Casgliadau Arlein

Patchwork quilt made by Mrs Elizabeth Beynon (nee Howells; died 1895) of Llwyncrwn Farm, St Clears, Carmarthenshire. She later moved to Maesteg.

Top cover of machine pieced patchwork, mainly in plain wine, various reds, blue, fawn and red with woven strip. The patchwork is laid out in medallion pattern with square centre surrounded by multiple borders of rectangular and triangular pieces of wool and wool/cotton mix. Backing of yellow floral cotton print. Filling of cream plain weave flannel, some pieces of blue and cream woven check flannel, and blue striped flannel in border area. Quilting pattern is unevenly stitched in running stitch (cotton thread). The pattern consists of a central circular sunburst motif encircled by spirals and single cable, all outlined by rows of stitching, within a rectangular field filled with wave motifs. Inner border of veined leaves with fillings of cable and wave with corner fan motifs filled with spirals and rows of double cable. Outer border has concentric diamond motifs and corner fans with linear and zigzag fillings.