Inspiration: Ruth Higham - a tribute

Some people are just special – they have that aura and a powerful effect on those they meet.  My friend and fellow quilter, Ruth Higham, who died at the weekend, was one of those exceptional individuals. 

I met Ruth purely by accident 10 years ago.  I had just moved back up to Scotland and I didn’t know a single person here who was interested in textiles.  So when I saw there was to be a talk by two artists as part of the Quilt Art exhibition at the Collins Gallery and the opportunity to meet some of the makers, I jumped at the chance to go.  I was very nervous as everyone seemed to know each other, but I carried on and went and sat down in the lecture hall.  A lovely lady sat down next to me and started chatting – it was Ruth. 

I couldn’t have had a better introduction to Scottish textiles and quilting because Ruth was at the centre of it.  Along with Isabel Patterson and Patricia Macindoe, she had just run the first Loch Lomond Quilt Show.  As a result of this original meeting, I ended up exhibiting twice at the Loch Lomond Quilt Show, spent a year generally trying to help the show, taught C&G Patchwork and Quilting and above all, gained a wonderful friend.

Speak to virtually any quilter in Scotland and they will have some connection or story related to Ruth.  She was an inspiration to so many people.  Her own artwork was beautiful and meaningful and she had a lovely way with hand stitching.  She was always eager to try out new things and experimented with lots of techniques.  In particular, I am thinking of her work in breakdown printing.  Above all she was keen to share her knowledge and enthusiasm with others.  Originally at Cardonald College and then at the Loch Lomond Studio, she was a thought-provoking and very generous teacher.  Ruth asked me to teach City & Guilds Patchwork and Quilting with her three years ago and I learned so much from her vast knowledge of quilting.  She was interested in all areas: traditional, quilt history as well as art quilting and art cloth. 

When she had to stop teaching at the Studio, she encouraged me to set up on my own – something I would not have got round to doing without her hefty push and her belief in me.  She and Isabel were also incredibly generous in helping me stock my teaching studio with some of their spare supplies.  I can’t use the purple or emerald green dyes without thinking of Ruth as these are colours I associate strongly with her work and ones I wouldn’t have chosen myself.  Nonetheless, they are creeping into my palette and work.  The way I am teaching C&G is a direct result of her influence, for which I will always be grateful. 

She continued to be inspiring right to the end.  Even when the cancer was not going away, she was finding positive aspects of the experience and continued stitching and living as full a life as she could.  Truly a great role model.  In case this makes her sound too saintly, Ruth also had a wicked sense of humour and shared similar tastes to me in trash television.

I am incredibly sad that my dear friend died at the weekend.  She was far too young (especially in quilting terms!) and too full of life and exciting plans. She will be sorely missed not just by her family, who were centre of her busy life, but also by her huge circle of friends.   I feel incredibly privileged to have known Ruth and been inspired and encouraged by her.  I have been very lucky to have been able to count her as a friend and will continue to draw on all she taught me, particularly in her great kindness and generosity of spirit.  

Launching Gillian Cooper Studio - classes in Balfron

Dyeing silk in the studio - one of the Friday activities

I realise that I keep hinting at, but haven't properly explained, what I am doing with my teaching practice. Well, this is mega exciting.  After years of waiting for people to contact me to come and deliver talks and workshops to their groups (which I am still offering by the way), I decided it was time to be in control and take some action.  When I had my current studio built four years ago I always intended to teach from it.  However, the intervening four years have been incredibly busy, first with my work at the Festival of Quilts, then with the PomPom Festival, then teaching C&G for the Loch Lomond Studio. Unfortunately the Loch Lomond people are no longer able to continue with their teaching studio and Ruth gave me a bit of a kick and said you need to set up on your own and keep teaching C&G.

Prints drying in the studio - one of the Friday classes

There is never going to be the perfect time to do something like this, and the last three months certainly were not perfect, but Ruth and Isabel from the Loch Lomond Studio had kindly offered me the stand they had at last weekend's Stitching Show at the SECC. This gave me a goal to aim for, which was useful as I love working under pressure!

Sketchbook exploration

So at the Show I launched Gillian Cooper Studio. From April, I will be offering beginners patchwork and quilting classes on a Thursday morning and Fridays will be fun days concentrating on one technique each Friday, generally messy!  C&G Patchwork and Quilting starts in June, over seven weekends and one summer school each year for two years.  I am able to offer both the certificate and the diploma levels.  As the classes will be in my studio, the groups will be small - limited to seven people.  I've been really pleased with the uptake already, particularly in the C&G classes.  I'm so looking forward to teaching adults from home as having learned as an adult myself, I understand where the students are coming from.  It's also a great way for me to keep up-to-date with my own skills and what is current in the textile world as I need to stay informed for the students (what a great excuse!).

Machine stitching

If you're interested, there's more on my website here and I'm sure I will be sharing photos from the classes soon!

Hand stitching English paper piecing

In my studio: this week

This week I’ve spent almost five full days (or at least school days!) in the studio, which has been lovely.  Although nothing is finished, I thought I would share some of the things I have been working on which are still in progress.

Dyeing fabric

 

I have lots of fabric dyeing going on.  Some in bags, some in tubs, some in tubs and some in buckets.  The first round is complete and now I am making paler colours by using up the excess dye.  Ruth Higham suggested using the pure cotton sheets from Asda  as they dye really well and she was right.  The fabric is lovely and it ironed beautifully afterwards.  I did do something rather silly though and bought a fitted sheet rather than a flat one by error.  I thought I had been checking carefully too!

I have also been painting sketchbooks with the dye to create some backgrounds.

Coffee Cup Patchwork

I started developing a new workshop this week about making patterns and 3D paper piecing.  This is the first sample underway.  I now have the pattern ready and can start piecing next week.

The Big Draw 5 October

I have been charged with planning two of our activities for the Big Draw event FAB Arts is running on Saturday 5 October.  If you are in the Balfron area, please come along as it is a fantastic morning – drop in anytime to the McLintock Hall between 10am and 1pm.  We are going to make paper buildings and I was trying out patterns for them.  We are also going to make mosaics using the huge collection of milk bottle tops I have been accumulating over the years.  I am really excited by this one as if it goes well, we can see about making it into a large scale community art project to go outside in Balfron.

Article on Loch Lomond Quilt Show for Popular Patchwork

I finally crafted my piece on the Loch Lomond Quilt Show for Popular Patchwork – a bit later than normal, but the last few months have been really hectic, then followed by the post-hectic migraine cluster slump.  The feature includes this lovely quilt, 'Fire and Ice' by Frieda Oxenham.

Frieda Oxenham, 'Fire and Ice'

These are just the main highlights.  I’ve also cut a stencil, made a papier mache piñata for a birthday party (still to be filled and painted), sketched and written about several ideas and planned next month’s City & Guilds weekend, checking out lots of fun drawing exercises.  I’ve got next week planned out already – let’s hope it is just as productive and who knows something may actually get completed!