Thank you for this. A note on your picture of room at Claridges. It shows the two singe beds covered with whole-piece quilts. These have an incredible history all of their own. This particularly British form of quilting was a skilled cottage industry in Wales and the North East in the 19th century with many beautiful patterns created by the famous Elizabeth Sanderson of Allenheads. The quilting workshops were reinstituted in the 1930s in Wales and the North East to give miners wives work during the Depression and Claridges bought the quilts for their rooms. The Bowes Museum has a wonderful collection of these quilts.
I live too far away to attend, but can just imagine how wonderful it is to be among those like-minded souls that Persephone brings together. On-line will have to suffice. I love reading every post, we share so many interests. Thank you.
Oh I wish I’d been there! Just finished an interesting Icelandic novel with my book group: The Greenhouse by Audur Eve Olafsdottir. A young man sets off to restore an ancient rose garden in a monastery in an unspecified country. A lovely portrait of fatherhood. Unusually we all liked it. I think it draws upon the work of Bernardino Luini, and the poor young widow who modelled for him and created amaretto so she could gift him something. Luini did the fab frescoes in San Maurizio in Milan of women reading, writing, studying… you might enjoy the novel it has a Scandi vibe.
What a great summary of an event I would have loved to attend. I discovered Persophone Books through your blog Yarnstorm, and have a nice stack of them. I recently went through that stack and pulled out Someone at a Distance; a sign that it deserves another reading.
I hope I’m not too late to the party - I’ve just rediscovered your writing and I’m so thrilled you are in this space sharing your work! After several long and stressful years, I was able to retire early in February. As spring warms up and I look ahead to summer, I am eagerly pursuing what I jokingly call my “English country life” (I’m an American who happily lives in a small city). Of course, The Gentle Art of Domesticity came down off the shelf and reminded me to look you up. Thank you so much for your work and your inspiration!
I always love Vuillard's attention to pattern and texture (especially houndstooth it seems!) -- and will have to look up DW. Congratulations on the article, that's quite an achievement. And you have me yearning to cut out paper sewing patterns again. It must finally be spring!
The title of your latest gentle read could not have been more appropriate. I have just finished loading and then unloading the car as the car boot I was due to attend has been cancelled! It is once again sluicing it down outside. I will just have to content myself with a sewing day.
I understand your public speaking anxiety. 12 years ago I lost the sight in one eye but one of the benefits was losing the fear of public speaking. Can’t see the audience so it’s fine! I now do lots of talks and have met many wonderful people. I miss reading actual books though…
Your post has almost made up for not being able to make the long trek south the the Festival - and made me more determined to try to get to one in future. The paintings you illustrate your posts with are wonderful. Have to admit that in 'Monday, Northampton', as a gardener I was immediately zooming in on the veg plot rather than the washing lines! Despite what must have been an exhausting week with a lot of clear-up afterwards, Persephone have already sent the book I ordered during the Festival. Looking forward to reading 'Long Live Great Bardfield' this week, and attending an Arts Society Lecture locally entitled 'So, They Do Cook After All: Ravilious and Bawden', about the artistic community at Great Bardfield. Enjoy your post Festival pursuits.
If you go to the persephone website the talks are all recorded. I couldn’t go either but wailed on instagram and was told they were all there. Im starting Janes this afternoon!
Having read yet another delightful Sunday post I am even more upset that I wasn’t able to attend the festival. I will clear all decks for next year’s event. Delighted to read it was widely attended & enjoyed by all. My only consolation was having the good fortune to be standing in front of The Kiss & Judith instead of hearing about High Wages, one of my favourite DWs.
Thank you for transporting us “there” I was sorry to have missed it and was delighted to receive a link to the recorded presentations that I am slowly savouring! Do you know if there was a recording of The Gentle Art of Domesticity - I can’t see it among the recordings on the link?
Thanks - I will get on enjoying the others - I have loved all your work since I was lucky enough to see you speak about quilts in Stratford upon Avon many years ago. Keep up the great work!
Thank you for this. A note on your picture of room at Claridges. It shows the two singe beds covered with whole-piece quilts. These have an incredible history all of their own. This particularly British form of quilting was a skilled cottage industry in Wales and the North East in the 19th century with many beautiful patterns created by the famous Elizabeth Sanderson of Allenheads. The quilting workshops were reinstituted in the 1930s in Wales and the North East to give miners wives work during the Depression and Claridges bought the quilts for their rooms. The Bowes Museum has a wonderful collection of these quilts.
The Claridge's quilts are amazing and a great piece of textile history. I have to say I wonder how the hotel kept them clean!
I live too far away to attend, but can just imagine how wonderful it is to be among those like-minded souls that Persephone brings together. On-line will have to suffice. I love reading every post, we share so many interests. Thank you.
Oh I wish I’d been there! Just finished an interesting Icelandic novel with my book group: The Greenhouse by Audur Eve Olafsdottir. A young man sets off to restore an ancient rose garden in a monastery in an unspecified country. A lovely portrait of fatherhood. Unusually we all liked it. I think it draws upon the work of Bernardino Luini, and the poor young widow who modelled for him and created amaretto so she could gift him something. Luini did the fab frescoes in San Maurizio in Milan of women reading, writing, studying… you might enjoy the novel it has a Scandi vibe.
What a great summary of an event I would have loved to attend. I discovered Persophone Books through your blog Yarnstorm, and have a nice stack of them. I recently went through that stack and pulled out Someone at a Distance; a sign that it deserves another reading.
My 1st PB & still my favourite DW.
Thankyou so much for your article on the Persephone festival…l would so love to have gone to it..
Love your articles ..all of them..Thankyou Jane..🌺🌺
I hope I’m not too late to the party - I’ve just rediscovered your writing and I’m so thrilled you are in this space sharing your work! After several long and stressful years, I was able to retire early in February. As spring warms up and I look ahead to summer, I am eagerly pursuing what I jokingly call my “English country life” (I’m an American who happily lives in a small city). Of course, The Gentle Art of Domesticity came down off the shelf and reminded me to look you up. Thank you so much for your work and your inspiration!
Thank you!
I always love Vuillard's attention to pattern and texture (especially houndstooth it seems!) -- and will have to look up DW. Congratulations on the article, that's quite an achievement. And you have me yearning to cut out paper sewing patterns again. It must finally be spring!
Have to admit I'm happier with sewing pattern language than academic language!
Thank you for your contributions in Bath last weekend. I wasn't able to attend in person but I am absolutely loving the recordings.
The title of your latest gentle read could not have been more appropriate. I have just finished loading and then unloading the car as the car boot I was due to attend has been cancelled! It is once again sluicing it down outside. I will just have to content myself with a sewing day.
I understand your public speaking anxiety. 12 years ago I lost the sight in one eye but one of the benefits was losing the fear of public speaking. Can’t see the audience so it’s fine! I now do lots of talks and have met many wonderful people. I miss reading actual books though…
Your post has almost made up for not being able to make the long trek south the the Festival - and made me more determined to try to get to one in future. The paintings you illustrate your posts with are wonderful. Have to admit that in 'Monday, Northampton', as a gardener I was immediately zooming in on the veg plot rather than the washing lines! Despite what must have been an exhausting week with a lot of clear-up afterwards, Persephone have already sent the book I ordered during the Festival. Looking forward to reading 'Long Live Great Bardfield' this week, and attending an Arts Society Lecture locally entitled 'So, They Do Cook After All: Ravilious and Bawden', about the artistic community at Great Bardfield. Enjoy your post Festival pursuits.
If you go to the persephone website the talks are all recorded. I couldn’t go either but wailed on instagram and was told they were all there. Im starting Janes this afternoon!
Thank you, Helen. The benefits of wailing on Instagram!
Thanks for the heads-up.
Great to know, as I live in the US and couldn’t have attended.
I'm very envious, really hope to get there next year! And you can never go wrong, reverting to Trollope. Always the perfect pick-me-up
Having read yet another delightful Sunday post I am even more upset that I wasn’t able to attend the festival. I will clear all decks for next year’s event. Delighted to read it was widely attended & enjoyed by all. My only consolation was having the good fortune to be standing in front of The Kiss & Judith instead of hearing about High Wages, one of my favourite DWs.
Thank you for transporting us “there” I was sorry to have missed it and was delighted to receive a link to the recorded presentations that I am slowly savouring! Do you know if there was a recording of The Gentle Art of Domesticity - I can’t see it among the recordings on the link?
https://persephonebooks.co.uk/pages/the-persephone-festival-podcasts?syclid=con07t4h33ns73fal9u0&utm_campaign=emailmarketing_136545992771&utm_medium=email&utm_source=shopify_email
Hi,
Sorry, no, that one isn't available.
Jane
Thanks - I will get on enjoying the others - I have loved all your work since I was lucky enough to see you speak about quilts in Stratford upon Avon many years ago. Keep up the great work!
Thank you. Oh, it was!