Canada-China Friendship Quilt

This quilt is the result of a collaboration between a group of Canadian Quilters from the Muskoka Region and Chinese quilters from Tang County, Hebei Province.

It was started in the Fall of 2005 and completed in May 2007.

It consists of 14 sections or "blocks". Seven of the blocks were made by Canadians, and depict Dr. Norman Bethune, his birthplace in Gravenhurst Ontario, and typical Canadian scenes; they were designed by the individual quilters, and hand appliqued, embroidered and embellished.

The seven blocks made in China depict Dr. Bethune's tomb, the memorial museum at Tang County and typical Chinese scenes; the blocks are machine appliqued.

The quilters from both countries made duplicates of the blocks, which were exchanged, so that each group had a complete set of 14 blocks.

For the Canadian quilt, the 14 blocks were sewn together and a grey bias strip was hand appliqued over the seams; a narrow grey border was added. The quilt was layered with a batting, hand quilted, and bound with red fabric.

There is a similar quilt in China.

Descriptions of the blocks - Click on image to see a larger version.

1	Moose with Northern lights. Made by Joyce Partridge. Canada
2	Yan An Pagoda, symbol of the city of Yan An. China
3	Dr. Norman Bethune. Made by Sylvia Bouchard. Canada
4	Bethune memorial Museum at Tang County. China
5	Xi Shengguo, a scenic spot of Tang County. China
6	Loon on lake. Made by Joyce Rumney. Canada
7	A beautiful country side scene of Tang County. China
8	Sun Jiazhuang Temple, the historic site where Dr. Bethune operated on wounded soldiers. China
9	Bethune House, birthplace of Dr. Norman Bethune. Made by Carol Cragg and Marlene Parker. Canada
10	The tomb of Dr. Bethune at Jin Chaji Martyr Memorial Garden. China
11	Muskoka scene with tree. Made by Susan MacCallum. Canada
12	HMS Segwun. Made by Dianne Gronfors and Sylvia Bouchard. Canada
13	Beaver with cattails and maple leaves. Made by Linda Speller and Claudette Bue. Canada
14	Panda, China’s national treasure, and also a symbol of friendship. China

Others who contributed to the making of the Canadian quilt:

Elizabeth McMillan, Sandi Carnell, Wendy Beverley, Barb Coburn

The "China Quilt" was officially revealed at a ceremony held at Bethune House in Gravenhurst on Canada Day, July 1, 2007.  Below are photos from that occasion.  Click on an image to see a larger view.