History In The Making

When The Quilters’ Guild acquired a 1718-dated patchwork coverlet, it was clear they had something very special in their possession, but what of its mystery maker? Diana Woolf talks to guild curator, Heather Audin, to find out more.

Exactly three hundred years ago, an unknown embroiderer put the finishing touches to a patchwork coverlet, proudly adding the date 1718 and signing it with the initials, EH. In the process, EH created an important piece of textile history, as the coverlet is the oldest known dated example of patchwork in the British Isles. Today it’s one of the most treasured possessions of The Quilters’ Guild of Great Britain and the highlight of their collection of historic quilts. “It’s our star piece and is internationally significant,” says Heather Audin, curator at The Quilters’ Guild.

The coverlet’s importance lies in both its extreme age and its highly sophisticated design. Not only is it the oldest known dated example of patchwork in the UK, but it seems that it’s the oldest example of this type of patchwork in the world. There is a similar piece in the McCord Museum, Montréal, dated 1726, but it is much simpler in design, with the majority of the blocks following the same pattern of four joined triangles. “It doesn’t have the variety of motifs shown in our quilt,” says Heather, adding, “Ours is quite unique and no other patchwork from that period shows the same level of complexity or is so old.”