The Covington Quilters Guild was formed in 1995 with 37 members, meeting at the Covington Library. Within a year, the group grew to 70-plus and moved to Greater Maple Valley Community Center. Today the guild has over 105 members and still meets at GMVCC.
The main focus of a quilt guild is the member-to-member sharing of quilting skills and knowledge. Each monthly meeting has a variety of presentations, a “show and tell” time where members parade their latest quilting achievements, and often a “published” speaker demonstrating a special and unique talent. FYI, the Pacific Northwest has an exceptionally high concentration of published and nationally recognized quilters.
The Covington Quilt Guild has a multi-talented class of quilters with big hearts. Each year, dedicated members make and distribute on average 200 to 300 handmade, hand-sewn comfort “Hugs” quilts to special-needs children. The recipients include Mary Bridge Children’s Hospital oncology (chemotherapy) department, Valley Medical Center’s ICU for newborns, Pediatric Interim Care Center (addicted newborns) of Kent, Vine Maple Place (displaced mothers and children) in Maple Valley, Ryther Child Center (emotionally and physically abused children), and the Candlelighters Childhood Cancer Foundation of Western Washington, a support organization for families with children receiving chemotherapy at Fred Hutchison, Children’s and Madigan Hospital.
Candlelighter’s president, Shirley Enebrad, says, “The children love to receive these special quilts at a time when their lives are turned upside down. It is so gratifying to see children at the hospitals carrying the quilts around with them. Not only are the quilts beautiful, but there is beauty in how they make the children feel, knowing a stranger made the quilt especially for them. It is truly a hug from a giving stranger.”
This year, the guild has added another project – making quilts for the Covington MultiCare oncology department for adults.
The guild holds its annual show in conjunction with Covington Days. It is the proceeds from this show which support the outreach projects mentioned above.
In 1995, Gladys Grosvenor and Jeff Wagner chaired the first Covington Quilters Quilt Show at Covington Elementary School. It has grown from a small setting to a reputable quilt show offering something for everyone.
General guild information can be obtained at www.covingtonquilters.
Gail O’Hern is publicity chairwoman for the Covington Quilters Guild.
