Welsh Quilt Collection

Last week saw Jim and I off to Wales for a couple of days at the caravan. We had a few chores to complete and we struck lucky with the weather as we left Norfolk to high winds and rains and overcast skies. We had about an hour of rain on our first afternoon - Jim was fishing I was at the time sitting indoors reading and stitching, so we weren't bothered; it soon bucked up.

First job was to arrive in Welshpool on the Tuesday to take my new melodeon to have some reeds changed and the layout customised. Rees said it would take him less than two days which made it very convenient. On Thursday we drove up from Crickhowell to Lampeter, lovely little market town north west of us, and over the hills. Lots of hills. Some beautiful scenery on the way.

AT Lampeter we found the Town Hall where the Jen Jones Welsh Quilt Collection is housed. I've wanted to see these quilts for years, and was so pleased Jim was happy to make the fairly long drive to see them. We were fortunate to find that the Kaffe Fassett Exhibition was still running, so we  were treated to a double visual feast - the brightly coloured, modern quilts design by Kaffe were exhibited 'flying' throughout the body of the hall, with the beautiful old, faded Welsh quilts hung on the walls of the room. They complemented each other wonderfully.

The ladies in the shop through which you go to view the quilts were lovely,  very gracious and helpful and so proud of the collection. Jen Jones herself was there and I was able to have a chat. I also bought some pieces of antique quilt pieces, cut from quilts which were beyond reasonable repair; I shall make some more textile collages with them.

                                            The three quilts above are by Kaffe Fassett.

The quilting is exquisite, not all the stitching is tiny, but it is even, which is more important.

                             Jim admiring one particular quilt, the description of which is below.

These wholecloth quilts, which are only part of Jen's entire collection, the rest of which is kept at her home, show the similarity with the later Amish quilts, thought to have been taught by Welsh settlers in North America.

         More of Kaffe's glorious modern quilts, many based on traditional patterns or settings.

    In another room were housed some vintage quilts which were for sale. OH! The temptation!

This was my favourite. Draped casually over a chair, it was the cheapest, at £275. I loved it.

Common sense prevailed! So much to appreciate and enjoy. We spent about an hour in there. Then we popped into a local pub for lunch, rang Rees to get a progress report, and set off across the mountains to Welshpool. It was a long, twisty-turny drive as the road wound round and round the hills and mountains. Eventually we reached Rees's home and my melodeon was ready for me. Rees demonstrated its loveliness by playing me some fantastic blues music - yep, on melodeon! Who'da thunk it! So we made the long journey back down country . That night was extremely windy though we didn't get much rain. The following morning was the most overcast we have experienced at the caravan, though a defiant bit of blue sky was peeping through the cloud. After some general housekeeping we packed up and set off home, running into some really unpleasant weather - we certainly felt the Indian Summer was over and Autumn had well and truly arrived by the time we hit East Anglia.

Now two things, I have some information for anyone who might like to attend the illustrated talk (with quilts) about Vintage Quilts at the Assembly Rooms in Swaffham, on Tuesday 22nd October, 12-2 pm. Tickets £4 from Ceres bookshop in Swaffham. Many thanks to Liz for this information, I'm looking forward to being there.

Secondly apologies for the lateness of this post, and for my absence from blog-reading, I had a very busy week since our return and it isn't getting any quieter! Next post I will show you what the lovely Els - read her blog atfiberrainbow - sent me in exchange for one of my wool pincushions. One day I am sure Els and I will meet up - how good would that be!!

So hope you have enjoyed your virtual trip to the Welsh Quilt Collection, I am going to take my migraine to lie down in a darkened room! Catch you later!

Stitching in Splendour

Just to sow you that I DID accomplish some stitchery while we were at the caravan last week! The wool cushion cover is almost finished - well, bar the sewing up - just a little more outlining and I'm done I think.

I made a few more hexagons and cut out more templates. Not a lot to show, I'm afraid!

I did however, finish the pincushion! I LOVED working on this, just the right size and quite quick to make. I can see a few more being stitched over the next couple of months.

Oh, another textile thing that happened over there, was that when we visited Brecon, we popped into a flea market and there was a lovely book/textile stall combined. Two of my favourite pastimes in one place! I bought a 1927 Girl Guiding adventure book for £6 - it was a first edition (not that I collect 1st editions, by the way!) and on the other side there were some lovely hearts and small stuffed rabbits and owls made with vintage Welsh blanket.  I bought a heart and got chatting - as you do - to Sue, the proprietor of Clem's Daughter. Here is her website link: www.clemsdaughter.co.uk

We had a lovely chat about textiles, and when I mentioned that I wanted to visit Jen Jones' Welsh Quilt collection, she told me all about the museum at Lampeter so we will be making a trip there next time we go, you may be sure!

I think I must get into the habit of sitting making hexagons while the tv is on in the evenings, or that darned quilt is never going to get itself made!

We are still enjoying the last dregs I think, of summer here in West Norfolk, we have had pretty consistent sunshine and just a few showers the last three days, despite dire warnings from the Weather Man. Am I the only person who has to chuckle every time Fiona Bruce says "And over to you, Thomas Chaffaknacker" (BBC news watchers only.) I know, I know, it is base and very childish of me. I have no excuse. But I bet you have a snigger too. And on that happy note I shall leave you until next time!