In the process she and those involved could raise as much as £100,000 for the national charity Alzheimer Scotland. The project was launched in Dumfries on 21st September, to coincide with World Alzheimers Day.

Ann has lived in Mouswald near Dumfries for the last 28 years. A Shetlander by birth, she was introduced to sewing at the age of 6 by the lady next door. “She had an old Singer sewing machine with a pedal, which I loved to use. She would cut up old flour sacks and I would stitch them into wash cloths. Then I moved on to making dolls’ clothes. My grandmother was a quilter and I made my first quilt when I was eight, for my dolls’ pram, out of bits and pieces. I remember dying the materials with tea bags and red ink. I got a row from my mother for making a mess of my white blouse. For as long as I can remember, I have been sewing two pieces of cloth together.”

Ann at work quilting.

Making patchwork has a long tradition world wide. Originally started as a means of creating colourful and serviceable bedding using scrap materials, it has become an art form in its own right. According to research carried out by Glasgow University , it has many benefits, not only as a creative outlet, but it also challenges the brain to work out designs and measurements that will allow the intricate patterns to fit precisely. Today there are quilting groups and classes the length and breadth of the UK. Ann herself runs classes in Clarencefield and Dumfries and has a resource for students at her house, providing fabrics and quilting equipment. There are a number of other quilting groups in Dumfries and Galloway. One of Ann’s students is Kathy Clow. “I absolutely love it,” she says, “- the classes, with the company and bouncing ideas off others. I’ve made several quilts – including a Japanese one”.

Quilting styles and traditions vary the world over and there are many books available for inspiration, as well as instructions and patterns on the internet. “My style is traditional, plus a bit of imagination,” says Ann. “Nowadays I tend to design my own patterns. I use them myself and for my classes. I’m in the process of creating Scottish quilt patterns for Alzheimer Scotland to sell as fund-raisers.”

“My aim was to help them remember. We would chat and I’d record their memories in my work, so that the lap quilts, or even smaller hand-held quilts would trigger memory and keep them talking about the past. Sometimes this was the only reaction that their families ever saw.

Ann has spent the last two years working voluntarily as Quilter-in-Residence for Dumfries and Galloway Health Board, in partnership with Alzheimer Scotland. She met regularly with people with dementia and their families in her own home, in day centres and nursing homes. “My aim was to help them remember. We would chat and I’d record their memories in my work, so that the lap quilts, or even smaller hand-held quilts would trigger memory and keep them talking about the past. Sometimes this was the only reaction that their families ever saw. It’s been an absolute joy to work with these people. When I started the project I made a quilt about my feelings about dementia, very dark and hopeless - not being able to recognise your nearest and dearest and so on. Two years on all that has changed. Those who took part have so much life to look back on, so many memories and in the main they are very happy and contented. We’ve had so many laughs and not a few tears. I’ve also learned one very thing. It’s important to say hello to someone with dementia, but never to say goodbye because they recognise that you are leaving them and it upsets them. They will forget you’ve ever visited and will remain unaffected. Although I did all the sewing that came out of the memories, I involved the people with dementia as much as possible. They chose the fabrics, helped with the cutting and used their own photos to print on the material. The important thing was to get the memory on the quilt and to engage with their remaining skills, strengths and senses. The memories on the quilts will remain after they have gone for families to enjoy.

I also worked with Alzheimer Scotland with men on a reminiscence project through football, making picture memories of their days on the pitch or as a supporter. Like the two brothers who used to sneak under the fence to get into games, the man who remembers taking boiled eggs to the game because his Mum couldn’t afford to give him money for pies and Bovril, even foreign fruits to represent the more recent international flavour of the teams, and of course the team colours. I even used old programmes, and the faces of old players. Hampden got to hear about the project and offered an exhibition at the stadium.” There are currently 65 quilts, all made by Ann on display there.

The idea for covering the pitch came about through a casual conversation.

The idea for covering the pitch came about through a casual conversation. Ann innocently asked if they had a cover for the pitch for rainy weather, like they do in cricket. “We don’t have one big enough”, was the joking reply. “Perhaps you could make one for us!” The idea quickly grew from there, as a way of raising funds and raising awareness about dementia. “We need 5,000 people making one metre square quilts to cove the pitch”, says Ann. “Of course we’ll happily take larger quilts if folk want to make them. We already have 100 quilts in from quilters in the UK, Australia South Africa and America and one or two of them are even double bed size. As they come in we number and photograph each one and store them at Hamden Museum. Sometime in May 2013 when the pitch is free and the weather is fine we will lay them out to cover the pitch, take aerial photos and celebrate. After that there will be a permanent exhibition there, rotating the display of quilts which will all be for sale.

Anyone is welcome to take part, and there are no rules about what to make. You can put memories into the quilt or just sew something you like. There are a couple of patterns on my website for people to use if they want. I’ve even had some teachers enquiring about encouraging children to make squares as a school project. But we do need lots more people to get involved please!”

Ann’s classes in Dumfries and Clarencefield start the week beginning 6th September and an exhibition of the dementia project quilts will be at the Midsteeple in Dumfries in September.

Please send quilts for the project to:

Ann Hill at Mouswald House. Dumfries DG1 4LT. 01387 830638

email: dmhill@btinternet.com. For the quilters' resource, please telephone before visiting.

Website: www.annhillquilter.co.uk

or

Direct to The Scottish Football Museum, Hampden Park, Glasgow G42 9BA

To the local Alzheimer Scotland office at 1 Gordon Street, Dumfries DG1 1EG.