North Devon Covid Quilt Project

Here’s how our journey began:

When Covid struck, my partner and I decided to purchase 13 rolls of high-quality polyester fabric and reached out to the community for assistance in creating scrubs for our healthcare workers. We opted for various colors after running out of white, resulting in vibrant selections of Turquoise, Truffle, Light Blue, and Purple. Additionally, we were fortunate to receive fabric donations from local businesses, which proved to be incredibly helpful. I shared videos on Facebook seeking help, and Christopher Reed from Chillcheater in Braunton generously volunteered to cut the fabric. His dedication ensured that the project moved quickly, and my partner and I organized the piles of cut fabric pieces into garments—much to my surprise, there were many, as I’m not familiar with sewing. The community tirelessly sewed the garments and scrub bags, and we took on the responsibility of distributing them to their final destinations, including healthcare workers, hospitals, and doctors. At one point, we faced a shortage of fabric, prompting a nurse to call me in tears, terrified of the situation. We rallied together to source more fabric, cutting it by hand to create custom sizes for healthcare workers who fell outside the standard dimensions we provided. Through conversations with many healthcare workers, I found their courage inspiring; despite their fears, they continued to perform their crucial duties. [Link to article https://www.devonlive.com/news/local-news/dozens-sewers-say-thanks-nhs-07900983669]

What’s happening now?

We are currently utilizing our leftover high-quality polyester fabric for a special project. I’ve reached out to the community once again, this time inviting them to embroider icons or images that reflect the pandemic onto cut squares of scrub fabric. These squares will eventually be transformed into two meaningful quilts. Our volunteers are tasked with embroidering two matching squares, with one of them featuring their name. One quilt will be displayed in the Museum of Barnstaple and North Devon as a historical tribute to the pandemic. The second quilt is designated for auction as a fundraising endeavor benefiting the local hospice, with all proceeds paid directly through the auctioneers.

I was first interviewed on the Voice radio in August 2023, coinciding with the launch of the project. While the original plan was to conduct the initiative over the course of a year, it is taking longer than expected. However, it is crucial that we take our time to create these quilts thoughtfully and not in haste.