This Quadra Island Quilt and Garden Tour will feature the largest number of quilts ever produced by the Quadra Island Quilt Guild for the event which takes place on Saturday, June 23 and Sunday June 24 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets are $15, good for both days and are available on the island at Inspirations and the Tourist Information booth at Quathiaski Cove and Works of H’Art at Heriot Bay. They can be purchased now or on the day of the tour. There will be 13 gardens with 10 having a multitude of quilts hung in them. This year there will be over 130 quilts of all sizes from queen to crib as well as wall hangings.
The length of the tour is approximately 30 km, on paved roads and could be cycled by those so inclined. There is a map in the centre page of the ticket.
The gardens are as varied as the quilts from specialty gardens to small farms, gardens fenced from deer and those who welcome deer. It is a wonderful chance to see what is at the end of all those mysterious lanes that disappear into the forest. You may find a century old orchard, ponds for fire protection as well as swimming, roses galore, a clematis collection or some baby goats. A real Quadra, eclectic collection, each unique in its own way
If you think quilting and gardening are not connected you may be surprised by the long history of both being necessary for survival. Our ancestors have grown their own food as well as herbs and flowers for thousands of years. Plants provided medicine, food and beauty to ancient peoples. Quilting surprisingly has an equally long history. If quilting is defined as the process of sewing 2 or more layers of fabric together to make a padded material, its history can be traced back to a carved figure of a Pharoah, dated 3400 BC. The middle ages in Europe saw quilted garments designed to be worn as either armour or under armour to make it more comfortable. It has been a traditional craft in Europe since the 5th century and was brought to N. America by the early settlers. Today we are still cutting up fabric and sewing it back together to make blocks. The art comes in the fabric choice, pattern used, quilting technique, etc. Today’s modern quilts are as much decorative as useful. Quilting has evolved as has the plants, fruits and vegetables you will find in the gardens. If it can be grown in this part of the world, it will be growing on Quadra Island. Paired together quilts and gardens make a memorable sight. Enjoy a day or two on Quadra and feast on the beauty displayed. Check out their Facebook page at facebook.com/QuadraIslandQuiltandGardenTour/ to glimpse what you might see.