Wednesday, November 9, 2011

The Welsh Connection

To my stunned surprise, I own something which is On Trend.It's a memory from my childhood which made its way over to France in a rather weighty suitcase...It has one hole (moths cannot be blamed - think little fingers, I fear, although from which generation I know not...)


And BBC Homes and Antiques tells me it's a 'Covetable Antique'! Oh la la!


It's a Welsh tapestry blanket. They are still made (I got rather excited when I saw Jane C's post about a new Melin Tregwynt blanket in just the same colours).

But of the old Welsh blankets, these 'tapestry' designs (they're actually woven, rather than stitched, so it's a misnomer) seem to be the most desirable.What a super picture. If you want something like the one below I found a more affordable version here - now sold but there are lots of interesting ebay links.


This is the label on mine.Derw woollen mills closed in 1981 but I always presumed this one came from the 1960s. Now I look at the pictures and read the article it seems that it might be a bit earlier - maybe even from someone following Welsh tradition in giving a blanket to my grandparents when they got married in the 1930s.


For now it's in full 'gloating' position on our balcony. And, looking at the prices, I'm keeping it away from little fingers from now on!


Blankets do seem to be a feature of my posts right now! As Lakota cleverly noticed, the blanket I snuggled up in yesterday was made by our talented (but not price-wise) French charity shop lady. And our Selfsewn friend commented on the wonderful, wonderful patchwork (even though it's quite the opposite of 'fussy') - it's the one from Reunion which I bought this May. It's great fun to have such observant comments - thanks for keeping in touch, friends.

14 comments:

Sherri B. said...

How nice to find that you own such a treasure. Wouldn't it be great if you knew the total history?

Lakota [Faith Hope and Charity Shopping] said...

I've just read that article too, and kicked myself that I didn't end up buying any of the tapestry blankets I looked at on Ebay a few years ago. Seems like prices have really gone up since then. I did see some nice ones last time I was in Cowbridge (nr Cardiff), although some of them do remind me of 'Space Invaders' a little bit!

Yours looks wonderful over the balcony.

Grateful4Crochet said...

Wow- it's really beautiful!! I love blankets with history. My great grandmother made everyone in the family blankets when they married, and I am trying to restart the tradition.

Carol said...

Beautiful, with or without the tiny holes.
Went to York today and saw some beautiful cushion covers made from old Witney blankets and decorated with some exquisite floral embroidery, almost had to buy one.
Carol xx

Elizabethd said...

I love those Welsh designs. How clever of you to be so chic!

Cape Cod Washashore said...

What a lovely blanket you have! And what a treat to own something that is so sought after, especially since it's been in your own family!

Loo xx from Jumbles and Pompoms said...

I love your welsh tapestry blankie. I've been lusting after one for ages but as you say they are rather pricey. Love it that it is now in "full gloating position" on your balcony - and so it should be!

Lululiz said...

Gorgeous blanket, and so beautifully displayed on your balcony.

Elderberry-Rob said...

Just catching up on your posts, I have missed a few. Beautiful Welsh blanket and lovely that you are displaying/using it. Betty

polkadotpeticoat said...

Beautiful, how exciting to have a FAMILY treasure.....

Angela said...

Now I am wondering what happened to the welsh tapestry cape I was given when Liz was a little girl.
The adult ones are £129 on that website!!
Next week I am hunting through the loft. I suspect I passed it on to another family though.

Glad you have that precious blanket - treasure it!

Pomona said...

It's a beautiful blanket - how lucky you are to have it!

Pomona x

Peeriemoot said...

Lovely blanket :-). Tapestry is, properly speaking, a woven thing. The Bayeux Tapestry became known as a tapestry because it's a wall-hanging (as most real tapestries were) even though strictly speaking it's not a tapestry at all!

Lyn said...

Oh I love welsh blankets...I wish I had one handed down to me....lucky you!
xxx