The Tristan Quilt-One of the Oldest Quilts in the World

10 responses to “The Tristan Quilt-One of the Oldest Quilts in the World”

1. Thanks for this post Lori. I wasn’t aware of this ancient quilt but it will be on my list to visit when I go London in the future. To think that a quilt has lasted from the 1300’s! Wow!

2. Wow! This is particularly inspiring to me as I learn machine quilting! About time I caught this age-old trend. Thanks Lori!

3. Several years ago I read 18th Century Fashion in Detail by Susan North which “reveals the decorative seams, refined stitching, voluptuous drapery, strict corseting, slashing, and stamping that make up some of the garments in the Victoria and Albert Museum s superlative fashion collection.” That’s when I knew I had to visit the V & A someday. This quilt has added to my desire to visit England and spend at least one day in the V & A. Thank you for sharing.

4. This is a pretty incredible story.
   Thank you for sharing this Lori
   Happy Saturday to you

5. Also a fabulous Richard Wagner opera! “Tristan and Isolde”. I have seen this quilt in the V& A museum :0) Thank goodness no one has erased this history yet.

6. This is so awesome. I really appreciate you sharing paintings and other historical sewing related items. I know I will never get to England but through you I have a new bit of knowledge.

7. Thank you for sharing — hadn’t known about this and am awestruck on every level. 🙂

8. A group in France, lead by Madame Francine Nicolle, founder and director of “Maison du Boutis”, has made a reproduction of the Tristan Quilt. It was made in linen with all hand stitched. It was shown at the Quilt Festival in Houston 7or 8 years ago. It was awe inspiring in modern days. I can only imagine the wonder and value it had when originally produced. I had the pleasure of introducing it to my grandson, Tristan. He had seen my quilting so was someway aware of the work that went into it.

   1. The Tristan Quilt is not a quilt made in the traditional sense as we understand it, rather it is one of the oldest surviving quilts showing stuffed, corded needlework, known in France as “Boutis”. The quilt has been traced to an atelier in Italy between 1360 – 1400 and as Pat V wrote, a replica has been reproduced by a group in Calvisson France. In France, this technique was adopted by the ateliers in Marseilles, France in the 15th century and became a highly prized textile. If interested, I have written many blog posts about boutis on my blog, http://www.seamsfrench.blogspot.com, including one about “The Tristan Quilt at the V & A”.

9. What an amazing piece of very fine needlework you have brought to our attention! Such attention to detail is astounding. Thank you for sharing this historic piece with us.