In 1996, Cyndy Rymer and Joanne Brine created the Marathon Quilters Guild, a small group of members from varying communities who unify through their admiration for quilting and fiber arts. Now, 25 years later, the program still is going strong and is preparing to host its biennial quilting show at the Hopkinton Center for the Arts on Sept. 11-12.

The guild is a nonprofit based in community service. The members have made quilts for causes such as the Hopkinton Respite Center and placemats for the Meals on Wheels program. During the pandemic, guild member Colleen Barnes made face masks for not only her family but other members of the community. Another member made more than 1,000 masks.

“I think it’s great that home sewing can be so helpful to people in the community, especially in times of need,” Barnes said.

Throughout the pandemic, the guild met online, sharing tips and techniques and creating more pieces while maintaining a community feeling and allowing for the return of its September show.

“Thanks to our sustained enthusiasm, planning and commitment, we have works of art to show and beautiful gifts to sell or give at our upcoming fall show,” stated show co-chair Nancy Burdick. “The 2021 Quilt Show will be our guild’s bi-annual opportunity to inspire our friends and community with a unique display of fiber art for people to admire, reflect on, imitate and discuss.”

This year’s show will include a raffle quilt titled “Imagine the Possibilities.” All proceeds from the raffle will go toward a Class of 2022 graduate who is pursuing a career in textile arts, fashion or fabric production.

“It was a great addition to the event and I am glad that we were able to incorporate it into the show,” Barnes said.

During the pandemic, the guild kept going and sewing even when it was not able to meet at its usual location at the Faith Community Church every second Tuesday night of the month.

“Many in our guild found new pockets of time to sew masks for others, master new quilting patterns/techniques, complete UFOs [unfinished objects], commit to more charitable quilting,” Burdick said. “Some really great things have come out of this last 18 months.”

The quilt show will be the 10th held in the newly renovated space of the Hopkinton Center of the Arts. The guild plans to display more than 100 pieces, including quilted and boutique items.

“It’s a very moving experience to see your quilt hang for the first time,” Barnes said. “Quilting started out as a necessity, now they are beautiful relics that are meant to be handed down.”

For more information on the upcoming show or the guild, visit marathonquilters.com.