The Elliot Lake Quilting Guild will be presenting a quilt to the first baby born in Elliot Lake in the new year - whenever that may be. The guild has quilts made up during the year and is prepared to give out two quilts if there are twins born or two babies close together.
The baby quilts, part of their “charity quilts program,” come in two sizes, 30” x 40” for strollers, and 36” x 52” for cribs or toddlers and take from 15 to over 100 hours to make.
They also make quilts for veterans and are starting a new program with quilts for Indigenous survivors of residential schools. Monique Fourcaudot, guild president, said Quilts for Survivors is a new program out of Timmins.
This past year, they also made placemats for residents of Huron Lodge, and recipients of the Meals on Wheels program that is run by Huron Lodge. “We made over one hundred of them,” she said.
Currently, the guild is hoping to encourage young people to get involved in the art of quilt making. They have approached the local high school and have offered to give community hours of service to students wishing to help with the charity quilts. The students would work on various aspects of the quilting process, depending on their skill levels and interests. They could be cutting out squares, sorting or pressing them, or sewing either by hand or machine.
“It’s the second Tuesday of the month when we work on our charity quilts,” said Fourcaudot.
Cathy Huras, guild social media person, and Heather Rouski, in charge of membership, went to the high school to discuss the program. “I said let’s talk to high school students,” said Huras, “because our goal is to get young people involved.” Since early December they have had two students participate.
The guild meets at the Gentle Shepherd Christian Church, 3 Ottawa Ave., on Tuesday afternoons and evenings, depending on the week. The first Tuesday of the month is a business meeting in the evening. Fourcaudot said the business portion is followed by show and tell and a bit of a social with treats, tea and coffee. “The best part is the show and tell,” she said, “because you get inspired by everybody’s work.”
The church has provided them with a classroom and storage area. The classroom is used for quilting as well as classes for members to learn new techniques. “We’re always learning new things,” said Fourcaudot.
In the past, the guild has had a two-day quilt show that coincided with the Elliot Lake Arts Club Arts on the Trail, but shrinking membership over the pandemic period has caused them to put it on hold. “It takes about 50 members to put the show together,” said Fourcaudot, adding that the guild hopes to have another one in 2026 or 2027. The guild currently has 39 members.
The guild is open to new members, with an annual fee of $30. For those wanting more information, they are encouraged to email Cathy Huras at [email protected] or Heather Rouski at [email protected].