The Austin Area Quilt Guild was formed in 1978, with 52 charter members. The first meeting was October 2, 1978 at the Old Quarry Branch of Austin Library. The first officers were elected in February 1979. The monthly newsletter Quilting Quips began in April 1979. The bees started with three day bees and two night bees. The Guild established the first bylaws, a book and pattern lending library, and a Guild logo.

The Guild held its first show, with more than 40 quilts, in the gallery of the Bank of Austin, 2501 South Congress, from September 29 – October 10, 1980. Biennial quilt shows have been held ever since. Other locations have included the old Palmer Auditorium (1988-1998), Crockett Center (2000-2008) and the Palmer Events Center (2010-2024cvvvvvv). The raffle quilt from the 2016 show, won 1^st place in the Group Quilt category at QuiltWeek 2017 in Paducah, Kentucky.

Over the years, the Guild and its bees have been active in a variety of charitable projects, community events, and quilt exhibits. In addition, the Guild has held educational workshops, retreats, challenges, and bus trips for its members. Many examples are described in the online yearbook.

Articles of incorporation as a non-profit organization were filed with the Texas Secretary of State in 1993. In 1997, the Internal Revenue Service accepted the Guild’s application to become a 501(c)(3) corporation, retroactive to incorporation.

The first annual spring quilt retreat was held April 14-16, 2000 at Camp Lone Star near La Grange, Texas, with 52 attendees. The first annual fall retreat was held September 6-9, 2007 at the Compass Centre in Mt. Calm, Texas, with 35 attendees.

A grant program was begun in 2003 and quarterly morning meetings were added in 2006.

The Guild launched an Internet web site in 1996.  In 2016 the guild moved the majority of its operations online and debuted a new website.  Utilizing membership management software allowed the guild to automate and streamline administrative tasks related to the management of the guild by integrating the membership database, the ability to process payments/dues/renewals, event and calendar management and the communication tools including email/newsletters/etc.

Updated Dec. 2020 by Kelly Hogan