Board Members - Elected
2011
ShirLee Alfors, President
ShirLee Alfors lived in Illinois until 1979 when her husband’s job moved them to Florida. Stitching and sewing has always been an interest she joined an embroidery guild. Through embroidery guild she was introduced to quilting and later joined a quilt guild. While living in Florida she worked at a fabric shop for about six years taking classes in a variety of sewing techniques including quilting. The excess to fabrics helped fill her stash. In 1997 the family moved to South Carolina. She joined York County Quilters shortly after the move.
After too many years in retail, she presently works for the Fort Mill School District and enjoys having weekends, evenings and holidays off.
She has been married to Jim for over 37 years. Jim is employed by Huffman Corporation in Clover, SC. They have two children a son, Stephen and a daughter, Suzanne. Stephen writes software for a gaming company in Las Vegas and Suzanne is a nurse practitioner employed by MUSC in Charleston, SC.
ShirLee is involved in the community as a member of the Junior Woman’s Club of Rock Hill and Woman’s Club of Fort Mill. She is a state officer for the General Federation of Women’s Clubs of South Carolina. As a member of Grace Lutheran Church, she serves on the Parish Life Committee.
ShirLee joined the guild in 1999.
Jane Garrison, 1st VP of Programs
I began sewing at the age of 5 at my mother’s knee when I received my first sewing machine and have never stopped. The first project was a pair of shorts with no allowance for the crotch! I have had lots of family mentors along the way including a great-aunt who was a milliner and grandmothers who quilted beautifully.
I graduated from Marshall U. in Huntington WV (my home town) with a degree in Zoology and minor in Home Economics. About 15 years ago I worked toward another degree at UNCG in Textile Product Design for my own benefit to learn how to draft patterns and drape. As a result of the education, I designed two different pattern lines, one appliqué and the other clothing. I briefly taught Science and Home Economics in the public school system, owned a needlework shop and sewing machine dealership, and worked for Bernina of America as their National Events Manager before joining YLI Corporation as Director of Education in 2005.
Bill and I have two adult daughters, one granddaughter and reside in York, SC with our two spoiled rotten pound puppies (also known as 4 footed fur factories). Garment construction has always been my passion, needlework my hobby and I thought I would never quilt (came to eat those words) because I have inherited more than 50 bed size quilts. I love sharing the lifetime of knowledge I have received from others.
Jane joined the guild in 2006.
Mary Bell, 2nd VP of Workshops
Mary joined the guild in 2000.
Sally Lee, Secretary
Patti Pitzer, Treasurer
I moved to Fort Mill in 1997 from Parkersburg, WVa. I graduated from Marshall University in Huntington,WVa with a degree in elementary education and spent 8 years teaching before changing my career to retail. I was employed at the Belk corporate office until I retired in Sept. 2006. I’ve been married to Bob for almost 35 years, have three grown children and 2 grandchildren.
My plan was always to start quilting after I retired and I joined the guild in 2005. I began my first quilt in 1986 so when my infant moved to a twin bed he would have a quilt. He’s 26 and the quilt still isn’t done but I have completed some things since I restarted quilting in 2005! I love it all, and want to do it all.
I have met so many absolutely wonderful people through this guild and picked so many brains…everyone is so helpful and ready to share. I knew one person when I started coming to the guild. Give yourself time to meet people, put yourself out there to get involved and be inspired by all the talent around you! I’m always just overwhelmed after Show n Tell.
Patti joined the guild in 2005.