The Tailor’s Tale brings together artistic responses to the famous Wrexham Tailor’s Quilt, created by James Williams between 1842 and 1852. The quilt, now housed permanently at St Fagan’s Museum, is actually a single layer patchwork coverlet made up of 4,525 individual pieces of woolen cloth.

Adam Jones is Wrexham born, London based fashion designer; a contemporary tailor who has been commissioned by Tŷ Pawb to recreate a Wrexham Quilt for 2022. Adam’s quilt is exhibited alongside garments from his own collection.

Painter and printmaker Mark Hearld created a range for Tate Shop inspired by the Quilt, a piece that he has known and loved for many years. The product range is shown here alongside Mark’s original sketchbook and artwork.

Judy Fairless, Anne Gosling, Barbara Harrison and Helen Lloyd are members of the Quilter’s Guild of the British Isles. Exhibited here are their responses to the Wrexham Quilt, created for Llangollen Quiltfest 2017,

Sarah Burton, Creative Director of the fashion house Alexander McQueen, found inspiration for her Autumn/Winter 2020 collection whilst visiting St Fagan’s Museum. Shown here are ‘paper doll’ patterns used within the design process and images from the catwalk show, alongside items from the ready to wear collection.

This exhibition was conceived and realised by the grace and drive of Ruth Caswell, the Award winning costumier and fashion designer, lecturer and enthusiastic supporter of Tŷ Pawb. We dedicate The Tailor’s Tale to Ruth’s memory.

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Image: © Amgueddfa Cymru – National Museum Wales