12th June saw the completed Cwilt Atgofion/Memory Quilt revealed to the project participants, friends, family, representatives from the National Woollen Museum and Nia Ap Tegwen from Menter Iaith.
The group had input into the design and layout of their patches on the quilt top-cloth, although time limitations meant that Seren Stacey and I took responsibility for the construction and finishing of the quilt. After hours of pinning, finger pricking, hand quilting and a final pressing, it was ready to be hung in the Long Hall. The finished piece was much larger than we had initially expected, there were just so many lovely pieces to include, so many interesting details and stories we couldn’t have made it any smaller! The final quilt is approximately 1m wide by 2m long and fitted perfectly in the Museum space.
What a lovely event, seeing the women’s response to the work was so satisfying, they had trusted us with their hard work and memories and were delighted with the results. Everyone spent time finding their pieces on the quilt, pointing them out and discussing them with each other and their visitors and of course we finished with tea and cake!
This was my first experience of facilitating a project of such a scale, I have learnt so much about the planning, resourcing, implementation and the resolution of a community engagement project. I owe a huge debt of gratitude to my co-facilitator Seren from whom I have learnt so much. For me, it was a challenging and thoroughly enjoyable experience.
We received great feedback from the Museum on the implementation and the final outcome of the project with the possibility of further project opportunities in the future – so watch this space. I look forward to the opportunity to collaborate with Seren again too.
I believe the quilt will be on permanent display in the upstairs gallery, if you’re looking but can’t find it, just ask.
For more about the early stages of the project click here and here
Nia Lewis, textiles, art, design, education and community, 
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