The 1718 Coverlet: 69 quilt blocks from the oldest dated British patchwork coverlet - Softcover

Briscoe, Susan; Fassett, Susan Briscoe|Kaffe

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1446304442 ISBN 13: 9781446304440

Publisher: David & Charles, 2014

Synopsis

This is a unique opportunity to step back in time and learn how to recreate the earliest dated piece of British patchwork – the 1718 coverlet. The coverlet is the earliest known British patchwork that has a date worked into it and forms a benchmark against which all other rare survivors of early 18th century patchwork can be compared. Learn how to piece each of the stunning 69 quilt blocks – this unique book features a block directory and instructions for how to piece each of the blocks using the original mosaic piecing technique, as well as more accessible modern techniques. The traditional technique used to piece the blocks is known as 'Mosaic patchwork' and is a time-consuming method requiring the use of paper for templates. Some of the paper templates still remain in the coverlet and provide tantalising glimpses of printed and hand written text including bills, letters and printed text as well as hand drawn designs for the quilt. Quilt historian, Bridget Long, explores the fascinating history surrounding the coverlet and its discovery by the Quilter's Guild. Experienced quilt author, Susan Briscoe, explores how a replica quilt was painstakingly reproduced using the original mosaic piecing technique. There is information about the original fabrics used to create the coverlet and what kind of modern fabrics lend themselves best to recreating the quilt, using a variety of different techniques. This makes it perfect for the more experienced quilter looking for a challenge, as well as anyone fascinated by the history of this traditional craft.

About this title

Book Description

Quilters will be delighted by this truly unique book which offers the opportunity to recreate the blocks in the earliest dated piece of British patchwork – the 1718 silk coverlet. 
The quilt is owned by the national quilting association in the UK, the Quilters' Guild. It features a comprehensive block directory of every block on the coverlet alongside instructions, traditional and modern, for how to recreate each block. Readers will learn about the discovery of the coverlet and how a replica was painstakingly reproduced using the original techniques. 
The 1718 coverlet is the earliest known British patchwork that has a date worked into the piece and as such can be used as a benchmark against which all other rare survivors of early eighteenth-century patchwork can be compared. It was purchased from the Browns of Aldbourne, Wiltshire; a wealthy farming family, which has been established in north Wiltshire since the seventeenth century.  

The coverlet was made using the Mosaic patchwork technique – a time-consuming method requiring the use of paper for templates. Some of the paper templates still remain in the coverlet and provide tantalising glimpses of printed and hand written text including bills, letters and printed text as well as hand drawn designs for the quilt.

Almost all the fabrics are dress fabrics, the majority of which show signs of previous use. There are over 120 different fabrics used and the oldest has been identified as being from the 1640s.

The coverlet itself is being exhibited at the Quilt Museum in York at an exhibition to coincide with the publication of the book.

Edition details

• Publisher: David & Charles
• Publication date: 2014
• ISBN 10: 1446304442
• ISBN 13: 9781446304440
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 144