Meeting April 28, 2016 – Gathering of the Guilds Report

At our meeting yesterday Dawn and I reviewed our weekend spent at the NB Gathering of the Guilds in Moncton, April 22-24.  We had a great time, and learned a lot about the other 17 NB guilds in attendance (actually I think there are 22 guilds, but only 18 attended).  Each guild’s delegates made a 10 minute presentation regarding the guild activities – what has worked and what hasn’t.  They also showed a few examples of their projects during the presentation, and 4 guilds (including ours) opened their hotel rooms for an hour or so on Saturday for a small “Show ‘n Tell”.  Our guild is the only one in attendance that includes other crafts other than quilting.

Another interesting facet to the gathering was the display of ads for many quilt teachers, wool dyers/applique shops, quilt fabric shops and other associated businesses across Canada.  We were amazed at the number of people involved in the quilting industry in Canada, and were told that only about 40-50% of the people/companies contacted were represented.

There were two sessions of particular note – one was a panel discussion regarding conflict in guilds.  The panel members presented some hints and examples of how to resolve conflict within groups, and although we don’t have conflict in ours (that we are aware of anyway!) it was still good information to have.  The second was a presentation by a quilt designer, Karen Neary from N.S., who spoke at length about copyright and it’s importance to her as well as to those who use her patterns.  Her message could boil down to this: when you use someone’s design to make a quilt (or a sweater, a wood-carving, a hooked rug etc.), you should give credit to the designer unless you significantly change the pattern.  It is also not right to photocopy an original pattern and distribute it to others in a workshop for example.  These guidelines are especially important if you are selling the item.

Saturday evening we enjoyed a trunk show brought to Moncton by the Maritime Modern Quilt Guild located in Halifax.  These ladies, many of whom are quite young compared to our group, make “modern” quilts – these quilts are often made with solid colour fabrics, lots of “negative space” of grey and white fabric, and most importantly, THERE ARE NO RULES!  The presenters were so enthusiastic that Dawn and I stopped at Fabricville on our way to the ferry to buy some solids and some grey fabric.  We also managed a quick stop on Friday afternoon at the Covered Bridge Quiltery in Moncton.

As a result of the Gathering, a Facebook group has been formed called “New Brunswick Quilters Gather”.  Feel free to join this public group if you are a Facebook user.  Also a reminder that our own website address is www.tidalthreads.oceanpurl.net

Yesterday we were happy to welcome back Mary H. and Hilda S. to our group.  Soon we will be gearing up for our show on July 8 and 9, with Mary H. as Convener.  So get busy and prepare some of your work to display!