MANCHESTER, NH – Last fall I walked into Patches Quilt and Embroidery Loft on Candia Road and was wowed by rows of lovely fabric in endless colors and patterns. I purchased a stack of 10-inch squares of coordinating fabric in gorgeous blues and golden creams that would match my little condo perfectly. I stared at those swatches of beautiful patterns for months, imagining what on earth I could do with the fabric. I decided on decoupaging, and headed to Hobby Lobby for some brushes, Modge Podge ® and some wooden trays and decorative items that I could collage the fabric on to. I watched videos on YouTube on how to decoupage with fabric and eventually let that fabric sit, not convinced that decoupage was the best choice.
I shared my dilemma with a new friend who was an expert quilter, worried that I would never have the patience nor the equipment to learn how to quilt. She kindly offered to teach me how to quilt and lent me a sewing machine. Over the coming months, she taught me about patch working with simple quarter-inch seams, how to use a rotary cutting blade and plastic ruler to turn strips into triangles and squares, and how to spritz the fabric before ironing the seams off to the side. Eventually I ended up with a beautiful quilt, big enough to drape over a queen size bed, and lots of leftover fabric. Had it not been for her encouragement and patience, I would have tossed that project into the dumpster many times. “Why not try just one quilt a year?” she asked. That stuck with me. One a year? I could do that.
It turns out there are over nine-million quilters in North America, and the sewing and quilting industry is estimated to be over $5.9 billion annually, with an expected 6.7% growth in the next six years. As @quilter_candy (Elizabeth Chappell) on Instagram says, “quilting brings joy, builds community, and even helps reduce stress.” Quilters report a higher satisfaction and happiness in life, which makes sense because using your hands, and being part of a positive community, have an overwhelmingly positive effect on mental health.
Since finishing my first quilt, I signed up for two local beginner quilting classes at Night Owl Quilting in Goffstown (soon moving to a new location), and had the pleasure of meeting a diverse group of beginner quilters from all over the state as we learned from an expert sewist and retired sewing teacher. Back at Patches on Candia Road, I began purchasing new fabric collections and spent two weekends at an open “sit and sew” where, for a small fee, I was able to work on my quilt projects with the benefit of an ironing and cutting station all ready to go. With enthusiasm, I brought a sticker that said “Make More Quilts” to put on my new sewing machine and told the cashier, “I just can’t get enough of this. I want to be in the club – the quilting club.” “Are you a guild member?” they asked. What? There is a club for this kind of thing? I just had to learn more.
Established in 1988, the Amoskeag Quilters Guild is a 100-plus member, non-profit organization that meets monthly in Hooksett, with the purpose of providing opportunities for education, appreciation and advancement of the art of quilting. There are guilds throughout the State of New Hampshire, including the Country Quilters of Barnstead, the Pine Needle Stitchers of Claremont, the Seacoast Modern Guild Guild in Exeter, and the Hannah Dustin Quilt Guild of Hudson.
I decided that I just needed to see more quilts, up close, and meandered west on a warm October Saturday to see an amazing display of hanging quilts made by local quilters at the Soo-Nipi Quilters Guild show in Newport, NH, and the two-day Cheshire County Quilters Guild Show at Keene Middle School. The guild shows were so much fun, with kind and welcoming guild members encouraging everyone who entered to vote for their favorites, and ask questions. The attendees were not just quilters, of course. Children and husbands were all in attendance, as well as people who just wanted to appreciate and support the quilters. As one woman said “everyone knows a quilter.”
Are you ready to be inspired? Be sure to mark your calendar for May 2026, when the Amoskeag Quilters Guild put on their bi-annual show in Manchester. You can also learn more about all upcoming quilt and fiber art events in New England at https://sewmanyshows.com/.
Nicole Gaudes of Manchester is an office manager by day, with a passion for writing and quilting. She is an active member of a group called Women Who Write, and recently joined a local quilting guild. She shares her work on Instagram @bluesky_goodness.