Azalea City Quilters’ Guild, Inc.

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The Azalea City Quilters’ Guild (ACQG),  established in 1980, is a non-profit organization.  Its     purpose is to promote the appreciation of quilting, while members develop their skills and learn new techniques.  Members share an interest in the art of quilting and have joined together to educate the public about this beautiful, constantly evolving art form.

 

Who should join?

Whether you have yet to make your first stitch, or you are an accomplished award-winning expert – you are welcome to join.  The Guild enjoys a vast array of talents and skill levels in its members.  Eager beginners learn from willing, seasoned, veteran quilters.  Even the most advanced quilters learn new things.

 

 

Azalea City Quilter’s Guild

P.O. Box 160154

Mobile, AL  36616

HISTORY

The Azalea City Quilters Guild celebrated its 25th anniversary in June, 2005.  We have come a long way.  It started back in 1976.  The bicentennial activities in the area included a quilt lecture and exhibit at FAMOS (Fine Arts Museum of the South) in conjunction with the Birmingham Museum.  It was so popular that many hoped it would result in a rebirth of quilting activity.  Friends were made at local fabric stores.  A new quilt shop, Quilts and Calico, opened and the air was abuzz  with the idea of forming a quilting group.

 

After a while, a group of women took the initiative and persuaded the owner of the quilt shop to let them have an organization meeting there.  They called the museum for a phone list, set a time and date, put up flyers, placed an ad in the newspaper and then nervously waited to see how many would show up.  The chosen date was June 16, 1980.  Twenty-six women attended that first meeting and 16 of them paid $10 dues to start a quilters guild.  Ellen Anson agreed to be the first president, and soon the Guild had a complete slate of officers.  Charter membership was left open until December 25, 1980.

 

The Nine Patch News newsletter was born almost immediately.  By the third meeting, the group was named the Azalea City Quilters Guild, and its motto, “Quilters are Piecemakers,” was established.  Carolyn Weaver’s design incorporating a modified nine patch block was chosen for the logo.  Pat Phillips later added the flowers you see on the ACQG pins.  Dorthea Carr’s design for name tags was an immediate success and quickly became the official pattern for all Guild name tags.

 

The history of the Guild is marked by growing pains and a series of moves.  From the fabric shop, the Guild went to the Carlen House, the Alabama Home Extension Service, then to Cottage Hill Library, and Spring Hill Baptist Church.  With the move to Spring Hill Avenue United Methodist Church Fellowship Hall, the Guild became a daytime guild and has remained there for regular daytime meetings ever since.

 

The Azalea City Quilters’ Guild is a non-profit organization.  Its purpose is to promote the appreciation of quilting, while members develop their skills and learn new techniques.  Members share an interest in the art of quilting and join together to educate the public about this beautiful American art form.  The Guild enjoys a vast array of talents and skill levels in its members.  Several ACQG members have been published in various quilt related publications and have taught around the Southeast.  Members have also entered their work in area, national and international shows.