Threads of History: Repatriating Canadian World War II Quilts

This exhibition highlights a unique chapter in Canadian history during World War II. It features 20 quilts from the MLC Research Centre Archive at Toronto Metropolitan University, made by Canadians individually and in groups to help survivors during the London Blitz. These textiles not only visualize the craftsmanship of the women who created them but also reflect the resource shortages faced during wartime. Displayed for the first time, these quilts speak of the women’s dedication, patriotism, and ingenuity in response to wartime needs.

Among the highlights is the Toronto Signature Quilt, made in Toronto in response to the Blitz. Other quilts were knitted in blocks by children and assembled at night by their mothers. In 2023, surviving quilts were repatriated to Canada with accompanying oral histories, thanks to the Canadian Red Cross Quilt Research Group in the UK. The collection exhibited is the largest of its kind and is being studied by the TMU War Quilt Research Task Force.

The exhibition also includes hand-drawn sketches from the MLC War Quilt Research Task Force, highlighting unique features such as wear and tear.

This multidisciplinary project brings together students, faculty, and research associates from across Toronto Metropolitan University in partnership with the Office of Councillor Chris Moise.