Handicraft guild showcasing work at library

Nanton News
Posted By James Emery Contributor
There’s a guild of craftswomen in town.
Nimble fingers quietly shuffle as the guild members diligently knit, sew and stitch various fabrics and material to create a variety of crafts.

Sometimes the craft is a fleece quilt, handmade for an impoverished child in South America. Other times, it’s a knitted toque and mittens to help keep warm the homeless of Calgary.

Whatever the cause, be it for a charitable purpose or just for to pass the time, the Handicraft Guild of Nanton has a display of its work on at the Nanton Library and the guild’s founding member, Cyndie Wright, is exceptionally proud.

“We’re a group of ladies who get together and participate in things that we normally do on our own, like needle working and quilting,” she said.

The group meets twice a month where guild members can teach others a specific technique in a class-style setting.

Ever want to know how to properly sew or knit a bundle of wool into socks? Chances are the Handicraft Guild could help.

“We show how to make fleece mitts, or how to put together a small child’s quilt, things like that,” Wright said.

It’s why they’ve put a display of member’s work at the library — to let the community know who they are and what it is they do.

“We want to let our community know that there is a group here and if they’re interested, they can come out and participate,” she said.

The library display, which will only be there until the end of March, includes a variety of items and crafts, Wright said.

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“We have a display of teddy bears, card making, quilting, cross-stitch, necklaces and we do lots of recycling,” she said. “I hope that people that see it know that we’re there and for them to drop in at any time on Thursdays to see what we’re doing.”

The group meets the first and third Thursday of every month the Family and Community Suport Services.

Wright, a self-proclaimed avid recycler, orchestrates projects that involve recycled materials, and even teaches a class on how to make down duvets using the recycled material.

She also said the guild has so far contributed more than 60 children’s quilts to various charities and expects an additional 80 to be delivered this year.

Wright said the guild is always looking for new members, which does involved a nominal membership fee.

“We’re always looking for new people,” she said. “If people know we’re there and somebody’s interested in coming out and showing us a new craft, we’re always looking for them to come out.”

For more information about the guild, contact Wright at 403-646-2935.