Journal Quilts are small quilts that usually express something about the quilt maker’s life.
Cyber Fibres is a virtual group of 10 quilters who collaborate by email. The group was started in 2008 and has continued with as few as six and as many as 13 members over the years.
Some members have never met in person – there are members across Canada and one in the U.S. – yet they share quilts once a month. Each member interprets the theme of the month in a small quilt. She then writes a one-page story including the inspiration, techniques used, difficulties or successes, and a photo of the quilt. This is posted off by email to the others, who write back with questions, comments, discussion of techniques, helpful hints, etc.
Because the quilts are small, they do not take an enormous amount of time. The size of the quilt and group support encourages the members to try new techniques and ideas they might otherwise not have been brave enough to attempt.
Amazingly, all these experiments seem to work out just fine!
Seeing others’ quilts is always inspirational, but the best part is seeing how many different ways the same theme can be represented.
The Sidney Museum will be exibiting the work of the Cyber Fibres quilting group throughout April, with hundreds of quilts on display. Open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily; admission by donation.
