Throughout the history of the art form, quilting and camaraderie are often stitched together. That tradition holds true at the St. Albert Quilters' Guild.
Throughout the history of the art form, quilting and camaraderie are often stitched together. That tradition holds true at the St. Albert Quilters' Guild. For Kathie Pavelich, a member of the guild for more than 30 years, it's not just about developing a skill, but developing life-long relationships and links to the community.
“We're friends,” Pavelich says warmly. “If somebody's husband is sick or something, everybody there is a support. We are a good support group.”
They support, not just each other, but many individuals and societies in need, throughout the city and beyond. They donate their time and create comforting quilts to those who could use a warm embrace. They have made blankets for charities including the Stop Abuse In Families Society, Little Warriors, and the Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation. The guild participates in Quilts of Valour, a national effort to provide comfort to injured members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Additionally, the group has fashioned many commemorative pieces including, a work representing the life of former Lieutenant Governor Lois Hole and a work celebrating 150th Anniversary of the City of St. Albert.
While the organization isn't a teaching guild – one that hosts workshops and classes – members are always ready to share their collective knowledge with new members.
“They don't even have to know how to quilt, because you kind of learn it by osmosis,” she says. “We always recommend that (new quilters) take a beginner course. There are lots of places where you can get quilting basic instruction.”
According to Pavelich, the purpose of the group is to share ideas and techniques amongst the members, but the guild also puts on a number of events throughout the year to help its artists develop. A weekend retreat at Camp He Ho Ha in the spring provides a chance for members to bond, and week-long rentals of the art studio spaces in St. Albert Place in both the spring and the fall, affords members a concentrated time to focus on the art form.
To join, you simply have to reach out through the guild's website, emailing [email protected]. Membership fees are $60 a year and allow access to studio time on Tuesday afternoons and Thursday evenings. Additionally, it allows quilters the opportunity to sell their completed pieces in the W.A.R.E.S gift shop in St. Albert Place and to participate in the yearly Country Craft Fair.
When Pavelich joined, she said there were 12 members in the guild, but now they number more than 70. Celebrating 35 years as an organization this year, Pavelich sees the popularity of the art form continuing to grow.
“Because, it's probably something that everybody can do,” she says. “Not everybody can sit in front of an easel and paint. Certainly you can paint, but it's not probably something you ever want to keep. But with very little training or background or anything, you can produce a pretty nice quilt – it's something you can use and (it will) keep you warm.”
