Edefyn Heddwch | Threads of Peace by Bethan Hughes

Supported by Academi Heddwch, Wales Arts International and Ruthin Craft Centre, this collaborative stitch project led by Ruthin-based artist Bethan M. Hughes was exhibited at Oriel Dory, Llangollen alongside the International Eisteddfod in July 2024. In November 2024, the film and some elements from Bethan’s project will be incorprated into a ‘project celebration’ exhibition at Wales’ Temple of Peace over 16-22 November.

In this short film, Bethan – with voices from participants and visitors – shares her inspiration:

“Each contributor’s signature has been stitched by them by hand, carefully and mindfully. I have embedded them into the finished quilt under lines of quilting stitches which echo the thousands of lines in the Petition. Each signature, each stitch, is a tribute to the women of 1923/4, a thread of connections, and a yearning for peace today.

When I saw images of the Petition, I was struck by the handwriting, and that each woman had been invited to sign her own name in her own hand, a rare opportunity at the time. I chose to work with simple materials, calico and black thread, to reflect the simplicity of the Petition’s paper and ink. The design echoes the fact that the Petition would be 7 miles long laid end to end.

Eleven stitch workshops were held with experienced and novice stitchers coming together to stitch, to chat and to make connections. Members of Merched y Wawr Rhuthun and others came to workshops in Ruthin Craft Centre, and I also held workshops in the North Wales Women’s Centre in Rhyl, in Llangollen and in Yr Ysgwrn, Trawsfynydd. Through the support of Wales Art International, an online workshop was held and we successfully received signatures from women in the United States of America. As I stitched each individual name into the 16 metre-long finished quilt, I reflected on the contributor and the old and new connections between us.

For many of the contributors, stitching their names was an action for peace today, just as our grandmothers took similar action a century ago. Through a quiet, thoughtful and honest action, women’s voices ring out and connect like a thread of peace”.

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Recorded Talk by Bethan Hughes to Academi Heddwch