History by Kathy

Ruth suggested I write about myself and quilting. This is a sideways response and an answer to the question "How did you guys all end up in a basement quilting?"
I met Syd in 1980. We did stuff together that included a lot of fiber related things but the quilting thing began in about 1983/84. Our friend Roxanne wanted us all to quilt so a group of 12 friends started on the path. We were each given a  quarter yard of a blue print calico and we were to make 12 identical blocks that were to be made into 12 quilts.First meeting with blocks at least  blocks started was summer 1984. Not much done but a great party.Eventually 6 of those quilts were completed.
At some point Syd moved to Cleveland and then the thread started to fly. Our friend Donna signed us up for "Sewing with Sarge". Syd had us go to Erie Street for a sashiko class with Mary Huey. 1989 saw Syd and I taking, at the same time, a hand piecing class and a block of the month on the West Side and "It's OK" with Mary on the East side. That big ball of thread and fabric has been rolling ever since.
Erie Street Fabrics was the center of it all.Many classes and retreats. Friendship Group firmly established many long lived actual friendships as well as some pretty nice quilts. We took and taught many classes, some from each other.
Evening Quilt Sitters Circle was another meeting place. Dianne was in morning QSC but we became fast friends in a parking lot at "Remembrance's". At some point the posse consisted of Syd, Kathy, Lynnee, Jan, Lori and Candy. We would work on projects in Syd's basement, or at Candy's but it was more about getting challenges and friendship blocks done than a study group. We made a queen sized Mary's Mississippi in 5 hours and did some demos for a Woman's Fair (pie and soup were the real attraction)  There were quite a few road trips. We won a prize for our "Soon to be Prize Winning Quilt" in the Fon's and Porter anniversary competition.
 When Mary retired her shop Syd got us to commit to a Saturday a  month and we tried to have a common learning goal. Fran, Dianne and Ruth joined us then as did Judy. Laura came when she could and we could count on Gwen, Maryanne and Sue to come and help us test a new class. Space in the basement dictated the size of the group.
Then things got in the way and although we had our Amishland retreat, friendship group, Quilter's Development Group, and Wildwood Guild for some of us,we lost focus. Ruth constantly reminded us of this.
Then, Lori and Mike made us a big playroom. I don't know if Mike and Brady were aware of the invasion to come but they seem happy to see us. We kicked off the new basement space with a New Year's Jelly Roll Race. Lynne won the grand prize.
This is a group of friends who like to quilt, learn, discover,talk and eat. We enjoy each other's company on this journey.
Now we have a blog. What's next?