Teacher of the Year Dolores Bell
by Jennifer Hodge

The Teacher of the Year Award recognizes a teacher who has made a lasting impression on his/her students of quiltmaking, thereby insuring that the craft continues as part of our heritage.

When Dolores Bell received the news that she had been chosen as Teacher of the Year 2002 she had just arrived to teach a scheduled class at a local quilt shop. Millie Cumming, who is president of the Lion’s Gate Quilter’s Guild, and I had debated about the best way to break the news to Dolores since we knew she was not planning to attend the Conference in Edmonton. Millie arranged for a number of friends and former students to surprise Dolores at the shop she’d be teaching at in North Vancouver. At the designated time, as the crowd of supporters arrived at the class, I had the pleasure of calling Dolores from Ontario with the news. With so much happening around her, Dolores had difficulty hearing me on Millie’s cell phone. The gathered friends and a bottle of champagne made it apparent that they were there to honour her and not for a fabric sale.

Dolores made last-minute arrangements to join us at the AGM in Edmonton, where the official announcement would be made. Dolores and Millie arrived at the hall, suitcases in hand and wet from the rain, having just been ferried directly from their flight from Vancouver. Millie, who had coordinated Dolores’ nomination, announced Dolores Bell as Teacher of the Year at the AGM. She spoke to those in attendance of how Dolores Bell provided a superb foundation in quilting to her many students over the years. Dolores was presented with the engraved silver seam ripper and certificate and later was able to enjoy the NJS and related quilt shows and take in a few lectures while in Edmonton.

So, who is Dolores Bell? As former student, Helen Jorgensen stated in support of Dolores’ nomination, “Dolores teaches from the heart that which is the very essence of quilting.” Below you will learn what Millie Cumming had to say at the AGM in support of Dolores’ nomination.

Congratulations Dolores Bell, our Teacher of the Year 2002.

Please refer to your membership handbook for information about nominating someone for the Teacher of the Year Award.

TOY Nomination Speech at AGM
by Millie Cumming, North Vancouver

In my capacity as the president of our Guild, I was asked to coordinate the nomination of this teacher as the CQA/ACC Teacher of The Year. I am so very pleased to submit this nomination as I am one of the many grateful students of this “Much-loved quilt teacher”. My first encounter with her was in 1993 when I was informed by others that she was the person to teach basic quiltmaking. In the subsequent classes, I received a superb foundation for which I will be eternally grateful. What I particularly appreciated at that time was her warmth and encouragement, her infectious love of quilting, and her ability to stress the importance of attention to detail, yet give unstinting praise to my less than perfect blocks. She started me on a journey which forever changed my life.

This teacher has been teaching quilting continuously since 1983, and she has taught approximately 5000 quilters. She has taught in a number of venues (guilds, quilt shops, adult continuing education, outlying communities). She served on the CQA/ACC executive as resource person in the early years of CQA/ACC, when there were fewer guilds and the CQA/ACC felt need especially in more rural areas.

Our Guild (Lions Gate Quilters) began in 1987 with twelve people from her Sampler Class wanting to continue their quilting together. From that small beginning, the guild has grown to over 300 members and continues to grow.

She brings an intensive love of the craft of quilting to all classes she teaches, as well as to her committee and volunteer work on behalf of our Guild. She is a committed and integral member of our Guild and she works tirelessly to promote quilting of the highest integrity, both in craftsmanship and creativity.

She has held a number of responsible positions, but perhaps most significant is that of quilt show coordinator for all of the five previous shows of the guild and the upcoming sixth show. The Guild’s first show was in 1992.

With 1200 visitors to the show, and at the last show in 2000 there were 4500 visitors. A highlight of the shows has been a well-attended, stimulating education area of the show, just one of the results of her tremendous energy, enthusiasm, and organization as coordinator.

When at a guild meeting we were asked how may members had taken one of her classes, at least three quarters of the group put up their hands; if you talk about quilting in the community, most people know of her or have someone who has taken one of her classes.

She has encouraged us to hold quilt shows and for everyone to contribute regardless of size of contribution. I don’t believe I’ve met anyone who quilts, who does not know her in a direct or indirect way. I’m sure many of her students have encouraged others to take her classes. She teaches, she volunteers her time, she makes quilts to raise funds for many causes, she coordinates quilt shows, and she is so approachable and knowledgeable.

I was an apprehensive and very unsure registrant for the Basic quiltmaking course taught by her. But she was warm, encouraging, lively and filled with patience and understanding. My apprehension quickly turned to fascination and I felt challenged. Her obvious love of quilting, her attention to detail, and the ease with which she shares her expertise, are what sets her classes apart.

Her most outstanding qualities as a teacher are a way of presenting things in such a way that they seem easy; she is also what I call a “born encourager”.

There always was laughter. We could hardly wait to get to the next class.

It’s been very good for me, a very shy person and with her gentle way she has brought out of me things in me which I thought I couldn’t do; I found her to be open, friendly, encouraging me even when I felt like quitting.

She is full of enthusiasm, which makes one want to just learn all you can. Having her as a teacher is something everyone should experience.

To see the beauty you can create, I’m now capable of doing much more than quilting due to all the love and understanding I received from her.

She has a wonderful sense of humour which seems to overcome all obstacles as well as a great skill for teaching.

She is the best teacher I’ve ever had. She’s a well-loved quilting teacher.

Toy Acceptance
by Dolores Bell

Thank you Millie for your kind comments. I’m very happy to be here. My six year old granddaughter asked me how I got to be the best quilting teacher in the world!

I love quilts and quiltmaking and for over fifteen years I have had the pleasure of sharing this love and basic quilting skills with students who have permitted me to be involved in their learning and growth as quilters. Through them I am surrounded daily, with the joy which accompanies virtually every aspect of the quilting experience.

To be nominated for this award by my students is both humbling and gratifying and I appreciate the support that has resulted in this award.

My thanks to CQA/ACC for establishing and administrating an award which recognizes the importance of the contributions of my many teaching colleagues across Canada.