Ocean Waves Quilt Guild - The Early History

Irene McLaren ,Miami quilter, quilt instructor, and *NQA Certified Judge, became friends with and mentor to Diane Powers Harris. Long wanting an NQA Chapter in Miami, Irene had discussed this with Diane. One day she told Diane the time had come to make this dream a reality and that she should take on the project.

Not knowing anything about gathering interested people together or even how to run a meeting, Diane found a meeting location, scheduled a date and time, and placed an ad in the Miami Herald. That first meeting of what was to be the Ocean Waves Chapter, NQA, now known as the Ocean Waves Quilt Guild, was held at the West Dade Regional Library on the 2nd Saturday in January 1985. It was attended by 35 enthusiastic and excited women eager to create a local quilt guild.

To keep everyone informed, a newsletter commenced. By the February meeting, a “permanent” location had been found. The guild name was discussed with several suggestions submitted and Diane was asked to take on the position of President with latitude to select the remaining officers. At the March meeting the name was voted on. An application for charter into NQA was immediately mailed and accepted. Thus was born the Ocean Waves Chapter, NQA #296. Next, the guild needed a logo, so a contest was initiated. Entries were judged by innovative local quilter Karen Grier who selected the logo designed by Vita Marie Lovett which is still in use today.

During that organizational year much ground work was laid providing direction for many aspects still in place today. As mentioned, the monthly newsletter, Ocean Waves News had been created which was filled with articles of interest. One regular feature was the column “Ask Irene” where, from a judge’s perspective, she addressed many questions related to quilt making. Original quilt block designs created by Marie J. Hartman was another eagerly anticipated monthly feature.

Many projects were initiated as well. Some of which were the guild lending library, collaborating with The Harvest Festival on their annual quilt competition, the much anticipated recognition and award for Quilter of the Year, and participation in the **Florida Quilt Heritage Project based in Tallahassee. During 1986, organized by Diane and Amy Goodhart, the guild held 10 “Discovery Days” throughout Dade County. Several hundred wonderful quilts were documented, many with marvelous stories about them and their makers.

By the end of 1985, charter membership was at 100 and by the conclusion of 1986, the roster rose to 200 active members.

Through those formative years, Ocean Waves hosted workshops taught by “name” quilters, offered relaxing and elegant quilt retreats, held annual judged quilt shows, provided prize/grant funds to promising young quiltmakers, and commenced the annual Installation Dinner which became the Installation Luncheon. It’s wonderful to know Ocean Waves is still growing and stronger than ever after all these years! Diane Powers Harris, Ocean Waves Chapter, NQA Founder

OF NOTE
* NQA - The National Quilting Association, Inc. (1969 - 2015) - A national organization promoting quiltmaking through an annual show held at different locations throughout the United States. The organization offered programs which included Quilt Instructor’s Certification, Quilt Judge Certification, Grant Program, National Quilting Day, and the Masterpiece Quilt Program where inductees had to meet specific stringent requirements. Additionally, under the insurance umbrella, quilt show insurance was offered to member chapters.

In 1985 the ** Florida Quilt Heritage Project was initiated by Quilters Unlimited of Tallahassee. With help from the Florida Historical Museum, this statewide endeavor began its ambitious and coordinated 3 year program. Year one was spent hosting Discovery Days across Florida with numerous volunteers spending hundreds of hours documenting as many quilts as was possible. After each Discovery Day all info gathered, which included written histories, oral histories, stories, and photos, was submitted by Area Coordinators to the FQH Steering Committee. The second year involved sorting through all the documentation. This search yielded much info about how quilts came to Florida as well as discovered many long time resident quiltmakers. Year 3 entailed the writing and publishing of the book, Florida Quilts by Charlotte Allen Williams. All information compiled from the various Discovery Days is housed in the Florida Historical Museum Archives in Tallahassee and is available to anyone wishing to do research.