Great Quilt News From Across the Pond

The Quilters Guild of the British Isles has sent out a press release that its new museum is almost up and running. Any chance you're planning a trip to England this summer? Every quilt nut going to Merry Olde now has another 'must see' spot! The new facility is in a historic building in the city of York, a city you won't want to miss anyway with its gorgeous cathedrals.

And just think, York is on the rail line that takes you north to Durham where you can also check out the beautiful quilts at the Beamish Museum...

From the Guild's February 6 press release: Europe's only museum dedicated to quilting and textile arts opens its new facility on 7 June 2008, in historic Yorks medieval St Anthonys Hall. The Quilt Museum and Gallery will become the national headquarters of the Quilters' Guild of the British Isles and its world-famous Heritage Collection. The earliest known signed and dated patchwork, the colourful 1718 patchwork coverlet, is among some 600 quilts in the Guild's Heritage Collection etc.

Below is a photo of what the 1718 coverlet. Like many early English pieces, it was sewn in the over-paper template manner.
Isn't it exquisite? Congratulations to the UK Quilt Guild and I'll be campaigning for an English vacation in the near future. May 2009 is what I'm aiming for. I love England in May!