The Tapestry

Community embroidery for story telling and communication

The Prism - Quaker Tapestry Scheme ©

The Quaker Tapestry is a celebration of 350 years of Quaker insights and experiences embroidered in narrative crewel work on 77 panels of specially woven wool cloth. Each panel measures 25" (635mm) wide by 21" (533mm) deep.

It all started as a result of a chance remark by an eleven-year-old boy attending the children's class of a small Quaker Meeting in the South of England in 1981. His teacher, to whom the remark was made, was Anne Wynn-Wilson, who was an accomplished embroiderer. She had the vision of a number of large tapestry panels telling something of the Quaker story and beliefs. At a Quaker Yearly Meeting in 1982 she mounted an exhibition of work in progress and her ideas and determination aroused an enthusiastic response from many Friends. Designers came forward, embroidery groups were formed and training workshops were arranged. Altogether more than 4,000 men, women and children in 15 countries have 'had a hand' in the creation.

The Quaker Tapestry is quite unlike any other contemporary embroidery in its style, scope, content, method of execution and consequent effect on many of those who took part. The vision and enthusiasm sprang from the grass roots; it was not directed as for a commissioned work. The Quaker Tapestry uses a new embroidery style and technique which enables both skilled and unskilled workers to cooperate.

The Quaker Tapestry, Friends Meeting House, Stramongate, Kendal, Cumbria, LA9 4BH, England, UK
Telephone/Fax: +44 (0)1539 722975  E-mail: info@quaker-tapestry.co.uk
Registered Charity No. 1035077