In Edmonton in the late 1970’s, there were several women who recognized the value in gathering to not only share their knowledge and learn more about quilting, but to meet others and create a community with whom they could share their interest.

I was in my last year of my undergraduate program at the University of Alberta, worrying about exams, relationships and a future career!  Although I loved to sew, the last thing on my mind was quilting. There was a group of women, however, who were keen to learn more about this art form and were committed to developing a quilting community in Edmonton.

One of the by-products of the American bicentennial in 1976 was a resurgence in interest in crafts like pottery, stained glass and quilting.  These were largely lost arts for the generation that embraced the world of new gadgets as science and technology surged in the 50’s and 60’s.  There were some, however, who were lucky to have learned some quilting techniques from their elder relatives, who mostly quilted from necessity.  With few books or patterns to be had, it was challenging to learn without mentorship.

In Edmonton in the late 1970’s, there were several women who recognized the value in gathering to not only share their knowledge and learn more about quilting, but to meet others and create a community with whom they could share their interest.  Following a couple of years of informal meetings at people’s homes, a more formal organizational meeting was launched in September 1978 and the Edmonton & District Quilters’ Guild (EDQG) was officially created.  A  year later, in October 1979, the first set of bylaws was passed and in December, the guild became registered under the Alberta Societies Act.

Monthly meetings were arranged at the Provincial Museum of Alberta (later renamed Royal Alberta Museum) where the EDQG met until 2019 when the facility relocated.  Dues were set at $10 per year!  The guild logo, adopted in June 1979, was created by Freda Talbot with this interpretation: “The unbroken circle design depicts the unity of the Guild and the name is enclosed within the circle. The quilting in the inner circle shows its purpose and leads the eye from the edge to the centre where the Alberta rose signifies our provincial floral emblem and displays the area from which membership is drawn”.  This logo is still in use today.  And while some Board positions remain the same, the position of “Standards” no longer exists.  Although the name implies that the quality of quilting might be scrutinized, the actual purpose of this committee and the manual they created was to clarify and standardize quilting terms.  It was intended to “benefit Guild members, to be used by quilting instructors and to aid in establishing teaching programs”.