After retiring from a career in retail in 2018, the first thing I wanted to do was to learn to quilt. After a one day ‘Learn to quilt class’ I was hooked. But I didn’t know any other quilters. I soon found Inland Empire Quilt Guild and found lots of quilting friends. Between retreats and our monthly meetings I have learned so much, but there is always some new techniques to keep challenging myself.

While working full time continues to fund my hobbies of quilting and collecting fabric, I do find the time to enjoy retreats and sew days with my quilty friends. I’ve quilted for more than 20 years, owing that passion to my Great Grandma, Grandma, Mom, Auntie and Great Aunties. I am a “happy” quilter that doesn’t stress over the perfection of it, I call it pattern modification and move on. I am lucky to have a husband that shares my stash and long arms my quilts for me.

Although I joined the Guild in 2005, I started sewing at the age of 8 and by age of 12, I was making all my clothes. My love of quilting just seems to expand each year with a real passion towards needleturn and wool applique. I have very active with the Guild and have held many chairperson positions as well as past President. Thoroughly enjoy taking classes and attending retreats. When not quilting, I enjoy spending time with family, playing bunco, counted cross-stitch projects and cooking.

 Lana Dougherty has been a member of Inland Empire Quilters Guild since 1996. She began working in the quilting industry shortly thereafter and has worked and taught at several local quilt and sewing shops. She has been sewing since her childhood and quilting for over forty-five years. Lana is very active in this Guild, holding the office of Treasurer for the past eighteen years and chairing their biennial quilt show six times between 2003 and 2015. She started teaching quilting classes in 2000, finding that most rewarding, and continues to do so whenever she can. She readily admits that she is “not a finisher” but always enjoys learning new techniques, starting new projects, and adding to her stash of fabrics, patterns, and books at every opportunity.                                                                                            

Unlike many of her fellow quilters, Sheila came from a long line of “non” sewers. At the age of 13 her passion lead to sewing when her grandmother bought her first turquoise Singer sewing machine (which she still owns). Starting with garment sewing she moved into home decor design and crafts and then quilting. Since taking her first quilting class in college over 45 years ago she hasn’t stopped! Joining IEQG in 2005 she has held many chair and board positions including president. She loves trying new patterns and techniques but spends most of her time on her long arm machine!

I joined the guild in 2018, thanks to a little nudge from a dear friend. I started quilting back in 2014, making jelly roll quilts for my grandkids to see if it was a hobby worth diving into. Ten years and many Jenny Doan tutorials later, I'm so glad I did. Quilting has become a passion that fills my days since retiring in 2019, and it’s been such a joy creating quilts for family, friends, kids, and veterans. The friendships I’ve made along the way are priceless, and I’m truly blessed to call the IEQG my family. Thank you for welcoming me!