on saturday morning of the 15th we had a special open session and during that session we talked about the history of quilting and about what quilting could mean for greek women in the future. it was an exciting discussion with may suggestions being made. we formed the first ever greek national quilting association and will try in the future as a group to join the european quilting association. we will keep you all posted on our progress. if you would like for your name to be added to the roster just drop me a note with your e-mail and name to: [email protected]. that way we can keep everyone posted on what is going on around the towns with quilting events.
but there was another exciting development that i believe will mean a lot to greece in the future. we learned from some of the women who came that there are some greek cotton factory owners who are interested in learning more about the quilting cotton that is required to make quilts and that they may be interested in getting involved in an effort to make our own 100% cotton quilting collections of fabric here in greece. the fabric would be sold here in greece to quilt shops for quilters who are looking to buy fabric for their projects and the fabrics could also be exported to other countries where there are already large populations of quilters. so we embark now on a new adventure to see where this goes.
i have already met with two factory owners who are going to get involved. both of them seem receptive to the idea of purchasing new lazer equipment for their factories which may be required if greece is to have a fair chance to compete with other quilt fabric companies. it looks like a new quilt shop will be opening in the thessaloniki area with quilt lessons being offered and fabrics available for purchase. this new shop will also be selling quilts for the public. and of course ΧΑΝΘ in thessaloniki will be offering lessons and creating a quilt studio on site for the purpose of teaching quilting and making quilts for poor families. they will also sponsor a program for unemployed women who can use their quilted creations as a means to financially support their families. a new quilt shop will also be opening up in marousi, a suburb of athens. this shop will have a large frame and quilt machine like the one in my studio and will offer quilting lessons to those interested.
Benjamin Orphan Society in katerini will also be offering lessons taught by the women i have been working with for two years. the donations from these instructions will be used to help with the financial needs of the single mothers there. and if anyone is greece is interested in placing an order from them through the Benjamin Orphan Society for a quilt, you can check out their new greek website at: quiltingkaterini.weebly.com.
there are also some ideas being discussed that perhaps will include ΧΕΝ -- ywca in athens. they are considering the idea of both teaching quilting lessons at their facility and sponsoring a program to help women in need of financial resources which might be accessible through the avenue of quilting. so quilting has come to greece:) hahahaha. as we all knew it would. praise to God because He has shown His favor and His grace to our country in a great time of need. it is very possible that this is the time and the moment for quilting to even stimulate the economy of our country as more and more women learn to quilt and begin to purchase all of the materials and fabrics needed to engage this art. i think we are going to see big things in the future as the quilters of greece become united!! be sure to check out all of the photos from the home page both for the conference and for the quilt project for the boy's orphanage at papafio. so much going on.
now we will be going on tour during the month of october with our quilt exhibition and we will be giving some lessons and quilting demonstrations along the way:) so check out our travel schedule on the conference tab from the home page so you will know when we are coming to your area!! hope to see you on the road:) i will try to post photos and blogs as we go along the way so check back often during the next month!!