What started as a couple friends getting together to share quilting ideas, tips and tricks, mentoring, and general support for each other has grown into a group of 20 ladies who meet on a regular basis! Initially convening in a member’s home, the group quickly outgrew the space. Fortunately, Current River Fabrics & Quilting welcomed them in, and as membership grew, so did the need for more room. Timing is everything, they say; and at that time a larger retail space became available, and both quilt shop and quilting group moved two doors down. The group meets the first Thursday evening every month and proudly coined the name LOLLOL Quilt Group: Little Ole’ Ladies Laughing Out Loud. And laugh we do!
The skill and knowledge ranges from true beginners to very experienced and everyone learns from everyone else, new or experienced. In 2018, the group organized its first Doniphan Quilt Show. A couple of the members assembled quilts made from the group’s contributed blocks, Current River Fabrics & Quilting donated the custom quilting, and one of the members added the binding. Raffle tickets were sold as a fund raiser for the local Backpacks for Friday program. We were able to fund 1 backpack that first year-a thrilling accomplishment!
Over the years, the Quilt Show has grown, albeit limited by the size of the venue. Community involvement has flourished, allowing the group to sponsor three backpacks from last year’s raffle. They hope to do even more this year. Despite Doniphan’s small population of under 2,000, its generosity is remarkable. The Quilt Group thrives on the support of its members, the town, and loyal customers of the quilt shop—truly bound together by the art of quilting.