Come experience a bed turning in Kemptville Sept. 9
The Kemptville Quilt Guild is hosting a bed turning, a traditional way of telling the story
of quilts, Sept. 9 at the Kemptville Pentecostal Church. Pictured, old quilts are still used
for warmth and colour in homes today. - Kemptville Quilt Guild photo
Sometimes quilts are signed. This was made by the Farmers Thursday Club of Mt. Ayr, Iowa. - Kemptville Quilt Guild photo
If you’ve never been to a bed turning, it’s time.
The Kemptville Quilt Guild invites you to come and see what it’s all about.
Bed turning is a unique and traditional way of telling the story of quilts.
Way back, when women had time to sit and sew, when clothes wore out but material was
still usable, when women didn’t often see friends over the long winter months,
they sat and quilted.
After those quiet months, women wanted to see friends, see new quilt designs —
and so bed turnings were planned. With a lot of women in one house,
there wasn’t a proper place to display quilts, so, one after another,
they layered them on a bed. Each woman took a turn telling her story,
talking about the fabric, the design, the problems she had — and got to brag a bit.
Come on out to the Kemptville Pentecostal Church on Monday, Sept. 9,
and experience a bed turning for yourself; meet friends, nibble on cake,
have a cup of tea and watch the art unfold before your eyes.
Some of the quilts are old — Nancy Grundy, program convener of the event,
is showing off her great-grandmother’s 1914 quilt. Some of them are new.
Twenty quilts will be layered. As each is held up, a short description will be narrated
by the owner/quilter, or by Grundy. The event starts at 7 p.m. and there is no cost to attend.
.Look out for hand quilting, machine quilting and tied quilts; all are distinctive, some quirky, all in a class by themselves.
The Kemptville Quilt Guild meets the second Monday of each month except July and August;
join for only $35 a year. Meetings are at the Pentecostal Church,
1964 County Road 43, at 7 p.m.
Submitted by the Kemptville Quilt Guild
