2000
The group started in 2000 with just a few friends who met regularly to socialize and share their love of quilting. It quickly grew to over 40 members.
2004
We decided to become a more organized guild. We elected officers, assigned committees and focused our monthly meetings on expanding our quilting abilities.
2006
We were granted 501(c)(3) status.
2007
We founded Quilting with Machines, A Learning Experience (QWM). For 3 days in the fall of 2007, the event featured classes that focused on longarm quilting to over 100 attendees. We also had a vendor's mall and an evening banquet. OLAQ hosted the event again in the fall of 2008, then QWM was sold to 4 OLAQ members. The annual event continued to grow over the next few years and offered a quilt show as well. Sadly, the last QwM was held in 2012.
TODAY
Currently, our goal is to share ideas and techniques for quilting, especially on a longarm quilting machine, and to expand our knowledge of the craft. All of us own (or co-own) a longarm machine. Our members range from hobbyists to professional quilters and many are teachers, authors and quilt business owners.
The quilts made by our members encompass everything from traditional to contemporary and are in every size imaginable.
Good to know:
-We meet on the 3rd Saturday of each month (except December) in various locations in Northeast and Central Ohio.
-We do a 4 day retreat once a year in Coshocton, Ohio (usually in April or May).
-We usually have a challenge once a year.
-Membership is limited to 40 people.
-We have a private email group.
-Dues are $20/year.
