Quick, Quick, Slow: The Therapeutic Nature of Stitch

Join us to create a wall hanging that represents your personal insight into the therapeutic nature of stitch

In our 125th year we asked you to contribute to a wall hanging which reflects your feelings, emotions and interests whether from nature, our collections or your own personal experience of life. The deadline for sending us your ‘Quick Quick Slow’ fabric squares has now closed. We’ve received more than 50 squares – thank you to all those who have contributed. We are now working on plans for the next phase of the project and will share updates on this page and on our Instagram channel as these take shape.

The therapeutic nature of stitch

The world we live in…

Today we live in a fast, interconnected world. Getting balance in our lives and space to relax, learn and contemplate is crucial for our wellbeing.

Embroidery inspired by Oxburgh Marian Hangings in progress

A sense of wellbeing…

The Textile Conservation Studio has long recognised that needlework can relieve feelings of stress and anxiety - from seeing the positive impact on staff who conserve the National Trust’s textile collection to enlightening conversations with those who volunteer or visit.

Textiles can relieve feelings of stress and anxiety

A happier place…

Working with others with a shared interest is known to boost confidence and self-esteem and helps us feel more engaged with the world around us.

What are we doing?

Tucked away in Norfolk is the National Trust's Textile Conservation Studio; here a team of specialists undertake textile conservation work for places around the country, from large scale tapestries to small-scale dolls house furniture. As part of the National Trust's 125th anniversary celebrations in 2020, we are embarking on a new project and would like your help.

Working with award-winning textile artist, Sara Impey, we would like to create a piece of artwork from stitched contributions from our local community to encapsulate the hectic nature of life and the sense of calm that stitch can offer.

" ...stitch and memory, stitch and time and the ways textiles connect us to the past, both in our own lives and more generally."

For centuries stitched textiles have been used to illustrate contemporary events and they remain a powerful way to explore current themes.

Who are we working with?

Sara Impey is a textile artist, specialising in quiltmaking, who uses her background in journalism and the language of the written word within her pieces.

Alongside our community wall hanging, we hope to work with Sara Impey to create a quilted piece that will include machine stitched lettering that reflects both the artist's and participants’ feelings and the value placed on textiles as witnesses to life in our properties, She would interpret the therapeutic nature of stitch through stitched text, combining thread and words.

Textile artist Sara Impey will interpret the therapeutic nature of stitch through words — "One of my recurring themes is the nature of stitch itself, looking at the therapeutic effects of sewing in this digital age..." Sara Impey

How you can get involved

Take inspiration from a National Trust visit

Be inspired

Draw your response to the National Trust’s textile collection, taking inspiration from objects you have seen at the Studio or from a visit to one of the special places in our care. This can be any object, place, concept or lettering that inspires you.

Get your fabric square

Pick up your fabric square from us. Your piece should measure 4" x 4", the fabrics are recycled from our “bits box” and are off-cuts from our tapestry support fabric. You can collect your fabric when you book a group visit to the Studio, attend one of our community events or you can e-mail us at textilestudio@nationaltrust.org.uk to get involved.

Attach a label with your name and send back to us

Quick, quick, sew

Then enjoy the therapeutic nature of sewing your picture onto the fabric provided (you don't have to be an expert). Then attach a label with your name and send it back to us at the Textile Conservation Studio. Our address is Malthouse Barn, Oulton Street, Norfolk, NR11 6AF.

Your piece will become part of our community wall hanging — Your contribution will join others in a trellis/lattice format. The format represents the warp and the weft on woven textiles and we have chosen a mottle dark blue as this echoes the outer edge borders on many tapestries.

The deadline for sending us your ‘Quick Quick Slow’ fabric squares has now closed. We are now working on plans for the next phase of the project and will share updates on this page and on our Instagram channel as these take shape.

Close view of the Chinese silk embroidered hangings on the State Bed at Calke Abbey, Derbyshire

Explore our collections

To inspire you for your creation of your textile piece, take a look at the National Trust's collection online. Where you can explore thousands of textile objects from across the Trust.