Story Donated By Wendy Young

In the summer of 2007 whilst on holiday Canada my cousin and I visited an ‘Antique Barn’at Niagra-On-The Lake in Ontario. There was so much to look at but as soon as we went upstairs my eyes latched onto a large 1930’s-40’s quilt entirely made of Suffolk Puffs (in the US they call them Yo-Yos). As if this wasn’t enough excitement there was a 40% off sale on all textiles!

My intention was to take it apart and re-use the vintage puffs in other design work but the more I looked at it the more I grew to love and appreciate the love and history that had been involved in putting it together and as a result I couldn’t bear to dismantle it.

This year I decided to make my own version and, as an artist working primarily in denim, I themed my design around the influence of denim in society from its humble origins to its current designer status. My new quilt is made from over 300 puffs embellished with reclaimed buttons collected from charity shops.
Wendy Young

Story Donated By Helen Darroch

I found this dear little blue bag on a trip to Woodstock, New York on our way to visit friends for New Years Eve.

The shop is called “Castaways” and if anyone is ever in Woodstock, I highly recommend a rummage. I have been there 3 times and come out with great stuff on all occasions.Home of the famous festival (although it didnt actually take place in the town, but somewhere in a 100 mile radius), one would expect to find wild patterned polyester numbers and crocheted kaftans - and you can!

This village has a rich history including a large arts and crafts artists colony that started in the 1920’s. There are mountains, glittering streams, forests and lots of fresh air that many a New Yorker craves, making it a common place for New yorkers to have a second home.

This bag could have belonged to any one; a cocktail bag for a socialite from the Upper West Side? Someone’s Sunday best…who knows. But I love it and have worn it on many an occasion.

At the moment it contains a handful of sour gummy bears that I speedily emptied from a typically enourmous bag of candy we bought whilst at the cinema with my husband and four year old son.
Helen Darroch