Lahti City Theatre’s Beatles Story transformed from a play into a quilt - the work of amateurs’ hands can now be admired in the theatre’s upper lobby

Quilting was put up on the wall at the Lahti City Theatre when quilting enthusiasts created their own versions of the plays at the theatre, which is celebrating its anniversary.

Lahti City Theatre turns 100 this year. To mark the occasion, a wide range of theatre history has been gathered in the theatre’s lobby: scale models of sets, costumes, theatre props and photographs from different decades.

The Lahti Tilkkukilta is also celebrating its anniversary.

According to Vahter, the exhibition was also intended to increase the appreciation and status of quilting as a craft.

– The patchwork has literally gone up on the wall in recent years. It is often imagined that this is just making quilts. After all, it is that, but also everything else.

Colorful patchwork against a gray brick wall. In the right picture, a pink wooden sculpture on the wall and under it a round table with flowers and a guest book. — The Theatre Memories exhibition features dozens of quilt works based on plays performed at the Lahti City Theatre.

Good quilting is properly quilted

The 21 patchwork pieces on display in the upper hall of the theater have been made using different techniques.

– In order for a craft to be called patchwork, it must have three layers, i.e. the outer fabric and the middle and background fabric, explains Merja Vahter.

In several works, appliqué, i.e. topstitching technique, is used, where the pattern is sewn onto the fabric with a machine.

And how do you recognize good patchwork?

– Because it is properly quilted. Quilting is the most essential thing!