Lillis Taylor
What do you make?
I make quilts, clothes (sort of), stitched paintings, watercolors, and messes!
What do you like to sew?
I agree with Mrs. Annie – I really like to sew quilt blocks. I enjoy learning how to make one, and am less enthusiastic about making many of the same thing.
What do you do when you’re not at Bib & Tucker?
Think about Bib & Tucker, dream about Bib & Tucker, talk about Bib & Tucker, advocate for Bib & Tucker, plan for Bib & Tucker and imagine a bigger future for Bib & Tucker. I also do this. And this.
What does Bib & Tucker mean to you?
Because I named it, I know the meaning behind Bib & Tucker, which literally means “a woman’s finest duds” in British slang. But institutionally Bib & Tucker aspires to be a shared space where women (and eventually and hopefully, men) of all ages, creeds and skill levels can commune, laugh, learn and play with fabric and thread.
Who inspired you to start sewing? When did you start?
My maternal grandmother passed away when I was 2 but I grew up surrounded by things she made and knew that she was an avid sewer. I tried learning to sew with my mom several times while growing up, but it wasn’t until I wanted to work on a community arts project in 2009 that I started taking sewing seriously. I think the story of the quilters of Gee’s Bend also inspired and informed my love of sewing and textiles.
Where are you from?
I am from Birmingham, but I left my heart in Seattle, where I went to college and lived for more than a decade. Also, when I was nine, I lived with my father in Northern Japan for a year. This year shaped my aesthetic and personality a great deal. I was lucky enough to return twice in my twenties to participate in the creation of floats for the annual Tachi-Neputa summer festival in Goshogawara, Japan.
What is your favorite thing about Woodlawn?
Desert Island Supply Co., which is a creative writing center for Birmingham-area children. I love the interior because upon entering the space, I feel transported to another time. The mission is simple and Birmingham is incredibly lucky to have such a cool space committed to inspiring young people to write and create.
What is your favorite color? Why?
I enjoy blues and greens because they make me think of the ocean and sea glass and I love orange, red and yellow because they make me think of Mexico and Italy.
What school did you go to? What was your favorite subject or who was your favorite teacher?
I went to EPIC for elementary school and I really loved Mrs. Moten, my fifth grade teacher. She was regal yet understated and was able to teach and discipline without turning unkind. I didn’t know it at the time, but Mrs. Yon, my 3rd grade teacher was an incredible educator. I was often in trouble with Mrs. Yon because I couldn’t keep my mouth shut, but she taught in an exciting and unconventional way that kept all of her students excited and intrigued.
What is a story (try to be nice) that you can tell about another member?
One of our younger members, Theresa Rumore, isn’t able to attend our weekly Tuesday meetings because of work. Theresa and I played softball together twenty+ years ago and found one another again when Theresa signed up for a hand-sewing class I was teaching at UAB’s ArtPlay. Theresa was new to sewing but enjoyed herself and completed all of the projects with zest. When Bib & Tucker started meeting at DISCO, Theresa would attend as often as possible and threw her lot into the mix when we took on the challenge to make quilts for QuiltFest 2013. Not only did Theresa complete her first challenge of a wall-hanging in time for QuiltFest, she also forged ahead and completed a bed-sized quilt (her second ever) in a few short months. Now, Theresa has completed her first commissioned quilt, which she designed from scratch. I’m so proud of her interest and excitement and progress!
What is something you want to tell the other members about yourself, our community?
I am obsessed with Bib & Tucker Sew-Op and am daily seeking ways to improve, strengthen and grow the opportunities for this amazing group of women. The collective potential of our members could (and should) move mountains!
What do you make?
I make quilts, clothes (sort of), stitched paintings, watercolors, and messes!
What do you like to sew?
I agree with Mrs. Annie – I really like to sew quilt blocks. I enjoy learning how to make one, and am less enthusiastic about making many of the same thing.
What do you do when you’re not at Bib & Tucker?
Think about Bib & Tucker, dream about Bib & Tucker, talk about Bib & Tucker, advocate for Bib & Tucker, plan for Bib & Tucker and imagine a bigger future for Bib & Tucker. I also do this. And this.
What does Bib & Tucker mean to you?
Because I named it, I know the meaning behind Bib & Tucker, which literally means “a woman’s finest duds” in British slang. But institutionally Bib & Tucker aspires to be a shared space where women (and eventually and hopefully, men) of all ages, creeds and skill levels can commune, laugh, learn and play with fabric and thread.
Who inspired you to start sewing? When did you start?
My maternal grandmother passed away when I was 2 but I grew up surrounded by things she made and knew that she was an avid sewer. I tried learning to sew with my mom several times while growing up, but it wasn’t until I wanted to work on a community arts project in 2009 that I started taking sewing seriously. I think the story of the quilters of Gee’s Bend also inspired and informed my love of sewing and textiles.
Where are you from?
I am from Birmingham, but I left my heart in Seattle, where I went to college and lived for more than a decade. Also, when I was nine, I lived with my father in Northern Japan for a year. This year shaped my aesthetic and personality a great deal. I was lucky enough to return twice in my twenties to participate in the creation of floats for the annual Tachi-Neputa summer festival in Goshogawara, Japan.
What is your favorite thing about Woodlawn?
Desert Island Supply Co., which is a creative writing center for Birmingham-area children. I love the interior because upon entering the space, I feel transported to another time. The mission is simple and Birmingham is incredibly lucky to have such a cool space committed to inspiring young people to write and create.
What is your favorite color? Why?
I enjoy blues and greens because they make me think of the ocean and sea glass and I love orange, red and yellow because they make me think of Mexico and Italy.
What school did you go to? What was your favorite subject or who was your favorite teacher?
I went to EPIC for elementary school and I really loved Mrs. Moten, my fifth grade teacher. She was regal yet understated and was able to teach and discipline without turning unkind. I didn’t know it at the time, but Mrs. Yon, my 3rd grade teacher was an incredible educator. I was often in trouble with Mrs. Yon because I couldn’t keep my mouth shut, but she taught in an exciting and unconventional way that kept all of her students excited and intrigued.
What is a story (try to be nice) that you can tell about another member?
One of our younger members, Theresa Rumore, isn’t able to attend our weekly Tuesday meetings because of work. Theresa and I played softball together twenty+ years ago and found one another again when Theresa signed up for a hand-sewing class I was teaching at UAB’s ArtPlay. Theresa was new to sewing but enjoyed herself and completed all of the projects with zest. When Bib & Tucker started meeting at DISCO, Theresa would attend as often as possible and threw her lot into the mix when we took on the challenge to make quilts for QuiltFest 2013. Not only did Theresa complete her first challenge of a wall-hanging in time for QuiltFest, she also forged ahead and completed a bed-sized quilt (her second ever) in a few short months. Now, Theresa has completed her first commissioned quilt, which she designed from scratch. I’m so proud of her interest and excitement and progress!
What is something you want to tell the other members about yourself, our community?
I am obsessed with Bib & Tucker Sew-Op and am daily seeking ways to improve, strengthen and grow the opportunities for this amazing group of women. The collective potential of our members could (and should) move mountains!
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