THIS IS AN INTRIGUING CELEBRATORY COLLABORATION. WHAT EXACTLY IS THE PATCHWORK COLLECTIVE?

The Patchwork Collective is a large-scale, community-led art installation created to mark Liberty’s 150th anniversary. It brings together over 1,500 individually handcrafted patchwork squares, contributed by Liberty’s creative community from across the UK and beyond. Each square represents a personal story or tribute to Liberty’s legacy in art, design, and craft –  collectively forming a striking patchwork house, celebrating Liberty as a home for generations of creatives.

WHAT WERE THE DIRECTIVES YOU GAVE APPLICANTS TO MAKE EACH SQUARE?

Applicants were invited to create a 25 x 25 cm square using Liberty Fabrics, incorporating their personal expression of what Liberty means to them. There were no strict rules – the only guidance was to create something heartfelt, using textile techniques such as quilting, embroidery, appliqué, or hand-stitching. The freedom of interpretation was intentional, and the result is a deeply diverse tapestry of artistic expression, united by the common thread of Liberty.

WAS THIS A COMPETITION WITH A WINNING SQUARE, OR SQUARES?

The Patchwork Collective was not a competition – there were no winners or judging process. Every single square submitted was accepted and is represented in the final installation, either in the house itself or in Patchwork Books surrounding the House. The project was designed to be inclusive and democratic, reflecting the creativity and warmth of the Liberty community. The result is a living artwork where professional artists and first-time makers are shown side by side. All Patchwork submissions will become part of the Liberty archive once the viewing period is over. 

WHAT IS THE SYMBOLISM OF “THE PATCHWORK HOUSE”?

The concept of building a patchwork house came from Liberty’s Managing Director, Sarah Coonan – Who is an avid quilter herself. The aim is to symbolise Liberty as a home for artistry, design, and community for the past 150 years. A house felt like the most evocative and emotional structure to reflect that. The installation stands at approximately 3.5 metres tall and 5.5 metres wide, with every inch covered in hand-crafted squares. It is both a sculptural centrepiece and a storybook made from fabric.

WHERE CAN WE VISIT THE PATCHWORK HOUSE AND HOW IS IT EXPERIENCED?

The Patchwork House is located on the first floor of Liberty’s Regent Street store, just beyond the iconic atrium. Visitors are invited to walk around the house and take in its intricate details up close. While the structure is not designed to be entered or physically touched – in order to preserve the delicate craftsmanship – its presence is immersive. You can linger with it, read the stories behind some of the squares, and experience a tapestry of creativity stitched together in one communal act of making.

WHAT DO YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH WITH THIS EXHIBITION?

At its heart, this exhibition is about celebrating the power of creativity to connect people. The Patchwork Collective honours Liberty’s long-standing relationship with artists and makers, and it offers a moment for reflection on our shared history – not just Liberty’s, but that of our community, our culture, and how we use creativity to express identity, joy, and resilience. It’s a tribute to the hands and stories behind the fabric.

CHEERS TO YOUR CREATIVE CELEBRATION!  WHY DO YOU THINK THERE WAS SUCH A LARGE RESPONSE TO THE CALL FOR SQUARES?

At the heart of Liberty is an incredibly loyal crafting community, deeply connected to our heritage in fabric and print design. For generations, Liberty Fabrics have been part of people’s most meaningful moments – from wedding dresses to home creations, creative projects to family heirlooms. When we put out the open call, people responded not just with fabric, but with genuine feeling. It became an invitation to contribute to something collective and lasting – a stitched-together portrait of what Liberty means to the people who have shaped and been shaped by it.