I recently visited the Quilts exhibition at the V&A, which is on till the 4th of July, and wanted to encourage you to go and stare in awe at the crafty wonder before it's over. If you thought sewing of comfy covers might be slightly dull you couldn't be more wrong.
The exhibition goes all the way back to the 1700s with five thematic displays that show some awe-inspiring pieces.
Some favourites were: an Aesop's Fables coverlet featuring foxes, storks and stones in minute detail; a map of the UK from the 1800s stitched by 10-year-old Ann Isabella Reader, which will leave you feeling wholly inadequate; Joanna Southcott's coverlet into which she was rumoured to have sewn her own hair in order to curse King George III; and the cheeky Love and Kisses alphabet depicting a smarmy moustachioed man pursuing his lady love.
Most compelling of all were two stand-out quilts:
One from HMS Wandsworth prison covered in the work of the incarcerated the quilt showed intricate workmanship, hope, remorse and a sense of humour you wouldn't expect from simple fabric and thread.
And the Changi Prison Coverlet made by 20 Girl Guides, aged 8-16, who were imprisoned in Changi from 1942-43. They made the quilt secretly from parts of their uniform for the leader of their troop. They continued until the group was found out and sadly broken up. We're not told how the quilt managed to survive to make it to the V&A but each patch is so carefully sewn you'd hope their captors saw this too.
Both take a fascinating look at how craft can carry hope and are immensely moving.
See the exhibition before it finishes on the 4th of July. You won't regret it. And you can also take advantage of the shop where they're selling material from Liberty to make quilts of your own.
If you can't make it along you can add your own quilt to the V&A's virtual collection online.
