Quilting and Patchwork Tours
Quilting and patchwork have a long and fascinating history in the UK and Ireland and can be traced back to medieval times. There are a number of first class collections to view, often focusing on local styles and traditions, as well as regular events and exhibitions, which make a tour of the UK and Ireland a must for all those interested in these age-old crafts.
The word ‘quilt’ dates back to 13th century England and quilting was originally used to make bed covers. While quilting is popular all over the world, the UK and Ireland have a long history of fine quilt work, reaching its zenith in the 1600s, when quilting became popular not only for bed coverings, but for fashionable clothing and household items such as cushions.
Album Quilt Top © American Museum in Britain
Patchwork, which is closely related to quilting but involves different needlework techniques, emerged out of the need for domestic economy. However, patchwork also grew in popularity as a hobby and by the 19th century many women were producing patchwork for pleasure. Patchwork saw something of a revival in the 1960s and is today being revisited by contemporary artists exploring concepts of women’s art and work.
Jen Jones Welsh Quilt Centre
Perhaps the best place to start a quilting and patchwork tour of the UK is the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The world’s leading museum of art and design, the V&A holds a large and varied collection of quilts and patchwork, allowing visitors to explore the development of these crafts in the context of the history of British design and fashion.
American Museum in Britain, Claverton Manor, Bath
The American Museum in Britain, which is located in the historic city of Bath, boasts one of the finest collections of quilts in Europe, providing visitors with a detailed insight into how quilting evolved in North America, where settlers from England and Holland established the craft in the 17th century. A quilting bee takes place at the museum once a week in summer, where quilting groups from all over the region demonstrate their talents to visitors.
Paradise Mill in Cheshire
While not quilting, we believe that a visit to the Silk Museum and Paradise Mill in Macclesfield, Cheshire, will fascinate all those interested in the history of textiles and weaving. Macclesfield was once the world's biggest producer of finished silk and, today, the mill boasts Europe's largest collection of Jacquard silk handlooms in their original setting.
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The Overlord Embroidery at the D-Day Story, Portsmouth in England, is an extraordinary piece of visual art, which tells the story of D-Day and the Battle of Normandy in the Second World War through 34 hand-stitched panels stretching to a total length of over 270 feet. It is based on a series of paintings by Sandra Lawrence, which now hang in the Pentagon in Washington DC in the United States.
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Quilting in Wales
The tradition of quilting in Wales is very strong and the collection of quilts at the National Museum of Wales in Cardiff, which can be viewed by appointment, contains examples of Welsh bedcovers from the 18th to 20th centuries, as well as many smaller items such as cushion covers, linings from christening baskets and 18th century petticoats.
The Jen Jones Welsh Quilt Centre in Lampeter, South West Wales, is one of the UK’s leading quilt museums and a centre for the Welsh quilting tradition. Based in Lampeter’s historic Town Hall, the Welsh Quilt Centre celebrates the art of the Welsh Quilt alongside the contemporary works of local and international artists.
Further into Mid Wales, the Minerva Arts Centre in Llanidloes is home to The Quilt Association, which is perhaps best known for its annual summer exhibition, showcasing contemporary works alongside a selection of antique quilts drawn from collections around the country, as well as a programme of related workshops. The Quilt Association owns and manages the Minerva Arts Centre, where its growing collection of quilts is available to view by appointment.
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The Last Invasion Tapestry in south west Wales, is an incredible display of advanced needlework and well worth a visit. The embroidered tapestry tells the story of the last ever invasion of mainland Britain in 1797, by a French force, close to Fishguard. Designed and sewn by around 80 local women, the tapestry is housed in Fishguard Library. It is a similar format and shape to the Bayeux Tapestry and like the Bayeux Tapestry is 100 feet long.
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Festival of Quilts
Perhaps the highlight of the quilting year in the UK is the Festival of Quilts at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham, which takes place each August. The Festival of Quilts is Europe’s leading patchwork and quilting show and attracts over 300 exhibitors. The Quilters’ Guild, the national UK organisation for people involved in patchwork and quilting, which helps organise the festival, presents over 1,000 quilts in competition at the event each year. The festival also includes numerous workshops, masterclasses and lectures.
Christmas Bride's Quilt © American Museum in Britain
The Quilters’ Guild Collection is held at St Anthony’s Hall in York, North Yorkshire, and can be viewed by appointment. This unique collection contains over 800 items, from the earliest known dated British patchwork – the 1718 Silk Patchwork Coverlet – to recent pieces by contemporary quilt makers.
Quilting in Scotland and Ireland
In Scotland, National Museums Scotland hosts a unique collection of quilted garments and quilts and, in Northern Ireland, the National Museums of Northern Ireland boast Ireland’s biggest collection of quilts and patchwork, with over 500 quilted and patchwork bedcovers.
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For those with an interest in needlework of all kinds, the Great Tapestry of Scotland is a must. One of the world’s largest community arts projects, the tapestry tells the visual story of Scotland’s history, heritage and culture from its formation to the present day. A purpose-built gallery and visitor centre has recently opened in the Scottish Borders to provide this incredible artwork with a permanent new home.
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The textiles collection at the National Museum of Ireland – Decorative Arts & History in Dublin contains a number of Irish quilts, as do some of the regional museums in Ireland. National Quilt Week takes place at the beginning of June each year, and celebrates patchwork and quilting across Ireland. Ireland also boasts many authentic quilt shops and quilt centres, which provide quilt lovers with the opportunity to purchase quilts and accessories.
We have highlighted here just a selection of the many and varied quilt and patchwork exhibitions, collections and events that help to make a quilting and patchwork tour of the UK and Ireland such a memorable experience.
Janet Redler Travel can create a tailor-made tour for you or your group which takes in the history of quilting and patchwork in the UK and Ireland and combines it with luxury hotels or comfortable bed and breakfast accommodation. Our tours can also include visits to many other historical and cultural attractions, beautiful gardens and famous landmarks – whatever you prefer! Please do contact us today to discuss your requirements.
