It's in bad condition, the backing cloth - a big printed paisley - almost in shreds and even the front is sadly faded in places. But I bought this fascinating old textile at auction today - a patchwork quilt, constructed of pieces of tartan cloth, which are said to be pieces of kilt which date from the First World War, and which were worn by soldiers of the time. The cloth is fine wool, and I wonder if some of these tartans date from the nineteenth century - people would often keep kilts for many many years. There is a thistle emblem embroidered in the middle. I've never seen anything like this before, but there is something indescribably evocative about such pieces of textile history - as though events themselves were somehow woven into them - their emotional charge is unbelievably powerful.
4 comments:
I loved that quilt Catherine! My great grandfather walked from Applecross to Glasgow to find work then my grandfather and father moved to London to start up the London branch of the busines. It wasn't to be but dad married a woman with Huguenot ancestors and they had me, and I love antique textiles too. Sadly for me though, they stayed in London and I was born there.
C'est une merveille, un trésor inestimable du passé, qui doit être vu par tous. Je me suis permise de mettre un lien et la photo de votre quilt sur le blog "histoires de boites à couture". Si c'est un problème, écrivez moi. Cordialement.
Nathalie Locquen
Oui, c'est une merveille! Et si vous voulez je vous en prie de metre la photo sur le blog 'histoires de boites a couture'. C'est ne pas un probleme - et vous avez un blog tres interessant - Je n'ecrive pas bien le Francais! Mais merci bien! Cordialement
Catherine
Merci beaucoup, je n'ai pas trouvé vos livres traduits en français et j'en suis désolée. Mon anglais ne me permets pas de les lire dans le texte. Je vous remercie encore. J'aime votre blog.
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