Could you get some of the older ladies who don't quilt much anymore to bring in things they quilted in the past and discuss how they were made and the challenges they faced, working with the tools that were available to them then? Get them talking about how quilting has changed and perhaps they might get interested in quilting again?
Also, you might be able to arrange some group trips to quilt shops, fabric stores, antique marts (they sometimes have old quilts for sale), etc. Not everyone would want to go, and there might be a charge for those who do, but at least you would be offering some sort of quilt-related activity to get the group together.