THE clue is in the name for a York museum's latest exhibition.

The Quilt Museum and Gallery on Peasholme Green will be showing its collection of historic "signature quilts" along with several loans from other museums and private individuals from now till December this year.

The quilts also often called bazaar quilts were a particular phenomenon of the 19th century and often made to raise money for a church, chapel or charity. They were embroidered or signed either by, or on behalf of, the person contributing a sum for the privilege of having their name associated with the quilt.

The exhibition will explore some of the stories behind the making of these quilts.

Heather Audin, museum curator, said: “Tracing the provenance of quilts is a challenging pursuit and it is a joy to have these quilts in our collection with such a clear record of who, what, why and where. They are a great example of communities coming together to raise money for a common cause."

Exhibition highlights include the 1718 Silk Patchwork Coverlet which is the oldest signed and dated patchwork in Britain.

Also on display is the Sheriff Hutton Bazaar Coverlet with an image of Sheriff Hutton Castle embroidered in red thread in the central square offering us details of “where”; the embroidered text ‘Sheriff Hutton Wesleyan Bazaar May 30 1898 Opened by J Coates Esq. C.C J.P.’ provides the “when” and every embroidered square containing initials or signatures gives us a record of “who”.

The exhibitions are open 10-4pm Monday – Saturday until 13 December 13. Admission charge applies.

Further information www.quiltmuseum.org.uk