Balconies, front doors and windows around Greater Victoria will be ornamented with intricate patterns on Saturday, March 21 in celebration of International Quilt Day.
Victoria Quilt Guild member Mavis Reynolds came up with the idea last year while attending outdoor quilt celebrations in Oregon, which prompted her to start a Facebook event page to plan the event. Now, a year later it will be celebrated for this first time in Greater Victoria.
ALSO READ: Make pouches for orphaned Australian wildlife at a Langford quilt shop
Normally International Quilt day is celebrated by quilt enthusiasts with social gatherings and shopping, but due to federal calls for self-isolation in light of COVID-19, those options are off the table. That makes the quilt hanging event an opportunity for colour and celebration in a time of darkness, Reynolds said.
“It’s just so easy – like putting clothes on the clothesline – and just adds something nice for people to look at when there’s not so good news around,” Reynolds said. “People can get in their cars and don’t need to be close to anyone else.”
ALSO READ: Island man’s Quilt of Valour comforting after death of his grandmother
More than 40 people have already signed up to hang quilts from their homes across Greater Victoria, with a majority in Saanich. The list of addresses can be found on the Victoria Quilt Guild’s Facebook page.
Participants don’t even need to be quilters themselves.
“Maybe grandma gave you a quilt, or you have a wedding quilt,” she said. “They need to air out, so why not hang them up?”
Anyone interested in participating can contact Reynolds at info@dayspringquiltcompany.com.
Like us on Facebook, send a Tweet to @NicoleCrescenziand follow us on Instagram