We had a lot of excitement here in Northern Ontario this spring. A quilt that was made more than 90 years ago in Echo Bay was returned to the makers. Thrilled to have it back, the Echo Bay United Church has no records of when or why it was made. They are getting lots of help from the community and volunteers who are researching this item, but maybe you know something, too?
This quilt is what most call a signature quilt. It has the signatures of about 240 names embroidered on it. Some of the names embroidered are home children sent to Canada during the great wars. An MPP, ministers, doctors, and members of the church, including some Sunday school children, are among the listed. Two genealogists have volunteered their time to help with the research.
Though it was made in Echo Bay, as it is labelled Echo Bay United Church 1930, it was found in Oakland, California. In a dumpster. The finder, Leslie Buck, set out to clean it and find out who it belonged to. She contacted the church in 2021 and it finally made its way back in January 2023.
When found, it was inside out. That is, the signatures were in the centre of the quilt with no batting. The plaid fabrics used on the other side are deemed to be more recent than 1930. Black sheep’s wool was used to tie the quilt and flour sacks were used to piece the signatures side to the plaid side.
In the 1930s, people were moving around and sometimes would do this to a quilt to ensure the good side was protected, then use it to wrap more breakable items during travel.
Have you more information on this quilt? If so, please contact Vivienne at echobaruc@gmail.com.
More photos and information can be found in these articles:
Quilt found in East Bay trash is lost treasure for Canadian town. (berkeleyside.org)
