I have always wanted to visit this incredible museum London and know what I was appreciating. My mum took me there when I was a little girl, but my enduring memory is of being bored and wanting to go home. That was not the case yesterday however! We flew in to London at 6am, hopped a train to Paddington, checked our suitcases into the locker and walked across Kensington Park Garden to the V&A.
Having made sure that it REALLY didn't open until 10am, (waiting, waiting....)
....I allowed Damian to have some breakfast and my ever patient husband stoked himself up for a few hours of textile torture after a 24 hour flight. He's a good man.
Nothing like having four hours to appreciate what should take around 40, but we headed right for the texile section and I was in heaven. One of the many wonderful things about the V&A is that they allow photography of their permanent exhibitions, which many museums don't. I have taken so many pics that it's a bit bananas, so here's just a few of the things that tickled my fancy and I will put a gallery up on SEWN tonight when I get home from the show.
This is the first thing I saw when I walked into the Islamic section. I knew I was going to have a good morning.
Most of the pics I took are of antique fabrics and embroidery. You will have to excuse the little bits of flash as they are all under glass and it's hard to get the right angle. I was initially worried about using the flash to take pictures of them but the guard said it was fine, so who am I to argue!
This is the collar section of a gown. I love this pattern, it makes me think of clamshell borders.
I love these birds, they are beautiful. This is a section of a tapestry.
Isn't this wonderful?? Look at the shapes in the pin wheel flowers and the little bird with the hearts in it's tail. And those horses!!! Whoopee!!
The simplicity of this embroidery is beautiful and elegant. I love the white on the linen background.
Doesn't this remind you of Kaffe's new Persian vase fabric? Hmmm.....
OK, that ought to tide you all over while I go off to the quilt show and find some more things to show you! Oh, the things I do for you........
Tee hee :)
Oh wow, I would love to be there visiting the V&A! Thanks for sharing those pics!
Posted by: Deb D | Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 08:22 PM
The V&A is one of my most favourite places to visit when I am in London - most recently in July. I agree that the hours spent in the fabric section are the best. I also love the Dale Chihuly glass scultpure in the foyer. Lucky you.
Meg
Posted by: Meg | Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 08:24 PM
Mr. Last Piece is a good man. Thanks so much for sharing. While in London many years ago the V & A museum is one we didn't make it to. We did do Kensington Gardens..gorgeous. That is my most favorite piece in Kaffe's new line.
Posted by: Stephanie | Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 09:35 PM
I'm so envious Sarah, I would LOVE to visit the V & A! Thank you SO MUCH for sharing some of it with us. Thanks to your patient, long suffering hubby, I have one of them too!! xo
Posted by: Cathy | Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 11:14 PM
I've only been to the V & A once -- and we were running out of time. I was traveling with my father and my husband about 12 years ago and I remember that the guys tried to squeeze so many extra things into the day that we got to V & A with only a limited amount of time till closing. I told them where I would meet them at closing, then ditched them for textiles. I was really into counted thread samplers at the time, and had seen many antique English samplers in books -- including the oldest English sampler, Jane Bostocke 1598. No one else was around and I felt like I was in a sacred place. I felt such a sense of reverence for the women, their work, the history. Either I didn't know that photography was allowed (I think I hit the ground running toward textiles when we walked in the door) or the rule has changed, because I didn't get any pictures. Thank you so much for sharing yours! And -- I just finished a quilt for my daughter using Kaffe's fabric -- vase with flowers -- for the backing. I didn't know it was from the V & A's collection. That makes it even more special to me.
Posted by: wishes, true and kind | Thursday, August 20, 2009 at 11:51 PM
I love the V&A. I have been twice and hope to again in the future. It is such an awesome place, I wish that I lived closer.
Posted by: Anita | Friday, August 21, 2009 at 03:28 AM
I'll bet it was just a mind-boggle of amazingness. Gorgeous grounds, eh? Can't wait to see more pics! Happy to have a vicarious visit!!
Posted by: amy | Friday, August 21, 2009 at 10:29 PM
The man who has made up his mind to win will never say "impossible".
Posted by: Air Jordans | Friday, March 04, 2011 at 01:52 PM