It may be cold outside, but there’s nothing more warm and cozy than a decorative quilt - and there’ll be dozens of those at the Prairie Patchworkers Quilt Guild Show and Sale this weekend. The event goes Friday, April 22 from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm and on Saturday, April 23 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Bella Vista Inn. It’s been a long awaited return given the COVID layover. The show and sale happens every two years, but due to pandemic restrictions, it’s been longer this time around, says Guild spokesperson Deb Haryett. 

“We were supposed to have a show in 2020, and we didn’t do it because we were shut down by then,” says Haryett. 

The President’s Challenge is issued every two years as a thematic basis for the next cycle of quilt making, Haryett explains. The last one issued was to represent a bird or a flower using the colour of the artist’s birthday month. The goal is to have the quilting projects completed by the time of the show, so this weekend will display the results of the creative mission. 

There will also be some long delayed displays of the previous challenge which was a “tiny block” challenge where quilters were to craft designs using micro blocks of fabric. The showcase promises to be splendid with works having been held in the offing for up to four years. 

There will be a prize for the best quilt in the show as determined by attendee voting. There will also be a dutch auction and a raffle for some of the showcased quilts. 

There will be quilts fashioned by many of the Guild’s 22 members. Each of the members is granted a display area for their quilts and the accompanying commentary that patrons are encouraged to read and enjoy. 

Admission is $10 per day with the proceeds going to support the work of the Guild. The group donated 270 quilts in 2021, the beneficiaries being the Humboldt District Health Complex. St. Mary’s Villa, area mental health organizations such as Partners, and Ronald McDonald House in Saskatoon, among others. 

The Prairie Patchworkers Quilt Guild meets regularly at Westminster United Church and is grateful for their ongoing support. The Show and Sale is sure to be a heartwarmer until the outside temperatures signal it’s spring.