The ‘Living Quilt’

Earlier this year, Sarah, our Head of Inclusion & Safeguarding Lead, approached Pam, who was working with a group of refugees in a sewing group led by Refugee Action Kingston, for her help in creating a 'Living Quilt'. The Quilt is made from tributes to loved ones (and pets) lost and feelings expressed by attendees at a local Pride event. Here, in her own words, Pam describes the process of creating the 'Living Quilt'.

“Sarah had 94 pieces of work, plus an appliqué banner which had been displayed on the stand and she was trying to find someone to make a quilt from these items! Pandora, the leader of the sewing group immediately asked if I would be willing to take on the project. At that point my best friend and fellow quilter had just died from cancer and had received wonderful kind and compassionate treatment from Princess Alice Hospice and I just felt it was meant to be! Sarah stated she wanted ‘Bling’!- I went to Morris Works in Brighton and found the ‘Shimmer’ range of fabrics- just the job! I added some fabrics I already had with gold on- these were the backing squares & the front sashing.

I cut out 94 backing squares, neutral squares and wadding squares and then removed the ‘Living Quilt’ logo from its pillowcase and appliquéd it onto a piece of neutral fabric

I planned this a a ‘Quilt as you go’ project, which means that every separate tribute was attached to its own wadding, and the stitching was the ‘quilting’. Each piece is now called a ‘block’. I was determined to manage a technique with no hand stitching- I am an instant gratification type of quilter!

These were then sewn together from the back in transverse rows of 10 blocks, then the fronts were joined together with random coloured fabric strips, cut at 1” then folded as per bias binding to make 1/2” strips which were sewn over the front join. The rows were joined in a similar way.

The Living Quilt block had 2 sets of 3 blocks sewn each side, to make a 2 row strip. The Princess Alice Logo was digitised for me by Pandora, and stitched out on my Husqvqrna embroidery machine. This again had blocks sewn either side to make a row.

Sarah, left and Pam, right, with the Living Quilt.

A border – again quilt as you go – was added and the quilt bound and yes, I did hand sew the binding on! Just the label to go now and then the quilt will go to the Dovetail Group for bereaved children at Princess Alice Hospice to add some gems to ‘bling’ up the border and the two large blocks. A great, fun project – although for the first week I was clutching the tissues as I read the tributes!

This has been an amazing project, thanks to all at Pride and Princess Alice Hospice for inviting us to assist with this project and a special thank you to Sarah for her enthusiasm and support and the coﬀee makers at Princess Alice Cafe- your coﬀee is amazing!”

Sarah and her colleagues at the Hospice would like to thank Pam and Pandora for all their hard work in creating the Living Quilt. The Quilt will be out and about touring our care area before it comes back home to the Hospice.

Alain Bakas

We will never be able to thank the team at Princess Alice Hospice enough for the love, care, dignity, and compassion they showed our papa and our whole family. They cared for my papa for a month, and then welcomed him back again for his final 8 days before he passed on 3rd April 2026. Every single member of staff became like family to us during the hardest time of our lives. Their kindness, patience, support, and genuine compassion will stay in our hearts and minds forever. They not only cared for our papa with dignity and respect, but they also supported all of us emotionally every step of the way. We are so grateful for everything they did for our papa and for the comfort they brought him in his final days. Thank you again to the entire team for the incredible work you do every day. You are truly special people, and we will never forget you.

Darek Kubik

The shop in Claygate on Parade is well run and stocked place. The manager Mrs Roheana is helpful and friendly person...well done

Nicola Jeebaun

So grateful for the kind and caring team at Easher. They supported us so much while spending our last days with mum Will always be grateful From the Greenaway family

Stephen Nicholson

I'm deeply grateful for the exceptional care and support provided by Princess Alice Hospice in Esher. Their warm and helpful staff made a significant difference during a difficult time after losing my grandfather to prostate cancer in July 2017. The bereavement team and therapy offered were invaluable in helping me cope with the loss and navigate my grief. I'm thankful for their kindness and dedication. Massive shout out to Lynne my bereavement councillor who was incredible with me, I’ll never forget you.

Jo G

My Mum was there for 3 weeks before she passed away in Nov . The staff and level of care was amazing, she was loved by the staff. They couldn't of done more for her. Myself and my sister were also supported. We donated a large memorial feather in our Mums memory. It's such a shame that most if their funding comes from donations.

Robert Crapnell

1st class care for my wife, I will never forget the care and attention. My will has provsion to say thank you.

Ruby Bhurji

My dad passed away in jan 26th 2005. The staff was amazing. So supportive through our difficult times. They really looked after dad. They always had a smile on their faces. So grateful for everything they did for dad and us. Just want to say a big thank you and keep up with all the hard work you all do.

Rosanna Stech

The call out night service team of Princess Alice were amazing with my Granny in her last few days. She was able to stay in her own home and have their amazing team look after her when we called them. I would like to especially say a big thank you to Camilla who was always so cheerful, professional and put us at ease when we really needed it. She would remember our family members names despite being called out to a number of houses every evening and was always a reassuring voice when she answered the phone. She made a real difference to my Granny’s end of life and I wouldn’t have wanted her to be under any other care. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

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