Quilts exhibition at V&A

I thought it was about time I wrote about the Quilts exhibition at the V&A which I went to almost a week ago.  It was a really good, well put together show, and packed with virtually all women - mainly ladies 'of a certain age'!  The quilts that held most peoples interest weren't the modern ones - like Tracey Emin's bed or the Grayson Perry quilt.  Rather they were the traditional ones, and in particular the apliqued ones which really showed up the character of the maker. 

Of the ones I particularly admired - loved this by Natasha Kerr, entitled 'At the End of the Day'.  The colours appeal to me, as does the use of a family photograph along with fabric which shows signs of wear & tear, making you think about the 'life' it had before it was incorporated in this textile piece. 

I adore this 'Liberty Jack' quilt by Janey Forgan.

The colours, the mix of prints, the lovely striped binding (which you can't see in this picture).  The message behind the design is about having a symbol - the Union Jack - that's inclusive, incorporates many people from different backgrounds and ethnic groups, all coming together and merging into a whole. 

This is a quilt by prisoners in Wandsworth gaol, who worked with a charity called Fine Cell Work.  The charity sounds odd at first - teaching quilting to male prisoners? - but it seems to work.  They take pride in what they make, the sewing is relaxing, passes the time, gives them something to concentrate on and a sense of achievement.  Work is sold and the prisoners get a percentage of the money raised so they can pass much needed money on to their families.  There was a video about the making of the quilt and I found it really moving to see these men in crampt, Victorian cells concentrating on their needlework. 

 Finally, this is one of the quilts that everyone seemed to admire.  Made by Ann West in approx 1820.  The applique is fab, the animals charming, and you need to actually see it in person to appreciate the size of the quilt and the immense amount of work and imagination that went into it.  Superb stuff.

The exhibition's on for a while longer, and it's £10 to enter.  Plus the V&A shop has lots of quilt themed goodies on sale.  I could've spent a fortune, but I resisted and just splurged on postcards. 
  

Comments

[D]

1.

Thanks for your tour, I wont get to the exhibition myself so really appreciate all the fellow bloggers who have shared their experiences - just love that Liberty quilt!
Jo (Bearpaw)

[Nicki Pickering]

2.

Hi A friend of mine in Australia is after some pictures of the Liberty Jack . Do you know where I can buy them from and are they any decent pictures of it in the V&A book of the exhibition ?
Many thanks