HISTORY
In 1991, an article was placed in the local newspaper, asking for ladies that had an interest in quilting to respond by coming to a meeting at the Kawartha Settlers' Village. The meeting would take place in the basement of the Henderson House. The two members of Settlers' Village who arranged this gathering were pleasantly surprised when the basement of Henderson House was filled!
This group started meeting every Monday afternoon at the Henderson House and began to hand quilt their first project. The quilt top was fully stretched on a frame of four narrow boards which were clamped at the corners. The quilt was tacked to the frame and they quilted their way to the middle by rolling the two ends, pioneer style!
Kawartha Piecemakers Village Quilters, formed in 1993, was the name of our original guild. The only pre-requisite was a love for quilting with a promise of skills being taught. In the Fall of 1993, our first quilt show took place and it was set up and operated by only twelve members! The husbands of the guild members and other Settlers’ Village members were also drafted into service. The decision was made to hold a quilt show every two years so as to give the ladies time to create their quilted gems.
Since 1994, with a change of name to “Settlers’ Village Quilters”, the guild has taken on many community projects including “Duggie Snugglers” for children involved in a traumatic situation, making quilts for families who have lost their home due to tragic circumstances, and assisting with fundraising for the Kawartha Settlers’ Village. In addition, support for the Women’s shelter, Foodbank donations, and adopting a family at Christmas continued to be part of the guild’s mandate.
In 1998 the guild began to “house shop” for a place to call their own. The Wray house was soon under their loving care! It continues to be used for Village activities including the Haunted House, Settlers’ Day, and the Festival of Trees. The guild uses the Wray house for weekly quilt related activities from May 1st to October 31st.
One of the guild’s proudest accomplishments was the “Canada 2000 Quilt” project. The guild started advertising in 1997 for anyone to make a block exemplifying “What Canada Means to Me”. Creativity embellishments were wide open! In addition, each person was to include a little write-up about their blocks. These written explanations were collected and put in a binder to be displayed with the quilt. With community involvement, all the blocks came in and there was enough blocks to make three panels. Our masterpiece commemorating Canada made it to the parliament building in Ottawa!
We have recently celebrated our 30th year and much more could be written. Please join us in celebrating our founding members and all those who have worked together to make this guild a success: all guild members over the years and their various executives, instructors, Wray house minders, and all those who were “the glue” to make us succeed. Members who have moved away and still stay in touch with us are not forgotten. We remember all members who have passed away and their presence is always with us.
Settlers' Village Quilters' Guild
Presidents
Past and Present
Sharon Chambers Sept. 1994 – Aug. 1996
Kim Falls Sept. 1996 – Aug. 1998
Diane Southorn Sept. 1998 – Aug. 2000
Evelyn Trimble Sept. 2000 – Aug. 2002
Jose Foot Sept. 2002 – Aug. 2004
Louise Plante Sept. 2004 – Aug. 2006
Marguerite Fleming Sept. 2006 – Aug. 2008
Anne Cleland Sept. 2008 – Aug. 2010
Pam Gray Sept. 2010 – Aug. 2012
Maribeth Ireland Sept. 2012 – Aug. 2014
Pam Dickey Sept. 2014 – Aug. 2019
Donna MacDonald Sept. 2019 – Aug. 2022
Judy Cameron Sept. 2022 – Aug. 2024