Page 80 - The Digital Cloth Issue 7

I have always been drawn to textiles but it
wasn’t until I moved to the Northern Rivers
region on the North Coast of NSW in the late
1980s that I really began to start producing
textile works. As well as being attracted to
the natural landscape around Lismore, I also
thought there seemed to be a wonderful mix
of creative people living in the area.
I began by learning the techniques of
patchwork and quilting, while developing
more and more interest in Japanese textiles.
Over time, this led to me opening my
studio-based business BeBe Bold over fifteen
years ago specialising in Japanese textiles
including sashiko, kogin and yarn-dyed
Japanese fabrics. As part of this, I also
travelled extensively around Australia to craft
and quilt exhibitions, teaching and
demonstrating the wonderful richness of
Japanese textiles. Recently, we opened our
second studio in the east of France for
European and British textile enthusiasts which
is keeping us all busy! Teaching is another
big part of what I enjoy about BeBe Bold. I
frequently teach in Australia and have had the being framed in homes following
fortune to teach in the new studio in France
and in the UK. I find there is particular interest a loved design and I really enjoy seeing the
in learning different sashiko styles including
hitomezashi and kogin as well as
teaching my own pattern designs. Lately
this has taken a new form in online
workshops which are proving popular and
available to a worldwide audience.
Before we get started with your
Stitchery Story would you like to share
with us what you are working on at the
moment – what has got you excited?
I really enjoyed working on my latest
project ‘A Vase of Flowers’ which was
inspired by a long-admired textile work
from the 1970s by my English cousin Isabel
Levitt. It features azuminomomen Japanese
fabrics and sashiko/embroidery threads
The vivid mustard colour I think adds
great warmth and a 70s feel to the piece.
It seems a very uplifting work for me, as
if someone has been out for a lovely walk
and brought home a large bunch of wild
flowers that are spilling over the sides of
the vase. A pattern is in the works!
Also I have started receiving photos of my
Wildflowers Freeform Applique design
workshops. I am really pleased that is such
finished works.