Program

September 2025 to June 2026

The FAN (Fibre Art Network) exhibit "Doors or Gateways" will be on show in the lounge, enjoy these small works.  Want to know more about FAN, check out their website fibreartnetwork.com   Thanks Janet Finch for bringing this to our guild.

April 20, 2026

We welcome Maria Box, assisted by Joyce McLellan, to our April meeting.

Maria was born in Holland and her family immigrated to Canada in 1952. Maria’s mother was an award winning seamstress and Maria became her mum’s sewing assistant before she went to grade one.

Her mum was a precise teacher and wouldn’t allow her to advance to operating a sewing machine until she mastered how to tear out seams from recycled clothing, and iron the seams open. By the time Maria was seven, one of her very first sewing tasks was to sew a 1/4” rolled seam, without the use of pins. Then, it was on to sewing these rolled 1/4” seams on curved hems. Maria was so excited about sewing, that nothing could dampen her spirits to learn more. Soon she and her mum would be making grad dresses and entire wedding outfits. This is where she got her love of sparkly synthetics and polyester. Maria learned to make many colourful cotton quilts, but today, mostly works on art quilts using synthetics.

Maria loves to teach young mothers to make twin size quilts for their firstborn. No sewing experience is preferred. The pattern “Bent Out Of Square” is used. Colour and layout become the important aspects. Maria has had the privilege of teaching young children to sew and design textile art. If their feet don’t reach the foot peddle, the stop/start button is a feature they readily adapt to.

Maria joined Island Quilters for Community Awareness, who make quilts and individual art pieces for nonprofit groups. She has been their coordinator for the last 16 years.

About 30 years ago, Maria started a personal art project called “My Blue Vase Collection”. With her love of growing flowers and photographing her bouquets, the collection morphed into “My Blue Vase Obsession”.

For many years, Maria was part of a Days For Girls team who make washable feminine hygiene kits. Incredibility, our ;team alone, helped thousands of women and girls go to work and attend school with dignity. This endeavour is the most important and rewarding work of her life.

Maria lives with her husband, Laurence, and immediate family of 15 in the Comox Valley.

Life is good!

Our vendor for April is Kismet Quilts of Port Alberni, welcome Lynne and Bruce.

On behalf of your Program Committee, Sandi McLean, Betty Kozak, Lori Marshall and Debby McRae