Stitching Stories: Torbay's Social Fabric Quilt Heads to National Spotlight

A rich patchwork of local memories is making waves at the prestigious Festival of Quilts 2024.

Earlier this year, Libraries Unlimited commissioned Devon-based textile artist, Allegra Galvin to work on an ambitious project across Brixham, Churston, Paignton and Torquay libraries. Allegra's proposal, Social Fabric, involved her running public workshops in which participants pieced together segments of fabric which hold specific meaning for them.

They shared their fabric and their stories: a deep red cotton used sixty years ago to make pyjamas for a little boy, a bright green and pink batik from the Dominican Republic, a hand stitched tortilla napkin from Mexico, linen from Ukraine, a gingham school dress from Brixham, the blanket of a much loved pet, pictures of sailing boats.

The patchwork blocks were pieced together to represent two sails, and then the artist spent four days in residence in the libraries with her quilt frame in a public space, so people could ask about the fabrics and learn to hand quilt.

The finished quilt is on display at the prestigious Festival of Quilts 2024 at Birmingham NEC 1-4 August. It will then be coming home to Torbay for a celebration of the project on Thursday 12 September at Churston Library.

Visitors can view the quilt in all its glory and hear some of the stories from the communities that created it. The event runs from 4-5.30pm, is free and includes tea and cake.

Visit our Events page for more information.

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Emma Stoner photography