The St. John's Quilters and Friends are an industrious group of fiber artists who dedicate several days each spring and fall to the creation of beautiful quilts as gifts for shelter residents from downtown east Vancouver as they transition to permanent housing.
This group consists of accomplished quilters to those who are just beginning to quilt. Many hours of work go into the production of a quilt before the quilting even happens! When the fall session begins, the call goes out for help with measuring, cutting, ironing, . . . Many arrive with stashes of fabric to donate, completed quilt tops, sewing machines prepared to hum, talented hands to piece, sandwich and quilt, . . . As each session progresses, beautiful fabrics are transformed into functional works of art.
The finished quilts are gifted to First United Church in Vancouver where homeless people from the downtown east side are provided with assistance in finding their own place to live. When they make the move to independent living, a beautiful quilt goes with them. Recipients benefit from not only the warmth of the quilt but also the warmth of the many hands that so lovingly created it.
What started out as women gathering to share their love of quilting has metamorphosed into well over 100 beautiful quilts being gifted to folks who can literally wrap themselves in a labour of love.
Anyone interested in quilting, cutting, ironing or simply sharing in a cup of coffee to see what we're up to is welcome to attend and should contact the church office for more information.