THUNDER BAY — Around 1200 people visited the CLE Coliseum building to see an array of dazzling quilts lining its aisles over the weekend.
These nearly 200 quilts were on display for the 2025 Superior Quilt Show, running from Friday to Sunday, and were designed by all the members of the Thunder Bay Quilters Guild for its 44th year.
The show is a routine visitor to the CLE grounds every two years and features 10 vendors selling kits to make quilts and other related items, with some also teaching how to quilt and make personalized quilts to bring home.
“The quilts themselves (are) just a good way to show the artistry among other things that people have because some of them are literally works of art,” said Cindy Cockell, the 2025 Quilt Show coordinator and a quilting instructor.
“They're not just what you would think of as a traditional bed quilt, so it's a lot of fun and it's just a way for our members to be working towards something knowing they can show the public what they do and it's a fun weekend for everybody.”
Cockell said it's mostly a show of all the fabrics and all the talent in town, but there are also lots of things for sale at the show to do with quilting and knitting.
“We have a booth with all the products that our members have made for sale. We've got a cafe with food. We're doing demos, nine or ten different demos all throughout the weekend,” said Cockell.
“And it's just a fabulous showcase of our quilts, wall hangings, clothing (and) any form of quilting from traditional where people hand piece or hand quilt all the way to modern quilts.”
However, she said a lot of people make them just for family and friends or as gifts, so not many people actually sell their quilts.
Ana Paula, a textile artist and owner of Canada Paula Brasil, is known worldwide for her designs, fabric and quilting — even representing Canada at the Special Exhibit Quilt Market in Houston for several years.
She was responsible for promoting the show and also had a booth.
“I bring the new collections and the vendors bring lots of new stuff for the market,” said Paula.
“It's a really nice opportunity for the quilters (to) see and buy the new emotions and fabrics and threads for a quilt.”
Paula created 11 different techniques developed for art quilts, which she planned to showcase at the market and teach her students. She also teaches traditional and modern quilts.
“I start(ed) to quilt when I (was) 5 years old and I design patterns. I design fabrics and threads for the market and I travel the world for teaching the techniques,” said Paula.
“I develop it and my fabrics. I sell my fabrics in the five continents actually. And I'm so proud about this one and the amazing one about my work too. My students participate and win lots of competitions in the world.”
Paula said being a vendor in the show is an amazing opportunity to show their creations.
The show is also an amazing opportunity for their family and friends to see their work in person, she added.
“It's nice to have an internationally recognized quilter as part of our quilt guild and in our show,” said Cockell.
Cockell said it is important to showcase what they do in the community.
“We do a lot of community service work… If you've ever gone into any of the senior homes or any shelters, we provide a lot of the quilts that are in those places,” said Cockell.
“We also do over 600 placemats throughout the year that we give to Meals on Wheels and all the senior homes. We did 263 teddy bears last year that we gave to children's charities.”
Sponsors for the event and other businesses, both local and national, were recognized for their contributions to the show at a banquet on Saturday.
