NAMES Project AIDS Memorial Quilt

The AIDS quilt is a simple way of referring to the NAMES project, started in 1987 in San Francisco by a group of volunteers.

Its purpose was / is to celebrate the lives of people who have died of AIDS.

Over 44,000 individual panels commemorating a loved one have so far been made by relatives, friends or neighbours.

Techniques used included patchwork, applique, embroidery, fabric painting, collage and needlepoint

Items and materials included in the panels:

• Fabrics, e.g. lace, suede, leather, mink, taffeta, also bubble-wrap and other kinds of plastic.
• Decorative items like pearls, quartz crystals, rhinestones, sequins, feathers, buttons.
• Clothing, e.g. jeans, T-shirts, gloves, boots, hats, uniforms.
• Items of a personal nature, such as human hair, cremation ashes, wedding rings, merit badges, car keys.
• Unusual items, e.g. stuffed animals, records, jockstraps, condoms.

The Project has 30 chapters in the United States and 40 affiliate organisations world-wide.

External link: {http://www.aidsquilt.org AIDS Quilt]

More to follow........