What is Common Threads?
Common Threads is a diocese-wide community craft project that has brought together the creativity, stories and textile skills of schools, community groups, local businesses and individuals from across the diocese.
Inspired by the Jubilee Oak Table for the Nation at Lichfield Cathedral and created in partnership with The Fabric Vault, the project has resulted in a striking table runner which measures over 13 metres. Made up of hundreds of individually decorated textile squares, the finished runner is a powerful collective artwork.
About the runner
The table runner has been assembled by The Fabric Vault using textile squares created by contributors from across the diocese. Each square represents something meaningful to its maker — a personal story, a connection to the Cathedral or the wider diocese, or an expression of who they are.
A wide range of textile techniques have been used, including embroidery, sewing, fabric painting, knitting, crochet and felting. Together, these individual contributions have been brought into a single piece that celebrates creativity, community and shared purpose.
Following the celebration of the completed table runner on 26 March, the runner will be carefully stored before it is exhibited in the Cathedral again, in June. At that time, it will be displayed in the Cathedral alongside interpretation that acknowledges every contributor and celebrates the shared effort behind the work.
Celebration of Common Threads
Thursday 26 March 10:00-17:00
A Service of Celebration 10:30-11:15
To mark the completion of the project, contributors, supporters and members of the public are invited to a special celebration at Lichfield Cathedral.
The completed Common Threads runner will be on display Thursday 26 March, 10:00–17:00, with a service at 10:30am. This will be an opportunity to see the finished table runner in its entirety for the first time – a special preview ahead of its exhibition in June – and to give thanks for the creativity and community that made Common Threads possible.
All are welcome. Entry by donation.
Further information
If you have any questions about Common Threads or the celebration event, please contact suzie.santomassimo@lichfield-cathedral.org