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I am a quilter living in Woodbridge, Suffolk who has made quilts since I was a teenager. I also ring bells! Both are great British traditions....I will try to feature some of my antique Welsh and Durham quilts, the quilts I make myself, my quilting activities and also some of my bellringing achievements. Plus as many photos as I can manage. NB: Double click on the photos to see greater detail, then use back button to return to the main page.













Tuesday, 10 December 2019

Quilted Cushion from Durham

Here is another quilted cushion. The maker was from Durham, and I hope to be given her name at some point. The finishing is much better than the usual; the cushion is piped and the three button closures are nicely finished.
 
 
 
The colour is a warmer yellow than shown in the photos. The back has a wineglass filler pattern which gives a nice texture. The quilting stitches are small and even. 


The front of the cushion has paired feather curls, which make a nice motif, with diamond infill. 
This cushion is a nice item and is very pleasing to look at.
 
 
 
 

Monday, 2 December 2019

Strippy Quilt from Milfield, Sunderland

Here is a strippy quilt from Milfield, Sunderland. One side is a patterned cotton sateen, and the other side is a pink and white strippy. I was attracted to this because of the superior quilting, this probably indicates that it is an earlier example, as the later quilts are much more simply quilted.
 
  
 
The strippy side of the quilt shows various patterns including feathers, bellows and a plait. 

   
 
Although the stitches are not overly small, the quilting is dense, giving a lovely texture. The quilt is in good condition, with little wear, although there are some minor stains. Not bad for a quilt over 100 years old!



 
What really attracted me is this motif with the close rows of quilting - not seen in later quilts.

 
Here is a motif that I have not seen before - it does look like doves end to end with added roses.

At the outer strips, there are plaits. The edge is hand sewn.
 
 
The reverse is this attractive floral sateen in pink.
 
The seller said that this quilt came from her aunts house, who always had pretty things in her house.
She did not know whether Auntie had made this - I suspect not, this looks like the product of a local quilter, as it is so well made and not a "one off". Sunderland seems to have had a lot of quilters.