Quilters stitch up window on the County for display at the hospital
Administrator | Sep 10, 2018 | Comments 0
A quilted ‘window on Prince Edward County’ now hangs in the diagnostic imaging hallway at Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital to bring delight and distraction to those who pass by.
“From each block shines the love for our small part of Canada, the Island of Prince Edward County,” said Janet Day Reader, president of the Prince Edward County Quilters’ Guild.
This quilt, donated to the hospital, is the product of a Guild challenge in which 22 participants each selected a phrase describing a local scene, then created a quilt block to portray it. Each block is labelled, or signed on the back.
“Many of the quilt blocks illustrate two of our greatest resources, wildlife and an abundant supply of fresh water,” said Reader Day. “Migratory birds also represent the freedom we enjoy.”
Created by hand, the quilters used raw and fusible applique; paint and pen accents; machine and hand embroidery stitching; bead and button embellishments along with eco-dyed fabric using plants, flowers, and rusted bits common to the ditches of the County.
The quilt blocks also illustrate sailing, post storm tossed waters, going to the beach, searching for barn quilts, selecting local produce at a farmers’ market, berry picking, biking down a side road, the “County Whirlers” barn dancing, visiting an art gallery, touring wineries, discovering how “Bird House City” represents actual local buildings, gawking at the architecture of Century-plus buildings, taking photographs of the soft colours in a winter sunset, gorgeous autumn colours, or of simple ditch plants.
Amelia’s Star Block represents Ameliasburgh Township, named after the 7th daughter of King George III. The colours come from the coat of arms hanging in the Ameliasburgh Heritage Village Town Hall honouring Prince Edward County’s United Empire Loyalist heritage.
Lighthouses are also featured, including Main Duck, where the island was historically a place to rest and shelter for those crossing Lake Ontario, and whose buildings stored liquor during the rum-running years.
The turtle block represents the appeal to preserve the Blanding Turtle habitat by significantly delaying wind turbine development in the County.
Challenge organizers Margot Young and Gisele Feuiltault joined the blocks together into a pleasing format.
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