Talking Quilts will be in Yorkshire and Teesside until the end of July, before moving on to a further seven regions, over three years. The project will be delivered by teams of volunteers in each region who will work closely with a national Project Manager.

Every volunteer will receive training in oral history interviewing techniques and the use of digital recording equipment. The project aims to complete a total of ten interviews in each region, capturing the stories of today’s quiltmakers, from across the UK. The project will culminate in the development of an online oral history archive of British patchwork and quilting.

“The enthusiasm that Talking Quilts has been met with in Yorkshire and Teesside, from both the quilting and non-quilting communities, has been wonderful” said Project Manager, Vicky Martin. “The region has a vibrant crafting community and local quilters are keen to make sure their stories are recorded.”

Regional Talking Quilts Co-ordinator, Dorothy Baird, said: “We are very excited to be the first region to take part in the project. We have a dedicated and enthusiastic group of volunteer interviewers who have received oral history training. They are really keen to get out and talk to the people who are the bedrock of quilting in our region.”

Fiona Spiers, Head of Heritage Lottery Fund Yorkshire and the Humber, said: “We’re committed to funding projects that provide opportunities for volunteers to gain new skills and get involved in heritage. Talking Quilts is a fantastic project, helping to preserve the stories and heritage that people value.”

Talking Quilts is looking for volunteers willing to share their quilting stories. “We know that many quilters have a special quilt that tells a story, it may remind them of a particular event, time period, place or person, it might be the first quilt they made, or one where they tried something new.” Vicky says, “Talking Quilts is all about using that object to start a conversation, bringing it to life and then sharing that story.” If you or anyone you know has a story to tell then please get in touch with Vicky by email info@talkingquilts.com.

Notes to editors

The Quilters’ Guild of the British Isles (The Quilters’ Guild) is a membership organisation for individuals and groups interested in patchwork and quilting. As an educational charity it aims to promote the appreciation, knowledge and understanding of the art and craft of quiltmaking, together with its techniques and heritage.

There are approximately 6,600 individual members located in 18 semi-autonomous regions across the UK, with each region led by a voluntary committee. Activities enable members and non-members to learn new skills, as well as expand their understanding of the heritage of patchwork and quilting. The Quilters’ Guild Collection is housed at the Quilt Museum and Gallery in York. It shows changing programme of exhibitions, including contemporary work and items from The Quilters’ Guild Collection of over 800 heritage quilts and quilted objects.

Further information

Vicky Martin, Talking Quilts Project Manager at info@talkingquilts.org.uk or 07980 260 165.