Former Tottenham Textile Factory covered in Giant Quilt

North London-based craft group ‘Quilt Club 7 Sisters’, founded by textile artist Nicola Woollon, has spent seven months creating a patchwork quilt big enough to cover a building. The enormous installation is aptly displayed on the sides of a 4,000 sqft former textile manufacturing warehouse – part of an industrial estate that has been converted into warehouse-living by artists and makers over the past 20 years.

Driven by a desire to better connect local communities, the project began when Woollon set up a weekly craft workshop in her studio, teaching sewing skills. Run entirely by volunteers, the group has been attended by locals from a wide cross section of class, creed, and culture.

The drop-in workshops are free to attend and have a casual, welcoming atmosphere. Quilt Club creates a space where locals can meet regularly and work on creating something that reflects them both individually, through working on personal projects, and collectively, by taking part in a group project. The most recent being ‘the Big House Quilt’.

Woollon hopes the installation will challenge preconceived ideas about who gets to make art and who art is for, describing the scale of the quilt as ‘audacious and ambitious’ and the quilt’s street setting ‘in-contrast to formal art environments.’ Another intended outcome is to give fellow Harringay residents a greater sense of ownership over their area which is rapidly changing as new developments dominate the urban terrain. “The Big House Quilt was made by and for the community. Together we gather in our street and enjoy vibrant colour, tactile textiles and beautiful geometry whilst feeling a sense of pride in the creation of our artwork in a place that we call home.”

All the fabric used in making the giant Quilt was donated by small local businesses. Participants also contributed their own sentimental textiles. The installation measures 195 sqm, consisting of over 245 upscaled-squares of quilting. It took around 60 people to stitch it all together and a team of 15 to install over 2 days. The unveiling was marked with a daylong community carnival (2nd July). The final piece was on display for three weeks whilst the sun shone bright throughout July 2022.

What’s next for Quilt Club? Nicola said “The sky is the limit! We’re on the lookout for funding, new opportunities, and support to keep our work going. Let us know if there is a building you want quilted. Bigger the better!”