Unleash your creativity and express your voice through stitched text in this hands-on textile workshop inspired by the AIDS Quilt UK.

For generations, text has been woven into fabric as a form of resistance, identity, remembrance, and queer archiving — from protest banners to the AIDS Memorial Quilt. Stitching words into textiles is a powerful way to express what you value, reclaim craft traditions, and challenge dominant narratives.

In this workshop, drawing on the new AIDS Quilt UK display opening at Queer Britain in February, you’ll begin by exploring the quilt panel in the galleries for creative inspiration. Afterward, we begin with a short demo covering different approaches and techniques for incorporating text into fabric. We’ll work with scrap and reclaimed materials for sustainability, and you’ll be encouraged to explore any word, phrase, memory, or idea through stitching in a supportive, inclusive environment.