Rug Braiders International
formerly known as the Valley Forge Rug Braiding Guild
Frequently Asked Questions
More About Us
How did the Valley Forge Rug Braiding Guild get started?
In 2007, Nancy Young and Loretta Zvarick hosted a one-day braid gathering at the Grange in Trappe, Pennsylvania. That day, several braiders from the Lancaster and Lehigh areas of Pennsylvania decided to form a guild. Naki Godfrey was an administrator at the Arbour Square retirement community in Harleysville, and she volunteered to give us a free site to meet.
When did the Valley Forge Rug Braiding Guild get its non-profit status?
In the summer of 2020.
Where does the guild meet now?
All of our monthly meetings and special events and classes and braid help sessions are online. A core group of original VF Guild members in southeastern Pennsylvania get together every month or so in Coatesville, PA -- for more info contact Dottie Pepe:
Why is it called the "Valley Forge" Rug Braiding Guild?
One of our founding members, Jane Ober, argued forcefully for the name "Valley Forge," which was about a 30-minute drive away from where we met. She felt that the name had impressive and historic roots, and was fitting for a guild teaching a rug-making technique with deep roots in American Folk Art.