A sea of pattern and colour flowed through the Flin Flon Community Hall Friday and Saturday as the North Star Quilt Guild hosted its biennial quilt show.
The show highlighted the handiwork of local quilters and guild members, with a collection worthy of any art gallery. Pieces varied in style from traditional to modern, and the showcase included a variety of quilting projects from baby blankets and small quilted crafts to queen-size works of art.
Skill-building was a focus at the show, with demonstrations offered throughout the day on Saturday. The guild also offered beginners’ classes to new members, included with their membership.
The offer seemed to help boost the guild’s size in just one weekend.
“We are a growing guild,” said past president Audrey Neufeld. “We were 66 members, and our numbers have now grown as a result of the show.”
The North Star Quilt Guild has been meeting since 1998, frequently gathering for what they call UFO (unfinished object) days, when crafters work on projects alongside like-minded friends. The guild also hosts two quilting retreats every year.
The main focus of the guild, however, is giving back to the community.
When members meet each month, the bulk of their time is spent making quilts for organizations and people in need.
“We create comfort quilts,” explained Neufeld.
In 2015, the guild donated 36 comfort quilts to the community, among them two wall hangings for the respite room in Flin Flon’s personal care home, 12 quilts for Christmas hampers, and three quilts for the Women’s Safe Haven.
Considering the high cost of fabric and the number of hours invested in creating each quilt, these donations are remarkable gifts.
This year, two guild quilters have taken their generosity a step further. About a year and a half ago, Nadine Morrison and Robin Morisette challenged themselves to craft 100 quilts for the children at Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon.
Ronald McDonald House provides accommodation for families of sick children travelling to Saskatoon to receive medical treatment.
“When a child is going home, they get to pick a quilt,” said Morrison with a smile. “And they are so happy to get them. I remember a mom whose son had a brain injury, and she was in tears, she was so happy to take that quilt home.”
When asked why they create these comfort quilts, Morrison said, “Because we can.”
“As a quilter, eventually you have enough for your family and friends, and you want to keep making them,” she explained. She added that considering the amount of time and material that goes into each quilt, selling them just doesn’t make much sense—as most people aren’t willing to pay what they are worth.
By contrast, donating the quilts to worthwhile causes just feels right for the guild members.
For Morisette, giving her artwork to families facing tough times is particularly meaningful, because she herself has come through personal tragedy.
“My boys died in a house fire in 1982, and the town was so supportive of me,” she said. “This is my way of giving back.”
