Chapter Gallery

On February 8, 1991, what was to become the Palmetto Quilt Guild of Hilton Head Island, South Carolina held an organizational meeting.  Over 50 women attended and by the end of that year 77 women and 1 man had joined the Guild. In 1992, membership numbered 88 and by the end of 1994, it reached 111.  In succeeding years membership continued to grow and for the past 5 years has varied between 170 and 190.

Originally meeting 6 times a year, the Palmetto Quilt Guild now meets monthly, except for August and December, on the third Thursday of the month with workshops held the Friday following the general meeting. 

The Guild's statement of purpose notes these goals:  promote the art of quilting, educate the membership, enhance members enjoyment of the art of quilting, encourage quilt artistry and refine the necessary skills, community service and community outreach. 

Many activities have enabled the Guild to achieve these goals.

Beginning in 1992, the Guild presented its first members-only quilt show featuring over 100 quilts. This tradition has continued every other year, and in 2006 over 135 quilts were displayed.  The next show, "Hilton Head Quilt Festival" is scheduled for March 14 and 15, 2008.  Original programs presented entirely by members of the Guild have grown to include lectures and workshop presented by professional quilt artists 4 or 5 times a year, supplemented by in-house programs featuring some of the many talented members of the Guild.  The Community Service Committee organizes service workshops several times a year where lap sized quilts are made to be dispersed to various community organizations. In the past 6 years, a $1000 scholarship has been offered to a graduating senior from an area high school who is interested in pursuing a degree in art.  Outreach to the community includes educational programs for schools, libraries, and community groups, and visiting nursing homes with displays of member's quilts.  Also, number of our members have been involved in the "Quilts of Valor" project, making quilts for returning injured armed forces members. See palmettoquiltguild.org for more information.