Moonlight Quilters
Guild History
Past Presidents:
2009-Tracey F
2008-Marilyn D. R.
2007-Sharon D.
2006-Suzanne G.
2004 & 05-Tara F.
2003-Karen O.
2002-Karen M.
2001-Jo B.
2000-Mary Ann H.
1999-Meredith G.
1998-Sharon D.
1997-Michele B.
1996-Dee W.
1995-Jyl P.
1992-1994-Sharon D.
Moonlight Quilters began in November 1990 by Sharon Ostrom (now DeGrave) and Jyl Peterson as an alternative to daytime quilt guilds. Sharon and Jyl both worked during the day and needed a group that met in the evenings. Michele Barrie was enticed to attend the first meeting in March 1991 at the Quilt Basket on James Street in Bellingham. The group grew steadily by one member per month and because the majority of members were new or fairly new to quilting, the goal was to provide a forum where people could come together to talk, learn and have fun. Initial programs were conducted by members and covered a broad range of topics from drafting patterns, tools of the trade, and fabric selection to more complicated quilting techniques.
It wasn’t until 1992 that the members decided to become more formal and elect officers. Sharon was the first President; Pam Pries and Linda Johnson were Co-Vice Presidents for Programs and Projects. Michele was the Secretary and Kristi Michalowski was the Treasurer. As the group grew, ad-hoc committee positions were created which included Friendship Blocks, Challenge Quilt, and Christmas Quilt committees. Moonlight Quilters became an official non-profit organization in 1995.
Moonlight Quilters has a rich history of projects designed for members and quilts created for the community. A red and white churn dash block exchange evolved into the current friendship block program. In December 1992, the first quilt challenge was held and has become an annual event. Moonlighters are also proud of their community service tradition. The guild has made quilts for the Pregnancy Center, Bellingham Police Department Ride-Along Program, Womencare Shelter, Boys and Girls Club, Agape House and St. Joseph Hospital’s Infusion Center, F.A.C.E.S. Northwest and many other local community agencies. The list keeps growing. Recent projects are described on our website at http://www.moonlightquilters.org/Community.htm. The guild holds a September quilt exhibition in even numbered years. It is a non-competitive show to display the talent of guild members and to educate the public about quilting.
When The Quilt Basket moved to Sehome Village in 1993, so did Moonlight Quilters. By spring 1995, the guild had grown to the point a new, larger location was needed. Faith Lutheran Church became the official meeting place in the fall of 1995, and in 2007 relocated again to Central Lutheran Church. We are an informal group. All activities are optional. We enjoy and appreciate all styles, types and levels of quilting. The growth in numbers and enthusiasm of its members has moved Moonlight Quilters solidly into the 21 st century.