Jo Bebbington - A lifetime of Stitches

So we have another exciting program of events in 2023 at Harrogate Creative Stitchers and what a wonderful start to have our own member Jo Bebbington give a talk this Saturday and show us her beautiful quilts. It was great to see our hall packed full of members and new comers.

Jo started off with an extract from Singer Sewing Machine's 1949 guide entitled 'Tips for sewing' which made us all chuckle. The golden rules of sewing that all chores must be done beforehand and we must be presentable with hair up and lipstick on should we have an unexpected visitor. I am sure Singer have since updated their advice!

Jo started off as she meant to go on and had us in awe with her very first quilt (see below) made at Harrogate's patchwork and quilting group. The majority of Jo's quilts are all hand stitched which is incredible, some of which span over a three year period to make.

Her second quilt ' Sky Blue' (below)

The next quilt had an architectural theme based on the Corn exchange in Leeds (below). The shapes within it and around the border represent the archways, ceiling, trees and steps. Jo always likes to have a theme or story behind a quilt and she is passionate that sewing and quilting should have your own mark or style "do your own thing" in Jo's words. She won £200 in prize money for this quilt!

Made between 1998 - 2000 Jo showed us a beautiful hand made quilt (below) inspired by Harewood House as a tribute to Adams Wedgewood and is one of her favourite quilts. We all drew in a breath and their were lots of gasps of admiration when she rolled it out.

Another of her stunning hand made quilts entitled "Chippendale off the Old Block" made between 2001-2003 was based on a beautiful commode or sideboard at Harewood House and is a floor design. Jo had to seek permission from Lord Harewood for this one.

Jo has created so many beautiful handmade quilts as well as other examples of stitched work which she put out on display for us. A few more of these are below. Jo's work was incredibly inspiring and her skill and aptitude for design plain to see. We all enjoyed looking more closely at her work with a cup of tea after her talk. Thank you so much Jo for a wonderful afternoon.