64/189

This is a patchwork bedcover of red and white rectangles with a red border. The white rectangles are made of calico and the red rectangles and border in a twill fabric. The patches are embroidered with Biblical texts. The cover has a plain back and is not quilted. It was purchased at a sale and no history is known about its origin.

1 bedcover: cotton

Letter from Royal Albert Memorial Museum, to MERL, 10 April 1964 -'I have here a bed quilt made up of red and white rectangles, each embroidered with a text. It has a red border. I wondered if you would be interested in it? I should say the date is about 1874 (very roughly) as I found a reference to texts on quilts in a magazine of that date. ... The donor of the quilt is willing for you to have it if you like. (It is in good order). She bought it in a jumble sale and was told it was made by a body of women. Not W.I. I fancy, but perhaps a chapel sisterhood.', MERL Recording form - ‘Who made it // alleged to have been made by a group of women // From what materials is the object made // White calico + Turkey twill // Additional information // Bought at a jumble sale in Topsham, Devon. No history available., MERL Handwritten form-‘BEDCOVER (PATCHWORK) // Domestic- Furnishings- Textiles // 64/189 // via Royal Albert Memorial Museum // 64/189 white calico + turkey twill, embroidered with texts, alleged to have been made by a group of women. Bought in a jumble sale.’

Stitched, Patchwork, Embroidered