A Merry Go Round

We opened the Welsh Quilt Centre in July 2009 with the inaugural exhibition featuring the bold geometric flannel patchworks. The reaction was overwhelming and heartening for us. These fabulous flannel artefacts are now internationally recognised and current research is exploring their importance in relation to, and influence upon, the acclaimed Pennsylvania Amish quilts. 

This first exhibition, featuring quilts from the Jen Jones Collection, was designed by Gwenllian Ashley.

Our second exhibition, showing more quilts from the Jen Jones Collection in a stunning display designed by Gwenllian Ashley, demonstrated further aspects within the wide and wondrous spectrum of Welsh quilting. We focused on “Paisley” and “Turkey Red”. Included were the rich textured paisley shawl quilts, paisley panel quilts, patchworks & wholecloths incorporating paisley and red.

Strategically placed was the magnificent “Tree of Life” painted in India before 1800 and quilted in Pembrokeshire in 1810. A feast for the eyes!

O NA BYDDAI’N HÂF O HYD

OH THAT SUMMER WOULD LAST FOREVER

In 2009 our inaugural exhibition featured the bold, dramatic geometric patchworks of Wales. That was followed in 2010 by an exploration of Turkey Red and Paisley within the Welsh quilting tradition. Then for our 2011 exhibition, Jen Jones and designer Gwenlian Ashley created a mood that was light, bright and beautiful. Included were examples of exquisite stitching and inspired patchwork.

In 2012, inspired by Dorothy Osler’s book; “Amish Quilts and the Welsh Connection”, Jen Jones and designer Gwenllian Ashley created a fantastic opportunity to see and compared quilts these two quilting conditions.

The exhibition showed quilts from the collections of the American Museum in Bath, the Ceredigion Museum and the National Museum Wales together with more quilts from the Jen Jones Collection. Side by side were hung stunning antique American Amish quilts and the fabulous, strong early geometric flannel patchworks from Wales.