The Prairie Patchworkers Quilt Guild Quilt Show on Apr. 15-16 showed off the many unique quilts made from local quilters.
The quilts, tree skirts, bags, panels, and all the other quilted odds and ends total over 130 items that were made by local quilters.
With so many unique items, Leonard says that is exactly the reason they have their viewers choice award with visitors to the show choosing which they think is the best item.
Glenda Pidlisny won the viewers choice for her item. Another item of interest was a Quilts of Valour project made by Beverly Harding. Quilts of Valour are sent to soldiers to help provide them comfort after their return from action (http://www.quiltsofvalour.ca).
Most items, especially full sized quilts have a lot of work in them, says Guild President, Maria Leonard.
“First of all to make the front of the quilt and then you have to look at the time it takes to actually quilt it.”
In talking with someone who uses a long arm sewing machine where the machine is movable along a railing, Leonard was told that it took 100 hours just to do the quilting, attaching the front, batting, and the back together.
Making sure the seams match is a big part of making a professional looking quilt. Leonard says that pressing the quilt is an important step. Patterns also have a certain seam allowance that applies to the blocks to make sure everything is sized properly.
Even with the detail that goes in a quilt, people should not feel daunted by the prospect of making their own. There are classes available in Humboldt and Leonard says that people should not be afraid to try quilting.
The Guild even has monthly meetings the first Thursday of the month at the Westminister United Church for those who are looking to get into quilting and get togethers every Wednesday where people can bring their projects and work in the company of fellow quilters.
Members vary at the Guild from advanced quilters to intermediate quilters and meetings also have demonstrations.
“Basically you can come and learn from others how to do it,” says Leonard.
The Guild also supports local community initiatives by making a few projects a year to donate to a local organization that can be used to raise money. After picking a pattern, everyone works on making the front and then helps with the quilting.
Even though quilts have been hand and machine made for a long period of time, Leonard says that young people are getting more involved in quilt making.
Older people are getting more into it in their later years when they have more time after retirement.
“Some of us have just joined the guild to learn from each other and (for) the camaraderie,” says Leonard.
Leonard would like to thank the support they’ve received from the community, including members and the Bella Vista for hosting the event.
