Quilters brave the storm to attend Eston’s quilt retreat

By Joan Janzen

Quilters braved Thursday’s spring snowstorm and made their way to the quilt retreat held at Eston United Church, which ran from April 16 to 19. There are never enough quilting hours in a day, so these women welcomed this time set aside to enjoy sewing, visiting and good food.

It was snowing outside, but the ladies attending the quilt retreat in Eston were too busy to notice, spending their time quilting, visiting and enjoying good food from Thursday to Sunday, April 16 to 19 at the United Church. PHOTO BY BONNIE WELLS

“The pop-up quilt shop from Lloydminster also braved the storm,” explained Bonnie Wells, who helped organize the retreat. “Our new minister, Rev. Ryan Sawchuk, was put to work and cooked the hamburger for a taco-in-a-bag supper,” she added.

Although some of the participants were relatively new quilters, Wells said experienced quilters were available to share their expertise. Everyone brought their own machines and worked on their own projects, whether big or small.

“It’s basically fabric and fun!” Wells said. In spite of the spring snowstorm, she said she was “very thrilled we had such a great turnout.” Ladies from surrounding communities continued to arrive on Friday after the highways were cleared of snow. Six of the local women regularly meet every Monday in Wells’ basement, adding to the welcoming atmosphere of the weekend.