V & A Book - Patchwork and Quilting - 3 projects

Last Autumn, I was approached by Thames and Hudson to submit three projects for this book, based around textile items in the V & A collection.

The cover of the book...

Interesting to see a part of my quilted cot quilt on the reverse of the cover...

I was asked to produce a quilted item project at very short notice, which was obviously not possible given the short timescale, but having just received a very nice little North Country cot quilt, I suggested that as an item to pattern and it was accepted. I traced the quilting onto polythene and this was the basis for the pattern, although it did have to be modified for one quarter to fit on one page.

My Amish Centre Diamond wallhanging was accepted as another project - I have taught this for many years and it always "works" provided that you sew slightly oversize triangles onto the central square and then trim. The instructions in the book are limited in length and rather concise, so it was a slight struggle to get the really important steps included.

The Hawaiian quilt was the inspiration for this traditional applique block; again I have taught this for many years and it is achievable....

It is nice to see the book in print, in time for the holiday period - I have dealt with academic and magazine editors before, of course. But this was the first time that I have had patterns and instructions published - and I'll admit, I did find it stressful!

There will be a launch event at the Village Haberdashery in Hampstead, London on November 25 which I hope to attend. We have to speak for 5 to 10 minutes which of course will be no problem for an ex-lecturer!

Patchwork Cot Quilt from Cumbria

Here is a small patchwork cot quilt from Cumbria. It is not quilted, but contains some nice everyday fabrics. Many are repeated, so are probably recycled dresses and clothes fabrics.

 

 

The pattern is a simple one, with a centre of white cotton and turkey red squares. The turkey red fabric was more precious and colourful, and was therefor placed in the centre.

 

The other fabrics are repeated several times in varous places. The whole is hand sewn.

These fabrics probably date from 1875 to 1900, but it is always difficult to tell exactly. The purples were not available until 1860. Sometimes known as "half mourning" fabrics, these were also condsidered suitable for everyday house dresses and servants dresses.

Most of the fabrics are roller prints.

The reverse is a white plain weave cotton. this quilt came from an old trunk in a South Lakes attic, from the Miller  and Posnet families. The size is 25 x 33 inches.