Bed Cover
ca. 1830 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
The fabrics that make up the patches here typify the fashion for dense patterns and bright colours in the second quarter of the nineteenth century. Many of the cottons date from the 1820s. As patchwork spread amongst middle- and working-class homes, patterns were shared amongst friends and towards the middle of the century, started to appear in magazines. They were later given names such as 'jockey's cap' (the circles seen here) and 'mariner's compass' (centre). Hand-quilting is done on a frame using needles called 'betweens'. The stitches are executed with one hand; the other hand is kept underneath the quilt to feel for the needle. Small, uniform stitches (usually a 'running stitch') are taken through the three layers to form a decorative design.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Quilted patchwork of printed cottons |
| Brief description | Bed cover of quilted patchwork printed cottons, England, ca. 1830 |
| Physical description | Bed cover of quilted patchwork printed cottons. Most of the textiles worked in this design now known as 'mariner's compass' date from the second quarter of the nineteenth century and were originally glazed. The pieced inner borders include one of triangles, and one in the design now known as 'jockey’s cap'. The outermost border is a patchwork design of interlocking triangles. The quilt has a reverse of cream cotton and is quilted in running stitch in cotton thread in various designs, including 'clamshells' and a star in a circle. The widest border is quilted in a 'running feather' pattern. The quilting also follows the design of the patchwork in other areas. It is wadded with thick wool. There are 1,128 patches in total. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Unique |
| Gallery label | Bedcover with mariner's compass design
Britain
1830s
The fabrics that make up the 1,128 patches here typify the fashion for dense patterns and bright colours in the second quarter of the 19th century. Many of the cottons date from the 1820s. As patchwork spread among middle- and working-class homes, patterns started to appear in magazines. They were later given names such as 'jockey's cap' (the circles seen here) and 'mariner's compass' (centre).
Cotton
Given by A.M. Johns
V&A: T.154-1964(20th March 2010) |
| Credit line | Given by Miss A. M. Johns |
| Object history | The donor came from Beckenham, Kent. |
| Historical context | This bedcover was created during a period in which the domestic production of quilted patchwork increased in both working- and middle-class homes. Women were keen to produce items that signalled their aspirations towards gentility, as suggested by George Eliot in her novel The Mill on the Floss: 'Oh, dear, oh, dear, Maggie, what are you thinkin’ of, to throw your bonnet down there? Take it upstairs, there’s a good gell, an’ let your hair be brushed, an’ put your other pinafore on, an’ change your shoes, do, for shame; an’ come an’ go on with your patchwork, like a little lady.' |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | The fabrics that make up the patches here typify the fashion for dense patterns and bright colours in the second quarter of the nineteenth century. Many of the cottons date from the 1820s. As patchwork spread amongst middle- and working-class homes, patterns were shared amongst friends and towards the middle of the century, started to appear in magazines. They were later given names such as 'jockey's cap' (the circles seen here) and 'mariner's compass' (centre). Hand-quilting is done on a frame using needles called 'betweens'. The stitches are executed with one hand; the other hand is kept underneath the quilt to feel for the needle. Small, uniform stitches (usually a 'running stitch') are taken through the three layers to form a decorative design. |
| Bibliographic reference | Sue Prichard (ed.), Quilts, 1700-2010 : hidden histories, untold stories, London: V&A, 2010
30
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | T.154-1964 |
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| Record created | August 6, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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