International Tours

A Quilting Journey in Canada

Lynne Furness.

This adventure all began in May 2004, when the Australian Quilters Association (AQA) received an email from the Waterloo Area Quilt Festival Committee, inviting an exhibition of Australian quilts and 2 tutors to the May 2005 Festival. AQA had an exhibition of quilts from Australia which had previously travelled to San Francisco . These quilters were contacted and arrangements made for them to travel again in May 2005. Jan Preston and Olga Walters were 2 Victorian tutors chosen as they are both quilters and textile artists. Plans continued for the exhibition and tutors and at the same time a trip for quilters was arranged.

On a frosty morning in May 2005, 9 intrepid quilters and 1 brave husband met at Melbourne 's Tullamarine airport (at 4.15am !) to start their journey. For 1 member of the group it was particularly exciting as she had never been overseas before. The flight to Toronto via Sydney , Honolulu and Vancouver was good and we arrived safely. A group from the organising committee met us and after saying goodbye to Olga and Jan, and the husband we set off for the hotel.

The following morning was free time and some chose to try Yum Cha in Chinatown . Quite an experience as we were the only Europeans in the restaurant but luckily we had an interpreter with us and a delicious meal was enjoyed. Then back to the hotel to meet with our driver guide for the following 10 days and a city sights tour of Toronto . Hans, our guide proved to be a gem, his usual clients were farmers or foresters and he was quite intrigued with quilters. One of the most unusual sights we saw on this tour of Toronto was a beggar standing on a street corner with 2 ferrets on leads at his feet and 6 up one arm. A visit to the Textile Museum completed the day.

The next morning our real quilting adventure began and we headed out of Toronto first to the McMichael Gallery. This gallery, an impressive stone and log building, is home to paintings of the Group of Seven artists who explored the wilds of Algona in Northern Ontario in the late 1910s, travelling around in a converted freight car, and later going further a field, from Newfoundland and Baffin Island to British Columbia . We spent time just being enthralled with the landscapes of these artists and also the indigenous native works. Back into the village of Kleinberg for lunch and explore. Of course we found the fabric store and the book stores too, then back into the minibus (our home for the 10 days) and on up to the edge of Georgian Bay and the little town of Midland . On the way to Midland Hans found us a fabric store in Simcoe, the shop owners were so impressed that we'd travelled all the way from Australia for the Festival that they rang around to 2 other stores to let them know we were on our way. Of course we didn't disappoint them and visited them both buying fabric from each.

A bright sunny day greeted us as we set off first to a supermarket, just for a look and also to get some supplies. Then it was on to Ste Marie-among-the-Hurons one of Ontario 's most interesting historical attractions. The Jesuits had established a community here in the 17 century, working with the native Huron tribe, however, their work upset the balance between the native Hurons and Iroqouis and the Jesuits set fire to their settlement and fled. This museum is a recreation of the settlement built on the old foundations in the 1940's and work is still in progress. We were most impressed with the museum and the working tasks which had been daily tasks for the Jesuits here in the 17 th century. After the morning here we went back to the edge of Georgian Bay for a cruise through the 30,000 Muskoka islands scattered around the bay. In spite of the cool, fresh, freezing breeze we all enjoyed this trip. It was wonderful to see the trees which had dominated the Group of Seven paintings in real life, growing on rocky islands and bent b y the prevailing wind. A full day and then it was on to Blue Mountain Resort in Collingwood for the night. (one of the things that intrigued us was the familiarity of place names and some of the silos in the fields were painted black and white stripes so keeping Collingwood, the football team, in our sights!)

Blue Mountain is similar to any other ski resort with hotels and houses scattered around and a central village of shops and restaurants and ski lifts. This one, however, also included a large open fire in the centre of the main plaza surrounded with large stones for seats, very attractive at night and there were people cooking marshmallows while we ate dinner. The next morning after a short walk back into the village we took the gondola up the mountain for a spectacular view back over the village and Georgian Bay . In summer the ski lift is replaced with a gondola and in between each gondola there is a bike rack. Mountain bikers of all ages spend their summer days riding to the top with their bikes and then riding down over the rocky ski tracks. We watched them with interest but were not tempted to follow suit and so took the gondola back down to the village and after a coffee in the village, set off again on our journey to Kitchener .

Our trip took us past the Eugenia Falls for a lunch stop and opportunity to admire the forget-me-nots, violets and trees and of course the falls. Then, on to Elora, our first village in Mennonite country. Stopping to explore and we were of course were drawn to the wool shop where some of us purchased wool. Several Mennonite families were in Elora having a walk along the gorge or sitting gossiping in the sun. After leaving Elora as we got closer to Kitchener we saw many buggies with families on board coming back from Sunday visiting to friend's farms. Some were closed and some open and all travelling along the side of the road on the gravel shoulder. Arrival at the hotel after such a long day was welcome and as this was to be our "home" for the next week an opportunity to unpack and do some washing.

Monday we were all up early and ready for Hans and our first day in quilt-land! Our first stop was the Kitchener City Hall where some of the Mennonite quilts to be auctioned at the Saturday Relief Sale, were displayed. They hung around the walls in the foyer and were high enough not to have to have a sign saying "Do not Touch". Our first glimpse of Mennonite quilts all hand pieced and hand quilted and very stunning. Then, on to the Joseph Schneider House, where we saw Mennonite ladies sitting around a large frame quilting and quilts around the walls. The group was invited to put in some stitches too. Joseph Schneider was a Pennsylvanian Mennonite who founded a smoked meat industry in Kitchener , the house is now a museum and we were privileged to be able to handle (with white gloves) some of the historic quilts on the beds. Most had been made from cast off fabrics either cotton or flannel or wool. Then it was back on board the trusty minibus to visit the World Piece Quilts at the Waterloo Curling Rink. This is where the Aussie quilts were! Wow! our quilts were in the centre of this large exhibition space, with the AQA Bicentennial Coat of Arms quilt on one side and an Australian flag on the other. In between an old jeep painted in Central Australian colours, a kangaroo crossing road sign, a koala with bush hat, a didgeridoo and lots of gum leaves. We were very impressed with the display and the arrangement of the Aussie icons! Around the edge of the exhibition space was the Quilt of Belonging, made from blocks created by all indigenous and immigrant people of Canada . There were not many dry eyes walking around the 2 walls reading the story of each block. We talked to quilters present and received many favourable comments on the display and the Australian quilts. After this Hans had a surprise waiting for us. He took us off for a tour of the Waterloo suburbs ending at his house where his delightful wife Louise had prepared a delicious afternoon tea. After a tour of their house admiring Louise's art work and beautiful garden we all went out for dinner and then back to the hotel to tumble into bed.

Tuesday was to be another highlight in 10 days of highlights, as this was the day we were to meet Marian Martin for a tour of Mennonite country. We met up with Marian in St Joseph 's at the Old Schoolhouse. On the way we stopped at the Waterloo City Hall to see some more Mennonite Relief Sale quilts, again hung high in the entry foyer. Our first stop with Marian was to a Mennonite Museum to watch a presentation about Mennonites. Then it was off out into the countryside. We passed many road signs of a horse and buggy warning us that this mode of transport was more common than the motor vehicle. The first stop was at the home of two elderly Mennonite ladies. Both were very welcoming and Annie demonstrated her skills at rug making while Susannah showed us all her quilting stencils. Susannah marks quilt tops for her income and 5 of us just couldn't resist and chose a design each. Marian bought us fabric from a Mennonite store (not open on a Tuesday) and delivered it to Susannah. Because we were leaving at the end of the week Susannah called in some friends and the 5 tops were finished by Sunday. (4 were queen size and 1 lap size so you can see her challenge!)

A short walk from the house was a Mennonite restaurant where we had a booking for lunch. Absolutely delicious. Then off again in the bus. We passed several farmers out ploughing with their horses, some Mennonite and some Amish distinguishable by their clothes and all camera shy. It is believed that photographs are graven images and therefore not allowed. We made a stop at a Mennonite store set up in the basement of a farm house. Down the staircase we passed the winter padded, black men's jackets and the Sunday black felt hats on one side and the straw hats for summer on the other. Inside was like Aladdin's cave.. patchwork fabric, fabric for clothes, zips, buttons, wool, haberdashery of all description as well as pots and pans and crockery. We had great fun just exploring. On the way back to the hotel we passed over a covered bridge in Elmira . After freshening and quick change of clothes we returned to Waterloo and the Curling Rink for the Official Opening of the Festival and the Meet the Artists Night. Everyone we met admired our quilts and were impressed that we had made the effort to travel over for the fun and to support Olga and Jan. we had an opportunity to catch up with Olga and Jan and hear all about their adventures.

Wednesday was another long day but with no quilts!!! We were off to Niagara Falls . Very impressive and after a delicious lunch overlooking the falls we took a trip on the Maid of the Mist boat, great fun. A short stop at an outlet Mall for some extra luggage, a wine tasting and then on to Niagara on the Lake for an explore before heading back to Kitchener and the hotel. Waiting for us at the hotel were 2 more for the group. A fellow quilter and her husband linking in for 3 days.

Another early start Thursday morning, for the St Joseph 's Market on the outskirts of St Joseph 's and this time Hans had male company. This is a wonderful outdoor market with not only food, clothes and souvenirs but also a live cattle auction, providing a unique aroma. Some of the Mennonite farmers had their buggies parked beside their stalls and others were parked in the parking lot with the cars and buses. Lots to see and admire and of course buy! Before heading into the village of St Joseph 's we stopped at the Festival Merchant Mall. Here we were able to buy not only fabric but also other quilt related items. Back in St Jacob's there were quilts all around the town. Some quilts were in a Mennonite Church , some outside the stores along the main street and still more in the disused silos with a wonderful quilted car outside. These silos now house many souvenir shops as well as moving exhibitions. Enough to see and admire and to keep us occupied for the afternoon. A short stop at a large Mennonite fabric store called Lens Mills before returning tired but happy to Kitchener . Just time to change and then back out again, for the fashion parade of quilted garments and another opportunity to meet up with Jan and Olga and hear their news. The children were delightful and all the garments especially the felted coats were fantastic, a great night.

Friday we set off for Shakespeare and Stratford small villages north of Kitchener . The first stop was at a motel in Shakespeare where the Main reception area was decorated with miniature quilts. Absolutely fantastic some with an 1 ¼" block. Then, on to visit the costume warehouse of the Stratford Theatre Festival. This nondescript building on the outskirts proved to be a treasure trove and truly incredible sight. Thousands of costumes are stored here and each year more are added, also here are all the props from glasses to carriages and everything in between. They are soon to be moved to an even bigger storage space. From here, off into Stratford to explore on our own. We visited the Cancer Council where another quilting frame was set up in the front window and all comers invited to participate. The quilt will be auctioned for Breast Cancer research. In the shop were more quilts on display and another opportunity to stand and gaze. We did find some fabric and also souvenir stores. On the way back through Shakespeare Hans kindly stopped at the fabric store which had been closed in the morning. Another store owner overwhelmed by a group of Australian quilters invading her store.

Saturday dawned wet and cool as we said goodbye to Kitchener and set off for the Mennonite Relief Sale at New Hamburg. This was in an area like a country showground with tents set up around the edge and the quilt auction in the ice hockey arena. Time to wander on our own, through the tents of food, drinks and handmade items and again add some stitches to a quilt in the making. We all spent much time inside the ice hockey arena watching with interest the quilt auction. The auctioneers were more used to auctioning cattle than quilts and it took some time to adjust to their speech. The quilts were displayed on a large double sided stand which revolved. Two Mennonite girls would put the quilts up to display while others worked behind the stage to unfold and fold. Quilts ranged in price from a few hundred dollars to several thousands and the money raised is used by the Mennonite Community to fund projects in developing countries. The drizzle didn't interfere with our enjoyment of the morning then it was off to Toronto . After leaving the sale we toured the village of New Hamburg marvelling at the number of yard sales, obviously residents take advantage of all the visitors to the Relief Sale.

Before checking into the hotel we all enjoyed exploring the CN tower and the magnificent 360degree views of Toronto and surrounds. Our journey for the quilts almost at an end we spent some time revisiting spots from before. Dinner we all collected a glass from our rooms and set off for Hans's to share a final glass of wine and thank him for our wonderful journey.

Sunday morning up and off to the airport farewell to Hans and a short flight to Calgary to begin the next stage of our journey down through the Rocky Mountains to Vancouver .