Emily Jo Gibbs

The value of making

• Emily first started as a handbag maker
• She was taught sewing as a child by her mother
• Her work includes stitching of still lifes

Emily grew up in a creative household with her mother who had studied fashion tailoring. After a degree in three-dimensional design, wood, metal and plastic, she went on to start her own successful handbag business; they can be found today in the V&A Museum and in the Museum of Fine Arts of Houston. Following her work in the fashion industry, she decided to go back to her childhood love of sewing and started making stitching of still lifes and portraits in silk organza, a textile she knew well from her handbag making days. As well as teaching workshops that can be found on her website, Emily is a member of the renowned 62 Group of Textile Artists. She is now committed to using her art to showcase other people and the world of crafting.

Interview

©Lol Johnson

©Lol Johnson

What is your educational background?

I did a degree at Wolverhampton in three-dimensional design, wood, metal and plastic. I didn’t have a formal textile education, but my mum taught me to sew. When I finished my degree, I set up a small business making handbags.

How did you go from one craft to another?

I was sewing when I was small, and later combined metal work with textiles. I was always interested in mixing materials. I then started making portraits of my kids to renew the joy of making things. It was a creative outlet, which started a whole new career .

What are your sources of inspiration?

I’m inspired by people who make things, going to their workshops and telling their stories. I’m exploring “the value of making”, depicting makers either literally through portraits, or portraits of the tools they use, to celebrate people who are makers.

What is your advice to an aspiring textile worker?

Just do it, get on with it. Find time, make the time. Lots of makers have to do other things on the side, but find the time for yourself to have projects. Be inspired by whatever it is that inspires you and just make things.

Emily Jo Gibbs is a master artisan: she began her career in 1993 and she started teaching in 2005

Works

©Lol Johnson

©Lol Johnson

©Lol Johnson

©Tas Kyprianou

©Tas Kyprianou

Where

Experiences

Create a textile collage in London

1 Day

250 GBP