About
Hi! I'm Libs. I'm a fabric designer for Andover Fabrics, a quilt pattern designer and quilting instructor. I bring folks together in my online community, the SEW SQUAD, where we have monthly sewing sessions, guest workshops and sew-alongs. I love designing quilt patterns that will challenge quilters and I enjoy teaching workshops both in person and online that will help add new skills to your quilty toolbox. You can find all my patterns and available fabrics in my Shop. Learn more about my creative journey and quilt experimentation below...
Elizabeth (Libs) Elliott is a textile artist and designer exploring the intersection of technology and traditional craft by using generative design to build handmade quilts. A deep appreciation for craftsmanship, design history and future-focused applications are all reflected in her work. She studied Material Art & Design at OCAD University and received a B.A. in Cultural Studies at Trent University. Her commissions include work for individuals and corporate clients such as Absolut Vodka. She has exhibited her work and done speaking engagements internationally. She designs fabric collections for Andover Fabrics, Inc. Her work has been covered by press such as Gizmodo.com, DesignMilk and Casa Vogue Brazil. She lives and works in Toronto, Canada.
ABOUT THE QUILTS
Libs' quilts are randomly designed using a programming language called Processing. The project began in 2012 as a collaboration with artist and technologist, Joshua Davis (joshuadavis.com), who provided the original code framework. Using Processing allows Libs to quickly edit the code and generate random compositions from simple geometric and traditional quilt block shapes.
This ongoing project is an exploration in how modern technology can transform a traditional and tactile craft into modern functional art without abandoning the inherent pleasures of handcrafted products. Many of us have become accustomed to identical mass-produced goods, but Libs believes many of us also crave personalized objects that communicate our individual identities. Libs' goal is to underline the importance of craft as art in our contemporary age by producing bespoke modern heirlooms – just like quilts from a century ago, these are pieces that can be passed down through generations.
"Working from digital to analogue combines the quick gratification of generative design with the slow handcraft of building a quilt. I love not knowing what the composition will look like until the Processing tool renders the image on-screen. There are millions of possible combinations and each one is unique. But in the end, it’s the idea of transforming intangible strings of letters and numbers into something warm and luxurious that really appeals to me. "
