Communal Quilt Project Unites Community and Preserves History

The GuernseyTingle team participated in a Communal Quilt Project workshop led by Muscarelle Museum artist-in-residence Steve Prince. The purpose of the project is to gather members of the Williamsburg community and beyond and celebrate the history of this art form.

Patchwork quilting has been practiced by cultures across the world for over 5,000 years, and more recently, antebellum American sewing circles used these quilts to pass knowledge to younger generations. Each of these cultures had experienced times of hardship and found a way to be creative with simple materials.

“If cultures figured out ways to survive in the harshest conditions, then I figured we could use our collective imagination to solve perplexing problems that have historically plagued our communities, our nation, our world,” said Prince.

At the workshop, each participant was challenged to tell a story that has shaped them or tell one that only a few people know about. Prince ensures the workshop area is a safe space for people to creatively share their story using basic fabric supplies, scissors, and glue.

This process is meant to emulate that of the sewing circle as participants create a narrative section for the quilt that communicates a message to others. After the quilt squares were completed, each person shared a little bit about their own inspiration to give context to their work.

Ultimately, the individual squares will be sewn together to create a quilt that covers the mile-long stretch of Colonial Williamsburg’s Duke of Gloucester Street. The culmination of this project will help people further embrace equity, diversity, and inclusion and share stories that transcend the community.

GuernseyTingle is proud to be a part of this tradition that unites the community, preserves a collective history, and brings us closer to our colleagues.