Our History

In May of 1987, a group of 18 quilters met in a private home with the goal of starting a quilt guild close to home. By September, this dedicated group had found a meeting place, a slate of volunteer officers, several committee chairwomen and a name. The Berry Basket Quilters invited all to the first official meeting of the new guild.

The first project was a signature quilt. Squares of muslin with an applique heart were sent to many “famous” people with the request to please sign the square and return it. The squares were made into a quilt top which was taken to many local fairs and events. The public was invited to sign the top for a dollar each. This quilt hangs in the guild’s first meeting place, the Old Town Hall, Vincentown, New Jersey. Some of the signers include: Shirley Temple Black, President Gerald Ford, Tom Selleck, Willard Scott, along with state and local politicians.

Three members of the planning committee volunteered to be the program committee and came up with creative ways to provide interesting local and free programs since there was no money in the treasury.  After some fund raising, there were phone calls and contract agreements which led to a wider choice of speakers available.  Today, arrangements are done online and include Zoom meetings with quilters in other countries.   

The Block of the Month committee was started by two sisters who were part of the original planning meetings. They were originally from New York and had married two brothers and moved to Leisuretown. They chose the pattern for each month and made sample blocks and provided paper patterns at the meetings.  Block of the month is still available. In addition to being available at meetings it is shared online. 

The original group was filled with friendly, enthusiastic, hardworking and talented quilters willing to share their time and knowledge with others. Today Berry Basket Quilters continues with these same qualities.