A commitment to innovation and sustainability
Canada’s quilts are imaginative and fascinating, and they are a true record of the history of the women who made them. Enjoy them, treasure them and pass them along to your descendants. Conroy, Mary. 300 Years of Canada’s Quilts.
A passion for quilting spaces
In 2022, the Cranbrook Arts 1401 Gallery hosted a groundbreaking exhibit titled “I Quilt,” showcasing the unique quilting techniques of the Cranbrook Quilters Guild (CQG) members. This marked a significant milestone for quilting in Cranbrook, as our quilts and smaller quilted pieces were finally recognized as art. With its distinctive approach to preserving the art of quilting, the guild firmly established itself as a beacon of the craft.
The significance of guilds and quilts
Quilts matter not just for the physical warmth they provide but also for the emotional comfort they bring. Guilds matter because they are the only organized way to preserve the art of quilt making; they foster a sense of community and selflessly donate quilts to those in need. These reasons are why quilts and guilds hold a special place in our hearts and society.
Founding Story
Like many others, our story begins with a founding story—a purpose story. Through this lens, we will explore how the original groundwork laid by the founding members has persevered through the whirlwind of events that have shaped its modernity. These events include the changing direction of quilting locally and nationally, societal shifts affecting women and families, the marketplace/commerce of quilting, the “eco-movement” with a focus on sustainability, the aging-up of the membership, and the ebbing of the guild era in our region.
Resilience and Evolution of Quilting
The Guild’s and Quilters’ stories are a testament to the resilience and evolution of this cherished craft. The Cranbrook Quilters Guild(CQG) was formed in 1985. Lisa Sharpe and Dominque Drummond put an ad in the paper inviting anyone interested in forming a quilters guild to a meeting. Twenty-four women attended. The guild’s first minutes are dated September 24, 1985, with Lisa Sharpe as President.
The beginning of the CQG
Though it started with a rather formal Constitution and Bylaws, its essence was a “hobby group” (Judy Wright) – women interested in learning to quilt, getting together to share how to make a quilt – plain or fancy. The quilting space soon moved from the local library to the Seniors’ Hall, where there were tables and space to set up (and store) the hand-quilting frames.
A cornerstone of community
Since its inception, the Guild has served as a cornerstone of the quilting community in the Cranbrook area. Over the past 35 years, it has welcomed more than 300 women as members. A survey conducted in 2022 revealed that these women joined the guild to connect with fellow quilting enthusiasts, learn new techniques, and, most importantly, forge lasting friendships. The Guild’s impact on the local quilting community is undeniable, and its commitment to fostering a sense of community remains unwavering.
Before the Guild’s inception
Before the Guild was formed, women in the Cranbrook area had been quilting together through church groups, women’s institutes, and at-home get-togethers. The earliest mention of a quilting bee in the local newspapers was in 1905. One organized group that is still active is the Fort Steele Quilters. At this “living museum,” quilters dress in period costumes and hold a “quilting bee” to demonstrate hand-quilting and the needlework activity of the women of that era, the 1890s.
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