Pauline Burbidge

Textile creator

©Phil Dickson, PSD photography

Textiles echoing the shades of nature

Pauline has been a quilt maker for over 40 years
Fabric, stitch and colours are the sole ingredients of her craft
Her one-off quilts are both functional and artistic

Pauline Burbidge, Scottish quilt maker for more than 40 years, explained “I quite like the idea that my craft can only work with textiles. I like the way that light reacts with a folded piece of textile. The shading reminds me of nature.” She handcrafts beautiful quilts in her studio in the Scottish Borders, and a short conversation with her is enough to understand how blessed she feels, being able to express herself through her craft in such an inspiring environment. All Pauline's creations – both functional and decorative – echo the natural shadings of landscapes and wild plant-life, and bring to light not just her technical mastery but also her sophisticated sensitivity and her sincere need for self-expression.

Interview

©Phil Dickson, PSD photography

©Phil Dickson, PSD photography

Is being an artist and a craftswoman part of your family heritage?: Not really. I was born on a farm and my family was not at all familiar with art, but after attending the local college, I moved to London, got a degree at St Martin's School of Art and started working in the fashion industry for three or four years. In 1976, I began working independently, and have been happy doing so ever since.
When did you decide to focus on quilt making?: When I was 25, I had a lucky encounter with a very old book about quilts. It dated back to the 20s. At the beginning, I was fascinated by geometric styles but soon I shifted to natural, organic imagery.
Why do you like quilts so much?: I love the way that light reacts with a folded piece of textile. The shading reminds me of nature – be it a landscape or wild plant-life – my favourite subjects. Especially with my special pieces, which take up to nine months of work, creating them for me is like going on a journey with the expression of a certain thing.
Do you work alone?: My husband, the sculptor and fine artist Charlie Poulsen, has his studio at Allanbank Mill Steading too, where we live, and occasionally I have someone to assist me with administration tasks. But in my craft I want to be in full control: it has to be me making the work. It’s both a matter of self-expression and quality control.

Pauline Burbidge is an expert artisan she began her career in 1975