Piece by piece, a hopeful vision
We did it! We created a quilt that displays a vision for a more perfect union, where liberty and justice for all is real for everyone. At a moment of rising fascism and accelerating attacks on human rights, democracy, and the environment, this project asserts a simple truth: the power belongs to the people.
Now we must all work hard to realize this vision!
So many hearts and hands collaborated to create this strong and hopeful statement: many more than 200 people made 246 unique, large squares,
that were then sewn together into a bold vision for a peaceful, just nation.
And we displayed it all at once on July 4.
But we are still here, sharing our story of hope!
We are always seeking opportunities to display the quilt and inspire more people to make projects that combine creativity and activism! Invite us to your event or venue!
Even though our local Quilt Starter Workshops have ended,
we are sharing the Project Instructions here, posted for anyone , anywhere to follow!
The quilts were all displayed in Santa Rosa's Old Courthouse Square on July 4. Photo: Patti Brunelle
Read about the project
Hopeful Resistance, How We Made This + Acknowledgements
Hopeful Resistance, How We Made This + Acknowledgements
Hopeful Resistance, How We Made This + Acknowledgements
Download this PDF to read! (Note: for the web, we pulled out The Quilts section as a separate download)
The Quilts, A - Z
Hopeful Resistance, How We Made This + Acknowledgements
Hopeful Resistance, How We Made This + Acknowledgements
This content is also on our website, but this is a printable PDF version (large file!)
What's Next?
Hopeful Resistance, How We Made This + Acknowledgements
What's Next?
Where do we go from here? How can we build on this and get this quilt seen in more places? Visit our Contact Us page to provide your input and sign up for our mailing list.
From inexperienced to experts, all are welcome
Don't know how to sew? No problem!
Open to individuals of all ages, groups, and makers of every skill level—no prior experience required. Panels may be sewn or no-sew and created using a wide range of materials and techniques. Use your favorite choice of media: including quilting, emboidery, applique, photo transfer and more.
Perfection is not the goal.
Our Vision, Our Collective Voice
Everyone is invited to design and create a quilt panel that shows what matters most to them and the future they imagine. When all the panels are stitched together, they will form a powerful, collective expression of our community’s hopes, care, and commitment—to one another, to our country, and to the world.
Informed by History
There is a thread throughout history of quilts that have driven social and political change. Our project is informed by this history and specifically modeled after the National AIDs Memorial quilt project. Considered the largest community arts project in history, with over 50,000 panels, the AIDS Memorial Quilt helps us remember the unique lives and stories of those we’ve lost to HIV/AIDS.
Dreaming Big, Together
We've got big goals
- We want to get at least 100 panels made for this quilt project by a broad coalition of people and organizations in the community during the months of February, March and April. We will hold workshops to get people started.
- We are not only piecing a quilt, but building a beloved community of trust, joy and care between people who participate in the project.
- Share the idea! We invite people and groups in other areas to replicate the quilt project in their area.
- We will share our process on this website and on Instagram as the project moves forward. @wethepeoplequilt
- We will sew the panels together in time for a public display at a local Independence Day Event on Saturday, July 4, 2026 in Santa Rosa, CA (Event time, location and details pending confirmation)
Workshops & Meetups
Quilt Starter Workshops provided the groundwork and materials to get started
The Quilt Starter Workshops have two parts:
- Project introduction, thematic brainstorming and technical and design information for completing your panel. Participants that decide to join the project, will be provided a square cotton muslin panel to use as the panel base. (~1 hour)
- Open studio time to start designing and creating your panel (optional to stay for this, but its the fun part-2 hours)
We offered many Quilt Starter Workshops at locations in Sonoma County in February, March and April. Check our Event Calendar for details.
Our workshops help you plan your design
Hope Sustains Us
Let's Picture Our Hopes Together
Hope provides the energy to continue when things are difficult, fostering perseverance, adaptability, and creative problem-solving. Hope for a better future motivated historical movements, from suffrage to civil rights, allowing people to act despite not knowing if or when they would succeed. Finding joy, building connections, and creating community are ways to actively resist despair and strengthen movements from the ground up.
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Join the Challenge!
Let's make VOTING the latest trending fashion!
Upcycle an old garment from your closet or from the thrift store. Use your creativity to transform it into a bespoke fashion statement about the importance of voting!