Meeting Programs & Events
November 20, 2024, 7:00 pm
Lecture: PreCivil War Quilts Secret Codes to Freedom on the Underground Railroad
Connie Martin
Join Connie as she tells the stories passed down to her great-grandmother Lizzie of how her family survived the antebellum period through trials and tribulations, and how they used quilts that contained hidden codes and secret message to assist abolitionists-white and black- to guide enslaved people to freedown through the Underground Railroad to Canada.
During this presentation, Connie shares eighteen different quilt patterns in replica quilts and refers to a book her mother, Dr. Clarice Boswell, wrote about their family called Lizzie’s Story: A Slave Family’s Journer to Freedom.
About Connie
Connie earned a B.A. from Illinois State University and an M.A. from Aurora University with a Thesis in Integrating African American History Lessons in educational curriculums.
A retired Language Arts teacher, M.O.V.E. international fitness convention co-owner, fitness convention Presenter, a 33-year Star fitness instructor, and mother of three sons; she finds joy in telling the secret codes and hidden messages in the family quilts her ancestors shared on the Underground Railroad.
Connie mesmerizingly holds her audience’s attention just as her mother did in presenting this family presentation for many years. She tells the history of the Underground Railroad, safe routes, and the stories of how the quilt codes, their meanings, and interpretations that have been passed down to her, a sixth-generation descendant of captured African slaves forced into slavery in America.
February 26, 2025
Legit Kits
Dana Altman
Join us for a personal journey into quilting along with a brief history of Legit Kits and foundation paper piecing, presented by Dana Altman.
Dana Altman is a certified Legit Kits instructor for the northern Indiana and immediate Great Lakes region. She is a passionate quilter in which began her quilting journey in 2015 when she inherited her late mother’s unfinished quilt. This led her to explore Foundation Paper Piecing (FPP) as intricate art form.
Dana’s discovery of Legit Kit, known for captivating animal-themed quilts, fueled her passion with her first project “Flamingoes.” She is also proud supporter of the Quilts of Valor whose mission is to cover service members and veterans who have been touched by war with a comforting and healing quilt. Dana warmly invites others to join her on an enchanting journey exploring the artistry of quilting one stitch at a time and finding the joy in crafting intricate masterpieces.
A Legit Kits Certified Instructor fosters a supportive and encouraging learning environment, where youare free to ask questions, make mistakes, and grow as quilter without hesitation. What are Legit Kits? They are entire rainbow of Robert Kaufman Kona Solids packaged and labeled fabric along with patterns printed on best foundation paper as kit. It is a revolutionary block approach to foundation paper piecing that breaks large complex appearing quilts into manageable pieces. They are free of the Y seams and thoroughly tested by quilters from beginner to expert. Every Certified Instructor has undergone comprehensive training, ensuring they possess in-depth knowledge of quilting techniques, patterns and methods.
Visit website at https://legitkits.com for more information.
March 26, 2025
Quilt Trip Around the World
Trunk Show Presentation
Alice Ridge
I have been quilting for over 40 years, and for 35 of those years, my husband was Active Duty Army. He and I have traveled all over the world together, for both business and pleasure.
This trunk show presentation is an exploration of the different styles of quilting and needlework that I have encountered in my travels.
Some of the pieces are authentic to an area, some are my personal interpretation of a place or style, but, all of them are colorful and unique!
I hope that you enjoy my presentation, and afterward, I hope that you ask yourself not “what” you will quilt today, but “Where”!
Alice Ridge Quilts
