ESTEVAN - Each year, the United Way Estevan has a raffle item – one of the important fundraisers for its 33-hour telethon.
For many years, that raffle item has been a quilt, lovingly crafted by the Hearts and Hands Quilting Guild.
“We’re very happy,” said Linda Jones with the guild. “When we go to do something like this, we look at our colours, and we try to find the pattern that’s going to suit the colours. We feel this pattern went together so well.”
The pattern is a disappearing nine patch, which Jones says has nine squares, all the same size, in three rows of three. They’re sewn together, slit down the middle and twisted to make the pattern. The quilt measures 76 inches by 90 inches.
“We put a black and white checkered outside border on it, which really is striking. It sets off the other colours. And the other colours are very bright yellows, purples, blues, pinks and greens.”
It took three members about a month to complete the quilt, working on their regular quilt days on Thursdays. They weren’t able to get together to complete the quilt.
“We had divided up the material, and between the three of us, we each did part of it. One cut at home, another one sewed and another one pressed. It all came together,” she said.
Eileen McKersie and Marg Mantei also worked on the quilt.
Jones said it was important for the guild to complete a quilt for the United Way once again this year.
“It’s our way of giving back. I think this is the 10th quilt that our guild has done for the United Way … and I’m positive we’ve raised at least $10,000. So it’s important for us.”
Jones noted the quilt has been at the Estevan Farmers’ Market sales on a couple of occasions, and people loved how it turned out.
The guild likes to make with their hands and give with their hearts, she said, hence the name. It has more than 42 members, but only 10 or 12 gather for sessions. Members only started getting together on a regular basis at the start of September.
The quilt is currently on display at Henders Drugs, where people can purchase tickets for the raffle item. Members of the quilt guild also have tickets.
Tickets can also be bought during the United Way Estevan’s Telethon Oct. 15 and 16 at the Royal Canadian Legion’s Estevan branch.
