Weaving a patchwork of stories

You can contribute to our community patchwork of stories at a Black History Month event at Torridon Road Library on 31st October from 10am to 1pm.

Stories and songs will be followed with the opportunity to create a story  for our community patchwork. Adults and children are encouraged to participate. Children under 8 must be accompanied by a parent or carer .

Find out more on the Lewisham events website. Torridon Road Library, SE6 1RQ

WordUp Day at Lewisham Shopping Centre

Tuesday 8th October was WordUp Day @ Lewisham Shopping centre - part of Lewisham Black History Month. The patchwork project table was there and some of our patches were on display. Several people were able to create patches for the project.

This patch recalls the green spaces of Lewisham.

CEL patch - Rushey Green

One of the CEL patches shows a view of Rushey Green that will be unfamiliar to many people, and which shows the sort of countryside that first gave the area its name.

CEL patches from People's Day

We launched the People's Patchwork project at People's Day in July with our partners from CEL (Community Education Lewisham). Some of their students and staff contributed patches that demonstrated what you could do in a patch and explored their own experiences and memories of the borough.

Kim's Patch - Manor Park in May

Kim made this patch at our People's Day event in July. She chose Manor Park as the subject because of -

"Fond memories of Manor Park where I would walk with my newborn first child Emily."

Laura's patch - Manor House Gardens

Laura (10) contributed a patch showing Manor House Gardens.

"My patchwork shows the swings and Manor House gardens because I love to play on them."

Malia's patch - Pear tree in my garden

Malia contributed a patch at People's Day in July showing the pear tree in her garden. 

"This is what I see from my window - the pear tree in all its glory".

People's Patchwork launch at People's Day

The patchwork was launched at People's Day in July where a number of visitors made patchwork pieces and contributed stories. CEL (Community Education Lewisham) provided expert tuition and materials while younger visitors were able to contribute to a patchwork 'Elmer the Elephant'.

We will be putting details of all of the contributions on this blog as we receive them.

How to contribute a patch

Quilters, embroiderers and knitters

Fabric patches

Patches need to be 15cm x 15cm with a 1.5 cm border of fabric on each side to allow them to be joined together.

Patches should be based on a 18cm x 18cm square of pre-washed cotton. Please feel free to create the design using:

• appliqué
• embroidery
• transfer
• fabric paint
• or by sewing / gluing on knitted or woven pieces.

You can hand in your patch at any Lewisham library – and at other selected centres in your community (a list will appear soon).

Patches will not be returned. We will incorporate as many as possible into the People’s Patchwork quilt, which will be on display at People’s Day 2014, and will tour Lewisham from autumn 2014.

The story behind the patch

We’re really interested in the story behind the patch and would like to share stories alongside images of the patchwork online – so please also consider attaching to your patch some details of what the patch you have created means to you. Be sure to include your name (unless you want to remain anonymous) and your postcode so we know how far round the borough our people’s patchwork is reaching.

Storytellers, poets and wordsmiths 

The patchwork of stories

If you have a story, reminiscence or simply want to share your feelings about life in Lewisham, please add to our collection with or without a patch to accompany it. Prose, poetry, reminiscence, drawings and photographs from people of all ages are very welcome.

You can write your own story  and bring it to one of Lewisham’s libraries – or email it to: library.engagement@lewisham.gov.uk