The guild was formed in October 1977. Chris Wolf Edmonds, the Guild's first president and coordinator of the Kansas Quilt Symposium, tells of the Guild's beginnings: "In preparation for the United States Bicentennial, a Lawrence committee was formed to organize a quilt show. It was decided that we could not only mount a display of historical quilts in 1975, but also a juried show in 1976, and make a Douglas County commemorative quilt to celebrate the occasion. From this endeavor grew the friendships that were the first sparks of the Kaw Valley Quilters Guild. As our quilt project neared it became clear that many of us did not want our regular gatherings to cease. We met to fan the embers...but did we want to continue as a casual sewing bee of close friends, or to form a guild with officers, bylaws, and open membership? Then some of us attended the Nebraska Quilt Symposium in 1977...and the flames were lit! We came home excited to put on our own symposium, showcasing the wonderful collections of Kansas University and the talented quilt makers of Kansas, past and present. The decision was manifest...it would take an organization, not a sewing bee, to put on such a symposium. We were new and enthusiastic and in love with the art of quilt making. Our growing ranks were creative and tireless and the time was right. The Kansas Quilt Symposium of 1978 was a great success, remembered still as one of the best ever. The future of the Kaw Valley Quilters Guild was forged out of the fires of friendship, a love of quilts, and pride in a monumental cooperative effort..