Redmond quilters now have their own guild of like-minded artists. The High Desert Quilt Guild, which was created in January, is believed to be Redmond’s first, said guild president Stephanie Hinton.

The guild, which had more than 30 people attend its first meeting, has been well received by area quilters, tallying more than 60 members as of March 3.

“We’re looking forward to having new quilters join the guild; we want to share what we know,” Hinton said.

The guild meets at 9:30 a.m. three times a month (the first, second, and third Thursdays) in building B at City Center Church. Meetings last until around noon. First Thursdays are normally business-oriented meetings, second Thursdays include classes presented by guild members and third Thursdays are focused on charity work agreed upon by the guild. Members bring their own sewing machines to the second and third monthly meetings, where skills are honed and shared.

“The main thing is the fellowship; we speak the same language,” Hinton said. “And it’s wonderful being able to sew for someone else, like a veteran or someone under hospice care; we just want to share.”

They are currently making quilts for Redmond Hospice and area veterans, partnering with Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4108. Membership costs $20 a year, which is pooled together and used to purchase supplies for charity quilts.

Guild members present the classes, which vary based on what members want to share. The planned class for April will demonstrate how to make quilted tote. Hinton said the guild is thankful for support from Central Oregon fabric and quilt shops, which have donated gifts that are shared among guild members including gift cards and fabrics.

Hinton and Sarah Spady, treasurer of the guild, are members of the quilting guild in Prineville. Spady knew many of the members were from Redmond and asked Hinton is she was interested in starting a guild in Redmond. The idea took off with many Redmond quilters joining.

“This is a big enough town to have a quilting guild,” Hinton said. “Bend has one, Prineville has one, but there wasn’t one here.”

In January, the guild made bylaws and swore them in over a stack of fat quarters — which is quilter slang for a piece of fabric made from taking a yard of fabric, cutting it in half and then again to make an 18-by-22 inch piece. The guild hopes to apply for nonprofit standing in the future but remains focused on creating a smooth flow of operation.

Area quilting guilds have been supportive, with more than 10 members from the Prineville guild in attendance at the March 3 meeting. The guild hopes to plan events such as a Redmond quilt show. Hinton said members regularly contribute quilts to the Sisters Outdoor Quilt Show and sometimes make quilts on commission.

Hinton said meetings are open to the public, and anyone interested — with quilting experience or not — is invited to join the guild.

“Just come and want to sew, want to learn and want to share,” Hinton said. “Even if I’m teaching a class I always learn something.”

— Reporter, 541-548-2185, cbrown@redmondspokesman.com