Contribute to our Shared Pieces: Community Patchwork Project!

We invite everyone — all ages and skill levels —  to participate in our quilt installation.

Use your favorite fiber art technique to decorate a fabric square that represents you.
Share your story through fiber!

Last year, 800 fiber art flowers were donated to our Flora Borealis community project and winter garden. This year, we want to see YOU in fiber — whether that’s a portrait of yourself or something that represents you.

Here are some questions to spark inspiration for your square:

  • How would you describe yourself?
  • What fibers, techniques, and colors best communicate your personality?
  • What brings you joy?
  • What’s important to you?
  • What would you like others to know about you?

Feeling inspired? Channel those ideas into your square! We’ll piece together all of the donated squares into a patchwork quilt installation at Textile Center — revealed during our Fiber Art for All Open House on February 22, 2025.

Stop by Textile Center and pick up an 8.5” cotton fabric square, and create your artwork within the 8” inner square outline. If you use your own 8.5” fabric square, be sure to leave a ¼-inch border on each side for a seam allowance. This will ensure your pieces fit well when stitched into the quilts.

Drop off your completed portrait patch at Textile Center anytime between now and February 1, 2025 (the sooner, the better!). Leave your portrait with a team member at the Shop, and sign our intake form so we can add your name to our artist list.

Let’s keep the environment in mind! Some of the quilts will be displayed outdoors, adding color and community spirit to Textile Center’s corner of the Prospect Park neighborhood during the winter. Since the quilts will be exposed to the elements, please make sure your square doesn’t have loose pieces that could blow away in the wind, and try to use natural fibers.

Interested in helping with the quilt assembly? Sign up for our email list to join stitching sessions this fall and winter.

Textile Portrait Video Tutorials

Hand Embroidery Portrait
Artist Credit – Embroidery and Diy

How to Make Portrait Collage with Fabric Scraps
Artist Credit – Tonye Raine

How to Make a Lino Cut Portrait Print Inspired by German Expressionism
Artist Credit – Frank Curkovic

How to Wet Felt a ‘Selfie’ Picture or Portrait
Artist Credit – Gilliangladrag Ltd

Felt Collage Inspired by Maud Lewis
Artist Credit – Art Gallery of Alberta

Beadwork Tutorial for Beginners: One Needle Method
Artist Credit – Two Wolf Studio

Sashiko Boro-Inspired Quilt Mug Rug Made with Fabric Scraps
Artist Credit – Xiaoxiao Yarn

Rug Hooking Beginner Intro Tutorial how-to fiber craft handcraft DIY
Artist Credit – Ribbon Candy Rug Hooking & Punch Needle Club

Punch Needle For Beginners | Everything You Need to Know to Get Started with Punch Needle Right Away
Artist Credit – Raising Nobles

Need some more inspiration? Here are some artists that use textile techniques in their portraiture!

“Rapture Means Being Taken Into The Clouds” 2014
Sylvie Franquet
Website | Instagram

“La Gringa Roja” 2019
Robert Forman
Website | Facebook

“Andrew Fortgang” 2009
Jo Hamilton
Website | Instagram

On a Summer Midnight you can hear the Music” 2020
Jeni Ross
Website | Instagram

“Diary of my subconscious” 2022
Livia Papiernik
Website | Instagram

“The unspoken” 2015
Monica Gallon
Website | Instagram

“Just When I Thought I Was Queen” 2020
Marcia Bennet-Male
Website | Instagram

“Pure Finder” 2021
Tabitha Arnold
Website | Instagram

“Disappeared 4”
Frances Crowe
Website | Instagram 

“Paid for Pain” 2022
Lauren Austin
Website | Instagram

“Broom Jumpers” 2019
Bisa Butler
Website | Instagram

“cartograFACE_03” 2021
Pamela Campagna
Website | Instagram

“A1. 2 FACES” 2024
Anthony Stevens
Website | Instagram

“self-portrait-no-68”
Sue Stone
Website | Instagram

“No Cohesive Storyline” 2024
Michael C. Thorpe
Website | Instagram