ST. PAUL – Junior high students were greeted by a colourful array of fabric and thread as they roamed through the Quilting Bees Guild space located at the St. Paul Senior Citizens Club, their eyes dancing from one quilt to another.
Students saw the quilters’ nimble fingers deftly guiding their needles, becoming a witness to what would eventually become an artful piece of tapestry.
On June 12, a class of Grade 7 students from Glen Avon School took a field trip to visit the guild, hoping to learn more about sewing as part of their sewing class, and following the completion of their own sewing projects.
Prior to the fieldtrip, the students crafted drawstring bags and pillows, with the help of two members from the Quilting Bees Guild, explained teacher Patti Krekoski, as students spent time chatting with the quilters.
“With 14 students in the classroom for sewing, it’s very hard for me to get to each individual, especially when they’re first starting out,” said Krekoski. So, the school reached out to the community to see if there were individuals willing to volunteer their time to help out.
Angele Duncan and Elaine Proctor with the guild thought it would be fun and offered their time and expertise.
Once a week for the past month, Duncan and Proctor worked with the students on their projects. “The kids seem to enjoy having outside help coming in [and] they were more open,” said Proctor.
According to Duncan, while this was their first year helping students out, they hope to have more members from the guild be involved in the future.
Proctor noted that the students initially had few questions, but as they grew more comfortable with the new helpers, their curiosity blossomed. She gestured proudly to the students who were now actively engaging with the quilters, seeking advice and exchanging conversations.
“I mean look at them... they’re actually going there and asking questions,” said Proctor, with pride.
Austin Pitman was among the group of Grade 7 students taking part in the field trip.
“Learning about [sewing] is actually pretty fun, and learning how people just start out and make their own things is pretty cool,” he said.
His classmates agreed. Olivia Riske expressed gratitude toward Duncan and Proctor for their help and patience. “Like when we’re sewing, I’ve made many mistakes and they’ve helped me fix them when I didn’t think I could fix them,” she said.
The students also commended the Quilting Bees Guild for their altruistic efforts in sewing quilts for cancer patients. Pitman spoke on behalf of the class, appreciating the guild members' dedication and kindness “towards those in need.”
Another class also toured the Quilting Bees Guild and talked to some of its members on June 13.
While the field trips aim to broaden students’ horizons, they also foster intergenerational connections, allowing youth to learn valuable lessons from seniors and forging a bridge between generations, said Krekoski.
