One of Guideposts CONNECT group founder members, Jean, had started making a quilt many years ago, but found that the amount of work it needed was too much for her on her own. She brought it to the Connect group, and they agreed to help her make it. This amazing shared project has been going on for several years now. It’s a long process – cutting the right shapes and stitching it all together. Everyone has done a little bit, and it has gradually come into shape. 

The Quilt Story

Jean told us how it came about:

I was happily married, a busy mother, large allotment and holding down a full time job.

Sadly, over the years, my marriage failed and I began finding life difficult trying to balance family life, a fulltime job and keeping the allotment up together. I was full of self pity and this was not me! I needed some distraction.

Whilst visiting a friend one day, I saw a beautiful quilt she was making and wondered if it was something I could do. Another friend made annual trips abroad as a volunteer caring for deprived children. I wondered if I could make a quilt for them. My inspiration began!

I did not have much ‘me time’ but started to make a quilt. Now and then, I would get the quilt out and then put it away again. I did not buy any material but used my daughter’s dresses when she had grown out of them. As time went by, I ceased to do anything to the quilt due to my busy life.

I joined the Connect group at Whitminster, October 2019. We were talking about quilts one day and so I spoke of the quilt that was still tucked away and nothing had been done to it for a long time. Several of the ladies in the group were interested in it and it was suggested I take it into the group and the ladies help to complete it. I felt delighted at this suggestion and was looking forward to getting it finished at last.

Over the past 2 years, the quilt has been worked on intermittently, everyone doing their bit, finding it very therapeutic, chatting away and enjoying the relaxing company.

It has now been completed!

This quilt helped me through a very difficult time in my life and I would like to think this quilt will benefit the group, to which I am very fond of and have made some good friends through attending Connect the past 6 years.

A message from Group Leader, Liz:

I would like to thank Jean for this very beautiful quilt and her donation of it to Guideposts Trust Connect group Whitminster.

Thanks to everyone who contributed towards its completion. A special thank you to Joss who has overseen this and worked hard behind the scenes to make this possible.

Quilt Auction

Jean and the CONNECT group have asked for the quilt to be auctioned for charity. Look out for the link to make your bid in our “Together in Winter” silent auction ending on 20 November 2025.