Social Fabric: A Completed Community Quilt Project in Torbay Libraries

The Social Fabric project, led by Devon-based textile artist Allegra Galvin, has reached its conclusion, weaving together the vibrant stories of Torbay’s local communities. Commissioned by Libraries Unlimited, the project engaged residents from Brixham, Churston, Paignton, and Torquay libraries in creating a collaborative quilt celebrating shared history and creativity.

Through workshops held earlier this year, participants contributed fabric pieces rich with personal meaning, a gingham school dress from Brixham, a Mexican tortilla napkin, and linen from Ukraine, to name a few. These pieces were stitched into quilt blocks representing two sails, a symbol of the region’s maritime heritage.

Now complete, the Social Fabric project stands as a testament to the power of community and storytelling. To explore the quilt and learn more about this meaningful initiative, you can read the case study here: Creative Communities: Social Fabric available on the Libraries Unlimited website.

The project was commissioned as part of the Arts Council England National Portfolio Organisation funding that Libraries Unlimited receives. Working under the banner ‘Creative Communities’, the team programme hundreds of events across Devon and Torbay throughout the year and work with artists on various projects.