TEXTILE TREASURES...

Norwich Castle Museums have recorded a six part audio series highlighting some of the objects that were on display as part of The Textile Treasures Exhibition at The Castle Museum.

It’s free to listen to. Click the link below to take you to Episode 1 Fashion and Sustainability: Stream Norfolk Museums Service | Listen to Unstitched playlist online for free on SoundCloud

This exciting Textile Exhibition was supported by the C&TA.
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Textile Treasures - a celebration of some of the best loved textiles in Norwich Castle’s nationally important Costume and Textile Collection. The exhibition showcased local connections and personal histories as told through textiles created to provide comfort, care and as a medium for self-expression.
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It included examples of patchwork, applique, and embroidery – the techniques traditionally used to make bedcovers. The pieces on show combined incredible artistry with emotional resonance which offered an insight into the lives of ordinary people. With themes of collaborative creativity, gift-giving, recycling, friendship, family and love the exhibition was even more relevant after the experiences of the pandemic.

The textiles were on open display, not behind glass, offering visitors a uniquely intimate view of pieces which are not usually on show to the public. 

Acquisitions supported by the C&TA include the Lorina Bulwer embroideries featured in Textile Treasures, and conservation of the Brereton Tester was also supported by a grant from the Costume and Textile Association.  Over the last three decades Costume and Textile Association members have contributed more than £100,000 to enable the Norfolk Museums Service to extend and improve its costume and textile collection. 
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Read more about our donations over the last 30 years.

EXHIBITION HIGHLIGHTS...

• > The Bellamy Quilt (above), a stunning appliqué and embroidered bedcover created by a Great Yarmouth couple during their engagement in 1890-91.
• Read curator Ruth Battersby-Tooke's account of the making of the quilt on the Norwich Castle blog
• > The Brereton Tester panel, the ceiling of a four-poster bed-hangings set made by a local woman, Anna Margaretta Brereton, between 1801 and 1805 while grieving after the death of her son.
• > 'The Duvet of Love' (pictured below) by David Shenton, a mosaic of badges attached to a double duvet cover to create an image of two male figures embracing.
• Read curator Ruth Battersby-Tooke's description of the Duvet of Love on the Norwich Castle blog (Please note - this was written in February 2020 - exhibition dates are not correct)
• > The Marsham Quilt, a recent donation to the collection and a beautiful example of a quilt made of recycled textiles, stitched by two sisters in domestic service in London for their Norfolk family of six nieces and nephews.
• C&TA CORONAVIRUS QUILT.​  A piece of history as recorded by members of C&TA. This stunning and fascinating patchwork was created by piecing together individual squares designed and embroidered by members during the first Corona Virus Lock Down.  It records the emotions, experiences, catchphrases and concerns of Life in Lockdown.​

Above: David Shenton's Duvet of Love