Pippa Patchwork

My name is Pippa Eccles, and I just graduated from Harvard University with a degree in Art History. I recently landed a job as an Assistant Editor at Quilting Arts Magazine, which is nothing less than a dream come true. Throughout my undergraduate career, I focused on the study of textiles- quilts in particular- though this wasn’t exactly an official part of the curriculum.

My love of textiles started before I can remember, though my most vivid recollection is knitting a gigantic afghan when I was about eight years old. I knit on and off throughout middle school, but found myself newly devoted in college; the more I studied, the more I needed the counterbalance of creativity. 

I’ve been dabbling in sewing (without any real formal training) since high school and began quilting the summer after my freshman year at college. It was love at first stitch and I haven’t looked back.  Not only do I get immense pleasure from my knitting and quilting projects, but I truly believe that these ‘crafts’ or ‘arts’ or whatever you choose to call them- I happen to be of the persuasion that this is a rather irrelevant distinction- play a powerful role in our society. Human beings express themselves through the objects which surround them, whether they are quilts or sweaters or accessories, and delighting in these details of the everyday is imperative and rewarding.

I love cooking and baking (mainly bread) for the same reasons that I love to sew and knit. I think of these two activities as culinary patchwork; opportunities to be creative, take it slow, and revel in the process of the handmade. Especially since moving into my own apartment, I love experimenting in the kitchen with (mostly) healthy, wholesome, and delicious foods.

I began this blog as a way to record my quilting, knitting, and cooking endeavors, but am hoping to expand it to include more patterns and recipes. It’s a slow process since I’m employed full time–and often don’t want to pull myself away from the sewing room or kitchen!–but it’s  coming along. You can see some of my favorite recipes on the “Edible Patchwork” page.

I come from a wonderfully loving and creative New England family and currently live in an apartment near Boston, MA with my boyfriend Kyle and bunny Shuffle. I’m addicted to long morning swims and runs, good books, fun restaurants, and above all patchworking in any shape and form.