Quilts at the Library 2023
London Quilters returned to Swiss Cottage Library with their Quilts at the Library 2023 exhibition which ran from Wednesday 28 June - 26 July 2023.
During the exhibition the group raised funds for two local charities, Likewise and Chalk Farm Foodbank through the raffle for the group quilt, Taken as Red.
Nazanin shown with the cushion cover made for her daughter using scraps of Liberty fabric.
The exhibition was opened by Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe on 28 June 2023. She also unveiled the Welcome to Swiss Cottage Library quilt banner.
We were delighted to include in the exhibition, a cushion cover by Nazanin made by her for her daughter during her imprisonment in Evin prison in Iran from Liberty fabric scraps.
London Quilters have been exhibiting at Swiss Cottage Library since 1982. This welcome quilt banner presented by London Quilters reflects the longstanding relationship between London Quilters and Swiss Cottage Library. The colours chosen are from the Camden coat of arms. The back is assembled from a selection of blocks by eleven members which reflect the diversity of quilting styles within the group.
We were delighted to include in the exhibition, a cushion cover by Nazanin made by her for her daughter during her imprisonment in Evin prison in Iran from Liberty fabric scraps.
London Quilters have been exhibiting at Swiss Cottage Library since 1982. This welcome quilt banner presented by London Quilters reflects the longstanding relationship between London Quilters and Swiss Cottage Library. The colours chosen are from the Camden coat of arms. The back is assembled from a selection of blocks by eleven members which reflect the diversity of quilting styles within the group.
The Exhibition
‘Quilts at the Library 2023’ features 66 quilts by members of London Quilters, including contemporary, modern, traditional and art quilts, as well as mixed media works. The exhibits range from large bed quilts to wall hangings and a selection of mini quilts inspired by books and book covers.
London Quilters last exhibited at Swiss Cottage Library in the summer of 2019. Eight months later, the world was gripped by the pandemic, changing life for everyone. The planned 2021 quilt exhibition had to be cancelled, but throughout 2020 and 2021, London Quilters continued to create. They worked in isolation, but also did workshops and held meetings over Zoom, finding ways to develop new skills, keep in touch, and collaborate. They drew inspiration from poetry, music, dear friends and family members, memories of distant places and nature on their doorstep, as well as a natural world threatened by the climate emergency.
Underlying all the works is the love of colour and texture, fabric and thread. For some, precision is key; for others, free improvisation is the guiding light. The quilts can be hand dyed, printed, painted or embellished. Sewn by hand and by machine, alone or in groups, the makers challenge themselves to create or master a design and make it their own, sometimes making the most of limited resources.
The works are shown in the order in which they appeared in the exhibition. Images are shown with the captions provided by the quilter on the main image. Dimensions and techniques, where available, are shown on the detail image.
London Quilters last exhibited at Swiss Cottage Library in the summer of 2019. Eight months later, the world was gripped by the pandemic, changing life for everyone. The planned 2021 quilt exhibition had to be cancelled, but throughout 2020 and 2021, London Quilters continued to create. They worked in isolation, but also did workshops and held meetings over Zoom, finding ways to develop new skills, keep in touch, and collaborate. They drew inspiration from poetry, music, dear friends and family members, memories of distant places and nature on their doorstep, as well as a natural world threatened by the climate emergency.
Underlying all the works is the love of colour and texture, fabric and thread. For some, precision is key; for others, free improvisation is the guiding light. The quilts can be hand dyed, printed, painted or embellished. Sewn by hand and by machine, alone or in groups, the makers challenge themselves to create or master a design and make it their own, sometimes making the most of limited resources.
The works are shown in the order in which they appeared in the exhibition. Images are shown with the captions provided by the quilter on the main image. Dimensions and techniques, where available, are shown on the detail image.
