The seven lecture series by Providence University College continues.

Speaker Terry Kennedy spoke in Steinbach Tuesday night on the topic 'Stories In Stitches: The Social History Of The Quilt.' Kennedy says she covered three main topics: quilts as material culture, quilts as gendered creations, and quilts as aesthetic and social statements.

"I think each quilt contains, within it, elements that tell us about the time it was created, influences around it, how it was conceived and often something about the creator," notes Kennedy. "Then as gendered creations, no offence to men, but, overwhelmingly, creators of quilts have been women and most often their work has been ignored. As one author says, quilts have been recognized as a fundamental source for understanding women's history. Then as aesthetic and social statements, each quilt has, within it, an aesthetic statement that involves color, pattern, contrast imitation, creativity and quilts can often comment on social or political issues."

"Sunshine and Shadows" a quilt from the Rat River Quilting Guild and being raffled during quilt show in May. (Photo credit: Terry Kennedy)Kennedy adds quilting was popular between 1880 and World War II and recently a quilt movement has started up again, although it looks different, including bold colours and varied patterns. "It has really re-energized quilt culture with 150 modern quilt guilds in cities across North America."

Beyond the social history of quilts Kennedy says they can be immeasurable symbols of love and comfort. She notes the Rat River Quilting Guild, which she is a part of, has made quilts and given them to a family who lost their house in a fire, a child that is sick, the senior centre or to the hospital in St. Pierre.

"I like to think the quilts I make and give to friends and family are meaningful to them, that they can feel my love and my hands in each piece," notes Kennedy. "One of my colleagues here said he has a quilt where he doesn't really like the colours or the pattern, but knowing that his grandmother touched every piece of it, just warms his heart."

The remaining six lectures in the Steinbach location (Eastman Education Centre) are as follows:
'Having Dominion: A Christian Approach To The Environment' on February 16 with speaker Bruce Duggan
'Knock Knock ... Who's There? ... Jehovah's Witnesses ... Who?' on February 23 with speaker Michael Gilmour
'David Bowie In Darkness: How Celebrities Navigate The Mediated World' on March 1 with speaker Nicholas Greco
'Human Rights And Religion: Their Awkward Waltz' on March 8 with speaker Dennis Hiebert
'Jesus And Women: The Untold Stories' on March 15 with speaker Val Hiebert