By Phil Coleman

Last updated at 12:17, Wednesday, 20 March 2013

It has taken weeks of hard work and creativity – but finally, this impressive quilted artwork is nearing completion.

Marion Smith, left, and Rebecca Rafael show off their handiwork

And it’s thanks to the efforts of people from a wide range of backgrounds. Created from 80 individual patches, each designed in creams, golds, and silvers, it shows the power of art to bring people together.

The theme was friendship, and the individual patches have each been lovingly designed by people whose lives may never have been linked in any way.

They included people with learning disabilities who go to the Heathlands Project in Carlisle, clients with the Cumbrian Unity alcohol and drug recovery service; Botcherby Community Centre’s craft group members; and people from the YMCA’S creative well being programme.

The quilt project – called Stitching Friendships – has been overseen by artists Helen Tuck and Helen Walsh, who are part of the Impecunious Carlisle art collective.

“It’s been a great way to bring people together for a single purpose – to create something beautiful,” said Ms Tuck. “The finished size of the quilt will be 1.6m by 2m, with the 80 patches designed around the theme of friendship by people from very diverse backgrounds.

“People have expressed themselves in lots of different ways, with images of hearts, flowers, sharing a cup of tea. I think it’s beautiful.”

In the short term, the quilt will be displayed at Tullie House as part of the Outside In exhibition from this Friday and then go into the Great Northern Quilt Show in Halifax. At a later date, it will be displayed at the Heathlands Project in Carlisle.

“The people at the project have been absolutely marvellous,” added Ms Tuck.

The project – dubbed Stitching Friendships – has been conducted with support from the Laurie Brewis Trust and culminated last week in a week of workshops and demonstrations at Tullie House.

The Heathlands Project is part of the Glenmore Trust.

First published at 12:02, Wednesday, 20 March 2013
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk