Stitchstory is an innovative community project to create a collective artwork using the medium of hand embroidery that portrays the history of Tewkesbury. It is a 6-metre central panel portraying the history of the town surrounded by a community border, it has been made in local workshops reaching over 8,300 people. The town community were asked to take the time to add a stitch, so stitch by stitch the artwork grew.

Stitching happened in schools, youth groups, businesses, at markets, the leisure centre, at sporting and community events, on the streets, in people’s homes with so many people taking the time to add a stitch, to make their mark. Some represent memories such as fish and chips by the river; landmarks of the town, others represent the communities and organisations that support us. The list is long and not exhaustive. These were then made into three companion banners to be displayed alongside the panel. With so much support from the town, the original concept of one piece of work has become a gallery of four!

Stitchstory was the initial idea of Community Artist Jo Teague, who delivered the project and has supported it throughout. Stitchstory was produced by Megan Dunford, Community Engagement Producer at Tewkesbury Culture and The Roses Theatre and was documented and illustrated by Sam Morris, artist and illustrator.