On construction
A quilt has four parts: a patchwork top, a backing (usually a single piece), a filler of batting to give it what quilters call ‘loft’, and the binding. Piecing is arranging and sewing together the patchwork top. Quilting is the act of stitching through these three layers, either by hand or by machine. The quilt is finished with a binding all the way around to protect and conceal the raw edges of the three layers.
On materials
Patchwork is an ancient system of recycling. I work with new fabric, but maintain the principle that quilts are made from old clothes, sheets and scraps of life – that’s how you get the mash-up that really gives patchwork its spirit and charm. Although it’s fiendish to keep the pieces perpendicular, my quilts are mostly linen, because I enjoy its heaviness and the way it takes colour. Bits of silk also give a hit of colour intensity. The wadding in the sandwich is cotton, poly-cotton, or a combination with silk or bamboo. I use cotton thread to piece the top, while the machine quilting is done either with cotton or sometimes polyester thread because it has greater resilience in the process. The back is cotton and the binding is usually silk.
On handcraft
All Pemberton Qwilts are made by hand with great care and attention to detail. Slight inconsistencies of manufacture arise from the different behaviour of the assorted fabrics I combine. For this reason – and also because the supply of fabric changes seasonally – no two of my quilts will ever be the same. Occasionally there’s a tiny repair, which I will always point out to the buyer, but which I also make exquisite with my signature patch so that you can treasure your quilt all the more.
On size
I make my double bed quilts to a standard size of 240 x 180 centimetres (96 x 72 inches). This covers the bed from the pillows to the foot, hanging generously down either side but not over the end. This is how I think quilts look their best on most beds. Your quilt can be any size you like, with a cost adjustment if it’s larger than my standard dimensions or requires significant modification of the pattern.
On price
Together, the labour in the piecing of the patchwork top and the method of quilting determine the price of the quilt. A design composed from 288 shapes takes a lot longer to sew together than one made from 28. A highly improvised design is very labour-intensive. Hand-quilting is 8–10 times the cost of the long-arm machine process and is reflected the price, although it makes no difference to the cost of materials and the time spent in piecing the top. The prices are subject to change without notice.
On delivery
Pemberton Qwilts are made to order. A machine quilt or TV quilt, with a systematic pattern requiring only moderate improvisation and a small amount of hand finishing, will be manufactured and delivered in 4-6 weeks. A hand-quilt takes up to 3 months, although some of the examples shown here under ‘Hand Quilts’ may be available to buy immediately. Hand quilted versions of several of the machine quilt designs are available exclusively in bespoke colours and sizes through Helen Chislett Gallery here.
On care
When you get your quilt, give it a good shake-out and leave it in a randomly crumpled heap to ease the creases from folding and packing. Don’t be tempted to iron it – you’ll squash out the loft. Remember that quilts belonged to the world before the washing machine. I recommend that you air your quilt every year or so, but resist washing it. Washing stresses the seams and by degrees it may fade or bleed the colours. In extremis, wash your quilt by machine on a cool cycle with a mild detergent; pump and spin. Do not tumble it dry; instead, spread it out flat or hang it over a rail for as long as it takes to dry out. The assorted fabrics may crumple at different rates as it does so, but that’s part of the charm of your handmade quilt.
