PORT ELGIN, NB – A hand stitched quilt depicting life in the Maritimes has proven a major fund-raiser for a local charitable organization.
Some years ago the Port Elgin District Voluntary Action Council (Pedvac) organized the creation of the quilt, which was later named ‘Maritimes Memories’. It was hoped the project would generate some much-needed funds to assist the organization in supporting its many programs and services.
Executive director Val MacDermid spoke at the Lupin Quilt and Craft Fair on Sunday about how the project evolved.
“It actually began when we approached Kim Larracy of the Moncton Quilt Guild to see if their members could assist us with the making of a quilt. At that time Kim selected some materials to be used in each quilt block and began a project with the guild,” MacDermid explained.
She noted that a number of the groups’ members eagerly committed to make one quilt block of their own design, with the emphasis on various aspects of life in the Maritime Provinces. Upon completion, the blocks would be used to create a unique quilt which Pedvac would then sell as a fundraiser.
“It was Kim’s idea to call it Maritime Memories and she chose some really nice materials for it. There are bits and pieces of all sizes of these materials in many of the blocks which really draw it all together, and some of the quilters added their own colours which help to make it unique,” MacDermid said.
However, with so many other projects ongoing at Pedvac the quilt blocks were stored for a couple years until earlier this year when the organization began to focus on completion of the project.
Earlier this spring Pedvac approached Lorette Cole, owner of Spruce It Up Quilt Shop and Quilting Services in Upper Cape, NB, to donate materials for finishing the quilt.
“Lorette was very generous, donating all of the materials required to join the blocks together; for the exterior border, edging and back as well as the batting for it. In addition, she donated her staff person’s time to piece the top together. So we were doubly fortunate to have local experienced quilter Holly Lake put the quilt together. This was a wonderful donation to Pedvac and we are very grateful for it,” MacDermid said.
With the quilt top completed Pedvac then approached the Shediac Senior’s Club, who completed the final edging and hand-quilted the entire Queen size quilt at a nominal cost.
With the project finished just a few short weeks ago, the quilt was displayed for sale at the Lupin Quilt and Craft Fair, held over the weekend at Port Elgin Regional School. The annual event, sponsored by Pedvac, draws quilt and craft enthusiasts from all over the Maritimes and farther afield. Proceeds from the show support the work of Pedvac including the community food bank, school lunch programs, Christmas boxes, community and individual advocacy, used clothing and household goods boutique, income tax preparation for low income individuals, many youth-at-risk programs and summer day camps for children.
MacDermid said the organization was surprised – but very pleased – when the quilt was sold for $3000 to a former local woman now living in Ontario.
“It sold so quickly we didn’t even have the opportunity to display it at Pedvac. We were astounded really. But it’s so nice that a person who is a former Maritimer and who has supported Pedvac through the purchase of quilt fair quilts in the past, will have this special quilt in their home to enjoy,” she added.
She noted that the sale of the quilt is a wonderful and appropriate end to the project.
“This entire project has been completed through the kindness of a large number of people and we are certainly very appreciative of that generosity,” she noted.
