Craft, connection and the power of quilting with Jessie Cutts

Introducing The Patchwork Collective. Liberty’s 150-year story of craft, design and community brought to life: stitch by stitch.

As we prepare to kick off a year of celebration for Liberty’s 150th anniversary in 2025, we’re calling on our craft community to help us mark the occasion, with a very special, collaborative project. The result: the creation of a new piece of art destined to be displayed in Liberty: a supersized patchwork quilt, comprised of hundreds of individual pieces - each created by you.

Despite the physical distances between us, this collective project will connect hundreds of crafters across the length and breadth of the UK: and we can’t wait to hear your stories and see your creations.

With that in mind, we’ll be introducing a few of those involved in The Patchwork Collective, giving a glimpse into their world, their stories and what crafting means to them.

First up, Jessie Cutts, the artist behind Cutts & Sons. Based in Ramsgate, Jessie describes her work as exploring the “possibilities and limitations of form and colour through fabric, using traditional quilting techniques”. But there’s much more to her quilting story than her art, and here, she shares how the craft has encouraged community, connection and self-expression.

Tell us about yourself and your practice.

I’m Jessie Cutts, and I’ve been quilting for about nine years, although I’ve been sewing and making things my whole life. I first started quilting because I wanted to make a quilt for my son’s bed when he moved from a cot to a big bed, but I couldn’t find anything I liked. So, I decided to make one myself. Moving to Ramsgate was a significant turning point; I left my job as a graphic designer to focus on something I loved while my kids were still young. That’s when I started quilting, and it has been a passion ever since.

What do you love about quilting?

Quilting offers such freedom to express myself. My background in graphic design gave me an appreciation for working with flat designs, but quilting allows me to create something both visual and tactile. The fabric becomes like paint, enabling me to craft shapes and forms with a wonderful texture. It’s the combination of art and utility that I find so compelling. Quilts are beautiful, functional, and have the ability to hold memories, particularly when made with fabrics that have a history, such as repurposed clothing.

What does quilting mean to you personally?

Quilting to me is the perfect marriage of design and craft. It lets me be both free and expressive while also using my hands in a meditative way. Quilting connects us to a tradition that spans centuries—it was originally done to keep people warm, but now it carries so much more. There’s something special about creating quilts, especially when incorporating fabrics with sentimental value, like clothing from a loved one. Quilts hold memories, which makes them truly unique.

Has quilting helped you find a sense of community?

Quilting has connected me to a fantastic community, both online and locally. I’ve met some amazing people online, exchanging scraps and collaborating on projects even without meeting in person. Here in Ramsgate, there’s also a wonderful crafting community. For instance, two of my friends, Andrea and Sam, are part of my choir and are incredibly talented—Andrea focuses on embroidery, and Sam is a textile artist. We often come together for craft projects, like making Liberty patches or even baking Christmas cakes. Ramsgate’s community is inspiring, full of people who have chosen a more intentional, creative lifestyle.

Living here has given me more time to focus on my craft and connect with other creatives. The town attracts people from the arts—photographers, designers, stylists—and we often collaborate, even across different crafts. It’s a truly special place where creativity thrives, and I feel fortunate to be part of it.

What excites you about The Patchwork Collective?

I’m thrilled to be working with Liberty, one of the most iconic names in British fabric. My very first quilt, made for my nephew, used Liberty fabrics, so it feels like coming full circle. The Liberty Patchwork Collective celebrates 150 years of the store, and it’s an incredible honour to be involved. It’s a celebration of quilting, community, and the timeless beauty of fabric.

The Patchwork Collective is fascinating because it brings together a community of quilters from across the country. It’s a celebration of fabric, pattern, colour, and all the joy that comes with crafting. It’s not just about creating a quilt; it’s about uniting people through a shared passion for creativity.