Oh how I’ve missed you! I just got back from the UK, where I was happy to be stuck by a volcanic ash cloud amongst such lovely people and pretty things.  Luckily my trip coincided with an exhibit at the Victoria & Albert Museum in London, Quilts: 1700-2010.  The exhibit was enthralling, so I wanted to share a few my favorite bits with you.

The quilts of the exhibit told stories of the history of quilting in Britain and were interspersed with modern quilts by British artists.  I am always drawn to patchwork that has an element of the unexpected–quilts made by people who don’t fit the popular image of a quilter, or quilts with unusual themes.  You might notice that many of my picks from this exhibit fit that description.

This appliqued map of England came from an intricately detailed bed quilt made in 1797.  That would be not too long after cotton became available for widespread use in home sewing and you can imagine how exciting it would have been to use new, beautifully printed cottons like these. I love the way each county is made of a different print and outlined with hand embroidery.  Gives me ideas…

This next quilt is made entirely of wool hexagons. Notice the colors. It’s likely that it was made (at least partly) from military uniforms!

Here is a little more detail.

Apparently it was not uncommon for military men to work on patchwork on their down time.  I recall learning that this was encouraged as a way for them to keep out of trouble but maybe I’m just making it up.  This portrait implies that the men used their wool uniforms for their quilts, but they don’t know for sure that the quilt above didn’t include additional wool from India, where the Private was stationed when he made the quilt.

And I couldn’t resist including this fine soldier with his quilt, also made in India (can you see the influence?). But I can’t help looking at those chops instead of the quilt.

Maybe I’m just a nerd, but it’s fascinating how the popularity of and reasons for quilting change over history, sometimes it’s a hobby, other times it’s more out of necessity. During the Depression, the British government’s Rural Industries Bureau taught and recruited women to quilt in Northern England and Wales as a way to for needy families to make a living. The quilters were connected with commercial outlets for selling their quilts, which not only provided them income, but helped to expose the art and craft of quilting and sustain it’s popularity.  One order these rural quilters filled was for the new art deco wing of the Claridge Hotel in London.

Each room had hand-quilted whole cloth quilts and pillows. Can you imagine staying in a hotel now with such finely crafted bed linens?

Back to the theme of quilters defying stereotypes, have you ever heard of prison quilters?  Fine Cell Work is a UK organization that teaches needlework to inmates, and their students have created quite impressive work.  The V&A commissioned a quilt for the exhibit from the prisoners at HMP Wandsworth, a London prison that is one of the largest in Europe.  The quilt is comprised of blocks each made by an inmate, featuring fine hand embroidery. Here is just a bit of the quilt.

Amazing, right?

And finally, my favorite of the contemporary quilts in the exhibit, Liberty Jack.  Comprised of Union Jack (British flag) blocks made entirely of  Liberty of London fabrics.  It couldn’t get more British.

I could go on but I’d better stop there.  If you have the chance, I recommend visiting the V&A before July 4 when the Quilts: 1700-2010 exhibit ends.  And if you don’t have the chance, come by and we can look at my Quilts: 1700-2010 book together.