Friday 30 August 2013

Welsh quilts in Stowmarket

While in the UK, I visited Stowmarket where there was an exhibition of Welsh quilts in Abbot's Hall at the Museum of Anglian Life.

The exhibition is now closed, I'm afraid, and the link above might not function any longer, but here are some photographs:


Thousands of tiny hexagons in this quilt.















Aren't the colours of this quilt just stunning!

This is a photograph of a photograph. Look at that fantastic quilt pattern.
There were not so many quilts and the information was a bit basic (for me anyway) but there were also these display cases of various needlework projects and notions. It was a pleasant introduction to quilting.
A beauty in its own right!

15 comments:

margaret said...

you have certainly seen lots on your visit Queenie. Looking at the sewing machine reminds me of the one Granny had, I cannot recall it had a handle as well as the treadle though.
Safe journey home, think you fly next week

Queeniepatch said...

Are we sisters? MY Granny had such a machine and I, too, was trying to remember if it had a handle or just the treadle!!!

Pippas quilts said...

Such wonderful quilts. My sister still has a singer small hand machine which she lets the grandchildren use, whilst she uses her treadle machine and it still makes perfect stitches.

Elizabeth's quarters said...

I love the hexie quilt, as you say, the colours are fantastic. I'm a big fan of Welsh blankets too, unfortunately they've become very expensive!

Anonymous said...

Lovely quilts, my mum had a treadle sewing machine, it is what I learned to sew on. She has kept a hand sewing machine with the handle which was her aunts, she still uses it as it works better than any electric machine!

Queeniepatch said...

I just had to take a photo of the machine as my grandmother had a similar one. Now I see we all have seen them in use by an older relative. As you say, they often work better than today's fancy ones!

Queeniepatch said...

Of course they are expensive! The patterns are both old fashioned and hyper modern at the same time and would look good in any home. Personally I love the geometric design and the 'draw your eyes into the centre' medallion patterns.
Unfortunately there were not many quilts on display...

Queeniepatch said...

If you can do without the fancy seams or zig-zag, a treadle machine is charming and trustworthy. I'd love to have had my Gran's but alas, it went to machine heaven and I live in cramped quarters anyway...

Cynthia@wabisabiquilts said...

These are lovely quilts in a lovely setting. I like the first one especially. Thanks for sharing!

carorose said...

Those are great photos. There is also a lovely gallery in Wales called "The Welsh Quilt Centre". Their web address is http://www.welshquilts.com and it is a great site. The other place is Jen Jones Welsh Quilts and Blankets there was a youtube piece about this as well at one time. http://www.jen-jones.com The blog http://welshquilts.blogspot.com.au, has some good information.
Why do I have so many links? I have heard that there is a link between the Welsh Quilts and the Amish quilts and that someone in Wales had evidence of this. Haven't found it yet.

Queeniepatch said...

I liked them all but have a special liking for the Welsh wholecloth quilts; like the one in the black and white photograph. I think it is the geometric pattern that is appealing to me.

Queeniepatch said...

Is this the connection you are looking for? http://www.welshquilts.com/component/redshop/67/197/books-dvd-s/P-amish-quilts-and-the-welsh-connection?Itemid=197
I had heard of it too, but can not recall from where.
Jen Jones visited Yokohama International Quilt Week last year with her red and white quilts. Another blogger wrote this:http://www.blossomheartquilts.com/2012/11/yokohama-quilt-festival-2012-bits-and/
By the way, did you read my blog post about the altar cloth in Lyng? http://queeniepatch.blogspot.jp/2013/08/ive-seen-beauty-of-lyng-thanks-to.html
It was such a delight to see it. THANK YOU!

carorose said...

Yes I did see it and sent you a note to your yahoo email. I was both pleased and embarassed. Thank you.

Isabelle said...

oh, what a wonderfull exhibition, I would like to see it. UK is not really far from my home and I nether visit it. it is a shame. I have to found time to do it

Queeniepatch said...

With a bit of research (online e.g.) it is easy to find a reason to go travelling. There are so many nice textile related museums, shows, shops or events to travel to. Great Britain has always something to offer.