Fitz Stitch

We’re pleased to launch a Fitz-inspired community stitching project, to make a quilt to be hung in the stairwell of the Museum’s Courtyard Entrance after the lockdown has lifted. We’re looking for 45 creative participants to contribute to our quilt by the end of September 2020, but invite communities of people, schools and colleges to make their own Fitzwilliam Museum-inspired textile hanging too.

The Fitz quilt will be made up of 48 fabric squares (25 x 25cm + 2cm seam allowance) inspired by an object or painting from the collection, which will come together in one hanging. The Education team explain:

You could embroider, appliqué, dye or patchwork your design – anything works! Each piece does not need to be representational: we want to see your own unique interpretation

– that could be as abstract or as literal as you want. You do not need to be a master maker with lots of fancy equipment in order to join in. You can use anything you like! Think thrifty – an old t-shirt as a base fabric, some garden twine as embroidery thread.

Use whatever works for you ... We are hoping this project will inspire mindfulness, creativity and connection, and allow us to create something that we can all feel proud of.

To get you started please read the pdfs below:

• Inspiration from the Fitzwilliam’s collection
• Instructions and techniques for Fitz Stitch

And view our Fitz Stitch video playlist full of useful advice on YouTube.

Artist Lucy Mazur will also lead a few ZOOM-based workshops for people to come along with their textiles to share progress and ask questions, and create a sense of community.

If you would like to contribute to the Fitz quilt please email. We have a limited number of squares available, and will email to confirm if you are one of the sewers. And don’t forget you’re very welcome to create your own Fitz-inspired community projects. Please do share any of these with us on social media, using our platform handle and #FitzStitch – we’d love to see them!

7 May 2020