Embroider your name into the history of the Borough

Emma Kershaw and Alison Cooper

Middleton Library is preparing for artist Lynn Setterington's inspirational community workshop on Monday 15 July as she engages in a new textile project to capture and document a snap shot of people living in Middleton, Heywood, Rochdale and the Pennines.

The project, 'Please Sign Here' is inspired by a historic quilt from Rochdale Arts and Heritage Service Museum collection. Made for the charity the NSPCC the quilt is embroidered with two hundred and fifty signatures of prominent Rochdale residents from 1895, over 115 years ago.

In response to the historical quilt, from July to September artist Lynn Setterington will be asking residents of the Rochdale borough to add their signatures to create a new quilt in 2013. As part of the project researcher Dr Alison Slater will also be finding out more about the significance of the original quilt. The two quilts will be presented together in an exhibition at Touchstones Rochdale from December 2013 - March 2014.

From July to September Lynn is leading a number of workshops and drop-in sessions across the borough to enable as many people as possible to contribute and sew their signatures into history. Senior Library and Information Assistant Emma Kershaw met with Arts and Heritage Assistant Alison Cooper to discuss how the session will work at the library. Emma was extremely keen to add her signature to the quilt and sign one of the blank textiles pieces. Emma said, "The project is very exciting for residents of the borough and it's great that a session can take place at Middleton Library to include as many local resident's signatures as possible."

Artist Lynn Setterington will be visiting Middleton Library on Monday the 15th July from 1pm-3pm. Both novice and accomplished stitches alike are encouraged to embroider their signatures to squares of fabric which will make up the quilt. Lynn will be on hand to give expert guidance, so even if you haven't embroidered before you can still take part. The project is purposefully inclusive and open to all adults. It does not require complex skills or prior knowledge. If you'd prefer to just provide your written signature, volunteers will be on hand to embroider it for you.

If you are unable to attend the drop-in session at Middleton Library but would still like to take part, textile packs with all the necessary materials and information will be available to collect from and return to Touchstones Rochdale. You could even set up your own signature sewing session with friends. Just hand them in to Touchstones before 3 September 2013.

Lynn Setterington is an internationally recognised artist specialising in textiles. She has work in major museum collections including the V&A Museum, the Whitworth Art Gallery, Denver Art Museum and the International Quilt Study Center in the USA and has undertaken a wide range of engagement projects with groups throughout the North West of England.

Dates of public sessions:

• Monday 15 July - Middleton Library 1pm-3pm
• Saturday 27 July - Touchstones Rochdale OL16 1AQ 12noon-4pm
• Tuesday 30 July - Phoenix Centre, Heywood 10am-12noon
• Tuesday 30 July - Knitty Gritty at Touchstones Rochdale OL16 1AQ 1.30pm-3.30pm
• Saturday 3 August - Ebor Studio, William Street, Littleborough OL15 8JP 2pm-4pm