The Fern Rebekah Lodge of Kisbey hosted a fundraiser on Saturday, Sept. 15. Held between 1 p.m. and 5 p.m. the Rebekahs welcomed people to the Kisbey Rec Centre where a quilt display drew in many people of all ages.
The quilter, Ted Sheard, has connections to the community with his wife Linda being Verna Reed's sister.
Sheard grew up in Rockglen and laughed, explaining the small community and limited extra-curricular activities when he was young led to him first picking up a needle.
鈥淭he first class I took was in '73,鈥� Sheard explained. 鈥淲e had to make a table runner and put three blocks together using three basic techniques. There's countless techniques, too many to count, but I've since learned many. Some of these quilts have been around for years.鈥�
Though the event began with Reed asking if Sheard would be willing to share a few quilts, it turned into a show of Sheard's past work.
鈥淭he quilts I make stay mostly in the family and for me, it's my down time,鈥� Sheard stated. 鈥淚 spend that time collecting my thoughts in the evening. It's really just a hobby of mine.鈥�
Though just a hobby, those looking through the numerous quilts on display were amazed by the craftsmanship.
Sheard himself explained of many pieces, 鈥淚 will never be able to stitch quite this good again, but I like to hand stitch. I took a class on machine quilting and didn't really enjoy it because you have to concentrate on the machine and that doesn't allow any other thoughts in.鈥�
Pointing out a few of his quilts Sheard continued, 鈥淭hat level of quilting is very labour intensive. A lot of my time is now more putting tops together and a lady from Lumsden uses a machine to sew the quilt.鈥�
Sheard enjoys how his hobby allows his artistic abilities to come through either by envisioning a quilt to create or adding to an already stitched quilt.
In addition to the numerous quilts which were enjoyed by the many who filtered through the Rec Centre, with coffee, tea, and food available as well, the day became not only a time to enjoy the quilting talents of Sheard, but to enjoy an afternoon out in Kisbey with friends and family.
