V and A Exhibition

I arrived like the white rabbit late, but with 2 minutes to spare. I hate rushing but walked in through the doors knowing the exhibition time was finally here. Years ago we first heard of this and it seemed so long in the future it would never arrive.

For those of you overseas, my route from the train station took me past Houses of Parliament, Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Buckingham Palace, Hyde Park Corner and Harrods. (I still get a kick out of these places) The entrance to the V and A is impressive but as I didn't want to risk life and limb going back across the road to get a better view and be even later arriving, this photo is as good as it gets.
The whole exhibition was wonderful a full exhibition of quilts not normally available to view. (There are a few contemporary works but we as quilters will not perhaps appreciate these as much, with one or two exceptions) There is as there surely had to be, a Sanderson star (not the best Sanderson Star but representive of them), wholecloths mainly from the 19th century, a fabulous strippy with feathers to die for (well I would notice that wouldn't I?)
The stars of the show are the pieced quilts and coverlets. The one below really took my fancy with the most incredible stars in each circle (Susan Briscoe might have other photos of this quilt on her blog ). This particular photo is curtesy of the V&A and they retain their copyright (please respect).


They have their famous quilt with the sundial centre dated 1797. We've seen this quilt in many books but it is so very impressive in person.
The Rajah quilt has been borrowed from Australia for the duration of the exhibition and this one coverlet would make the trip worth while, after all a trip to Canberra would be required to see it again and I think I'm right in saying they only have it on display for one day a year.
There are the 'soldiers' quilts, made from tiny pieces of military uniforms (my feeling is only men could be so determined to piece these works. They impress me with their skill but not their artistry.
I didn't see the Tristram quilt, can it really not be on display or did I miss it (possible)
I shall go back perhaps next month, perhaps next week if I can't wait...
Run to see this, don't walk.