By Sarah Rae

N.B. exhibition demonstrates versatility of quilting

Nov 18, 2016 | 9:00 AM

The newest exhibition at the Chapel Gallery makes it clear how versatile quilt-making can be.

Fabrication, an exhibition from the Rivers’ Edge Quilters, is a display of a variety of quilts made by members of the group. They range from traditional quilt shape to items like purses, and from traditional design to modern.

“A lot of quilt guilds have shows, but they don’t have the fabulous venue like we have here,” Heather Hochbaum, who worked on several of the pieces, said. “To have it presented in such a professional way – it’s spectacular.”

Rivers’ Edge Quilters are a local group who craft quilts and do charity work. Hochbaum said they’ve donated to the Empty Stocking Fund, Interval House and the Lighthouse, among others.

Hochbaum explained the quilts on display in the gallery now are representative of a wide variety of styles. The top of one quilt was made by one of the group member’s grandmothers, and hand stitched recently by a group. She estimates the traditionally designed top was made as early as the 1950s.

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There are also a couple of quilts on display which are representative of the modern quilt movement. The quilts are inspired by modern design and are often simple, with high contrast pieces, solid colours and negative space.

Hochbaum said even when working from a pattern, each quilt is vastly different because of colour choice, placement and quilting techniques.

Many quilts also involve teamwork, including many on display at the gallery, making them unique. While one or several people may sew together the top design, someone else may quilt the top to the base piece, which can be done in a variety of patterns or freestyle.

Hochbaum said she loves the variety of styles, particularly when it comes to colour choices.

“For me it’s all about the colour, for other people it’s the challenge, because to get all your points to meet just perfectly your sewing skills have to be pretty good and then there’s the quilting and that’s an art form in itself,” she said. “It has a real scope that other forms don’t have, and then there’s the feel of the fabric. You’ll notice quilters just have to touch, they’ve got to feel the fabric.”

The exhibition is on until Jan. 8 at the Chapel Gallery. You’re allowed to touch the pieces, only if you wear the provided gloves.

Sarah Rae is battlefordsNOW’s court and crime reporter. She can be reached at Sarah.Rae@jpbg.ca or tweet her @sarahjeanrae.