Deb Roberts' Quilt and Textile Study Tours

~A Quilt Lover's Journey through England and Wales~
August 6-19, 2007

THIS TOUR IS NOW FULL - PLEASE CONTACT FOR WAITLIST INFORMATION

August 6, 2007 Day 1: Manchester - The group will meet at our Manchester Hotel for a welcome dinner that will include an orientation to England and Wales by our tour director.

August 7, Day 2: This morning after breakfast, we board our coach heading to York. Our first stop today is the Whitworth Art Gallery. Internationally famous for its collections of art and design, the Whitworth Art Gallery which is part of the University of Manchester, is home to an impressive range of watercolors, prints, drawings, modern art and sculpture, as well as the largest collections of textiles and wallpapers outside of the V&A. We will have special access to the textile and quilt archives during our visit which is exciting as they have several documented 17th century quilts in their collection.  Following the Whitworth, our next stop is York, our home for the next three nights.  After check-in at our hotel, we will have the opportunity for an optional walking tour with our guide or you may also spend time at leisure enjoying a fabulous pub or shopping in this historic city. Overnight York.

August 8, Day 3: Today we will visit the archives of the York Castle Museum with our hostess Josie Sheppard, curator of costumes and textiles.  The group will be split so while one half views the quilts, the other half will have free time to explore and shop in York. This would be a great time to grab some tea, a scone and clotted cream and enjoy this wonderful English tradition.  OR, help yourself to some STICKY PUDDING, the best in town is sold in our hotel restaurant! Overnight York.

August 9, Day 4: Today after breakfast we will take a short drive to Halifax.  Half the group will have a curatorial led viewing of quilts from the historic collection at the British Quilt Heritage Museum, while the other half will enjoy the galleries of Dean Clough, a restored mill.  Time is allowed with the quilts so that you may take all you need to study fabrics and style.  After lunch the groups will switch.  We return to York for the evening.

August 10, Day 5: After a leisurely breakfast we will have the morning free to finish up sightseeing and shopping in York before an early afternoon drive to London.  Upon arrival in London we will have an orientation tour on our coach before arriving at our hotel. Overnight London.

August 11 and 12, Days 6 & 7: These are free days in London.  You will have the opportunity to explore this fascinating and exciting city on your own, visit the V&A textile gallery, the British Museum, Westminster Abbey, or any of the many London attractions.  Our tour director will be available for suggestions and walking tours that he will arrange independently.  You may also arrange optional coach tours to places such as Windsor Castle and Stonehenge. We are purposely in London on a weekend so you if you choose, you may attend one of the many markets - including the famous antique market on Portobello Road.

August 13, Day 8: Today we will spend at the Victoria and Albert Museum with curators from the textile archives.  We will be spending time in both the quilt, textile and costume archives, and the Indian Artifacts Archive.  Known for their textiles, the V&A has a tremendous assortment for us to see in both areas.  Here again, time is allowed for us to see and study the quilts at length, and the collection of Indian painted and printed chintz in the Indian Archives is beyond imagination. The V&A has one of the world's finest and most extensive collections of fashionable dress and textiles, a total of 63,000 objects. This compilation brings together a representative selection of clothing and fabrics, many of which have appeared in museum displays and publications.  Our London hotel is situated within walking distance of the V&A for those who would like to go for private study time. Overnight London

August 14, Day 9: We depart London today for the World Heritage City of Bath, known as one of England's most beautiful places to visit. While we are in Bath we will visit the American Museum, famous for its quilt collection. Bath, is a unique city; its hot springs, Roman Baths, splendid Abbey, and Georgian stone crescents have attracted visitors for centuries. Set in rolling Somerset Countryside, just over 100 miles west of London, it is a beautiful and unforgettable place to visit.  Overnight Bath

August 15, Day 10: This morning after breakfast we will depart for Llanybydder in the southern section of Wales, and the home of Jen Jones’ Quilt Shop. Jen is planning on our visit and will make a presentation to us regarding Welsh quilts and, of course we will have time to peruse her shop!  After a visit with Jen and her quilt collection we will have an afternoon departure to Birmingham.  Overnight Birmingham.

August 16, Day 11: Today we have a full day in Birmingham, so that we might take in the famous British Festival of Quilts.  Our hotel is near the exhibition grounds so that we can come and go as we please. Overnight Birmingham.

August 17, Day 12: This morning we depart Birmingham for the northern part of Wales.  Our final stop of the day will be the Isle of Anglesey where there is a special exhibition of the quilts made by Edrica Huws.  Edrica is known as the first textile artist in England, and I am told her work is quite remarkable.  Anglesey is steeped in history and our guide is eager to show us some of the more beautiful historic sights. Overnight Anglesey.  For more about Edrica Huws, click here.

August 18, Day 13: Morning departure for Minerva Art Center in Llanidloes, home to the Welsh quilter’s guild and their collection of historic quilts.  After departing Llanidloes we will head toward our final stop of Manchester where we will gather for a farewell dinner. Overnight Manchester. 

August 19, Day 14: Departure Day:  Today, we will transfer to the airport on our own at leisure to catch our flights back to the USA – full of fond memories and hopefully, a few textile treasures.