Gather
at our frame
Within the Frame believes that the quilt frame itself offers us a unique tool for building community alongside preserving the rocking stitch. The quilt frame historically gathered people to contribute to the finishing of a quilt, often for a family in need. We can learn from this legacy today as we build spaces of dialogue, intergenerational exchange, and community care.
Deb McGuire and Jess Bailey combine their skills as researchers, quilters, and educators to create spaces of intergenerational knowledge exchange at the quilt frame. They have held events held at the Foundling Museum and the Paul Mellon Centre, Yale’s Center for British Art in London as well as at the London College of Fashion thanks to a grant from UAL’s Social Impact Fund. (photos: Dhruv Prakash)
Are you an arts institution, a museum, a community centre, an educator or artist? Consider investing in a quilt frame to engage your local community in the preservation of this endangered art form while gathering across generations.
“Stitching together, conversations, sharing, sense of community, sense of belonging, laughter and joy, heart to heart connections happened today.”
“Community building and a spirit of mutual aid are born from events like this! They are wonderful, unifying and inspiring.”
“Loved the chatter around the frames, hearing life stories, stitching together, meeting new people, came as strangers left as friends.”
“When can I stitch with these Queens again?”
— Attendee feedback, May 2025
