A community effort
At a 1985 meeting of the Mayflower Handquilters Society (now the Mayflower Quilters Guild), I made a motion to start a Quilters Retreat. Inspired by the collaboration within our group, we all agreed that a dedicated ‘working holiday’ in an idyllic location would be a huge creativity boost.
Here we are in 2006, planning for the 2007 Retreat—our eleventh bi-annual. Our original philosophy—let’s bring the teachers to us—works towards affordability, encouraging more quilters to join us. Over the last 20 years we have raised approximately $50,000 to further reduce costs, and we’re very grateful to the members of the MQG for their support of all our ventures; to the guild itself for assisting us for several Retreats with a grant; and to the provincial Department of Culture for their support.
Our fundraising has included raffle of a complete Retreat package, ‘Quilter’s Quarters’ (a tour of quilter’s homes to see their sewing rooms and view their work), raffles of quilts and baskets full of all sorts of goodies and supplies, and during the Retreat, we hold an auction.
A community effort, many quilters have given freely of their time, ideas and encouragement as part of the Mayflower Quilters Retreat Committee. Over the years, they have dedicated many hours to making the event as special as it is. As we approach our eleventh gathering, my appreciation and sense of collective accomplishment is greater than ever.
Barbara Robson, Convener
Thursday, April 6, 2006
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