✂️ Community Quilting ✂️
at The Rose Lipman Building
The Rose Lipman Building sits at the heart of the De Beauvoir Estate, providing studios and offices, a cafe, a nursery, a gym, and a community arts space. Sadly, during the pandemic, they had to scale back their community programme due to the potential spread of Covid.
In November 2024, we were invited to host a Community Quilting project at the Rose Lipman Building, helping to revitalise their creative and wellbeing events and workshops.
The design was inspired by the Rose Lipman Building and the surrounding environment. From the outside, it is a grey, brutalist 60s block. I particularly love this kind of architecture, but the stark exterior doesn’t quite reflect the colourful hive of activity buzzing away inside.
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All the fabrics were donated by local residents who responded to our call for materials or brought in by participants. The end result was beautiful! Participants chose their own fabrics and threads, and the variety of stitches revealed the vibrancy and individual handprints of everyone who took part, mirroring the community that came together to make this quilt.
Over 10 weeks, 85 participants contributed to the quilt. 43 members of the community came more than once, and a die-hard group of 12, came 2 times or more!
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The sessions were completely free, and all materials were provided. You could drop in any time between 2 and 4 every Friday afternoon.
“The set-up was great, all very organised with good material set-up. Great music selection<3 The facilitator is super friendly and helpful, creating a great environment and sense of community”
“[I liked] everything! The warm and cosy atmosphere, the guidance, the fact that all the materials were provided, and the tea and Panettone!”
The sessions were very relaxed, and there was a nice mix of abilities, with participants who had never sewn before, those refreshing their skills, and some experienced sewers.
“[I liked] brushing off my sewing skills, and the joint project feels great to be able to contribute. I had a great time doing a sociable workshop improving a craft.”
“It was empowering trying something new.”
The sessions have been a great way for people to take a moment for themselves and do something with their hands.
“Doing an activity like this with a group of people really helps focus on what you're doing and not get distracted by phones etc. It felt really meditative and relaxing to be focused for a few hours.”
The sessions were a great way for participants to meet new people from the local community that they wouldn’t ordinarily meet.
“It is a great community session to connect with different groups, be that age, race, that you might not meet in your everyday life.”
“[I liked] meeting new people, I’m feeling more connected to the local area, and as a remote worker, it really helps.”
“Since I am autistic, I find it easier to socialise when also engaging in an activity.”
Rather than working on individual projects, everyone worked together to create a communal piece of art. It's nice to be able to take part, as much or as little as you can and feel a sense of pride in your contribution to the quilt and the wider community.
“It was also truly wonderful to meet new people and have an opportunity to chat, as this can be quite rare in everyday life! The united community goal took away any socially awkward friction.”
“I really enjoyed this session. Loved the process of working as a collective and learning the process in a non-intimidating environment with a lovely group of people. I really enjoyed the community aspect of working together and learning from my peers, socialising with new people in a different context.”
Community Partner
Mill Co
Project Dates
11/2024 - 02/2025