Quilting Group
September 18,2023
Written by Lynn Carroll and permission to share this.
THE LEGACY AND LASTING POWER OF A QUILT
As a quilter, I felt the need to share this general interest story which came my way via YSAG Coordinator Dianne Casavant-Finn at the Royal Canadian Legion Malahat Branch 134.
Dianne was approached by Wendell Rederburg of Cowichan Lake in the hopes of salvaging his very dear much loved quilt which was given to him by maker, Eileen Rederburg, his Grandmother, in 1981.
Originally made for him to take with him to Athol Murray College of Notre Dame, Saskatchewan, for attendance in Grade 10. It has since travelled from school to many hockey events, Toronto where prior to his employment with airlines, he and the quilt lived in the airport for two weeks before finding living accommodations. Even spent time at a Naval summer camp. Now it resides permanently on Vancouver Island.
Obviously much loved and used due to all the missing stitching, worn binding, and washed out label!
Through the years Wendell's mother hand stitched some repairs, his wife attempted some also, but finally a neighbour recommended YSAG (Young Seniors Action Group) to tackle the much needed care to restore this treasure.
This quilt gives Wendell a sense of remembering his past family generations and the different coloured patches represents all the different people in the community coming together.
Now it has new life to continue its journey through the future years.
Thank you Wendell for sharing and I wish you well cuddle up in the love of your quilt.