I had one destination – a MUST DO, MUST SEE quilt that has taken the historic quilt loving world by storm -
The 1718 coverlet!
Disclaimer disclaimer – my photos can never do this quilt justice.
In order to prevent strain on the fragile fibers (THERE IS NO HANGING SLEEVE, FOLKS! – This is 300 years old!) the quilt was displayed flat with protective plastic on top to keep it from air, and curious fingers.
You can read more about the 1718 coverlet in the book of the same name by Susan Briscoe HERE.
The curated exhibit was fabulously arranged!
Best view I could get.
There were large detailed close ups on the walls to help us see what we were missing.
You could see every stitch – every fiber of the delicate silk.
1718! So incredible.
Sample of similar patchwork with writing.
Yes, it was worth waiting in long queues to pay homage to the unknown quilter
who signed her quilt simply with the initials EH, 1718.
“The 1718 Silk Patchwork Coverlet is one of the earliest known dated patchworks, and is constructed in the mosaic patchwork tradition of piecing over papers. The initials 'E.H' and the date '1718' can be found in a central block, and the rest of the blocks contain geometric designs or representative motifs that include people, flowers, hearts, pheasants, deer, cats, swans, and a lion and a unicorn.The Coverlet was in the possession of the Brown family of Aldbourne, Wiltshire prior to purchase by The Guild in 2000, but unfortunately no details about the maker, 'E.H' have been discovered.” [source]
Click the photo above and you will visit the Quilter’s Guild collection page where you can mouse over each block and see it biggie sized. It really helped me to see what I was missing from the exhibit due to the light, the people, the plastic.
Incredible quilts were everywhere!
I loved this vintage photo that is pixelated from OTHER photos all joined together. The work was just astounding.
Her face closer.
And closer still!
Amazing applique and fine hand piecing
(no, not paper pieced!)
Glorious color!
There are too many quilts to share, too many words to describe them and how they made me feel. I could be here forever writing about them and we are boarding our bus soon for Stratford Upon Avon.
I have compiled our 2 days at the festival into the video below. I’ll be talking more about these quilts, the ones that really touched me in the days to come when I get home.
Click to play:
Remember, this isn't a documentary of the show or showing every quilt - just an overview of things that caught my eye.
My favorite! I kept coming back to this one and looking at all the fabrics.
I KNOW these fabrics.
They are found along the timeline of my life as a quilter!
Thank you Sheila Devereaux!!
Book Signing!
Funny funny funny ---I needed to get to my book signing by 2pm. The line for the ladies restroom was clear down the hall, so taking charge of the emergency, Mandy and her sister escorted me into the men’s room, keeping the men out so that I could get business done quickly and make it back to the Kaleidoscope books booth in time to sign books! I laughed SO HARD!
Thanks ladies, it was great meeting both of you!
There will be so much more to come – I’ve just run out of time!
Quiltville Quote of the Day!
Antique hexagon quilt From the 1718 Coverlet exhibit, Festival of Quilts Birmingham, UK
Keep your focus on the progress, not the setbacks!
Saturday – let’s go!
What beautiful and amazing quilts especially that 1718 coverlet! Everyone is so talented. Thank you for letting us see the show through your eyes. SFe travels to your next destination!!
ReplyDeleteMy names is Cathy i want to testify about the great spell caster called Priest Ade my husband and i have been married for 5 years now we don't have a child and the doctor told us i can't give birth because my womb have been damaged due to wrong drugs prescription this got me so worried and my husband was not happy so he decided to get married to another girl and divorce me i was so sad i told my friend about it she told me about a powerful spell caster she gave me his email address well i never believe in it that much though i just decided to give him a try and he told me it will take 24hrs to get my husband back to me and i will get pregnant i doubted him the 3rd day my husband came back to me and was crying he said he didn't want the divorce anymore 3 weeks after the doctor confirmed that i was pregnant he can also help you contact him at
Deleteancientspiritspellcast@yahoo.com or ancientspiritspellcast@gmail.com
Blog: effectivespell1.blogspot.com
Website ancientspiritspellcast.website2.me
WhatsApp +2347059715465
Such wonderful quilts! Thankyou for sharing your experience at the quilt festival.
ReplyDeleteThank you Bonnie for the photos and video (loved the music, so soothing after a busy day). Happy tripping, would love to be there.
ReplyDeleteThank you, thank you, thank you for the extra photos - some of which I hadn't time to see.
ReplyDeleteI thought it sad that the coverlet was on the flat - the other year another very old quilt was just slightly tilted - which removed the glare from the overhead lighting. It was indeed hard to take a good photo - but you managed a good one - mine was done in halves and even then the lights reflected so well! LOL!
The wedding quilt I think was celebrating 60 years - I assume it was to celebrate their wedding and had family and friends on each of the photos over that time. Most wonderful. Well, so many wonderful quilts! :D
Thank You! The only way I will ever get to see these quilts. Love seeing them.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo's with wonderful stories - and I so love today's quote <3
ReplyDeleteHave a great time in England -I'm only 140 miles away from you; so near but yet so far haha
Thank you for sharing. I will never be able to see these quilts in person. I appreciate your pictures and thoughts on them. Your favorite is a beauty. EPP is one of my most favorite things to do. So glad you all are having a wonderful trip.
ReplyDeleteSuch beautiful quilts! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI just was doing a bit of 'research' on the web and saw this on Wikipedia - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tulip_period
ReplyDeleteI knew that tulip bulbs were once highly valued and were literally "like gold". When I noticed that the 1718 quilt had lots of tulip blocks, I wondered if that was the heyday of the tulip. I think I'm right and it also leads me to think that this quilt (Beside the fact that it's silk.) was done by someone who was in a wealthy family. History...love it!
Thanks for all the lovely photos! It's the next best thing to being there. :)
ReplyDeleteBonnie, please take all your quotes and put them into a little perpetual daily calendar. The kind with a spiral binding that you can set on the kitchen shelf and change the page every day. They are golden nuggets of truth and wonderful little reminders of where we should be going with our thoughts, actions, and priorities. The backing quilts are a feast for the eyes, an added bonus for us quilt lovers. Please??
ReplyDeleteLove the pictures and your thoughts from the quilt festival! Thank you so much!
What a great adventure you and your fellow quilters are on. You are all on an amazing journey. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThat 300-year-old quilt!! Wow! Aside from the care taken to protect from air and handling, I am surprised at how well lit the area is. I saw George Washington's war tent, and a very enthusiastic docent explained the short viewing time and low light -- the conservator allowed a very tight annual budget of lumen exposure. Amazing what light can do to fabric over time. Thank you for sharing all the beautiful quilts and their effect on you -- me too. Things to think about while we stitch on our own fabric treasures.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful quilts! Thanks for sharing them with us!
ReplyDeleteAt our state quilt show a few years ago, I found a restroom with a paper sign on the door that said 'women'. Once inside (after spotting the urinals), I realized they turned the men's room into the ladies' room! That was a funny feeling, wondering if I'd gone into the wrong room. Hope you enjoy the rest of your trip!
I too am enjoying the trip via my chair. I agree with the person who thought this coverlet was from a wealthy family. I had thought that the fabrics used were top quality to start with which might have helped with its ability to last so long. I'm ready for the next part of "my" trip with you. Joyce Skinner
ReplyDeleteSo lovely to see your photos -- especially those very special ones of the 300-year-old quilt. I was blessed to meet Susan (Sue) Briscoe last fall in Scotland, when I took a sashiko-on-tartan class with her as part of the Celtic Quilt Tour with which I was travelling. Great fun! She is a unique and interesting person -- and clearly her interests are wide!
ReplyDeleteI say this because I made a wedding quilt for my son and his bride (married in July 2016) that took the block pattern's from Sue's book, Japanese Taupe Quilts. Knowing I was taking this class on our tour, I brought her a page of photos of the quilt (including it finished, on their bed), and an extra one for her to sign for me. That one is now affixed to the inside of the book. A real treat indeed!
Sorry we missed you today at FOQ! We didn’t realise you were signing books until it was too late! We had a fabulous day and hope you did too!
ReplyDeleteMy names is Cathy i want to testify about the great spell caster called Priest Ade my husband and i have been married for 5 years now we don't have a child and the doctor told us i can't give birth because my womb have been damaged due to wrong drugs prescription this got me so worried and my husband was not happy so he decided to get married to another girl and divorce me i was so sad i told my friend about it she told me about a powerful spell caster she gave me his email address well i never believe in it that much though i just decided to give him a try and he told me it will take 24hrs to get my husband back to me and i will get pregnant i doubted him the 3rd day my husband came back to me and was crying he said he didn't want the divorce anymore 3 weeks after the doctor confirmed that i was pregnant he can also help you contact him at
ReplyDeleteancientspiritspellcast@yahoo.com or ancientspiritspellcast@gmail.com
Blog: effectivespell1.blogspot.com
Website ancientspiritspellcast.website2.me
WhatsApp +2347059715465
Thank you for sharing your photos from the Festival of Quilts. I LOVED seeing the 1718 Coverlet and all the different interpretations of it. I am surprised at how modern it seems.
ReplyDeleteAwsome post!! Your so lucky to be able to see this 😊 I love quilt history. Sending hugs from across the pond 🇨🇦
ReplyDelete