Sylvan Lake Quilters are seeking old quilts to be included as part of a centennial display at their show this summer.
Although the quilts don’t have to be a certain age, older quilts made within the last 100 years are preferred, and will be showcased in a display alongside some of the group’s contemporary quilts.
“Celebrating Sylvan Lake’s 100th birthday is what our theme is, and hopefully we’ll be able to get other people to bring them in,” said Quilters president Joyce Thrush. “We’ll have probably 100 of our own, but we’re dedicating a little area that’s going to be just for the heritage.”
Chloe Lester has already collected several quilts for display in the heritage section during the June 14 and 15 show at Sylvan Lake Curling Club.
The quilts, some of which date as far back as the 1940s, were given to her by family members, and she expects that other quilters in the area have similar family heirlooms suitable for display.
“There’s a lot of sentimental value to a lot of quilts,” she said. “We’ll take anything that’s older, we just ask that it has not been shown here before.”
Old quilts are being sought not only from Sylvan Lake, but from the surrounding area including Benalto, Eckville and Rimbey.
“I’m hoping that we’ll get people calling that have some quilts that are old and wouldn’t mind being part of this whole process,” said Thrush. “I’m sure that there a lots out there, we just haven’t heard of them.”
Sylvan Lake Quilters’ membership base extends throughout the area. The group holds its show every second year.
Quilts will be hung around the ice pad of Sylvan Lake Curling Club, with the exception of some of the fragile older ones, which will instead be placed on a table or over a clothing rack.
Shortly after the show, quilt contributors will also have the opportunity to have their quilts featured in a project being undertaken by Royal Alberta Museum.
The project is documenting craft production in Alberta and is the focus of the Western Canadian History Program at the museum. Its second phase entails documenting Alberta-made heritage quilts.
Quilt makers from Sylvan Lake and surrounding area will have the chance to have their quilts documented for the project on June 24 at Sylvan Lake Community Centre, from 1-4:30 p.m.
To be included in the project, quilts must have been made prior to 1970.
Those interested in having their quilts photographed and documented are asked to contact Joyce Thrush at 403-887-3287.
Sylvan Lake Quilters was formed by Lester in 2003, and now has about 23 members. The group meets three times a month for sewing days, and to discuss coming events and group initiatives.
The quilt show will run from 1 p.m. to 8 p.m. on June 14, and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on June 15. Admission is $5.
To contribute a quilt to the show’s centennial display, contact Joyce Thrush at 403-887-3287.