Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Resources | The Fabric of Protest

Stitch your ideas worth fighting for, inspired by a range of topics and techniques explored through specially designed resources and how to videos.

Image of The Fabric of Protest workshop at People's History Museum.

Stitch your ideas worth fighting for

Check out resources and creations below to inspire yours.

Watch the how to videos below with artist Helen Mather demonstrating how to use a range of stitching techniques to create your own textile art.

Suitable for all textile abilities, and ages 11+

Find out more

Stitch a mini banner to mark 40 years since the Miners’ Strike of 1984 to 1985, try out the needle turn appliqué technique and chain stitch

Mini textile banner with stitched words ‘Unity and Strength’, White cotton background with turquoise tassel

View resource

Stitch a square to commemorate 50 years since the Chilean military coup of 1973, using blanket and herringbone stitches

Colorful patchwork '50' stitched onto the center of the fabric square with the words 'truth', repair' and 'justice stitched around it.

View resource

Use different stitches and embellishments to create a textile piece considering 'What compassion is?' for Refugee Week

Sticthjed hearts, patchwork and hand shape on cream background

View resource

Create a flag to celebrate Autistic Pride Day using the couching stitch

20

View resource

Create a keychain to promote the Community for Holistic, Accessible, Rights Based Mental Health (CHARM) campaign

fabric keyring

View resource

Stitch a quilted sampler for International Women's Day 2023: Embrace Equity

The Fabric of Protest quilted sampler March 2023 @ People's History Museum

View resource

Create a patchwork square to visually represent barriers to access that create disability

Sat 18 February 2023, The Fabric of Protest workshop. Image courtesy of People's History Museum

View resource

Reverse appliqué: make a patchwork letter for a banner about fast fashion and its impact on migrant workers

The Fabric of Protest online September 2022, Image courtesy of People's History Museum

View resource

Use visible mending technique boro patchwork to stitch symbols of healing for Refugee Week 2022

The Fabric of Protest Sashiko stitched hand June 2022 image courtesy @ People's History Museum

View resource

Stitch a May Day ribbon in support of key workers

Key Workers Deserve A Better Deal ribbons by Helen Mather

View resource

Create a rosette celebrating migrant workers

The Fabric of Protest Feb & March 2022 resource images courtesy of People's History Museum (1)

View resource

Stitch a message of hope and welcome for refugees

IMG 8752

View resource

Make a mini banner to protest the Nationality and Borders Bill

The Fabric of Protest November 2021, People's History Museum (20)

View resource

Create a fabric border in opposition to the Nationality and Borders Bill

The Fabric of Protest Fabric Boarder @People's History Museum

View resource

Cross stitch a symbol of solidarity

IMG 8192

View resource

Patchwork cross: a response to the Lampedusa cross

Fabric patchwork cross

View resource

Hapazome: print from nature

Printed pattern of petals and leaves created by Hapazome technique

View resource

Boro patchwork technique: symbolic patchworks

Image shows a patchwork textile piece, it has been made from different colours of material in red, pink, blue, green, brown and white. There is white stitching over the patchwork in vertical lines.

View resource

Create symbols and motifs to represent identity

Image shows a textile piece on white fabric, symbols of hands, water and lips have been stitched using various stitching techniques.

View resource

Use couching to stitch a More in Common message

Image shows textile piece on a white fabric with colourful stitching. The words 'For me More in Common reflects our everyday lives' has been stitched in blue and pink thread. Around the letters are images of kettles and tea pots also in multi-coloured stitching.

View resource

Try a range of stitches to spell out the word TRANSPARENCY

Image shows a textile piece on striped yellow fabric. The letter R has been stitched on using a range of colourful stitches. Around the letter the words 'Risk', 'Regulations' and 'Rana Plaza' have been stitched.

View resource

Stitch a message about garment workers' health & safety

Textile piece with applique techniques

View resource

Visible mending: valuing the skills of garment workers

Textile piece with visible signs of mending

View resource

Quilt a message of hope and solidarity

Textile piece with a message of hope and solidarity

View resource

Reverse appliqué: create a campaign slogan for garment workers' rights

Textile piece with reverse applique

View resource

Patchwork: highlight hidden labour in the garment industry

Textile piece @ The Fabric of Protest

view resource

Weave symbols of industry, migration and textiles

Textile piece using weaving techniques

View resource

Create a 3D textile piece to explore ideas of how to dismantle inequalities

3D Textile piece exploring inequality

View resource

Use appliqué to share hopes about workplaces in the future

Textile piece @The Fabric of Protest

View resource

Embroider support for migrant workers' rights

Textile piece @ The Fabric of Protest

View resource

Climate change collage

Textile piece, The Fabric of Protest May 2020

View resource

Weft technique demonstration

Weaving technique demonstration

Warp technique demonstration

 

Back stitch lettering technique

How to make a protest flag

We use cookies on our website to provide you with a better experience. See our privacy policy for further information. OK