In the lobby of Beyond Housing’s building at 544 Bridgeport Road, a unique piece of art welcomes tenants and visitors. The cheerful red-and-white quilt, titled Connections in Community, was created by tenant Grace as a reflection of what her home means to her.
Grace designed and carefully pieced the quilt, while fellow quilter Barb Pye completed the sewing. Both women are members of the Waterloo County Quilters’ Guild, and their skill and caring show in every detail.
For Grace, quilting is more than a hobby. It’s a creative outlet and a way to give back. She enjoys choosing colours, building patterns, and seeing a project come together. Grace gives away most of the quilts she makes. As she puts it, quilting is both useful and meaningful, and often a way to show care for the people around her.
The inspiration for Connections in Community came from both her materials and her surroundings. Using red and white fabrics from her collection, Grace designed a village scene with houses, a church, and small details that reflect everyday life. The imagery is distinctly Canadian and if you look closely, you’ll even see 544 Bridgeport!
But it’s the meaning behind the quilt that makes it especially powerful.
As Grace worked on the piece, she kept thinking about her community in the building. She wanted the quilt to reflect what she sees every day. Neighbours who look out for one another. Small acts of kindness. A building that feels more like a family than a set of apartments.
“The connection is unique,” she says. “It’s not just one group of people. It’s all ages. People care. They notice when you’re not there.”
That’s why Grace chose to donate the quilt to Beyond Housing for everyone in the building to enjoy.
That sense of connection she feels is now captured in fabric and thread, hanging in the lobby for all to see. Through her generosity and creativity, Grace has created a beautiful reminder of the strong community she and her neighbours share.
