THE QUILT - How it Began

HOMEMAKERS MAGAZINE 2000

Quilting celebrates survivors. It has for hundreds of years, been protecting women from loneliness, depression and isolation. The very art is a survivor, which can be traced to ancient Egypt. The quilts themselves, well used and well loved, often survive a hundred years or more, each stitch a testament to the power of women working together, supporting each other in a common goal.

It seems natural then, that when Carol Miller was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 1997, her thoughts turned to quilting, a craft that had shaped her life. She knew of the companionship of the quilting bee. She knew the laughter, the sharing, the support that women gave each other as they pieced together a story from treasured remnants.

She knew this was exactly the sort of thing that women with breast cancer needed to survive.

And so the idea for an exhibit and auction was born to support survivors and to support the research that helps them to survive.

Carol and her Circle of Friends Support Group created the first quilt for this project and solicited donations from across the country. She originally hoped that 35 quilts would be donated. Instead 134 were received from survivors, doctors, actresses and many more quilters, both skilled and novice, who have found the joy, laughter and fulfillment that this ancient craft can inspire.

These quilts are powerful statements and proof that group support works.

100% of money raised through the sale of the quilts is directed to breast cancer support programs across Canada