BQSG Seminar Papers 2014

This years papers were especially interesting...but I always find them an interesting and varied selection....

The first presentation was by Sara Impey, a look back at 30 years of Quilt Art (a group here in the UK) as well as the development of her own quilts. From those first Secret Garden quilts, lettering has become an important theme in Saras quilts. The early aspirations and hopes were contrasted with susequent achievements.

Dorothy Osler then gave a paper on the two diaries of Muriel Rose, which she studied as part of the V & A exhibition research. These were two small notebooks giving details of visits to quilters in Wales and Co. Durham. The first visit was factfinding for the Rural Industries Bureau and dates from the mid 1930's. The second was a trip with Mrs FitzRandolph in April 1954, when the latter was writing her Traditional Quilting book for Batsford. The diaries, although field notes and made for different purposes, are valuable as they give names and locations of various quilters, made during brief visits to each. Sketches of quilting designs are made and assessments of the quilter's neediness and ability are made. In each visit, a dozen Welsh quilters were recorded, as well as about 35 north country quilters. Bearing in mind that the sample is an extremely small one , Osler was able to extract some simple percentages from the data. These figures do show that the average age of quilters had increased by the second visit, also that  the transfer of skills had become formalised post war. The location of quilters in both areas showed a strong correlation with mining. Most interesting to Liz and I was the discovery that the Page Bank pattern mentioned as very common by FitzRandolph, is a paired feather pattern also known as festoon feathers.

Dr Archer and Mr Jeffrys then gave a very moving paper on Women's Embroideries of Internment Camps 1941-1945. Six embroideries were shown....5 from Singapore and one from Hong Kong. Very moving.

The final paper on Saturday was one given by Alison Carter on a mosaic patchwork with the words PEACE GIVE GOD THE PRAISE BLUCHER, dating to 1814. Some really fascinating research here! Looking forward to rereading the paper in Quilt Studies!

On Sunday, Janet O'Dell gave an excellent paper on the Braddlyll quilt, a silk hexagon quilt made by three unmarried sisters who lived in Cumbria and Hampton Court. A high status quilt, with lots of detailed history of the family.

After coffee, Margaret Nichol introduced Beamish's two newest acquisitions....two further wedding dresses quilted by Amy Emms. Very exciting! Margaret Bauldrey told of progress with the Talking Quilts  project, and Amanda Davidge showed a quilt she used with dementia patients to spark memories and conversations.

We all look forward to seeing these in print in Quilt Studies. We also look forward to next years seminar in Manchester! Thanks to all involved in the organisation of this weekend.

BQSG Seminar in Worthing 2014

This year's BQSG seminar was held at the Chatsworth Hotel in Worthing. This is on the south coast, not far from Brighton. I was lucky this year, as I was able to get a lift with Hilary, who also lives in Suffolk. What a treat....not having to battle with the M25 or Dartford Crossing! Although I must say, no heavy traffic this year.

Everyone stayed at the same venue this year...the food was excellent and we had a nice room for our seminar. The young staff seemed very attentive. My only complaint was that the room was very warm -you could practically grow bananas - but otherwise, very pleasant.

The group discussed the seminar format, and we all agreed that staying at one location, with evenings free for discussion, seemed the most agreeable recipe. Many thanks to Susan who has very successfully organised the last four years seminars. Next year's seminar will be held on October 16 -18 2015 in Manchester, at the Luther King Conference Centre. More details in the next issue of Culcita, or the BQSG website.

It was interesting to see the Pier, so close to the hotel. It is very sedate compared to our more raffish Felixstowe here in Suffolk! Worthing has many elegant buildings from the 1930's.

On Friday, two groups were able to view quilts in the Worthing Museum. Textiles and costume have always  formed a major part of the Worthing Museums collection, and we were able to look at the museum display cases of costumes and textiles. Some other textiles items were also set out in the workroom for us to look at. There were gloves, shoes, pockets and other embroidered items....

Many commented that hexagons seemed the order of the weekend, both at the museum, and in the papers presented. From my notes, I think this is an quilt made by Anne Silk, finished in 1852. The fabrics are nicely arranged, with repeats of the striped fabrics.

Close up of the above quilt....

This is a table cover, judging from the braid around the edges....the centre dates from 1820-1850. The outer borders and braid are younger, 1870-1880. The blue fabric in the outermost border has bled...the fabrics contain some linen. Cotton thread came into use in the 1820s-1830's...linen thread is seen here?

Another photo of our group and the curator, seen at right with the gloves. What a stack of quilts! More on the seminar talks in the next post.

Bowes Museum Exhibition Catalog, 1963

 Here is a small catalog that I bought recently. It dates from 1963 and relates to an exhibition of quilts held at the Bowes Museum, and sponsored by Durham County Council. The Womens Institute also seems to have had a major involvement in this exhibition, if the credits are anything to go by!

There were 40 quilts shown....each is described and the owner or maker is given. Most were loaned by private individuals, although some of these quilts have now made their way into museum collections.

Only a few illustrations of quilts, but each quilt is given a short description...the quilts are grouped as follows: Northumberland quilts, Durham quilts, Cumberland quilts, Westmoreland quilts and Yorkshire quilts (the last three, rather small groups!) Templates and quilting frames were also on display.

A few photos are given, but the quilt photography "was of a very difficult nature". Do you recognise any of these?

Two more details...an embroidered quilt and one made by Elizabeth Sanderson....

And a detail of the quilted lid of a yew wood box, made near Ullswater.

This catalog deserves further perusal, to see if there are any clues to be gleaned....

Charity Shop Find

I went into Woodbridge the other day to bank a cheque...to my surprise, the local Oxfam bookstore had a display of quilting books in the window. I was able to buy a hardback copy of the older edition of Quilts and Coverlets by Rosemary Allen of Beamish Museum. I only have the softback version so was happy to find this, especially as the price was only £4. There is an address label for a lady who lives/lived? a short distance from my house...did not recognise the name however, so do not know if she was actually a quilter. I also found a little book on the Arts and Crafts movement.

Here is the softcover version, which was already in my collection, together with the later edition, which is much expanded....probably my favourite book on Durham quilts...excellent illustrations!