Welsh quilts

I received an email from Jen Jones in Wales this week.

Jen is the person who realized the treasures in antique Welsh quilts. When she first moved to Wales and became aware of the quilts, they were not valued and were used in inappropriate ways as in cattle byres, under mattresses for additional padding, etc. Since that time, the Welsh quilt and its traditions have received the attention they deserved. Jen's first shop is next to her home near the small village of Llanybydder--very diffcult to pronounce unless your Welsh! In 2009, Jen opened the Welsh Quilt Centre in the town of Lampeter. She has also written two books on the subject and has taken her collection for exhibitions farther afield than the U.K., there was one in the U.S. and another in Japan several years ago. When I was in the U.K. last year, I was very fortunate to be in London at the same time as a special exhition of quilts at the V. & A. Museum. That visit enabled me to learn more about the Welsh quilts.

Have a look at her site: http://www.jen-jones.com. In this larger venue, she is able to offer workshops, more extensive exhibitions, a small tea room and even details of a quilting project they have with a charity in Ethiopia.

In 2011 the exhibition of Welsh quilts is called "Oh That Summer Would Last Forever". We'll be meeting Jen during the May tour to Wales, and we'll repeat the visit during the second tour in September. As of today, there is still space on that second tour, but that trip is also small and is limited to 14 travellers.

See the details of the itinerary and let me know if you have any questions and would like to register: www.joycejamestours.com