60/775

Blaina Quilting Group (Manufacturer)

This white wholecloth quilted bedcover was made by the Blaina Quilting Group of Monmouthshire, circa 1945–6. The design, done in running stitch, consists of a repeated floral motif. It is part of a large collection of traditional craft products acquired from the British Council in 1960. Quilts such as this were made on a frame and would take 4–5 weeks of spare time to make.

1 bedcover: textile, wool?

MERL miscellaneous note, B. L. 22 March 1961 – ‘The British Council collection. // This collection of material which is covered by the accession numbers 60/430 to 60/791 contains examples of craft products made in the British Isles. The major part of the collection was prepared immediately after the Second World War for a travelling exhibition which was sent to Australia and New Zealand. // The collection was purchased for a nominal sum by the Museum in two portions, the one in the summer of 1960 and the other in February 1961. // For further details see the individual catalogue cards and the catalogue prepared for the temporary exhibition of the collection.’, MERL 'Catalogue index' card – ‘This is a Welsh white quilt and it measures 5 ft. x 6 ft. 4 in. // The making of quilts by hand is now chiefly confined to the mining areas of Co. Durham and South Wales. // See 60/715 for further details and references. // Precise origin of this quilt is unknown (March 1961, B.L.)’, British Council ‘Exhibition of Rural Handicrafts from Great Britain’ Exhibition Catalogue, 1946, ‘Introductory Note’ – ‘This exhibition contains only examples of handicrafts that are still being practised in the British Countryside. It is confined to the work of our traditional craftsmen and women who, with very few exceptions, would not think of themselves as artists or designers but whose work, nevertheless, so greatly enriches the daily life of those who live with and use their products. The work of these craftsmen, too, provides the basis from which many artist-craftsmen gain technical knowledge and inspiration. // Included with these rural crafts are eight screens showing handicraft processes which can be undertaken by schools or adults who wish to practise a craft at home. In this way we hope these examples of Britain’s country crafts may be related to a practical aspect of present day life in the Dominions and meet the increasing need to find satisfying ways of using the leisure which machinery now makes available to us. // Along with her traditional rural crafts Great Britain seeks to employ all the resources of modern agricultural science and engineering. We have therefore included with this exhibition some photographs showing examples of recent developments in agricultural machinery.’, British Council ‘Exhibition of Rural Handicrafts from Great Britain’ Exhibition Catalogue, 1946, p.46 – '92. Traditional Welsh Quilt. Blaina Quilting Group, Monmouthshire. // Lent by [...] // Hand quilting, the only form of British needlework which still has a lively tradition of design, is practised in the mining areas of Durham and south wales. The work is done in a frame with an interlining of sheeps’ wool. The simple running stitch enables the work to be quickly executed, a full-sized bed cover being made in four to five weeks of spare time work. The quilters make their own designs, adapting the traditional shapes (cut out of stiff card) which they have inherited, and adding others of their own invention.’, British Council Ref. No. NZ 92.

Blaina

1945 - 1946

Bedcover, Quilt

Stitched, Quilted