The Gift of Christmas

Last Christmas, Fabric of Britain partnered with MAST Studios (Mayflower Theatre) in Southampton on The Gift of Christmas, a project created alongside their production of A Christmas Carol. Working with Caraway’s Memory Cafés at Lord’s Hill Church and Potter’s Court, we spent time listening to participants’ memories of Christmas past, helping them to translate those moments into quilt blocks.

Here are some of the stories, shared in participants’ own words.

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“In 1965, I lived in Dewsbury, West Yorkshire, and worked as a nurse. At Christmas, we would go around the ward singing carols for the patients. My design shows me carol singing in my red nurses’ cloak. Normally black with a red lining but at Christmas we would turn them inside out so they showed red for the carol service.” - Elizabeth

“When I was young we would get an orange and a lump of coal in our stocking. The orange we would eat and the lump of coal we would put on the fire. I loved Christmas. We would make all our own decorations and put real candles on the Christmas tree.” - Nigel

“One Christmas, when I was young, I woke up at 3am and saw my stocking at the bottom of the bed. I was so excited that I started opening my presents, but my Mum heard me and told me to go back to sleep. When I woke in the morning, I discovered that my Dad had made me a bungalow dolls’ house, complete with real wallpaper inside and had made my brother a fort. It was a magical Christmas.” - Jane

“Peace and Pudding is about the peace and easiness of being a child at Christmas. There was no rush or chaos and everyone would sing carols as part of the church choir. At Gran’s house, there was always plenty of Christmas pudding and all the family gathered around. We made music, we sang and it was a happy time.” - John

“When I was young we always got a real Christmas tree. The needles used to drop and the lights were magical. It wasn't big but it made Christmas special for us. My tree shows the colourful baubles. This is a picture of my Grandson and Great granddaughter proudly showing their gingerbread cookies. These photos of my grandchildren is what makes my Christmas special.” - Mary