Months spent measuring, cutting and stitching fabric will be rewarded as more than a dozen women display their talent for quilting on Saturday.
The Griffiths Girls Quilt Group will exhibit quilts, wall hangings and patchwork projects at its annual quilt show and tea in Black Diamond’s Griffiths Senior Centre Oct. 5 from 1-4 p.m.
“We always have a beautiful display of quilts,” said member Maxine Nelson. “Some quilters have a favourite pattern so they will make that and some might make the same pattern but different quilts. For the most part they’re very traditional.”
The show attracts people with a love of quilts to those looking to reminisce.
“We get a lot of people who don’t quilt, but say, ‘My mother used to do this,’” she said. “Some people just come in and have tea with their friends and the quilts are there to enjoy.”
The Griffiths Girls Quilt Group boasts 15 ladies who meet weekly on Mondays and monthly on Saturdays.
Nelson joined the group eight years ago.
“It’s something to do,” she said. “It’s my hobby, my past time.”
The group makes charity quilts for the Rowan House, Children’s Hospital and ill residents in the area, as well as pet beds for Heaven Can Wait Animal Rescue.
“It’s a giving project,” Nelson said. “We’re giving our time and they’re very grateful. We get letters telling us how we’re appreciated. I think I get more out of it than I give. I think we all feel that.”
Some sessions have the ladies engaging in group activities to try a new technique and others have them learning techniques from each other like rug making.
When it comes to making quilts, Nelson gets inspired by colours and fabrics and bases her design around those.
“If it’s a big print you don’t want to cut it up, you would choose something that would highlight that fabric,” she said. “We all challenge ourselves and do something a little bit more difficult. Other times we just want a quick pattern or a quick quilt so we will choose an easy one.”
For Nelson and many of the women, the Griffiths Girls Quilt Group is an opportunity to socialize and get involved in the community while keeping the tradition of quilting alive.
“I think it’s important for us to keep the quilting tradition going,” she said. “It’s part of our culture. Back in the day when people couldn’t afford very much they would take their clothes that were worn out and make a quilt from them.”
Quilted items like aprons, bibs, place mats and runners donated by members will be available for purchase with all proceeds going to materials for charity quilts and the hall rental.
The $5 entry fee will also go towards materials for charity quilts and the hall rental.
The afternoon will feature tea, coffee and homemade baking, including gluten free selections, a scavenger hunt for youngsters and door prizes donated by community sponsors and quilters.
