March to September 2026

Step into the Museum of Richmond to explore a vibrant collection of quilts mainly created for—and by—our local community.

For the first time, these evocative pieces are gathered in one place, combining memories and art.

FREE ENTRY

Generously supported
by The Asgill House Trust

EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS

The Covid Community Quilt: A moving reflection on life under lockdown in Richmond.

This quilt was made by Richmond residents in response to an invitation from the then Mayor, Councillor Nancy Baldwin. She asked for the design of the blocks to express the community’s feelings about Covid-19 and in particular lockdown, while it was happening. The blocks were sewn together to make the quilt by Jenny Michell and Sue Brown. The motifs on the quilt remind us of aspects of life during Covid – wearing masks, washing hands, staying at home, social distancing, restricted contact with friends and family, children unable to go to school, clapping for the NHS.
(UK, 2020, textiles and mixed media, 211 × 185 cm, Museum of Richmond, LDMRD 2022.1)

The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt (Panel 5): Commemorating lives lost to AIDS, including local icon Freddie Mercury.

This panel is one of 42 made to commemorate lives lost to the aids epidemic of the 1980s and 90s. The central-top block remembers John Macintyre and was made by his friends Alastair Hume and Olive Fairley. The central-lower block remembers Freddie Mercury, lead singer of the band Queen. Freddie lived for a time in Barnes and was brought up in Feltham. We do not know who made this block. The left-hand block remembers Tony, with a poem by his friends and the panel maker Susan Sneddon. The central-right block was made by Fred Hepple in memory of his four friends, David, Brian, Peter and Ian. The top-right block remembers Andrew Carter, a teacher from Perth and co-founder of the Australian aids Memorial Project.
(UK, 1989–96 and ongoing, mixed media, 366 × 366 cm Courtesy of UK AIDs Memorial Quilt Partnership)

Please note, this quilt will be removed on two occasions during this exhibition, to join the rest of the  The UK AIDS Memorial Quilt on display. Visit https://www.aidsquiltuk.org/event/  to find out more

House Block by Michele Walker, on loan from The Quilters’ Guild: A powerful response to homelessness, using surprising contemporary materials.

This quilt is one of two made by well-known maker Michele Walker, in response to graffiti about homelessness. It is constructed from plastic material, newspaper and different threads and buttons, hand and machine stitched. The hand-stencilled lettering reads ‘No Job, No Home, No Hope, No Care, No Vote, No Chance’. Artists often make quilts which highlight social issues. Homelessness is a huge UK-wide problem. In Richmond, where there is always a shortage of affordable social housing and some of the highest private rental prices in London, there are currently around 2,500 households waiting on the housing list for a property, with around 750 in temporary accommodation.
(UK, 1999, mixed media, 62 × 62 cm, Courtesy of The Quilt Collection, The Quilters’ Guild)

Tradition and Memory: From historic patchwork and quilted clothing to a quilt made from upcycled neckties.

Also on display is a Georgian wholecloth petticoat, a patchwork dress from World War Two and this quilt, made by a well-known Lithuanian quilter, Aldona Tamonytė-Dorrity. It uses ties which were, like so many others, worn to work every day. They are evocative of a time when most professional workers went into an office and dressed relatively formally. They can also be a visual reminder of a much-loved relative or friend. Made for Aldona’s brother- and sister-in-law, the quilt is hand stitched and includes labels showing the tie makers. Ties like these are often made from high quality fabric by famous design brands.
(Lithuania, 2013, textiles, 117 × 80 cm, Courtesy of Iain & Sally Dorrity)

Ready to find your own creative spark?

Pick up our exhibition booklet or join us for a series of workshops, talks, and events designed to help you release your creativity.

See below for full details

EXHIBITION BOOKLET

To purchase the exhibition booklet visit the Museum or,

visit: www.zeffy.com/en-GB/ticketing/the-museum-of-richmonds-shop 

ACCOMPANYING EVENTS

FILM: THERE IS A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT

Wednesday 19 August, 7pm to 8:30pm
RHACC, Parkshot, Richmond TW9 2RE
Tickets: £10, booking advised

The UK Aids Memorial Quilt, part of the largest arts project in history, helps us to remember and celebrate lives lost to HIV from the beginning of the pandemic in the 1990’s to the present.

This is a rare opportunity to see this film, a rediscovered 50-minute documentary about the 1994 ‘Quilts of Love’ display of the UK AIDS Quilt at Hyde Park Corner. The film was never broadcast, screened only once privately and was presumed lost for thirty years until co-maker Zowie Broach found a VHS copy in storage. It features Quilt makers and an interview with Alastair Hume who started the UK Quilt reflecting on the display, plus interviews with attendees including Michael Hutchence, Boy George, Neneh Cherry and Rifat Ozbek. It premiered publicly for the first time at Tate Modern in June 2025.

TALK and DEMONSTRATION by Paula Doyle

Thursday 10 September 2026
Doors open at 7pm
Talk and Q&A: 7:30pm to 8:30pm

Riverside Room, First Floor, Old Town Hall, Whittaker Avenue, Richmond, TW9 1TP

Join designer and quilter Paula Doyle for a talk and demonstration about upcycling blue jeans, t-shirts, other items of clothing, and leftover fabric pieces to make one of a kind Ravioli quilts, using a quick quilt-as-you-go construction technique, as used in the Hampton Pool Centenary Quilt.

£15 per person

Booking advised: only 75 tickets available

A joint fundraiser for the

Museum of Richmond and

Hampton Pool Trust

Stitch & Sip: Craft, Coffee, and Conversation
Various dates between April and September, 1:30pm to 3:30pm

Museum of Richmond, 2nd Floor, Old Town Hall, Richmond, TW9 1TP

Bring one of your projects to work on, and we provide the tea, coffee and snacks, and the company. FREE – no need to book, just drop in.

Drop in between on the following dates:
Friday 21 August, 1:30pm and 3:30pm
Friday 18 September, 1:30pm and 3:30pm

Coffee and Crafting: Workshops for Adults
Various dates between April and September, 1pm to 3:30pm

Museum of Richmond, 2nd Floor, Old Town Hall, Richmond, TW9 1TP

Join us for an afternoon of crafting, creativity, and community!

Click here to find out more and book

Textile Treasures: Short course for adults
Various dates between April and September

Museum of Richmond, 2nd Floor, Old Town Hall, Richmond, TW9 1TP

Join us for an immersive course focused on creative exploration and local history: to learn something new, get creative and connect with local history.

Click here to find out more and book