Joanna Southcott and quilts

you will see that my relatively new header is a patchwork sample, this was to celebrate the V&A's 'Quilts 1700-2010' exhibition. last week i couriered a loan to the exhibition and the quilt in question was reputedly made by Joanna Southcott, 'the Exeter Prophetess'. Born in 1750 or thereabouts she became known for her visions and prophecies. in 1814 at the age of 64 she announced that she was pregnant with the new messiah (Shiloh) but died 'giving birth' with no evidence of a baby. i tell myself that only in Devon do we get such eccentrics (a la 'Jam and Jerusalem' kind) but i am sure i will be proved wrong. the patchwork on show at the V&A was made about 1808/10 from a rather intriguing array of printed cottons which have a rather 1950's look to them. Her name is embroidered on the quilt with her own hair. the exhibition which was looking very impressive last week is going to be stunning but will prove to be very popular, they have sold quite a large number of tickets already!