Casgliadau Arlein

Patchwork wall hanging (one of a pair), 2021-2022. Made in collaboration with Cruse Bereavement Care as part of the 'Patchwork of Memories' project. Fifty-two individuals and families contributed a square to memorialise their loved ones who died during the Covid-19 pandemic. The wall hangings were assembled and stitched together by Julie Taylor in 2022.

Rectangular quilted wall hanging in 'portrait' format. Consisting of 7 rows which each contain 4 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. 5 broad hanging tabs of the ticking have been stitched to the reverse of the upper edge.

Note: Panel 4 in row 5 appears to commemorate the same person ('Terry' 20.4.47 - 13.1.22) as panel 4 in row 2 of the other wall hanging F2023.42.1.