Saskatoon Quilters' Guild: Guild History 1982-2007

The Saskatoon Quilters' Guild was organized in 1982. The first meeting was held in February of 1982 at the Cosmo Civic Centre in Craft Room #3. At the inaugural meeting, basic structure was discussed and the mission statement was to:

The membership fee was set at $10.00 for the year. As of March 15, 1982 the list of paid-up members was as follows:

The above members could be referred to as our "founding members" and there were additions to the membership during the first year. The first meetings were technique-driven with programs such as "stained glass, seminole, and Christmas items." Potlucks were also very important events right from the beginning.

Interestingly enough, many of the hurdles the Guild faces today were the same right at the outset. For example, where to hold the meetings became a recurring theme. From 1983 to 1986 the meetings were held at the Albert Community Centre, moving to Richmond Heights School in January of 1986. In September of 1986 the meetings were moved to Homespun Craft Emporium.

Early activities included participating in a booth at "the Ex," learning to make baskets with padded lids and liners at a workshop in 1986 and creating a group "Dahlia Quilt" to be raffled at the Exhibition.

On April 3, 4 and 5, 1987 a workshop was given by guest Anne Severenson on Amish Quilts. Also in 1987 there was the first mention of a newsletter being created to better communicate with the Guild membership. The first newsletter was distributed Sept. 3, 1987 by Deloise McKnight. It seemed to be a busy year since the library was also established in the fall of 1987 and kept at Homespun in the loft a second monthly meeting was introduced on a trial basis. The Block of the Month was also introduced in the fall of 1987.

In 1988 the Guild membership grew to 37 and the annual fee was set at $15.00. The second monthly meeting was made a permanent feature in 1988. Activities during this year included a workshop given by guest Marilyn Stothers and creating items for the "Santa’s Bag” gift shop. The Guild was approached in June of 1988 to make 10 portfolios suitable to present to the 10 premiers' wives for presentation at the time of the Premiers' Conference in Saskatoon.

The members decided on envelope-style portfolios, which were well received by the Protocol Office. 1989 brought about a Celtic Workshop in January and casual quilt displays at the Main Library and Circle Drive Alliance Church. This year also brought about the beginning of the quilt displays at the Parkridge Centre Gallery. Even in 1989, with only 20 people present at the meetings, name tag wearing (or lack thereof) was an issue. Fines of 25 cents were levied on those members not wearing name tags.

The Saskatoon Quilters’ Guild is a very busy guild. Even in its infant stages the number of requests from other quilt guilds, service groups and churches for the Saskatoon Guild’s participation in their activities was impressive. Many meetings were used for discussing and organizing these invitations.

In 1990 the guild saw its first retreat at Sage Hill and a move to a larger meeting space at Zion Lutheran Church on 4th Ave S. Membership dues increased to $20.00 and membership was 42 members.

The minutes of the Guild were always interspersed with information about Guild events but would occasionally mention personal events, such as the birth of a son for Deloise McKnight in 1991 and the sad news of long-time member Edith Quinn moving to Edmonton. 1991 also saw a show at the library called Quilts for All Seasons and the traditional Christmas potluck.

As with all growing organizations 1992 was a busy year for the guild. The third retreat was held at Sage Hill and the first potluck not held at a guild member’s house was organized at the meeting location of Zion Lutheran Church. 1992 was also the year that the idea of Serendipity was born. It was called Quilts for Kids and evolved into Serendipity over ensuing years. In addition, a fall workshop was organized with guest Judy Villett teaching.

1993 was a year for organizing the Guild. Guild by-laws were drafted by Charlotte Olson and Alice Wilson and distributed for comment to members. In April the name of incorporation for the guild was determined to be Saskatoon Quilt Guild. The Western Development Museum requested the Guild’s assistance with quilt displays on Sunday afternoons. 1993 was a great artistic year for Guild members, Zelma Hurd and Lynn Underwood, as they had quilts accepted into the Dimensions show. This year’s potluck was moved back to the home of one of the members. The autumn of 1993 also saw the discussion by executive members of the need for a larger space. Also preliminary discussions for a joint show with the Woodworkers' Guild was initiated.

By 1994 the Guild’s library consisted of 40 books and 1 video. The annual retreat was moved to Rayner Centre and the Guild had an annual budget of $3,500. This was the year that the meetings were moved back to Homespun which in turn had moved to a larger space and could again accommodate the growing membership of the Guild. This was the year that the Travelling Doll began her life and accumulation of her "outfit." Business meetings became limited to four times per year because of their length. The "Wood & Warmth" show was well into its planning stages and membership was 61.

In 1995 the newsletter took on a new format and the annual retreat was moved to Manitou Springs Resort. The reduced number of business meetings met with approval and was made permanent. Quilt displays at Calories restaurant were a big success and arrangements were made to keep these going. Guild member Lynn Underwood taught the fall workshop on paper piecing. Plans and organization for the Guild's participation in Quilt Canada in Saskatoon were underway. As well, submissions for a new Guild pin design were requested.

New business in 1996 consisted of a request from the City of Saskatoon to the Guild to design a corporate quilt denoting the various services of the city. As well, a government survey was conducted to determine the impact of arts on the economy and a Quilt Show for the year 1997 was proposed.

Consequently 1997 was consumed with planning and organizing the Guild's very own quilt show. The annual retreat was held again at Manitou Springs. Some of the problems that we face currently as a guild were present in prior years. For instance, overdue library books became an issue. Phoning forgetful members became the way to deal with this.

1998 saw the annual retreat moved to Jackfish Lodge. This year the Guild also studied the ever-present concern related to a facility large enough to accommodate its growing membership. A study was presented by seven Guild members, who comprised the Committee to Investigate Guild Size. The group recommended that membership not be capped. The idea of a daytime chapter was examined. And the idea of mini-workshops was recommended. The main concern was that the Guild was growing to such a size that getting to know all the members was becoming quite difficult. A new meeting room was also recommended. In February of 1998, the proposal for a show in 1999 was presented. Membership in 1998 was now 114, 32 of whom were new that year. March brought about a contest to create a Guild banner.

In 1999 preparations for the quilt show were nearing completion, with the show being held at the Western Development Museum. Kay Phillips taught a workshop at Wanuskewin in the fall. Membership was 123 in 1999 and average attendance at Guild Wanuskewin meetings was estimated to be about 57 people. The by-laws were amended to accommodate a new annual fee payment plan.

Guild Banner

Saskatoon Quilters' Guild Banner

The banner shown on our web site was made by the members of the Guild in 1999 and first shown at our second biennial quilt show. A design competition was held and members of the Guild voted for the design they liked the best.

Once the design decision was made, packets with paper foundations for the blocks in the border and the letters of the Guild's name were distributed among Guild members. The Saskatoon berry appliques were given to our expert appliquers. Once the finished blocks were returned a small group assembled the banner. The assembled banner was then made into a quilt "sandwich" and hand quilting bees were set up to quilt the banner.

The years 2000 to the present have been filled with new activities and change. The Guild hosted its largest and most successful quilt show in 2001. There was an attendance of over 4000 people to view and admire the quilts. Membership dues increased to $35.00 annually and as of the fall of 2002 our membership had grown to 182 members.

The idea of an afternoon Guild meeting time was examined in 2001 and introduced in the fall of 2002. It turned out to be successful and was made permanent shortly after its introduction. Having two meeting times also dealt effectively with the problem of overcrowding during our evening meetings.

2000 also saw the spring retreat move to the Kindersley Inn. Unfortunately, Jackfish Lodge experienced flooding and an emergency move three weeks prior to the retreat dates was necessary. The new facility worked well and was also the site for the 2003 retreat. Fall workshop presenters included Judy Morningstar and Shirley Kelly for 2000 and 2001 respectively. The fall workshop of 2002 was a special trea,t as the Guild was able to bring in Joan Colvin, who was extremely gifted and inspirational.

The Saskatoon Quilters’ Guild has come a long way from its beginning. So much has changed with the addition of each new member. There have been new techniques to share, new friends to make. Guild members have created and sustained an atmosphere of support, learning and friendship. The mission statement of the founding members is every bit as relevant today and very much a part of the Saskatoon Quilters’ Guild.

25th Anniversary Celebration

The Guild celebrated its silver anniversary in June, 2007. A report written by Cheryl Bock was published in the CQA Newsletter.

Guild History 1982 - 2007

Guild Banner

25th Anniversary Celebration