Oyen’s Border Quilters bring warmth, one quilt at a time

By Betty Walker

The Border Quilters originated with a group of ladies led by Dale Potter at the Red Barn Fabric Store. When the store closed, the quilters found a new home at All Saints Anglican Church in Oyen and officially became the Border Quilters. While many of our original members are no longer active, we are pleased to have two of our founding sewers still contributing. Budz creates the majority of our quilt tops, and Doreen continues to sew at the Oyen Lodge.

L–R: Rita Kay Anderson, Vicki Smale, and Betty Walker with a selection of their quilts and fabric. Photo by Diana Walker

We have maintained the same philosophy as the original group: providing comfort quilts to those in need. Every new baby in the area receives a quilt through the Health Unit. Residents of the Oyen Lodge and Long-Term Care, as well as Ronald McDonald Houses in Red Deer and Medicine Hat, the Nurture Pregnancy Centre, the Medicine Hat Hospital Neonatal Unit, and the Women’s Shelter Centre, all receive quilts from our group. In 2024–25, we donated approximately 220 quilts.

As a completely nonprofit group, we rely on donations to purchase backing materials and batting. We gladly accept both fabric and monetary contributions. Donations can be made through any group member or via the church, and all funds are used directly for quilt supplies.

Material donations that are unsuitable for quilts are repurposed into pet beds and other items for sale, with proceeds going toward supplies. While a few quilts have been sold to support our work, all comfort quilts are given free of charge.

With Budz now living in B.C. and Doreen unable to travel, the remaining sewers gather at the church on Mondays to finish quilts. Everyone is welcome to join us.

We are deeply grateful to Rev. Holland and All Saints Anglican Church for providing space, and to the individuals and organizations whose donations make our work possible.

Border Quilters: Budz Crace, Doreen Rude, Vicki Smale, Betty Walker, Rita Kay Anderson, Kari Kuzmiski (for our labels)