Casgliadau Arlein

Patchwork wall hanging (one of a pair), 2020-22. Made as part of the 'Patchwork of Memories' project in collaboration with Cruse Bereavement Care.

Created during the Covid-19 pandemic, the patchworks bring together 56 individually crafted squares, each made by a person or a family in memory of a loved one. Contributors were invited to express their stories, emotions, and connections through fabric at a time when traditional mourning rituals and support networks were disrupted. The wall hangings were assembled and stitched together by Julie Taylor in 2022.

Rectangular quilted wall hanging in 'portrait' format. Consisting of seven rows which each contain four squares, each created to commemorate the loss of a loved one. Each square has been worked using a large variety of techniques, including machine and hand embroidery, machine and hand-sewing, applying elements such as buttons, beads, sea shells, feathers, cardboard, silver foil or ribbons with stitches and adhesive, pinning on badges and brooches, ironing on self-adhesive patches, drawing and writing by hand using different colour markers, knitting, crochet, appliqué, use of glitter-glue, painting, velcro, patchwork, digitally printed photos, sequins, artificial flowers, decorative trims – all applied to a large variety of different ground fabrics.

Each decorated square is mounted onto a larger square of plain, tabby woven cream cotton fabric. These larger squares are then machine-sewn together to make up the wall hanging. The stitches extend through an interlining and through to the reverse. The hanging has a backing of plain blue and cream striped cotton ticking fabric and the edge is bound in cream fabric. Five broad hanging tabs of the ticking have been stitched to the reverse of the upper edge.