Quilts 1700 - 2010 - Hidden Histories, Untold Stories

Quilts evoke the past - they stimulate our earliest memories of security and comfort and resonate with historical and cultural references. For the first time, the V&A showcases its extensive patchwork and quilt collection in one sumptuously illustrated publication. Major essays by leading textile and quilt historians document the fascinating history of British patchwork and quiltmaking, while individual case studies focus on particularly complex or extraordinary pieces within the collection. Primary sources such as inventories, diaries, letters, and pieces from both private and public collections offer opportunities to reinterpret the personal narratives that document life cycle events such as marriage, childbirth, love, and loss. This book offers a unique opportunity to discover one of the V&A’s most hidden collections.