Churchtown, Athy Quilting Exhibition

In line with this years theme “Exploring our Foundations “ members from our community have been busy creating a quilted wall hanging that will find a permanent home on display in our newly renovated old school at Churchtown, which is now our Churchtown Community Hub.
The old school was built in 1857 together with a cottage for the schoolmaster. The school has been a central focus for this great community since then right up to today with the modern Churchtown National School just across the way.

The quilted wall hanging is a simple depiction of the daily journey to Churchtown school. The quilt also depicts Churchtown graveyard which lies directly behind the school, where many who attended the school now rest.
The purpose of the quilt is thought provoking. To allow each of us to remember our school years, our friends and teachers, our own daily journey there and back home, and the short journey of life.

The wall hanging was made using many skills including hand-dyeing of cotton, hand sewing, patchwork, embroidery, crochet, knitting, appliqué and many techniques of the art of quilting a large piece using a domestic sewing machine.

Being a part of Heritage week and this project has allowed people to come together, meet, socialise, learn and work together, reminisce, make new friendships and renew old friendships.