Invitation, Canada's Quilt of Belonging

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Invitation, Canada's Quilt of Belonging

An amazing project celebrates the diverse population and cultural fabric of Canada

by Jennifer Sauer

At the Creative Sewing and Needlework Festival in Toronto last October, the sneak preview of Invitation, the Quilt of Belonging drew quite a crowd. When completed in 2003, more than 300 of Canada's ethnic groups, aboriginal people, and immigrants will be represented in the 140-ft.-long textile mosaic. In addition, thousands of Canadians will have participated in the ongoing Sharing Stitches program, which allows visitors to add their own stitches to the quilt. The finished work of art will then tour Canada as a traveling exhibition.



Visitors to the Creative Sewing and Needlework Festival in Toronto last October were treated to a sneak preview of Invitation, the Quilt of Belonging. Along with the showcasing of more than 100 textile blocks, organizers also invited the public to add their own stitches to the quilt.

When I viewed this inspiring work in progress, I was struck not only by the research undertaken to identify members of each ethnic group but also by the unique design of each handmade 16-in. by 18-in. block. Special care was taken to incorporate traditional needlework techniques and materials that reflect the culture of each group, such as sealskin, ivory and caribou hide on the Nunavik block. Every one of the squares displayed was truly remarkable.



	Organizers are also selling notecards featuring six of the Invitation designs, including this England block embroidered by Sally Blacker.

Invitation is the result of the creativity and hard work of Esther Byran, a Canadian artist and teacher who initiated the project in 1998. Esther continues to coordinate the project's network of sponsors and volunteers, which is now run by a board as a non-profit charitable organization. Invitation headquarters are located in Williamstown, Ontario.

For more information about the project, volunteer opportunities, and detailed descriptions of each block, visit www.invitationproject.ca.

Jennifer Sauer is an associate editor for Threads.

Photos courtesy of Invitation Project

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