Folk Museum day out

We chose "Linen" as the theme of our next exhibition, and to get  the creative year started and to do a little research and gossip we went to see Valerie Wilson at the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum. She has all the costumes and textiles in her charge, and she culled a few titbits out of the enormous collection for us to see.

Irene and Johanna studying a quilt

 Alma and Carol

Olive and Valerie




First Valerie showed us some amazing white work quilts dating from 1790-ish-  beautiful tiny hand embroidered stitches- white on white- work that would a be challenge today with modern daylight bulbs and fine strong steel needles

Then she produced some wonderful coloured embroidery on linen - this amazing early (1760) bed quilt- with the smallest back stitch I've ever seen. Its reputed to be the best example of this type of quilt in any museum in the UK












And  bedspread from the 30's - hand embroidered on unbleached linen from a commercial pattern- the reverse almost indistinguishable from the front!

There were cross stitch samplers on linen

Damask samples from weaving factories ( coloured so errors could be easily spotted)

and a school sample book  from 1905 (ish) with amazing mini garments made by the pupils to exhibt their prowess with a needle.

And a lot of other amazing stuff as well. - I  found it really inspiring,.... I must really do more handwork.....

The museum collection is an fantastic resource,  and Valerie gave us loads of information, enthusiastic support, and the use of a room for the afternoon.  She even invited us back to see the photographic collection and do reseach in the library. 
Many, many thanks to Valerie for her help and support.