Bethesda Quilters

A group of like-minded individuals who appreciate the art of quilting and the joy of fellowship when sharing a passion for this craft.

Bethesda Quilters was founded in May 1977 during the quilting revival after the bicentennial. Our guild started with a few hardworking and determined ladies who met at each other’s homes. As membership grew, our meetings moved to various area libraries, and presently we assemble at the Chevy Chase Library. Through the years our goal has been to pursue the craft we love with friends we enjoy working with, always keeping in mind our goal of serving the community.

Membership

A close up of an abstract applique quilt with yellow blue and orange leaves against a background that is purple, green, and blue  A quilt hanging on a wall with interwoven stripes of blue green and grey against a white background

Our guild currently numbers approximately 35 quilters, who come from Bethesda and surrounding communities in Montgomery County, Maryland. Bethesda Quilters warmly welcomes visitors and new members.

Annual dues are $30 per person and are collected in October for the following calendar year.

Bunny Tjaden standing next to an applique quilt of the 12 months, eah with a design that incorporates flowers and seasonal colors  A halloween quilt with a castle, bats, a black cat, and stars. There's halloween fabric peeking out the windows of the castle, and a just a wee bit spooky fabric panel at the top left

Meetings

A rainbow half square triangle quilt by Debra Munk, which won a prize
A multicolor quilt in pink, orange, yellow and purple is being displayed by two members
A white woman with grey hair and a plum blouse points to a display board showing four different green and white quilt blocks. She is demonstrating how the blocks were made.

 

 

 

Our meetings may include locally or nationally known speakers, wonderful trunk shows, demos of new and interesting techniques or tools, workshops for donations, plus socials twice a year just for fun!

Bethesda Quilters warmly welcomes visitors and new members.

In our most recent quilt show in October 2019, our members displayed over one hundred of their latest exciting quilts. We had a quilting and craft supply sale in 2022 when the world began to open up after the COVID pandemic shut down.

This year, our group project is to create and donate as many baby quilts as we can! 

An abstract, modern quilt in oranges, reds and greens with African print fabric designed by Eleanor Balaban.
A partially-finished quilt with diamonds made of string piecing in red white and blue with patriotic fabrics as well  A collection of baby quilts in blues, greens, yellows and golds, tossed in a very cozy pile

 

 

 

 

We hope to have a quilt show next year in 2024 to share our art and fun with the community.

Our group is small—but mighty! Join us to get in on all the quilting fun!

When and Where

Bethesda Quilters usually meets on the first Tuesday of the month between 1:00-3:00 p.m.

Chevy Chase Library
8005 Connecticut Ave
Chevy Chase, MD 20815

Meetings will be held May 7*, June 11.  July 9, August 13, September 10, October 8, November 12, and December 10. Note May 7 is first Tuesday, all others are the second Tuesday.

Meeting Activities

The programs, workshops and speakers at our monthly meetings reflect the varying interests of our members, from conservation of antique quilts to modern quilt art. We welcome visitors to any of our meetings and encourage everyone to participate in our activities. There is no charge.

Covid Precautions:

Masks are now optional at our meetings, though we hope that everyone who comes to our meetings is fully vaccinated. We continue to keep space around ourselves.


There will be no refreshments served, but you may bring a snack or beverage of your own.

Our Latest Baby Quilt Workshop

This photo is from one of our baby quilt workshops! These cheerful quilts are given to babies who can use a little extra warmth through a bunch of social service agencies.

Quilt Show

Bethesda Quilters holds a quilt show every two to three years at Holy Redeemer School auditorium in Kensington, MD. Our show is typically held on Fridays and Saturdays during the month of October.

In our most recent show, our members displayed over one hundred of their latest exciting quilts.

Opportunity Quilt

Guild members make a collaborative quilt which is raffled at the end of the show. Raffle tickets are sold throughout the year and during the two-day show.

Raffle Baskets

Several baskets are filled with incredible quilt-related items. These baskets are raffled at different times during both days of the show.

Boutique

The boutique displays member-made items for sale to benefit the guild. The boutique coordinator may suggest items to be made for the show.

Member Quilt Displays

Quilts made by our members are proudly displayed during this event. At our last show, guild members exhibited over 100 quilts and quilt-related items to the delight of visitors.

Fabric Challenge

A select piece of fabric is distributed to guild members, who are challenged to make something with it. These creations are proudly displayed at the show.

White Elephant

Part of our show area is dedicated to selling materials, yarn, books, and other needleart-related items. Visitors to the show have an opportunity to add to their own treasures.

Charity Work

Donation Quilts

The Guild donates quilts for babies at the Greater DC Diaper Bank and the Community of Hope in DC.  Each year members deliver close to 200 quilts which they create during a yearly workshop and at home throughout the year. Some members also make beautiful knitted or crocheted blankets for these charities. Some of our members have also made sweet premie quilts for the tiniest newborns at Walter Reed National Mil. Med. Center and larger quilts for children with cancer. We even sent a few quilts to fire victims in California.

Members of DC Diaper bank hold up donated quilts from the members, including a Winnie the Pooh quilt, a quilt with pink and blue stripes, and two pink and white quilts

Masks

During the pandemic we made face masks and scrub caps for nurses on the front line at the Washington VA, Walter Reed and Suburban Hospital. We also made and delivered 683 masks to local clinics, retirement homes and social service agencies when supplies were short and desperately needed. 

A table of handmade pleated face masks with ear elastic in a variety of prints and colors

Meals on Wheels Placemats

Each year, Bethesda Quilters creates and donates more than sixty handmade placements to this wonderful charitable organization. During the pandemic we made face masks for their dedicated volunteers as well.