In 1998 Stephanie DeMuro, owner of Quilters Gathering quilt shop, came together with a group of 15 women to establish a quilt guild. The first meetings were held in the back room of the shop with a baker's dozen ladies sitting on chairs rented for the occasion. They formed a quilt guild known as PieceMakers Quilt Guild. Officers were chosen, goals and a mission statement were developed, and bylaws created. 

 

Within six months the group outgrew the shop located in Harrisburg. In 2000 the group moved to Wesley United Methodist Church in Middletown, where they stayed until flooding and renovations prompted a move to our current meeting location at St. Peters Lutheran Church in Middletown. Our membership has grown from 15 original members to over 100 members currently. 

 

Our first program was a presentation on the Blooming Nine-Patch given by members Sarah Campbell and JoEllen Myers. Since then, the Guild has hosted programs from other members, as well as locally and nationally known quilters like Rachel Pell, Karen Kay Buckley, Bonnie Hunter and Gyleen Fitzgerald. Our programs continue to cover all facets of quilting, including designing and dying fabrics, designing quilts, quilting techniques, quilt history, and innovative and modern ideas.

 

Our membership covers multiple counties in south central Pennsylvania. Our commitment to community includes contributions of duffle bags for foster children, pillowcases for hospitalized children, comfort caps for cancer patients and placemats for seniors receiving Meals on Wheels. We regularly contribute to local charities.

 

In 2018, PieceMakers Quilt Guild became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. 

 

A guild is more than bylaws and presentations. For a quarter of a century, thanks to the foresight and perseverance of the founding members, our guild has created an organization that encourages community involvement, continuing quilting growth of our members and fellowship through our many programs and volunteer opportunities. 

 

These are our founding “mothers”!

• Stephanie DeMuro (Our first president)

• Bobby Bright

• Shirley Hornung

• Sarah Campbell

• Joni Holl

• Kathy Chickey

• Mary Lander

• Linda Dunbar

• Debbie LeDuke

• Susan DiClemente

• Donna Moore

• JoEllen Myers

• Joan Fischer

• Betty Nickle