The Quaker Tapestry is a modern day masterpiece of story-telling in stitches.
Elizabeth Fry
It’s also one of the largest and most significant, imaginative and collaborative community textile projects in the world. Its 77 panels made by 4,000 people from 15 countries celebrate life, people, such as famous Quakers Elizabeth Fry and Mary Fisher and important events across the centuries.
Mary Fisher
It began in 1981. It was Jonathan’s fault. He was 11 years old when he asked his Sunday school teacher if he could make a tapestry instead of colouring in! Soon the children were having far too much fun so the adults joined in. During the production over 4,000 men, women and children in 15 countries took part and in 1996 it was finished. A home was found for it in Kendal, an attractive market town in Cumbria, on the edge of the Lake District.
The Quaker Tapestry House
The Quaker Tapestry stories show the industrial revolution, developments in science and medicine, astronomy, the abolition of slavery, social reform, and ecology, not to mention the famous three-wheels-on-my-waggon story of the banker Jonathan Backhouse.
Quaker Tapestry ship
A versatile new stitch, the Quaker Stitch was created, to add a three-dimensional look to the lettering. 2It looks impressive but it’s easy,2 says Bridget Guest, manager of The Quaker Tapestry in Kendal and one of the embroidery teachers. 2The techniques and embroidery stitches were designed specifically to enable everyone who wanted to join in with the creativity, to do so!2 Contributions came from around the world making it one of the biggest community projects ever. OK – the Great Wall of China tops it. And the pyramids. But they were made to do it. Definitely No Porridge! By the way, Quakers are nothing to do with Quaker Oats, so there are no tales of porridge but plenty about chocolate … Discover how jury rights were established, who built the iron bridge, listen to the audio guides, watch the films, and explore the interactive display.
Visit the Quaker Tapestry
The Quaker Tapestry
This article is brought to you by The Quaker Tapestry You can see it in its main home in Kendal. The Museum is open between February and December.
Read more about Kendal here.
This really is a unique exhibition of extremely beautiful embroidery and the panels tell a fascinating story. If you live locally, or are in the area on business or holiday, do add it to your list of ‘must-see’ places to visit.
Living locally I always forget about the cafe as its just a little way out of town, (minutes worth away, look out for rainbow railings near the Aga shop). The food is really, really good if you get a chance to sit outside when the town bells are ringing it’s very magical. Salads, scones and ice-cream are particularly things to recommend. I love the witty sayings on the wall too.
A delicious reason to add to the list Emma 🙂 I love those quirky quotes around the walls of the cafe tto, and can recommend their soup too!
The tapestry is a must visit for locals and those new to the area – so much to enjoy and admire in the panels and the colours are amazingly vibrant. It’s worth noting that an annual pass offers real value. Don’t forget to pop into the cafe after walking around the exhibition for one of Jane’s delicious scones – apparently described as the best in the world…I must just try one more to be sure!
So agree with you Clare about the tapestry. You could visit every week and still see different things each time so the annual pass would be excellent value. What surprises me is that many locals haven’t visited. Hopefully reading this will inspire them to go along AND make time for the cafe :-0