A new exhibition at the Museum of Childhood on the Royal Mile features a huge quilt made up by the work of more than 60 adults and children from across the UK.
The designs are sparked by books and memories of a story before bedtime and the quilt is on display now along with historical toys and magical projections. Toys bring to life poems by Stevenson recalling his youth around the capital and there are coloured magic lanterns illuminating the room as they would have in the late 1800s.
Councillor Richard Lewis, Edinburgh’s Culture Convener, said: “Escape the dark days of autumn and winter with a trip to the Museum of Childhood’s cosy Bedtime Stories display. Young children will love discovering cuddly toys of years gone by while older ones will enjoy spotting scenes and characters of bedtime tales from their own childhoods.
“The centrepiece of the exhibition is a brand new item, created especially for the Museum to display. This is a first for the Museum and offers a true patchwork of the nation’s memories and favourite tales. Look closely and you can identify traditional nursery rhymes like Jack and the Beanstalk, Scots classics by Robert Louis Stevenson, and modern day favourites like the Very Hungry Caterpillar and even the Teletubbies.”
Quilt contributor Fiona Johnston from Dunbar said: “The whole project is such a nice concept and my family had fun reminiscing about our childhood now that my brother and I have our own children, and we have continued the family traditions.”
Exhibition curator Alice Sage from the Council’s Museums service added: “The exhibition playfully combines past and present, showing the enduring power of reading to ignite creativity and the joy of sharing stories. The big Bedtime Stories Quilt was great fun to do, and it was wonderful to bring together so many people. I was surprised by the vibrancy of people’s memories, and how well they captured those magical moments between waking and sleep.”
Details of the Bedtime Stories Quilt project, images and stories can be found at storiesofchildhood.wordpress.com.
The exhibition is free and open now at the Museum of Childhood until 24 February 2017.
Opening hours: Monday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday: 10am – 5pm. Sunday: 12pm – 5pm. Closed Tuesday Wednesday.
Find the Museum of Childhood at 42 High Street, Royal Mile, Edinburgh, EH1 1TG.
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