The S.C.A.R.D. Quilt

Two years ago I had the idea of putting together a commemorative piece of embroidery. I gathered a small group of willing volunteers together and we decided that the project would be a quilt. This would be dedicated to all those who lost their lives or been injured on the roads of Great Britain.

We first aired the project in the needlework magazines published in Great Britain and soon began to receive pieces of needlework from bereaved families from all over the Country. The challenge was to put them together in an acceptable and attractive way.

We started by backing each individual square with stayflex. This would limit the movement of the fabric and also give it body. We then had to choose a background fabric. After great debate we decided that royal blue satin fabric should be used for this purpose. The squares that had already arrived were so beautiful that we decided to frame each square with braid and managed to find a pale blue braid that complimented the squares and matched the background perfectly. It was now time to start placing the squares onto the backing fabric. We decided to edge the blue satin back ground fabric with a stunning golden yellow, which would act as a frame to the whole project. It is also backed with the same color.

We decided to quilt oakleaves. These have become synonymous with our Oakleaf Memorial Service, which is held each year. (see our news page) All the oakleaves are hand quilted with the large ones appearing at the top and bottom of the quilt. The continous line of oakleaves around the edge was created by cutting a template in half. The backing was then brought over to the front and machine embroidered on the edge to compliment all the other stitching on the quilt. The handling strips were made in the blue satin fabric to contrast with the gold, it hangs on a simple iron bar with scrolls at either end .

The quilt has taken well in excess of 200 hours, this doesn't take into account the hours contributed by the bereaved families on the individual squares. I am indebted to Maureen Aspinall and Sandra Thomas both from Elland for their dedication to this project, often under very difficult circumstances, including the death of Sandra's husband, that makes this quilt the treasure that it is. Additional thanks to Doris, Jean, Barbara, Lesley and June who all stepped in to assist in later stages when we still felt we had a mountain to climb and were beginning to think that the quilt would not be finished on time.

Completed May 1998. Dedicated to our loved ones who have lost their lives or been seriously injured on the roads of Great Britain.

Carole Whittingham

Support and Care After Road Death and Injury.
Sponsored By LARSOA.