The Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association (SCVQA) was the first of its kind founded in Northern California, in 1975. SCVQA is named a "quilt association" to emphasize the inclusion of all interested in and supportive of quilts and quilting.

Purpose

The purpose of this organization is to contribute to the knowledge of and to promote the appreciation of fine quilts; to sponsor quilting activities; to encourage quilt making and collecting; to contribute to the growth of knowledge of quilting techniques, textiles, patterns, history, and quilt makers through educational meetings, travel, and fellowship; support philanthropic endeavors; and to support the San Jose Museum of Quilts & Textiles and other quilt organizations.

SCVQA History

The Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association was conceived and organized by a group of quilters who felt that quilting in all its phases should be preserved and promoted for future generations to love and continue.

This small band of ladies had all been students of Shirley Thomas, who taught quilting.

There followed many sessions through the summer of 1975, which involved discussion of selection of officers, by-laws, organization and generally "putting it together."

At the hub of all this activity was Sylvia Moore, whose talent is outstanding for assembling people and material to carry out the various phases of getting a project of this kind from an idea to reality. She has been the mainspring of the organization.

Finally a date and place for the first invitational meeting was set. It was to be held at the Casa Alondra Club House at 5450 Monterey Road, San Jose, on September 25, 1975.

The response was more than gratifying to those who had labored so faithfully all summer toward this red letter day. There were more than one hundred in attendance and 85 paid members by the end of the meeting that day and we are still growing. So, long may the Santa Clara Valley Quilt Association live and continue to grow and grow ---- and grow!!

First Roster of Officers:

President: Sylvia Moore
Vice-President: Linda Cooper
Recording Secretary and Treasurer: Gloria Debs
Corresponding Secretary: Thelma Coffey
Parliamentarian: Peggy Finger

Founding Members:

Doris Ball
Thelma Coffey
Hazel Cooper
Linda Cooper
Gloria Debs
Ginny DuVall
Peggy Finger
Wanda Hodges
Hazel McClory
Eileen Meier
Sylvia Moore
Elinor Owensby
Fern Purdy
Tressa Smith
Wilda Worth