The Art of Quilting

The pioneer practice of quilting has evolved into a refined art form.  Years ago, quilting bees provided the women of a community the opportunity to meet together to share stories and experiences, swap recipes and sewing tips, and to offer support and friendship.

Quilting has become a growing art, with crafts people from every walk of life.  The Log Cabin Quilters’ Guild of Lloydminster is an active part of this art form.  Sharing is still a part of the process as members gather on a regular basis, but the designs are as varied as the people who create them.

The present guild was formalized at an organizational meeting held September 19, 1988 with a group of interested quilters. All levels of expertise were represented, with the general consensus that the fellowship and learning opportunities possible would be welcomed.  Janet Gillis, who had experience with the Edmonton Quilt Guild for several years before coming to Lloydminster , was named president.  The club, at that time, noted 18 members. 

Over the years, the numbers and personalities in the guild have been varied and ever changing.  Projects have ranged from heritage quilts, pieces of clothing, wallhangings and murals, to tree decorations and more.  The projects have been both group and individual in nature and often incorporate a spirit of community as quilts are given away or raffled for a wide array of worthy fundraisers.

One distinctive project that undertaken by the group was “A Quilt for Canada”, a special quilt made for Canada’s 125^th birthday.  The Lloydminster Log Cabin Quilters’ Guild, under the guidance of Janet Gillis, became a part of the Canada wide quilting bee by inviting the Lloydminster area to make a “stitch for Canada”.  Lloydminster was the only community in Alberta or Saskatchewan to receive one of the nine panels to quilt on, outside of Edmonton.  The quilted section was taken to several community centres, and was stitched by youth to seniors; men, women and teens, ages 2 to 92, before being sent to Thunder Bay.  There it was stitched together during a conference of the Canadian Quilters Association, before it was unveiled June 30, 1992, in Ottawa.

The art of quilting continues in Lloydminster today. 

Written by Linda Nykolaychuk