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COMMUNITY QUILTING FOR MARGINALISED VOICES
In contrast, quilting in the UK has not been commonly associated with black culture, despite the presence of diverse communities.
Remarkably, there is scant research available on the migration of African American quilting practices to the UK, underscoring the need to explore the distinct historical and social contexts that shape the experiences of black individuals in each country.
Quilting has long served as a powerful tool for creating networks and sharing narratives within marginalized communities. However, its significance, particularly when crafted by artisans from the Global South, has often been sidelined in mainstream artistic discourse. Despite this, the resurgence of quilting and patchwork in contemporary fashion and design circles, spurred by macro-trends such as sustainability and craft, has garnered attention, notably among GEN-Z and younger generations. Nevertheless, the contributions of black British fashion have frequently been overlooked in these discussions, as evidenced by Somerset House's recent exhibition, 'The Missing Thread'.
As a member of FACE (Fashion Academics Creating Equality), I have directly encountered numerous accounts of isolation and racism from fellow members. This research aims to harness these connections using community quilting as both a research methodology and a vehicle for fostering solidarity and amplifying the voices of isolated people of color across the UK. By recontextualizing and centering the American tradition of quilting within the black British experience, this project aims to cultivate networks, share stories, and ultimately contribute to a more inclusive and interconnected community.
I am asking participants to adorn one quilting square using the question: “HAVE YOU EVER FELT ISOLATED AS A RESULT OF MARGINALISATION AND HOW DID IT EFFECT YOUR CREATIVE OUTPUT?” as a point of inspiration and then send them back to me in the post. Every square will be combined to create a quilt that represents a community of active, creative people overcoming marginalisation. Every participant will be kept up to date on the progress of the quilt and it’s exhibition in 2025. (NOTE: You do not need to be ‘good’. In fact, you don’t need any experience at all. This is about creating something personal and joining a community of like-minded individuals.)
Squares must be submitted by: 15TH JANUARY 2025
If you would like to take part in the project, please register your interest by clicking here, emailing me at ffog@ffogresearch.com or alternatively, DM me on Instagram @__ffog.