ a DuPont Co. executive‚ is frequently transferred‚ and Peitz has joined guilds in Canada‚ Pennsylvania and Tennessee.
But when she moved to Martinsville‚ there was no guild. So with the help of the Piedmont Arts Association‚ she decided to start one. The first meeting‚ held in 1993‚ drew 25 people.
Today‚ the Virginia Foothills Quilters Guild is going strong. On Nov. 11‚ 2006‚ the group welcomed the Virginia Consortium of Quilters and a month-long quilt exhibit at the Piedmont Arts Association is scheduled to start at the same time.
Quilters often share techniques at the monthly meetings at Piedmont Arts Center.
“It’s interesting to see what other people are doing‚” Peitz says.
Along with education‚ the guild provides community service. Members make stuffed bears that police officers give to children after a crisis‚ such as a fire or accident. They also make quilts for the hospital.
“There are younger moms who don’t have blankets for their children‚” explains Charlotte Gardner‚ a longtime member.
The guild also makes quilted “comfort bags” for breast cancer patients. Contents include a pillow and a tote in which patients can place the drainage systems that stay in place after surgery.
The community work is clearly rewarding‚ but membership has other advantages‚ as well.
“It motivates me to stretch myself in ways I never would have thought possible‚” Peitz says. “Working with a group‚ you can push yourself.”
Story by Pam George
Photo by Brian McCord
