A community quilt created with residents through workshops led by a team of artists.
Common Threads is a year-long community arts programme inspired by the textile collection at 575 Wandsworth Road (National Trust London). I was commissioned as one of four artists leading the programme, working with the National Trust team and volunteers to develop a community project exploring the idea of home.
During our planning sessions, we shaped the overall concept, agreed the theme, and decided that a quilt would hold the stories we hoped to gather. Workshops took place at Battersea Arts Centre, with additional contributions made through community partners. Each artist led a different textile process. My strand focused on block printing and collagraphy, rooted in the textures and colours of the house.
The final quilt brings these pieces together — a collective artwork that holds everyday memories, personal motifs and a sense of belonging.
The Story
575 Wandsworth Road is full of global textile histories and handmade details. A volunteer research project revealed these connections and sparked Common Threads, part of the National Trust’s 575 Ways to Create & Connect programme.
Our artist team co-designed the project with the National Trust. We shaped the workshop structure, set the question “What makes you feel at home?”, and planned an approach that was open, accessible and connected to the textile traditions found in the house.
Creative Process
Each artist delivered their own strand of the programme. My work drew from Khadambi Asalache’s block-printed bedspread, which was my assigned object from the house. I designed workshops in block printing and collagraphy, using a colour palette agreed during our planning sessions.
The block printing sessions explored repeat patterns and simple carved forms. The collagraphy sessions used found textures linked to the house — carpet underlay, twigs, grass and small objects from the garden. These techniques helped participants create personal motifs and patterns that linked memory to place.
Other strands included appliqué, stitch and crochet, led by the other artists. Combined, the work formed a varied collection of textile squares ready for assembly.
Design & Assembly
Artists, residents, volunteers all came together to assemble the quilt, balancing colour, scale and rhythm across all contributions. I designed and printed the exhibition panels and supporting visuals for the display at Battersea Arts Centre.
The exhibition offered a clear and welcoming way for visitors to read the quilt, moving between individual pieces and the collective story.
My Role
I co-designed the programme with the 575 Wandsworth Road team and the other artists. My strand focused on printmaking, where I guided participants through creating motifs and patterns linked to the house’s textile history.
I also designed and produced the exhibition visuals, and supported the final quilt assembly. My role was to guide my part of the programme, collaborate closely with the artist team and help shape a cohesive community artwork.
Community Impact
- 200+ participants contributed to the quilt through workshops and community partners.
- People described stronger connection to neighbours, culture and place.
- The exhibition offered a welcoming space to see personal stories held in public.
- The programme now informs future community-led textile projects.
“
I valued the community aspect, knowing that I’m contributing to something big in a little way.
“
~ Local Resident, Workshop Participant
Partners & Credits
- Programme: Common Threads — 575 Ways to Create & Connect (National Trust London)
- Commissioned By: National Trust London
- Artist Team: Fée Uhssi; Ksenia Kazintseva; Roopa Basu; Elena Lo Presti (Craft Forward)
- Artist Strand (Printmaking) & Exhibition Visuals: Roopa Basu
- Venue Partner: Battersea Arts Centre
- Community Contributors: Residents across Wandsworth and Lambeth (200+ participants)
- With thanks: Volunteers, partner organisations and local craft networks