A Saskatchewan woman who has been making quilts for decades is now using her craft to give back to the community.
“I think as long as I could reach the treadle on my mom’s treadle sewing machine,” said Jackie Hahn, who lives in Montmartre.
Hahn grew up in a crafty household, so quilt making came naturally to her.
“My mom’s an artist. My aunt paints horses. So it’s in my family,” she explained.
She told CTV News that her passion for quilt making is more than just a hobby.
“Every crafter will tell you the same thing. It’s just a warm place. It feels good that you can accomplish something that’s beautiful or handy or helpful or whatever,” she said.
Over the years, she has created hundreds of quilts through techniques she has picked up over time.
“I only started to record them since 2019, so there’s probably 200 prior to that, like from 2008 until 2019. Since 2019, I’ve made close to 300,” she said.
She donated some of her most recent quilts to Carmichael Outreach Inc. Thirty-five people received a handmade quilt through her donation.
“We had people come in last week since she brought them and even still, they’re chilly just from being outside. It was amazing being able to have those on hand so that we can hand them out right away,” said Chrysta Garner, development coordinator with Carmichael Outreach.
Thirty-two pillow slips were also included in the donated bundle.
She said giving back to the shelter not only helped those people in need, but it allowed her to put some unused material to good use.
“Brand new material, mind you, but leftover pieces that they’re going to put in the landfill. Let’s do something and help those people that have nothing,” she said.
Hahn doesn’t plan to stop quilting any time soon. She hopes to eventually pass on more to those in need.
