Quilt Study Day in Essex

Here is a report that I am sending to the Region 8 Newsletter:

Region 8 Quilt Study Day - February 28th 2010 in Rochford, Essex

The day that we had planned for so long finally arrived - and it proved a full and interesting day. We all arrived on time, despite the heavy rain and malfunctioning traffic lights. There were 14 attendees - from Chelmsford, Southend, and Suffolk and also Kent and Oxford. The two textile experts, Pauline Adams and Bridget Long, came from Hertfordshire.

First Pauline showed us a range of quilts to highlight regional patterns and styles. North Country quilts included a club quilt, two stamped quilts and a strippy. Then Welsh quilts: a country quilt, a beautiful Rural Industries quilt and a Welsh strippy. We then saw Mary’s Hawick quilt, ending with Pauline’s Red Cross quilt and Bundles for Britain quilt.

Bridget then had the task of explaining about printed fabric dating and dyes, bringing a range of quilts and quilt tops. Pauline brought some family quilts as well. Some of these quilts had been featured in Quilt Treasures. Lots of questions here and close examination of individual fabrics.

After a delicious lunch prepared by Alex, we examined our own quilts brought in to show the group. Even a large hexagon top from the 50’s and rescued from a house clearance was of interest - Bridget warned us that we mustn’t be dismissive of recent history - this quilt was a showcase of 50’s fabric and the papers were social history. Many of the quilts were late 19th and early 20th century but several proved to be older than thought with the oldest c 1800.

The day was rounded off by tea and homemade cakes before everyone departed. All in all a very enjoyable day in which we all learned a lot and also consolidated what we already knew. Many thanks to Pauline Warwick for organising this and for Alex Rankin for hosting this day in her lovely sewing room.

Pippa Moss