Community Sewing Days: Crafting Memories and Building Communities

Community Sewing Days are the heart and soul of The Fabric of Britain project. These free sessions invite you to create your very own quilt 'block' (the squares that make up a quilt), inspired by a cherished story or memory. Held in a variety of local venues such as cafes, libraries, and community halls, these days are an opportunity to dive into the world of sewing and quilting with the support of a dedicated and expert team. You’ll have access to our fantastic Janome sewing machines, making it easy for you to craft something truly beautiful, no matter your experience level.

How Do They Work?

To join a Community Sewing Day, participants usually register in advance at no cost. This helps us manage numbers and ensures everyone attending has a chance to use a sewing machine. When you arrive, a member of The Fabric of Britain team will greet you, explain how the session will work, and introduce you to our Memory Artist and Quilt Advisors (affectionately known as Quilt Queens). They’re there to help you conceptualise, plan, and create your quilt block, offering guidance every step of the way.

What to Bring

While we strive to provide all necessary materials and resources, including sewing machines, we encourage attendees to bring along any personal fabric or clothing they’d like to incorporate into their block. This adds a special touch, making your block even more meaningful. It’s also helpful to come with a memory or story in mind that you’d like to base your block on, though our Memory Artist is always on hand to assist with this process if you’re unsure.

What Happens at the End of the Session?

If you finish your block during the session, you can donate it on the spot. You’ll be given a Block Donation Form to collect your details and, most importantly, the story or memory that inspired your block. If you don’t finish, don’t worry — you can take your block home to complete in your own time or register for another Community Sewing Day to continue working on it with our support.

Why Are Community Sewing Days So Important?

Community Sewing Days are a cornerstone of The Fabric of Britain. They’re more than just quilting sessions; they’re about fostering connections, building a sense of community, and nourishing belonging, pride, and creativity. These events bring people together, allowing them to share their stories and memories while contributing to something larger than themselves. Each quilt block becomes a piece of the community’s collective memory, stitched together to create a lasting legacy that celebrates our shared history and connections.

Whether you’re an experienced quilter or just curious to learn more, we’d love for you to join us at a Community Sewing Day. It’s a wonderful opportunity to contribute to a meaningful project, meet new people, and be part of something truly special, stitching together not just fabric, but the very fabric of our communities.