In Honour of Hugo by Pauline Burbidge

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Our most creative moments can be born of difficult times. "In Honour of Hugo" is a quilt by Handi Quilter Ambassador Pauline Burbidge that demonstrates how arts and quilting can be therapeutic for the maker and for those who view it.



The making of a quilt called “In Honour of Hugo”,

made by Pauline Burbidge in 2023/2024.

I made this quilt in honour of the late, great, Hugo Burge who lived at Marchmont House. He set up a foundation to help support “Makers and Creators”. The quilt celebrates Hugo’s life, energy, and generous spirit. His vision has transformed the Arts & Crafts in the Scottish Borders and beyond. 

The landscape of the Marchmont estate has changed and we begin to adjust to life without Hugo. This piece is no longer the same as its original commission, it has grown and emerged from what was in my mind. The image of the Oak Tree, Hugo’s favourite, has grown from collecting many leaves from around Marchmont, printing, drawing and making rubbings of them, and collaging layers of cloth together with stitch.

There is both Art & Craft in my work, large textile wall-hangings from fabric that I print using ‘‘Cyanotype’, an early photographic technique, stitch and collage, I think of them as Textile Landscapes. The quilt has a front and back, which are very different in character, the front is made up of the printed, collaged and stitched fabrics; the back shows the unconsciously made stitches on a black ground – only revealed when finished. 

Pauline’s quilt echoes Hugo’s sentiment, “I love the design and technology which are shaping the future, but the grounding values of the arts and crafts are as important as the iPhone. We need balance.”

Two photos by Colin Hattersley = 1A, Portrait of Pauline Burbidge, with the quilt behind, 2024. And 2A, the quilt “In Honour of Hugo” 197x198 cm, 2024.

Here are some selected photos of my processes when making the quilt:



  1. Cyanotype printing process: 

Light sensitive chemicals on fabric. 

  1. Preparing for print: 

Within subdued light my collection of oak leaves were placed 

  1. Rinsing:

Cold water removes the chemicals and makes the fabric fast.

  1. Drying the cloth on the washing line.

  2. Gathering:

Preparing for gather stitching, shrinking the cloth into the centre.

  1. Collage in process:

My printed fabric – a ‘Tree of Life’ emerged. 

  1. Pauline Burbidge’s studio – November 2023.

  2. Machine stitching:

The quilt on my ‘Handi Quilter’ longarm machine. I draw with my stitching line.

  1. Hand stitching:

     Stitching balances my mind! 











Find out more:

www.paulineburbidge-quilts.com

www.hugoburgefoundation.org


"In Honour of Hugo" will be on display from mid August 2024 to mid March 2025 at Marchmont House (Marchmont House website) in the Scottish Borders for visitors who book house tours or who visit for music events. It will then be on display at the Pittenweem Arts Festival from 3rd to 10th August 2024. Visit the Pittenweem Arts Festival website.

Having seen the quilt in real life, I highly recommend seeing it if you can.


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