The Jessie Chorley Friendship Quilt Project

My first Friendship Quilt Project Kit, I proudly launched in 2017. I then went on to launch version two of this popular project in 2022.
(Please note my first version of these kits are now sold out. But I do still make and sell the original six templates over on my online shop.

Version Two Friendship Quilt kits are very much available over on my online shop.

My Friendship Quilt Projects are a key part of the work that I do as a social embroidery artist.
They are designed from the heart to celebrate the lasting friendships that continue to be created from a mutual love of embroidery and making things in general with others.
I have taken inspiration from traditional sewing bees and crafting circles that have always thrived within communities worldwide.
You may enjoy working solo on your version of this project, or you could work with a family member or friend, or perhaps form your own small group of like-minded stitchers.

My goal with my friendship quilt projects is to encourage the freestyle approach to embroidery and simple patchwork techniques that I employ in creating my own work.

Living at a great distance may make it difficult for you to attend a masterclass with me in person, but with my ongoing friendship quilt projects I hope you will feel a part of my life as a maker and that you will also become part of the growing stitching and patching circle that this project continues to push forward.

There will be ongoing opportunities to exhibit your versions of this project, during events, exhibitions and competitions which I run.
Therefore please keep in touch with me via my Instagram (@jessiechorley); please keep me updated on your progress by tagging me.
You can also email or message me images via the contact page on my website. I am also happy to receive technical questions.


Design
My overall design and inspiration for this slow-stitch project is based on a traditional coverlet.
A coverlet is a thin quilt or a two-layered covering without a thick/padded middle layer. Many different techniques are used when constructing coverlets, quilts and patchwork panels, all of them deeply embedded in history. Please note, however, that although this project celebrates and takes inspiration from traditional quilting and patchwork techniques, it is very much based around my unique and very freestyle approach to patching, celebrating the joy of piecing fabrics together by hand to create a one-off decorative panel. Note also that my two versions of this project measures approximately 35 cm x 60 cm.

But I encourage you to work freely. Let your story and your imagination wander and make something much larger – or maybe something much smaller.