The Celtic Fringe

Wholecloths of Wales and Scotland

9 Jan - 20 Mar 2010

Quilt Museum and Gallery
St Anthony¹s Hall, Peasholme Green, York, YO1 7PW

Traditional wholecloth quilts are generally made from one plain coloured fabric (sometimes two) and their interest lies in the many different patterns that have been stitched ­ usually by hand. In years past, certain patterns were used again and again in Wales and Scotland, thus giving a
recognizable identity to the work. Thus, a quilt with hearts, thistles and fleur de lys might probably have been made in the Scottish Borders while a quilt with broad infilled leaves, hearts and spirals would probably have
come from Wales.

Visitors to the Celtic Fringe exhibition will have their own opportunity to try and match design with country but they will also see quilts that have associations. Chief among these are Welsh quilts made especially for the Art Deco wing of Claridges Hotel in London in the 1930s and Hawick quilts made by church guilds in the Scottish Borders around the same period. The Welsh Claridges¹ quilts strike a particular resonance since they were
commissioned and purchased through the Little Gallery just off Sloane Street in London. The proprietor there, Miss Muriel Rose, was an important figure in the revival of quilting in Wales, during a time of great economic need.