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

The project came about because one of Guideposts’ Connect group 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.

Jean was happily married, a busy mother with large allotment and holding down a full-time job. Sadly, over the years, her marriage failed and she began finding life difficult trying to balance family life, a full-time job and keeping the allotment up. She recognised that she was full of uncharacteristic self pity – and that she needed some distraction.

Whilst visiting a friend one day, Jean saw a beautiful quilt her friend was making and wondered if it was something she could do. Thinking of another friend who volunteered caring for deprived children overseas, she was inspired to start making a quilt for them.

She did not have much time to devote to it, but Jean made a start. Now and then she would get the quilt out and then put it away again. She didn’t buy any material but used her daughter’s dresses when she had grown out of them. As time went by, all work on the quilt came to a halt as Jean’s busy life took over.

Many years later in October 2019, Jean joined the Guideposts Connect group at Whitminster. The group were talking about quilts one day and so Jean spoke of the quilt that was still tucked away with nothing being done to it for a long time. Several of the ladies in the group were interested in it and suggested that Jean take it into the group for the ladies to help complete it. Jean was delighted at this suggestion and was looking forward to getting it finished at last.

She brought it to the group, and they agreed to help her make it. There were then interruptions in the group meeting for a while in 2020-21, but over the past 3 years, the quilt has been worked on intermittently, everyone doing their bit, finding it very therapeutic, chatting away and enjoying the relaxing company. In October this year it was at last completed!

Jean asked that the quilt be auctioned in aid of the Guideposts Connect group. She told us “This quilt helped me through a very difficult time in my life and I would like to think this quilt will benefit the group, of which I am very fond. I have made some good friends through attending Connect the past 6 years.”

A message from Group Leader, Liz:

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.

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

Quilt Auction

Jean and the CONNECT group have asked for the quilt to be auctioned for charity. To bid on the quilt, find it at https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/357890521755.