Hands on Traditional skills and where to learn them

Quilting and patchwork

What is it?In patchwork you stitch together pieces of fabric of various shapes and sizes. In quilting you then put this layer of patchwork together with a layer of wadding and a backing fabric. Some people use the terms interchangeably.

Quilted bedcovers were made in Europe from the 1500s. Decorative patchwork was introduced to Ireland in the 18th century by women who taught their servants needlework skills.

Initially, patchwork and quilting were expensive pursuits, as fabric was expensive. Then, as clothing factories were built here, it became associated with thriftiness. Now quilting has become an art form, and quilts are used as wall hangings rather than on beds.

“Quilts bring memories of warmth, comfort and security. They are familiar objects, yet they carry hidden histories and untold stories about textiles, women’s creativity or individual families,” says Mary Hunter of the Irish Patchwork Society.

How is it done?Traditionally, decorative patterns were created in symmetrical repeated blocks of hexagons, diamonds or squares. Contemporary quilts have more freestyle patterns with pieces of cloth added on. This is called applique. Other embellishments such as crystals, beading, sequins and decorative stitching, are also added to contemporary quilts. Whole-cloth quilts are made of a single piece with decorative stitching.

How long does it take?A fairly simple design on a patchwork quilt for a double bed could take between 10 and 20 hours to machine-stitch. "Hand-stitching a quilt is a labour of love," says Beryl Cadman of the Quilters Guild of Ireland.

Where can I sign up?The Irish Patchwork Society (irishpatchwork.ie) has about 500 members in eight branches that meet monthly in venues around the country. The eastern branch meets at St Anthony's Hall in Clontarf, Dublin 3, on the fourth Saturday of each month.

More than 100 quilts will be displayed at the Knitting Stitching Show at the RDS, in Dublin 4, from November 10th to 13th. The show will include classes for adults and children.

The Quilters Guild of Ireland (theqgi.com) also promotes quilting and patchwork through newsletters and meetings.

The Irish Museum of Country Life, in Turlough Park, Casltebar, Co Mayo, and the Ulster Folk and Transport Museum, in Cultra, Hollywood, Co Down display historic and contemporary patchwork quilts.

You can find makers of patchwork and quilts by searching under Textiles on the Crafts Council of Ireland website, ccoi.ie.