Every quilter has their own memory of making their first quilt.

For Sandy Miller of Westford, Mass., her first quilt was a gift to her daughter, who had found herself feeling homesick in college.

“It was a Christmas present to remind her of home,” Miller said.

Miller, who now makes quilts for her grandchildren when they leave for school, was one of 10 quilters who made their way to the Quilters Retreat at Center Hall in Lyndeborough for two days of quilting last weekend. Each quilter had their own station, each set up by the windows where there was the best light.

When asked how long she has been quilting, Pam Griffin responded, “Oh maybe 40 years.” Her favorite part of the quilting process is going shopping for the patterns, designs and fabrics. 

Many of the quilts being made were for gifts. On Saturday midday, Ann Harkleroad had nearly finished a quilt she’ll be giving to her daughter as a wedding present, and fellow quilters were happy for her to be so close.

“Only four years in the making,” Harkleroad said.

To the quilters, the hobby isn’t just about the needle and thread. It’s about the trips together all across New England to quilting stores, having a meal out somewhere new and coming together to see the progression of one another’s projects. 

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