Be it a traditional quilt, artistic quilt, or hand-stitched quilt, all of the handmade items that will be on display at an upcoming show have a common thread aside from sewing.
Wendy Lyon, Darlene Turk and Lyn Robinson all agree that it's the camaraderie they enjoy most when quilting.
“For me that has always been the brilliant thing about the guild is the camaraderie. It’s not the stitching that draws you together, its the learning about each other, finding common interests and teaching,” Robinson said.
The three are members of the Chilliwack PieceMakers Quilting Guild and they, along with about 50 other quilters, are gearing up for their biannual show. PieceMaking in the Valley is set for Oct. 18 and 19 at Chilliwack Alliance Church.
People will have the chance to view some of the 150 quilts that will be hung in the church gym that weekend, all handmade by guild members.
The show also includes two quilts that will be raffled off – the first prize is a queen-sized one and the second prize is lap-sized – and several raffle baskets. There will be a merchants' mall with various vendors selling fabric, handmade items, and other quilting supplies, plus the guild will have a consignment-and-boutique table where some or all of the proceeds go towards the guild.
"We want to show our quilts, but also it's a way of raising some funds… it gives us money to provide quilts and other things to the community," Robinson said.
She figures the guild has donated more than 300 quilts over the past two years to local transition houses, hospice, babies, and disaster victims. They also make 'breast pillows' that are tucked under the arm for women who have had mastectomies, and cloth care bags for youth in need, which are filled with items like scarves, hats, socks and hygiene items.
Most recently, members have been making wheelchair quilts that are given to residents at seniors' care homes. What makes these quilts so unique is the design – the two bottom corners of the quilt have been cut off so that the quilt doesn't get stuck underneath the wheels.
It's ideas like this that they share with each other during their monthly meetings. It's also a place of inspiration, presentations, show-and-tell, and group projects.
Members are hoping others will sign up to join the Chilliwack PieceMakers Quilting Guild when they come and see the show.
"If you're interested in being a guild member, you might be attacked at the doorway," Robinson said with a laugh. "We're actually giving a deal… to give people a taste of what the guild is about."
Those who sign up at the show to become a guild member will pay $20 for a first-year membership, instead of the regular $35. They meet on the third Wednesday evening of the month at Cooke's Presbyterian Church.
Both Lyon and Turk have been quilting for about 20 years.
Lyon was taught by friend and fellow guild member Karlie McChesney, who found a simple pattern for her to start with.
"I love the artistry of it," Lyon said.
Turk enjoys working on projects together with other members, such as the raffle quilt.
"I think being with friends and quilting is such a treasure that we all hold in our hearts," Turk said.
The Chilliwack PieceMakers Quilting Guild's biannual show PieceMaking in the Valley is Friday, Oct. 18 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Chilliwack Alliance Church (8700 Young Rd.). Admission is $8, and it's free admission for spouses. They accept cash, credit and debit.
For more, go to chilliwackpiecemakers.com/quilt-show-2024.
