Leighton-Linslade Corona Quilt Project

The Leighton-Linslade Corona Quilt features 83 individual squares, each telling a personal viewpoint of the pandemic. You can see it at Leighton Buzzard library until at least the end of spring 2022.

The idea came from a local resident in January 2021, shortly after the third lockdown was announced. Through Facebook and with help from Leighton-Linslade Town Council, people from the Leighton Buzzard area were encouraged to stitch a design that illustrated their experience of coronavirus and lockdowns. People of all ages took part, using whatever material and thread they had available, such as fabric scraps, old clothing and pillowcases. The resulting topics range from bird song to bad hair – and everything in between, conveying the range of emotions that people felt.

Over the summer of 2021, eight volunteers joined the squares and then stitched everything by hand to create a quilt that has been given to the town council as a historical record.

As part of the project, there is an accompanying book that explains the symbolism behind the different designs. The book is available from the library for £10, with proceeds going to local charity Leighton Linslade Helpers, which provides assistance and support to local people in times of hardship.