14/03/12 This week the Stitch and Craft Show, Future Publishing’s annual flagship craft event, is set to host a very special exhibition with a world-exclusive display of over 400 quilts, all made especially for the London 2012 Olympics.
A Gift of Quilts is the culmination of a project launched three years ago by organisers Sharron Garrick and Jenny Rundle, who wanted to use their experience as patchwork quilters to create something special for the 2012 Olympics. The finished product is a sight to behold – a collection of 419 beautiful patchwork quilts, made by around 10,000 stitching volunteers from all walks of life.
Taking place in London’s Olympia 2 between the 15th – 18th March, the Stitch and Craft Show is the only place in the world that the public can see the quilt collection together, before they’re given as good will tokens to countries competing in this year’s Olympic, and Paralympic Games, and later the Special Olympics.
Sharon Garrick, co-founder of the project A Gift of Quilts, says: “We took this idea from a similar project that came from the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, and we’ve been overwhelmed by the response since we launched our appeal for quilts. So many different people have contributed to making these quilts – from girl guides to prison inmates. The number of quilts we’ve received, and the imagination involved in their design is astounding so I can’t wait for them to be given to our Olympic guests as a unique symbol of friendship from the British people.”
The Stitch and Craft show is pleased to be able to display the quilts given in Atlanta to Sir Steve Redgrave CBE (as UK flag bearer 1996) and Richard Palmer CBE (as UK Chef de Mission 1996). Richard Palmer has kindly accepted the organiser’s invitation to visit the exhibition.
Kerry Lawrence, Group Publisher of Future’s Craft Portfolio, says: “We’re thrilled that the Stitch and Craft Show has the honour of hosting this world-exclusive display. Future has been publishing high quality craft magazines for over 20 years and is proud to support an initiative that perfectly demonstrates the creativity and passion of the British nation.”
Aside from the quilting wonder, there are lots of other reasons to visit the Stitch and Craft show this year. There’s a packed workshop programme and Future’s market-leading craft magazines will be there including The Knitter, Simply Knitting, and Cross Stitcher. Contemporary craft title Mollie Makes will even have its own furnished yurt, which is hosting some exclusive book signing sessions with exciting craft authors.
Andrew Salmon, Show Organiser from Twisted Thread, says: “This year the Stitch and Craft show will be bigger than ever. We’ve got different areas for cross stitching, knitting and papercraft, as well as almost 200 exhibitors, so there will be lots to keep guests entertained. Big names from the craft world such as Emily Peacock and Mr X Stitch will be in attendance, so this really is a show not to be missed.”
The Stitch and Craft show is taking place from 15th – 18th March in London’s Olympia 2 – tickets cost £12 on the door.
ENDS
For more information please contact Amy Bullen, Communications Executive on 01225 732260 or amy.bullen@futurenet.com.
About Future: Future plc is an international special-interest media group and leading digital publisher, listed on the London Stock Exchange (symbol: FUTR). Founded in 1985 with one magazine, today we have operations in the UK, US and Australia creating 200 special-interest publications, apps, websites and events. We hold market-leading positions in Games, Film, Music, Technology, Cycling, Automotive and Crafts. Our biggest-selling products include T3, Total Film, Classic Rock and Official Xbox Magazine. Our websites include gamesradar.com, bikeradar.com, musicradar.com and techradar.com (the UK’s number one consumer technology website). Future sells 2.5 million magazines each month; we attract more than 36 million monthly unique visitors to our websites; and we deliver over 100 digital editions and bespoke apps on tablet. Future exports or syndicates publications to 89 countries, making us the UK’s number one exporter and licensor of magazine content. Future was named Consumer Digital Publisher of the Year at the Association of Online Publishers Awards 2011.