Redwater Quilters Guild celebrates 20 years of quilting and community

By Shelley Winger
Members of the Redwater Quilters Guild recently gathered with friends and visitors to
celebrate a special milestone — the guild’s 20th anniversary.
The celebration featured a shared meal, a beautifully decorated anniversary cake and a
display of quilts created by guild members over the years. The colourful collection
highlighted the talent, creativity and dedication of the group’s quilters. Visitors were invited
to browse the display, visit with members and help recognize two decades of quilting,
friendship and community service.
The guild officially began on January 1, 2006, with founding members Vi Nelson, Carol Van
Meter, Lois Andrews, Sharon Yent, Gladys Anderson and Bev Saal. In the early days, the
group met alongside the Redwater Art Society before eventually branching out to form their
own guild.
Over the years, the guild has met in several locations throughout the community, including
the Pentecostal Hall, Ocher Park School, Redwater High School and the United Church.
Today, members gather at the Alliance Church, where they continue to share ideas,
techniques and encouragement with one another.
While quilting is their shared passion, the guild is also well known for its generosity and
commitment to helping others. Each year members donate between 50 and 100 quilts to
organizations and individuals in need. Many of these quilts are carefully handmade and
given to provide warmth, comfort and a reminder that someone cares.
In 2011, the guild began making preemie blankets for the NICU at the Royal Alexandra
Hospital in Edmonton after one member had a grandchild receiving care in the unit. Since
then, members have continued the project with dedication, also sewing preemie hats and
bunny shirts for newborns and their families. To date, the guild has donated more than 400
preemie blankets.
Over the past 20 years, quilts created by guild members have been donated to many groups
including Victim Services, Redwater Hospital Long Term Care, Diamond Springs Lodge,
Radway Long Term Care, Kids Cottage, families affected by fires and refugees from Ukraine.

Quilts have also been donated to local organizations and community fundraisers, helping
support many worthwhile causes.
In addition to their charitable work, the guild provides an opportunity for people in the
community to connect through a shared love of quilting. Members range from experienced
quilters to those still learning the craft, and the group encourages creativity, skill-building
and friendship.
For many members, the guild is about more than quilting. It is also a place to share stories,
learn from one another and enjoy time together. Over the years, friendships have formed

around sewing tables as members work on projects, exchange ideas and support each other
both inside and outside the quilting room.
The guild continues to welcome visitors and new members. Meetings are held every second
Saturday from September to December and again from January to May.
After 20 years, the Redwater Quilters Guild continues to stitch together creativity,
friendship and compassion while making a difference in the lives of many throughout the
community.