Betty Phillips

Artist Bio: 

I have always loved the look and feel of a quilt and was excited to find Simply Quilts with Alex Anderson on HGTV in 2003. That is when my “hobby” of making quilts began. I started as a traditional quilter making lap quilts for the hubby and crib quilts for the grandchildren. Then, I enrolled in various in-person and online and classes and workshops read magazines and studied other artists’ works. At this point, I started using plant, animal and synthetic fibers to construct my quilts and now I consider myself a textile artist. In 2007, I joined Uhuru Quilters Guild and displayed a wall hanging in my first local quilt show in 2008. 

I enjoy the freedom of “making” that which comes from my soul. For me inspiration comes from anywhere and everywhere. 

Currently, I reside in the DMV where I am blessed to have family and friends nearby. 

Artist Statement:

Betty’s quilting journey took off eighteen years ago when she retired as an educator. In the beginning of this journey, Betty bounced between creating art quilts using African fabrics and traditional quilts using reproduction fabrics. Now she describes herself as an eclectic fiber artist. Besides quilting, Betty does hand and machine embroidery, needle felting and shibori fabric dying to name a few. 

Betty is drawn to jewel tone colors, varied textures and fibers, bold fabrics and a wide-range of techniques. For her, inspiration is everywhere – nature, sidewalk tiles, works of art in airports and galleries, and unique clothing. 

Her love of quilting and traveling has taken her to the following renowned quilting venues: Paducah, KY; Houston, TX; and Tokyo, Japan. Wherever she goes she is on the lookout for a fiber venue or inspiration for her next project.