St John’s Winchester will lead the Winchester community in the creation of several ‘memory quilts’ through a new initiative, The Fabric of Winchester, capturing the stories of the people, businesses and groups that make the city extraordinary.
Individuals, families, community groups, churches, and schools, are invited to ‘donate’ a memory, either by gifting a piece of fabric or clothing that holds special meaning or stitching a square depicting a poignant time, with local businesses able to purchase a bespoke block featuring their logo or company name.
The finished memory quilts will be displayed for the public to view at The Arc between January 12 to 14, before being donated to Winchester Hospice as a gift from the community and St John’s in support of the Hospice’s impactful work.
For individuals, families, schools and community groups, there is no cost to participate in the project, with several free Community Sewing Days enabling all in Winchester to come together and share in the joy of creativity and storytelling.
Local textile artist, Katy Rundle, will act as the project’s ‘Memory Artist’, guiding participants in the design of their quilt block.
Clive Cook, St John’s chief executive, said: "We’re delighted to be launching this creative initiative to promote the rich diversity of Winchester, drawing the entire community together in the reflection of memories, family, connection, and heritage. Whilst St John’s will act as a storyteller, The Fabric of Winchester is both created for and driven by the individuals, groups and businesses that make up our vibrant city and it is our privilege to collect and share these stories.”
More than a dozen local businesses and charities have joined the project as corporate and community partners, enabling widespread engagement, inclusion, and accessibility. This has included significant support from Winchester City Council and Shentons Solicitors.
Those wishing to contribute to the project will have until November 10 to donate a piece of fabric or sewn quilt block.
JOIN A FREE COMMUNITY SEWING DAY
The Winchester community is invited to join one of five free Community Sewing Days, where participants will have the opportunity to stitch or sew their very own quilt ‘block’ for inclusion in a Fabric of Winchester memory quilt.
No previous sewing experience is required, with volunteers and expert sewers on hand to provide valuable guidance, and several Janome sewing machines available on a first come first served basis.
The Fabric of Winchester project lead, Maddie Cowell, noted the sessions are a chance to connect the community: “We hope that our Community Sewing Days will bring Wintonians together, sharing their stories and memories with each other in a relaxed and supportive session designed to spark attendees’ imagination and creativity."
Community Sewing Days will be hosted across Winchester, including at BellaCrafts, the Theatre Royal, The Winchester Bakery, Winchester Sports & Leisure Park, and The Arc. Although free to attend, registrations for Community Sewing Days are essential.
MEET THE FABRIC OF WINCHESTER’S RESIDENT ‘MEMORY ARTIST’
Local Winchester textile artist, Katy Rundle, has joined The Fabric of Winchester as a ‘Memory Artist’, and will help Community Sewing Day participants translate their cherished stories into unique quilt block designs.
“As a textile artist, hearing about The Fabric of Winchester project, I was intrigued to know more,” Katy said.
“We live surrounded by textiles and we use so many phrases that are linked to the history of its production in our everyday conversations.
"Following this ‘thread’, the idea of capturing the memories and stories that have been ‘interwoven’ into the ‘social fabric’ of this city is an exciting challenge.
Katy is best known for her vibrant embroidered textile collages and is in demand as a creator of bespoke, original art commissions.
She said: “I am looking forward to hearing many tales of Winchester, helping facilitate their translation into quilt squares, seeing them together in the exhibition, and then the donation of completed quilts for the patients of Winchester Hospice.”
COMMUNITY SEWING DAYS
10:00am-4:00pm, Sunday 17 September 2023 – BellaCrafts
1:00pm-5:00pm, Monday 25 September 2023 – Theatre Royal Winchester
10:00am-2:00pm, Thursday 5 October 2023 – Winchester Bakery
1:30pm-6:30pm, Friday 13 October 2023 – Winchester Sports and Leisure Park
11:00am-5:00pm, Sunday 22 October 2023 – The Arc
Free to attend but registrations are essential via the Playmakers website. Full details including accessibility and capacities are available on the St John’s Winchester website.
HOW CAN YOU PARTICIPATE?
- Donate a piece of clothing fabric
- Stitch your own 9” x 9” ‘block’ (the squares that make up a quilt)
- Join one of the free Community Sewing Days
- Purchase a ‘Business Block’ for your business.
- Share your memory or story along with any photos of your block on social media and use one of the hashtags: #FabricOfWinchester or #StitchedTogether
- Sign up to receive Fabric of Winchester updates via the St John’s Winchester website.
SUPPORT THE ST JOHN’S DEMENTIA SUPPORT SERVICE
In recognising the power of personal stories, Fabric of Winchester participants are asked where possible to consider a gift of any size towards the St John’s Dementia Support service, donating for those whose memories are cherished. All donations received throughout the project will help to transform the quality of life for individuals, carers and loved ones facing a dementia diagnosis.
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