historical quilts
Bethany has been repairing, restoring and conserving old family and collectible quilts for individuals and private collectors/institutions since 1979. The protection of these beautiful treasures of fibre and art as a resource that will stand the test of time is a passion and a wonderful way to spend "found time" during cold winter months when outside activities are limited. She holds a large personal collection of Heritage Quilts of both family origin and many collected while living in Ontario. While Beth finds less and less time now in her busy life as a full time employee of the Hudson’s Bay Company, an Instructor in the popular Textile Arts Program at St. Lawrence College's Kingston Campus, and as a Quiltmaker and Fibre Artist to do conservation work, she loves to share her passion for the collection and preserving the Quilt History of the areas in which she has lived. Beth loves to travel and share her love of quilts with others whenever she can.
The two lectures/workshops listed below will prepare others for becoming involved with quilt history studies and Documentation work:
Collecting Quilts: A commitment to sharing Canadian Quilt History lessons with the generations
Sharing quilts is a passion - and collecting is a huge commitment of time, energy and personal funds. The research, purchase, maintenance and care of the quilts is an exciting and awe inspiring job for many collectors. Learning everything you can about the way a quilt was made, the fabrics of the era and how to care for older as well as a collection of contemporary quilts is an exciting learning experience. During this lecture, you will share in my excitement as a collector and custodian for over 150 Heritage and Contemporary Quilts. Learn how collecting can enhance your appreciation of and stewardship for Canada's wonderful hand and machine pieced and quilted bed covers. A generous collection of quilts will accompany the lecture if within driving distance of Kingston. Quilt History Documentation forms and guidelines will be available to interested Guild or Group members.
Related Workshop Day: This workshop is designed as a pre-documentation day informational/training session.
Documenting Quilts for the Future: A starting point for your Guild’s Documentation Days
This Guild or Group visit is designed as a full day workshop format with the inclusion of a one hour lecture on Collecting and Maintaining Heritage Quilts. The talk can be delivered in the morning, followed by a demonstration of how a quilt is studied by a Documentation Specialist, with oral and written history being taken as the quilt pattern, stitching and condition are explored and recorded. After lunch, the Guild or Group members will be invited to share their quilts brought to the session for group consideration. We will document up to 6 quilts during the afternoon session, sharing the main criteria for keeping the quilt in its best condition, proper storage and establishing the records that will maintain the quilt’s place in Canadian Quilt History. Suggested Documentation Days schedules/formatting will be discussed.
For further information, fees schedule and to arrange a visit to your Guild, contact Bethany Garner, EOQD Project Coordinator.
