My Story

left to right:

1. I was born in Northwestern Ontario and raised in the great outdoors. My parents ran a trap line in the winters and a tourist camp during the summer months. With no one else around, my siblings and I had to be the best of friends – swimming, building forts, and fishing.

2. Grandma George was the best grandma a child could ever wish for. I served a long apprenticeship in her tiny little sewing room where there was just enough space for a little daybed and her treadle sewing machine. Grandma was the one who taught me how to knit and sew. We would pick out fabrics from the Sears or Eaton’s catalogue for the next outfit or project.

3. The name George & Wilson comes from two great ladies in my life – my mom (Elaine Wilson, neĂ© George) who taught me the value of hard work and my Grandma George (Stella George) who taught me crafting, knitting, and sewing. (This photo was taken of my mom and dad on a picnic when they were dating).

4. My dad , Pud Wilson, was a great outdoorsman. He was known in the area for his incredible sense of direction and knowledge of the outdoors. He was a bush pilot, spent years as a fishing and hunting guide, and loved to dance.

5. Dad bought me my first sewing machine. He was a guy of few gifts, but when he did, they were from the heart. I had been up to visit Mom and Dad at Flanders. I had mentioned to Dad that someday I would like to buy a sewing machine (at the time I was renting one so I could take quilting classes). A few weeks / months after the visit, I came home one day from work and found a brand new sewing machine sitting just inside the door. I mentioned it to Mom and she said, ‘it wasn’t me. It was all your dad.”

6. I like to say that my dad bought my first sewing machine and Mom bought my last. When she passed away in 2014, Mom left behind a monetary gift for my siblings and I. I wanted to spend it on something to remember her – something about her and I. I bought a new sewing machine.

7. and 8. My fabric stash has now expanded beyond earth tones with four little grand kids. Grammy is kept busy sewing brightly coloured quilts, especially in pink (Charlie’s favourite colour).

9. My sewing room is filled with projects and bins full of fabric. I love creating gifts for my family. They are keepsakes to be enjoyed and passed on.