While their next big show is not until 2015, the Log Cabin Quilters (LCQ) members are continually creating quilts for various causes.
The LCQ was established in 1985 by founder Marilyn Sedford. They meet the first and third Wednesdays from September to June, at Interlakes Hall.
All of group's 33 members participate in making quilts, such as comfort quilts for victims of house fires and preemie quilts. Since April 2010, donations have included 14 to the neonatal unit at Kelowna Hospital and 22 to Royal Inland Hospital in Kamloops, as well as many comfort quilts.
The LCQ also donates annual quilts for Bridge Lake Elementary School's auction, and for the Interlakes Volunteer Fire Department and the Fischer Place/Mill Site raffles.
In July 2010, their amazing 25th anniversary show, entitled Days Gone By, included 61 bed quilts, 25 lap quilts and 233 other quilted items, such as wall hangings, totes and table runners, while the stage housed an antique kitchen that drew much interest.
The LCQ enjoys at least one workshop a month with various teachers. Local teachers Laura Colgan and Marieanne Dyer covered Paper Piecing, Stack and Whack, Pointless Wonders, Magic Tile, Symmetrical Two by Two, and several quilted totes, while Kay Farina instructed in the making of a down-filled tea cosy and a stained glass appliqué wall-hanging.
In addition, Carol Coulter, Paula Roseboom and Celia Visscher demonstrated many projects on special demo days. One whole day was used for making Turning Twenty quilts, most of which were set aside for "comfort" supply.
Kelowna's Val Wojtula taught Hawaiian appliqué and two-fabric appliqué. This was arranged by Interlakes' appliqué group, The Knotty Ladies, but was open to LCQ members. Faith André and Andrea Hughes from Williams Lake's Ibea's Quilting taught a Pineapple ruler class, a Lazy Angle ruler class, and sewing machine maintenance.
Special mention is made of Celia Visscher who was presented with the Canadian Quilters Association ribbon for winning the People's Choice Award with her "Fireworks" entry in the local fabric challenge.
The LCQ is a happy and organized group, which honours its older members with a personal quilt on their 80th birthday. As they are all "aging," they need some younger members, including novices who wish to learn to quilt.
At their June 8 annual general meeting, Gyl Connaty was elected leader. She will be assisted by co-leader Mieke McIntosh, secretary Sophie Wilcox, planning co-ordinator Marion Mickelsen, and treasurer Sandra Pickering.
The LCQ will be back in session Sept. 21 and looks forward to seeing new faces. In the meantime, information is available from Connaty at 250-593-4456.
