Welsh Quilting - a brief history of quilting in Wales!

The beautiful countryside of Wales is a land of inspiration, with artistic talent in abundance in its male voice choirs, singers and actors (Richard Burton started life in our village of Pontrhydyfen in fact), and world renowned writers such as Dylan Thomas. If you visit or live in the country you will soon appreciate this 'green and pleasant land'.

Quilting has definitley been part of the Welsh culture since the late 18th century - although it is likely to be an older art in the country, there is very little evidence surviving of Welsh quilts before this time. It is a little after this that there became a recognisable Welsh style of quilt-making, in their wholecloth quilts and woollen quilts in particular.

Initially, due to the cost of fabrics for quilting, quilts were roughly made from home-spun woollen blankets. In the middle of the 19th century less expensive printed fabrics began to become available to the masses and quilting production really took off - many of the best examples being made from Welsh flannel.

It is the Welsh flannel quilts in their bold colours and geometric shapes that give rise to the comparison between Welsh quilting and the more well known Amish style of quilting, and as there was a great deal of Welsh immigrants to America at this time, particularly to Pennsylvania, it seems impossible to deny a link between the two. The design influence also passed back to Wales, with American block designs appearing in Welsh quilts from this time as Welsh families travelled to and from America.The cushion cover to the right is inspired by Welsh patchwork techniques, hand quilted with traditional motifs such as spirals and the Welsh pear, or paisley design.

Quiltmaking in Wales however was not a hobby, it was a profession. Making quilts was one of the few ways a woman could earn a respectable living , and as there were many miners' widows around it meant that a woman could support herself and her family. Quilts were made to order by the local seamstress, many housewives in the area would get new fabric and wadding each year and have a new set of bedding made up for the winter - although there was usually a 'special' quilt in the household reserved for important guests.

Quilting in Wales remained an important industry until the early 20th century, when mass produced items started to take over. There was a resurgence between the two world wars when the Rural Industries Bureau established a programme to encourage craft industries in areas affected by economic depression. The quilts made during this time were mainly high quality quilts to sell as luxury items in wealthier areas. Sadly though, fabric production ceased during World War II, and after the war there was neither the necessity or the skills remaining to carry on the craft in any major fashion.

Quilting in the Welsh style has therefore all but died out in in our country. There are however many enthusiasts (myself included!) who wish to keep the tradition going and not lose the many quilts that have been found and restored from the "golden age" of Welsh quilting. This website therefore aims to encourage quilting in the Welsh style - for inspiration there are some links below to places Welsh quilts can be seen and admired, and where further information can be found. We have also added to our range of kits and patterns a Welsh-style patchwork wallhanging, so you can create one of these pieces of traditional craft for yourself!

Museum of Welsh Life, St Fagans - The Museum of Welsh Life has a collection of Welsh crafts including quilts and Welsh wool products

The Quilt Association - Home of a collection of Welsh quilts known as the Welsh Heritage Collection. Frequent exhibitions are held.

Jen Jones Welsh Quilts - Welsh quilts and blankets for sale, exhibitions and lectures and some excellent books available on Welsh quilts and quilting.

The American Museum, Bath - For comparisons between Welsh and American quilt designs

Ceredigion Museum - Collection of Welsh quilts on display

National Woollen Museum - Primarily blankets on display but a good history of the Welsh woollen industry.