In one way or another, Pearl Braun-Dyck has been involved with The Barnswallow Quilters Guild for around 25 years, but she's been quilting for quite a bit longer than that.

"I took my first quilting class 48 years ago. That was the beginning of my journey and it as been a fantastic journey all along. I like to work with my hands so basically all the quilts that I exhibit are usually hand done and also embellished with some embroidery work as well."

Embroidery is a skill she really enjoys and is something she learned from her mother.

"I don't like to work with the sewing machine," she continued, "I like to have it in front of me and work with different fabrics, with the different threads like that, so that's just my area I enjoy working in."

After almost 50 years of making quilts she has a whole bunch of them, and in the Braun house they make use of every single one of them.

"If you would come to our home, it's always like an art gallery. I always have quilts hanging everywhere and they change with the season. And, the queen quilts we always use on our beds, we have never slept under any other quilt except what I have made. So, I figure I've made them, and they're 100% cotton, if they get dirty they get washed ... you make them to use!" 

Pearl herself will have around 10 quilts on display at the show, among a few hundred others from the rest of the quilters guild.

It's only $5 to get in and you can browse the quilts, take in what Featured Quilter Allison Halstead has on display, there's the 'Challenge Quilt' area, Guild Boutique, Merchant Mall, Rainbow Auction and Fibre Arts Network Exhibit titled "For the birds."

The Barswallow Quilt Show is at the Access Event Centre from May 3rd to 5th.
Friday from 10 - 8, Saturday from 10 - 5, and Sunday Noon - 5.

For more details head to The Barnswallow Quilters website.

Below you can listen to our full conversation with Pearl, and browse a few of the quilts that will be on display this weekend.