I am curious.
I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.
—Albert Einstein
I love looking at what has been done in quilting in the past. The farther backward you can look, the farther forward you are likely to see.
—Winston Churchill
Because of these two attributes (or annoying habits…) I have taken it upon myself to collect an archive of Canadian Quilting. This started when I received a question last year about patterns for a quilt I had never heard of… the Quilt for Canada. Oh, no, not this again, some of you might say, but as a relatively new quilter, it was all news to me.
As reported in the summer 2014 and spring 2016 issues of Canadian Quilter, this was an amazing project! For the 125th anniversary of Canadian Confederation in 1992, 465 (!) six-inch finished blocks were sent in from all across Canada, the US, and overseas. The finished quilt displayed in Ottawa during the celebrations, which included a visit by Queen Elizabeth II; it toured across Canada to Eaton’s department stores; and it was a highlight of several quilt festivals.
Quilt for Canada, made from 465 six-inch blocks sent in from all over the country, to commemorate 125 years of Confederation in 1992. It measures 4.6 m x 5.2 m (15 x 17 feet).
How did I miss seeing it?! Because, as you know, when you’re interested in something, you will find it. And, if it isn’t your highest priority, you won’t.
Canada recently held 150th anniversary celebrations, and many beautiful projects were completed. I created blocks for Quilts of Valour Canada, and even encouraged my guild to create poppy blocks that were turned into five Quilts of Valour that were presented locally. But, back to the request…
I asked quilters who have a longer memory for these things and received only a little bit of information. I lucked out and managed to get in touch with Deborrah Sherman, the editor of Canada Quilts in the early 1990s, and the organizer of the Quilt for Canada project. We had a few conversations and the results were encouraging. We would both like to find a permanent home for this incredible quilt. I would also love a chance to see this beauty in person! The photos available are enticing, but not too detailed.
Regarding the request for blocks patterns, none are available. Each block was the inspiration of the maker. Perhaps someone could create patterns to share with the rest of us?
I received permission from Deborrah to scan all the available information on this quilt, and am highlighting different blocks each week at quiltforcanada.blogspot.com. My hope is to contact the makers to see if they can provide additional information.
For years the quilt has been safely stored by Deborrah, but she maintains that it was, and is, a Quilt for Canada. I am hoping to have it displayed at Quilt Canada, so we can all see it up close. There are costs and logistics involved with such a large quilt—it is 4.6 m x 5.2 m (15 x 17 feet). But, what the hay, I’ve got to try!
You miss 100% of the shots you never take.
—Wayne Gretzky
Check out the blog and wish me luck with having it accepted for display at an upcoming Quilt Canada. If you have any more information that may be helpful, please contact me at onnrep@canadianquilter.com.
Cindy Connell is the CQA/ACC Regional Representative for Ontario North, an volunteer extraordinaire, and a quilting history buff. Read the stories behind each of the quilt blocks in the Quilt for Canada on her blog.
