Lorna Lambert, puppets, 2017, mixed media, calico, fabric paint, embroidery, beading, stuffing, made for a project with the Watts Gallery around the work of James Henry Pullen, based on Mammon by George Frederick Watts. Photo: Thierry Bal

East London Textile Arts (design by Sonia Tuttiett), wall hanging, 2016, appliqued, embroidered, and hand-painted patches by group members, representing a walk through history from 1901 to 2014 along the Romford Road, Newham, from the Old Library to the New Library, based on contemporary and archival photographs. Photo: Thierry Bal

East London Textile Arts (design by Sonia Tuttiett), wall hanging, 2014, representing oral hygiene conditions, appliqued embroidered panels by group members with printed background fabric by ELTA, designed by Celia Ward, for the Dental Hygiene Project in association with Kings College School of Dentistry. Photo: Thierry Bal

Sicily George, waistcoat, 2019, front side: printed fabric by ELTA featuring embroidery by Halima Begum and Sicily George, as part of the “Orientalism” project, in association with the Watts Gallery and the Art Workers’ Guild. Photo: Thierry Bal

Sicily George, waistcoat, 2019, back side: applique and embroidery by Sicily George as part of the “Orientalism” project, in association with the Watts Gallery and the Art Workers’ Guild. Photo: Thierry Bal

Malayalee Association Elders sewing group, 2010, appliqued pieces of embroidery patchworked onto a quilted and richly decorated background. It illustrates the lives and interests of the group members, who were all over 60 and of Hindu and Christian faith backgrounds. The piece includes images of deities, London landmarks, hobbies, memories of their homelands, and religious ceremonies.