Retreat and Anniversary

 Friday and Saturday, May 6th and 7th, were our spring retreat days. The snowbird members were back home, and the winter birds were anxious for spring! Nineteen members turned out to stitch, visit and create. Lynn and Phyl made up some kits for a simple project so those who wished worked on those.

Retreat days give us a chance to work on projects that often get laid aside when working at home.

It’s always fun to work on pieces when you have company. When you need a wee break the opportunity is there to see what others are working on and have a chat.

There are people who can offer advice or help as needed, there are new things to see and no matter how long you have been a quilter, there is a helpful tip or idea to be had.

A catered supper was held on Friday evening for those who wished to partake. After a day of stitching it’s nice to relax and have a meal cooked by someone else! After the supper there was a Show and Tell of members’ first or oldest quilt still in their possession. There were very interesting stories to go with the quilts shown.

Saturday was a special day for the guild as we chose that day to mark the 25th anniversary of the North Star Quilt Guild. Cake and coffee or tea were served to 31 members and guests.

                           Thank you to the North of 53 Co-op for the beautiful and delicious cakes!

Lorna, Marg H., Marg F., Rae, Sandra and Evelyn are proud to say they have been members from day 1!

Sandra had the honour of cutting the first slice. The decorator created a beautiful quilt cake for us to enjoy!

Eric Westhaver was invited to take photos for The Reminder and a story of our quild’s history was submitted to him.

For those of you who do not have access to The Reminder, a copy of the story follows.

It was an exciting day on March 17, 1998. On that day, 25 years ago, the North Star Quilt Guild held its first meeting in what was then the Art Room of the Community Hall. A group of ladies who shared a love of fabric, creating and collaborating wanted to gather to share, learn, and create together. Among the group were Rae Baumgartner, Sandra Dixon, Evelyn Black, Lorna Heuchert, Marg Faktor and Linda Lautimus who remain as members to the present day. Initially meetings were held the first and third Tuesday evening of each month. A short business meeting was followed by a program and fellowship. The program included a Block of the Month, a draw for blocks, a demonstration of a new technique or project, and the highlight, Show and Tell. During Show and Tell members would bring quilted pieces or ones in progress, where advice and direction were needed. Challenges posed by members, mystery quilt alongs, and other sew alongs introduced members to new techniques and enhanced their artist talents.

Over the past 25 years the North Star Quilt Guild has evolved. The meetings have remained very similar but now instead of meeting at the Green Room, the Community Hall, or McIsaac School home ec. room, the guild works on projects and holds meetings at Northminster United Church. The first Saturday of each month is UFO day (unfinished objects) when members work on personal projects from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. The third Tuesday of each month is Guild day from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, followed by a meeting from 7:00 pm to 9:00 pm. During the day members work on comfort quilts which will be donated to local organizations in Flin Flon, Creighton, Denare Beach and Cranberry Portage for distribution to families and children in need. As well the quild donates to more far reaching groups such as refugees, victims of wild fires and floods, Quilts of Valour for wounded veterans, and Quilts of Remembrance for families of military lost in active duty. After the bus crash of the Humboldt Broncos hockey team, the guild contributed a number of quilts to those distributed to victims, their families and first responders who attended the crash. Also receiving quilts are individuals and families who have serious illnesses or who are victims of house fires. In addition, the guild has sewn wheelchair quilts for the Northern Lights Manor and Flin Flon Personal Care Home, lap quilts for the Lions Handivan riders, placemats for Meals on Wheels, as well as quilts for the chemo centre and dialysis centre at Flin Flon General Hospital. Quilts have been donated to local organizations to aid in their fund raising efforts. The most recent project is to provide emergency agencies such as the RCMP and local fire departments with quilts to provide victims warmth and caring during devastating situations.

The first quilt show was held in September of 1998 with biennial shows thereafter. The focus of the quilt shows was to showcase the members’ personal artistic talents. Quilt shop vendors were invited to sell their wares to satisfy the quilting needs of members and the public at large. The last show was held in September of 2018. The implications of the pandemic, declining membership, more people travelling to warmer climes for the winter, plus the increasing ages of our members, necessitated an alternate format to showcase our personal artistic talents and our commitment to support our community. Most recently we displayed our 24 x 24 challenge pieces at NORVA and have coordinated displays at Culture days and other community events.

The guild has been fortunate to have new members join the guild over the years and more are always welcome. Learn to Quilt classes resumed this fall after Covid stopped in person gatherings and necessitated meeting via Zoom.

The pandemic also forced another adjustment as the desire to create and provide warmth and comfort to those in need remained. Kits with fabrics and instructions were compiled and distributed to members so quilt tops were being sewn and quilted even though we couldn’t demonstrate a monthly comfort block or gather to sew as a group. This allowed us to complete enough quilts for our annual donations.

During the past 25 years of the North Star Quilt Guild’s existence, in excess of 1250 quilts have been donated. Because of the enthusiasm of North Star Quilt Guild members and their love of sewing, the guild hopes to continue these services for many more years. The North Star Quilt Guild provides fellowship, new friends, the learning of new techniques, fires our creativeness, hones our skills, and gives good reason to continue with our sewing passion! Here’s to another 25 years! Cheers!