We have comprised a list of relevant books and websites that you can look at for more information on welsh quilts. If you find any more that you think should be added, please contact us with the details using the form provided.
Helpful Books
Jones, Jen (1997) Welsh Quilts, Towy Publishing, Carmarthen
Jones, Jen (2005) – ‘ Les Quilt Gallois / Welsh Quilts ’. Quiltmania.
A lavishly presented selection of quilts from Jen’s collection which were on show in Barcelona [2002] and Lyon [2005], with full patterns for making 4 of the quilts. Text in French and English.Stevens, Christine (1993) – ‘Quilts’. National Museum of Wales. Gomer Press, Wales. This booklet, written by the former curator of Farming, Crafts and Cultural Life, gives an account of the history of quilting in Wales and the quilts in the Museum’s collection.
Other sources
The following books all have sections or chapters on welsh quilts and their makers:
Colby, Averil (1972) – ‘Quilting’. Batsford, London.
FitzRandolph, Mavis (1954) – ‘Traditional Quilting’. Batsford , London.
This book is based on research done by the author on quilters in South Wales, Durham and Northumberland between the Wars and her experience in organising the sale of their work in a scheme funded by the Rural Industries Board.
FitzRandolph, M. and Fletcher, F.M. (1972) – ‘Quilting’. The Dryad Press, Leicester. A small booklet giving detailed descriptions of traditional methods and designs. [out of print]
Hake, Elizabeth (1937) – ‘English Quilting Old and New’. Batsford, London.
Contains examples of welsh quilting despite title!
The Quilters’ Guild (1995) – ‘Quilt Treasures’. MacDonald Books, London.
Rae, Janet (1987) – ‘Quilts of the British Isles’. Constable, London.
Osler, Dorothy (1987) – ‘Traditional British Quilts’. Batsford, London.
Scott, Beatrice (1935) – ‘The Craft of Quilting’. The Dryad Press, Leicester.
Another Dryad booklet [no.101] now out of print, shows the work of several well known quilters from the 1930’s, including Mrs Lace of Trecynon, Aberdare.
Walker, Michele (1989) – ‘The Complete Book of Quiltmaking’. Windward/Frances Lincoln. This book includes a gallery of old quilts including several Welsh ones from the collections of Ron Simpson and Jen Jones.
Walker, Michele (1990) – ‘The Passionate Quilter’. Ebury Press, London.
Has a chapter on Traditional Quiltmaking and includes a feature on Katy Lewis of Abertridwr – a professional welsh quilter from 1930 – 50’s.
Quilting Designs:
Horton, Marjorie (1997) – ‘Welsh Quilting Patterns’. Self published: obtainable from
Osler, Dorothy (1996 ) - ‘Quilting design Sourcebook’, Atlantic Books.
Welsh History and background:
Morgan, Prys and Thomas, David (1984) – ‘Wales: The Shaping of a Nation’. David & Charles, London.
Sutton, Ann (1987) – ‘The Textiles of Wales’. Bellew Publishing Co Ltd, London
‘Dyddiaduron Emiah a Mari Jones, Bancyffynnon’- Diaries of Emiah and Mari Jones of Bancyffynnon. (2003) Private publication by David Thomas, Llanelli.
This is a remarkable record of the life of two quilting sisters in Carmarthenshire, between 1921 and 1961, put together from their diaries by their great nephew. It is mostly in English, but references to chapel are in Welsh. Emiah was exceptionally talented and won numerous prizes including one at St Fagan’s during the celebrations for the Festival of Britain in 1951.
Recently published:
Allen, Rosemary (2008) - ‘Quilts and Coverlets’, from the Beamish Collection and published by the Museum. Beautifully produced with sumptuous pictures of North Country quilts – interesting to compare the designs with those of Welsh quilts of similar period. Rosemary Allen is a senior keeper at Beamish, and the book is available to order from website.
www.beamish.org.uk
More helpful websites to follow. If you know of any, please contact us with the details.