They say one's appetite for history grows as one gets older. Whether this is true or not, the appeal of textiles often lies in their provenance and ensuing history - not least the effect of human touch upon their surface. So it is that we are anticipating the new exhibition at the Quilt Museum (see page 9 of the magazine), which delves into the history of quilting during times of conflict and war. One moving example is that of the quilts made by legions of stitchers in Canada who wished to offer both practical and moral support to families in Britain who had lost their homes during the second world war. Archives of the Canadian Red Cross Society show that some 25,000 quilts were sent here, some of which survive today and which are included in the show. Sadly many textile objects are separated from their history through the years, so it was with much delight that Bonhams uncovered the chronicle of a fine example, which was brought to its showrooms (page 66). After much research (and some deduction) it was revealed to be a rare embroidered book cover and the item will go on sale this month in Solihull. If you have an interesting story that relates to a piece of embroidery or know the unusual history of an embroidered item in your care, we would love to hear from you. We may even share it with our readers in a forthcoming issue. Please drop me a line.
Jo Hall