Britain at Work
A Pictorial Description of Our National Industries

WELSH COTTAGE INDUSTRIES. 175 The patterns of the stitchings have an old- world charm all their own. The design invariably starts from a round and elaborately sewn centre, and spreads outwards in quaint branches of leaves, flowers and fruit. I asked an old dame where she learnt her patterns. “ From my mother,” said she. “ And where did your mother learn them ? ” “ From little Annie’s great-grandmother, to be sure,” she replied, puzzled by the simplicity of the question. And so it is ; the little flowers and leaves originally cut out from nature in paper with the stamen and veins carefully chalked in have been handed down from generation to generation, suggesting that the Welsh are rather imitative than initiative in art; how- ever, the result of these copyings is a very charming’ and original form of convention- ality. The design is always clearly indicated by the laboriously neat runnings, no smallest detail being neglected. Finer and prettier materials, such as wash- ing silks and chintzes, are being introduced, and the Welsh quilts are now things of beauty as well as of everlasting wear. Especially attractive are the bassinette covers, which are a most successful departure. Formerly the quilts were of dark blue or red homespun cotton and much heavier. Folks required counterpanes that would wear then, as they were, and in fact still are, handed down with Photo: Cassell & Co., Ltd. MACHINE KNITTER AT WORK. Photo : Cassell & Co., Lid. HANI) KNITTER. the oak and china to posterity. The present clay quilts resemble dainty wadded bed- spreads rather than eiderdowns. There is a regular local demand for the cotton-covered counterpane, and many of the cottage workers, when enterprise in more attractive materials is suggested, say they have quite enough to do with orders from the neighbouring farmers, a good solid quilt being a necessary portion of a well-to-do girl’s dowry, and an elaborately stitched one as usual a wedding gift in the little kingdom as are fish knives in England. The Welsh quilters are too apt to be content with this local trade, and are afraid to try, or perhaps fail to see the possibility of a larger market for their labours—an unprofitable attitude these bustling times. A band of devoted Welsh ladies calling them- selves “ The Welsh Industries Association ” are doing much, by bringing up the quilting industry to the needs of to-day, and by putting the workers in touch with the buyers, to remedy this. They are accomplishing, in fact, for their country what the Scotch and Irish ladies have done for the crofters and the linen workers of Ireland. Royalty led the way by ordering some of these charm- ing counterpanes, and now there is a general trade growing up beside the old local one,