Marilyn and Cathy showed us some of the beautiful and functional quilts their guild create and then donate to those in need. They refer to the quilts they provide as Hugs, there is comfort in cloth.
Quilts are given to:
new mothers and fathers
those to Hospice
people with cancer.
Fire victims
Children's Aid Society
and many others
LOVE COVERS ALL
They meet twice a month. In Brighton at the Community Centre the first Wednesday of each month from 9am to 2pm, and in Frankford on the third Thursday in the evening. All are welcome regardless of skills and abilities.
Most quilts are 50" x 60" but other sizes are made. They do not sell the quilts.
Marilyn has been a member of the Trent Valley Quilters Guild for 27 years and a resident of Brighton for about 30 years. In 2003, along with fellow quilters they organized the Comfort Quilts program which became the charity of choice for the non profit Trenton Valley Quilters Guild.
Cathy has been a member of the guild since 2017 and has been a convenor of Comfort Quilts since 2021. They have about 140 to 160 members in the Guild that spans a relatively broad area of eastern Ontario.
They have some very experienced quilters and beginners. All can support and help. They also have male helpers.
Some people create the tops, others the bottom section, then they are put together with the batting layer between. Some people have invested in large pieces of equipment to put the quilts together that costs $9,000 to $12,000 plus added $10,000 if it is computerized. Then some people use smaller machines and some by hand.
Like everything, prices are rising and support is always welcome.
The Guild hosts a show every three years where they will raffle off a quilt.