Hi, I’m Merle Gilson and welcome to “Stitches & Ditches”.

Sewing related crafts have been my passion since I was a little girl. I started to learn hand sewing and embroidery when I was 6 years old and eventually I was sewing wedding dresses and ballgowns.

Later on in life I fell in love with making porcelain dolls and embellishing their dresses with lace, ribbons and detailed embroidery. With the introduction of embroidery machines I began making machine embroidered quilts, and soon after advanced to freehand quilting feathers, flowers, leaves and background fill patterns.

I love that a piece of fabric can with a touch of creativity become a beautiful, functional work of art. I prefer Bernina machines for quilting. I use a Bernina Q24 on a frame and a sit-down Bernina Q20.

Just like every quilter, I am addicted to fabric. I source and import a wide selection of fabrics from:

• Quilters Basket
• Maywood Studios
• Timeless Treasures
• Clothworks
• Robert Kaufman
• P&B Textiles

If you would like to browse my selection please contact me to make an appointment.

Classes are held on Wednesday, Friday and Saturday in the first and third week of the month from 9am – 12pm.

I teach quilting, quilt top piecing and thread painting. The classes are hands-on with each student getting individual instruction on their project.

My goal is that each student leaves the class with knowledge, enthusiasm and confidence to work at home.

Space is limited so please book early.