We officially opened on Monday (5th June) and straight away at 10.00 there were two visitors to see the paisley exhibition, and the promise of more visitors for the exhibition over the next few weeks! Life really is returning to the TRC premises!
Quilting is not limited to bedspreads. Print published in the UK in 1885, showing quilted armour for men and horses, from Abyssinia (Ethiopia) (TRC 2021.0284).
We are working hard on creating an extensive programme of workshops, study days and courses. For the programme as it stands now, please have a look at Upcoming Activities. And we are also talking with various people and groups to include bobbin lace and quilting classes. All part of our aim to set up a vibrant textile artisan centre for visitors to explore the fascinating theme of textiles and dress in all their diversity. And since the latest TRC Newsletter went out a few days ago, it is clear that there are many people who want to attend the various events.
Detail of a sampler with embroidery and handknitted miniature socks, the Netherlands, 1895-96 (TRC 2021.1808b). The TRC wants to promote and support the crafts of textile production in all its aspects.And today? Well we were the location for the making of four films for the online national Textile Festival to replace the actual one that was supposed to take place in May 2020 and was then postponed to May 2021 and then, to October …. All thanks to Covid.
STIDOC (Stichting Textiel Informatie en Documentatie Centrum), one of the organisers of the Textile Festival, are working with various Dutch organisations to make a wide range of films about textiles in different locations in and around Leiden, including a huge, former flour mill and the 17th century botanical gardens in the centre of the city. We had the pleasure today of hosting Pieternel Hol from STIDOC and Inge van Koningsveld and others from the Quiltersgilde who wanted to make a series of three films about Dutch quilt makers. All of these films are being produced by a local film group, the Leidse Video en Smalfilm Liga (LVSL). We shortly hope to tell you more about them.
Late 19th century sampler, the Netherlands (TRC 2021.1809).By way of saying ‘thanks’ to the TRC Leiden for providing the location plus tea, coffee, biscuits, etc, a special film was made about the TRC’s extensive American quilt collection, feed sacks, and our plans to make a quilting centre.
In addition to the film crew, organisers, quilters and partners we welcomed visitors to the TRC shop, and twice people came in with donations for the TRC Collection. The ‘new’ items include Moroccan leather work, batik textiles, Turkish hand knitted socks, as well as a range of beautifully embroidered caps from Asia. In addition, there is a handmade hat made out of a piece of thick leather, and I must admit I have no idea where it comes from! More to come about all these pieces over the next few weeks.
All-in-all, today saw 19 visitors spread out between 09.30 until we closed – and we can say life is truly returning to the TRC Leiden, and we love it!
Gillian Vogelsang, Director TRC, 10 June 2021
