I took my first quilt class in the Spring of 1988 in Vancouver. Shortly thereafter everything was packed when I bought my condo and moved to New Westminster. I knew of a cross stitch shop called Stitches ‘n’ Things in Middlegate Mall in Burnaby and found they also did quilting. They had a drop in Sit and Stitch that I joined, first working on mohair teddy bears and then I took another quilt class. Here I met Ethel Snow, Tricia Brown, Shona Kelly and Linda Dubois (owner). All were members of FVQG and took me to my first meeting at the Surrey Library probably in 1989. I joined shortly after. Linda was the person who found our new home for meetings at Cedar Grove Baptist Church.
I remember sitting around Tricia Brown’s dining room table learning how to hand quilt on the FVQG raffle quilt. I attended evening meetings and at one the evening secretary announced she needed to step down and I offered to fill her spot. One distinct memory was having the day off so I could attend the day meeting and turning on the TV as I got ready and watching events of 911. Allison Van Sacker chaired the meeting and called for a moment of silence. It was a very subdued meeting.
I also recall our various community sit and stitches at the PNE. Queensborough Community Centre Fall Fair quilting with Lynne Fanthorpe and others. Sitting at Fraser Fest on the New Westminster Quay. I was vice chair then chair of the evening meeting when Lynne Fanthorpe was Present and then became President. During our 30th anniversary year I bought 30 items at the dollar store and gave them away each meeting. This was after we moved our meeting to the Firehall Arts Centre in Delta.
I also remember appliquéing on a quilt at Linda Rothe’s after the quilt had been machine quilted. The appliqué sat up from the background. Linda taught me my favourite way to appliqué using the freezer paper and starch method. I recall taking many classes with different teachers that the guild brought in and also local members and designers in our area. I also recall being in the test groups when we organized quilt retreats at Rosemary Heights and Harrison Hot Springs Hotel.