At our January Quilting Extravaganza, 40 members of the Lions Gate Quilters Guild in North and West Vancouver, BC, come together to quilt and find joy in the depths of a wet west coast winter.
We usually have a suggested project or work on our own projects. This year, we had the idea of an “Elbows Up” quilt, with everyone contributing a block or two. We decided to donate the quilt tops to Quilts of Valour. In the end, we had three quilt tops.
We started with some Canadiana fabric, added red, black, grey, and white prints from our stashes, and built log cabin tops. There were some interesting stash additions, including a coast Salish design, hockey sticks, and music notes. Quilts of Valour will layer and do the quilting, then donate them to injured serving members or veterans.As we worked, a few people mentioned family members who are serving Canada. At the break, I asked the group how many had relatives or friends that are serving or are veterans.
A surprising number told about their loved ones, actively serving or released with injuries. Unless we know someone serving in the military, we often don’t think of the military, other in a passing way. Especially in our modern world, it reminds us to have gratitude for the work these Canadians provide in peacekeeping and disaster relief. Karen MunroWorkshop Coordinator, Lions Gate Quilters Guild
Quilt of Valour – Elbows Up 1, Lions Gate Quilters Guild Photo Credit: Karen Munro