Textile Study Days at the Old School are a perfect opportunity to get to know a little more about the history and the methods used in some of our favorite textile traditions. With a chance to take a closer look at vintage and antique examples, and to earn more about their construction and the materials used. With a chance to experiment with some of the techniques involved.
During 2019 we displayed a number of Welsh Quilts in the Museum for any one wanting to see some of these again there will be a chance this summer to join us on a Welsh Quilting course,We will be running two sets of classes discussing the traditional methods and styles involved in Welsh quilting these consist of 4 weekly afternoon classes suitable for locals. or two and three day courses for visitors.
The Words Patchwork and Quilt have become inexorably intertwined, However here two examples show the differences in the two techniques.
Firstly a 19th century Patchwork Quilt made from a selection of cotton dress fabrics carefully pieced together to form a Quilt or Counterpayne.
Underneath is the true Quilt, as the origin of the term Quilt refers to
layers of cloth with an interlining of cotton or wool which had been stitched or 'Quilted' together to form a thick and warm covering.
In Wales the tradition of Quilting
developed its own very distinct style
which shows best on the plainer Whole cloth quilts, where the stitching can be seen most clearly.
the finer examples are stuffed with carded wool which gives not only lightness and warmth but also adds definition to the stitching,
The Golden piece is a full sized bed quilt of Cotton Satin much favored in the later part of the 19th C and on into the early 20th C, The pale blue is a silk Cot Quilt of the early 20th C.
Wool seams to have been the first choice for the filling in the Welsh Quilt as it could be found readily, bought or swapped, even gleaned from the hedgerows. The Top cloths used in the rural areas were often of wool flannel, which were often quilted in simple whole cloth fashion or with pieced tops made in the bold colours much loved by the Welsh.
In more modest homes Quilts were often made of scraps of wool and quilted over an old blanket.
contact us at , .... racfoundation@hotmail.co.uk
or please call , ...01547 560936
9.30 to 10.00 or please leave a message .
Museum spring summer Exhibition
The Art of the Hand Weavers
Open by appointment from 9th April
The art of the Hand Weavers
at the Old School Whitton
Spring Opening from the April 9th Sunday , 1.00pm to 5.00pm
Monday Tuesday 11.00am to 5.00pm
Or by Appointment .
Booking now , ...for 2023
Patchwork and Quilting.
Kantha and Boro.
Spinning,
Due to the current regulations we have decided to offer only small group classes for Spinning, Patchwork and Quilting, and Rag rug making please enquire for available dates. we are hoping to be able to offer more classes as summer progresses, including summer outdoor events.