Our project will look at how patchwork and quilting has been used in fashion, within different areas of the World and Cornish history, traditions and skills that were used in both quilting and patchwork and how we can incorporate those into todays crafting and creative practices.
This was the traditional way of quilting with families sat around the frame in the kitchen or lounge quilting together to create blankets or garments that would be worn to keep warm. We can even find evidence that early armour could be made of quilted linen, stuffed with padding for protection and warmth. Most of the quilting was carried out on a whole cloth rather than the patchwork we tend to see now.
Understanding the processes and the use of quilts is fascinating. The word quilt comes from the Latin word Culcita or Culcitra and means ‘a sack, a mattress, or cushion filled with feathers, wool or hair and so on, and an object which could be used for lying upon as a covering for warmth’ – Needlework through the ages, plate IV, figure 2.
Quilts have changed so much in their colours and production, but in many ways they are as creative and enjoyably time consuming as they used to be. Our project will take us back into the history of the quilt and how has it changed over the years. We will be researching, visiting, talking and sharing with some key end goals and we would love you to join the journey with us.
We have clear project objectives to aim towards:
