Help us finish our healing quilt!
In 2024, a group of us came together at our second annual festival - Ahista Stories Live - and shared our healing practices on a collective story quilt using rescued fabrics and unwanted saris.
Nearly two years on, it's time to finish it, and we'd love you to add your story and what helps you cope with life’s chaos.
Join Natasha Shah - an Indian-Kenyan-British facilitator, graphic designer and social researcher - for a relaxed, beginner-friendly workshop in story quilting techniques from Kutch, Gujarat. During the workshop, you will learn how to appliqué and chain stitch. You are highly encouraged to BYOF (Bring Your Own Fabric) to make your piece truly yours, or choose from a beautiful selection of colourful South Asian fabrics to upcycle.
The finished quilt will be exhibited at Ahista Stories Live 2026. Come and be part of it.
Testimonials
“I loved how interactive and easy flowing it was. The facilitator made me feel very welcome, and the instructions were clear. It was a well-managed space with room to make mistakes and have this celebrated - we really learnt from one another. I thoroughly enjoyed learning a new skill in such a welcoming space. Super creative and enjoyable.”
“I loved the cultural experience of coming together with people from a similar background to me and creating something meaningful, which is a rare opportunity.”
“It was wonderful to be able to meet with other people I may not otherwise speak to in my daily life and reflect on things that are positive to me. Having the opportunity to take part in something creative but accessible was really fun.”
“I felt warm connections with the people I met and also deeper connections with the friends I came with. The session left me feeling fulfilled and a sense of connection to community which was needed after a mentally challenging week. I went into the next week feeling more resilient, focused and energetic.”
About Ahista Stories
We are a community-led educational project shining a light on South Asia’s garment industry and textile artistry. Through our annual festival, workshops, panel discussions and digital content, we work to preserve South Asian heritage crafts while challenging fashion’s waste crisis and garment worker exploitation.
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Venue: The Create Place at St Margaret’s House, 29 Old Ford Road — E2 9PJ
Access: If you have any access needs of which we should be aware, please let us know. Entry to The Create Place is step-free, but the toilet is not accessible. If you require access to an accessible toilet, please get in touch with us on 020 8980 2092 or email programming@stmargaretshouse.org.uk so we can arrange this for you.
Date: Sunday 26th July
Time: 1.30-4.30pm
Tickets:
Pay Less (covers some of our costs) – I am a student, unemployed, on benefits or financially stressed - £8
Standard (covers most of our costs) – I am employed, have some expendable income, and manage to meet my basic needs - £13
Pay it Forward (covers all of our costs and supports our work at SMH) – I am employed or have enough savings to comfortably meet my basic needs - £18