Sandwiching a layer of batting between two panels of fabric— quilting—is not a new idea. During colonial times, settlers made quilts because they needed warm bedding. During years of economic hardship, quilters pieced together “whatever they could find, like old clothes and feed sacks,” says Nancy Bonnette, a longtime member of Golden Needles Quilt Guild of Montgomery County.
When the nation was at war, quilting became a way to show patriotism and help others. Somewhere along the way, quilting became an artistic endeavor. It also became a way for quilters to spend time with friends.
Quilting in Montgomery County is still a social hobby, thanks in part to Golden Needles Quilt Guild. People who share a passion for quilting gather on the second Wednesday of each month at the Willis Community Center to visit with friends, display what they have made, coordinate philanthropic quilt-making efforts, and gather ideas. “You learn so much from each other,” Nancy says.
Golden Needles Quilt Guild was first organized in 1989, says Beverly Walling-Wood, past president of the guild. From the start, the non-profit, educational organization was “dedicated to promoting the art of quilting and supporting our community with our skills.” Golden Needles has been advancing the skill of quilting in the community for decades and is a proud member of the Greater Conroe Arts Alliance. Furthermore, it aids area philanthropic organizations by providing comfort to those in need.
Today, guild members—which number more than 80—create hundreds of quilts each year that they donate to worthy recipients, including women who receive care at Montgomery County Women’s Center and Pregnancy Assistance Center North (PACN). Members also make quilts that are given to babies in neo-natal intensive care units, as well as children in the care of Child Protective Services (CPS). It’s a great way to “give back,” says Daphne Cox, guild president. “It makes you feel good, instead of sitting at the sewing machine, thinking ‘what am I going to do today,’” she says. “There’s always something to be done.”
Guild members also make quilts that are given to veterans every November at a program that is held in their honor. Each red-white-and-blue quilt includes a panel that is embroidered with “United States Veteran.” Members work on the quilts all year long, Daphne says, and present 25 to 60 to veterans each year. “It’s very moving,” she says.
The guild also raffles off a quilt once a year; proceeds are used to fund a $1,500 scholarship that is awarded each year to a deserving recipient who is seeking higher education. Guild members sponsor friends, neighbors, and family members of all ages. Some are pursuing instruction at technical schools or community colleges, while others are seeking college degrees.
The 2024 annual fundraiser for the group was held in December in Montgomery.
Golden Needles member Pam Spriggs started sewing when she was a teenager and continued to sew in adulthood, making clothes for her daughter. It was a skill that came naturally. Her paternal grandmother was a quilter; her maternal grandmother learned to sew from her mother, who sewed custom clothing for Houston socialites. “She could take a Sakowitz ad and make a pattern from that photo,” Pam says. According to family lore, Pam’s great-grandmother finished a ball gown for a client the night before she died.
With such a rich family tradition, Pam is understandably pleased that her granddaughter, Hannah Coffey,
13, has been quilting for almost a year. “Quilting has been good for her,” Pam says. Hannah is the youngest member of Golden Needles, an organization whose membership spans the decades. Some members are 80-plus years old.
Guild members also have varying levels of ability. “All skill levels welcome, and you don’t even have to quilt,” says Tamara Phillips, who serves the guild in several roles, including its vice presidency. Some members are skilled at other crafts, including appliqueing and making doll clothes. “There is a niche for everyone,” Tamara says, “and if they want to learn how to quilt, we will be happy to help them get started.”
Many members enjoy participating in workshops, which are scheduled, on average, every other month, Tamara says. The guild often brings in well-known instructors to teach quilting techniques, such as landscape, stained glass and collage quilting, as well as quilt embellishments. Sometimes, the workshop instructors are guild members themselves. “We have a lot of talent within the guild itself,” she says.
One of the highlights of monthly meetings is a “show and tell” time, where members can display their craftsmanship. “I always leave here inspired,” Daphne says. “I think, ‘I could do that!’”
In pioneer days, families worked together to share big tasks, such as logging and raising barns. Meanwhile, women got together at quilting bees to help each other on their quilting projects and to enjoy the fellowship of other quilters. Socializing over quilts continues today at Golden Needles meetings, where members enjoy visiting with others who share their passion for quilting.
During the pandemic, meetings were held via Zoom, and members continued to work on their quilting projects; some also made masks that were donated. Still, it wasn’t the same. “Members missed interaction with people who talked the same language that they did,” says June Carver, who was president of the guild during 2019 and 2020.
About three years ago, following “strong encouragement” from her friend Daphne, Margi Hall joined Golden Needles. Margi began quilting about 25 years ago because she couldn’t afford to buy a quilt. “And now I am providing everybody with quilts,” she says. She has made many quilts for family members, all machine washable and dryable, so they can be used. “I don’t want them in a cedar chest,” she says. She tells her grandchildren that when they snuggle with their quilt, they “have a hug from me all the time.”
Still, Margi was reluctant to join Golden Needles because she didn’t know anyone in the guild other than Daphne. Over the next three years, however, she made many friendships that she would not have made otherwise, she says with a smile that seems to say “who’d have thought?”. Margi has not regretted her decision to join Golden Needles, and she encourages other quilters and quilting wannabes to join, too. “If you don’t want to come on your own,” Margi says, “get a friend and come…because it’s worth it.”
For more information, visit golden-needles-quilt-guild.square.site.
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