The GALA Quilt guild was organized in 1986 by Karen Fuller, Joan Tanchala, and Debbie Patterson. The very first meeting was held at 2pm on January 18, 1986 at the Uptown Museum. Approximately 50 people attended. Most of the original members were either teachers at Southern Sewing Center or had taken quilting classes there. Karen fuller was the first president. The name GALA is a combination of the words Georgia and Alabama ( pronounced like the A-l-a in Alabama).

The purpose of the guild is to further the interest in quilting, through education of its members in quilting techniques, the exchange of information and ideas, and promoting fellowship among the members. The guild originally met at 2 pm on the third Saturday of each month at the Uptown Museum and then the Columbus Women’s Club House on Buena Vista Road in Columbus. There was usually a short business meeting, a program on some aspect of quilting, and a “show and tell “session, usually the most exciting part to the talented members.