BigStitch Quilting by Jo Glover
Big Stitch quilting has gotten to be a big deal in the past few years, so I was thrilled when Jo Glover, who published the original directions for BigStitch Quilting, spoke to our guild last year. She agreed to be interviewed for this blog. Here’s what she said about her development of the technique:
Jo Glover
“In 1988, when I started quilting, I was more interested in the line designs of the quilting, rather than the patchwork. It frustrated me that my fine hand quilting–natural thread on muslin background–didn’t show.”
“In 1991, I went to Japan and saw their sashiko with its strong visual impact. Thick light thread on solid dark fabric.”
Another sample of Jo’s BigStitch Quilting
“Upon my return to the US, I started using a high contrast #8 pearl cotton, longer stitches, with the traditional rocker motion of hand quilting with a hoop and thimble.
I was pleased to find that larger scale designs looked good with the longer, thicker stitches. The new needlepunched cotton battings permitted a longer distance between quilting lines.”
Jo Demonstrates BigStitch Quilting
“BigStitch was coined in the booklet I wrote and copywrited in 1993 (under my name at the time, Jo Walters). It still sells.” [You can get a copy of Jo’s booklet directly from her for $7.50; just e-mail her at GloverGirl52 at gmail dot com for her mailing address, and of course give her your address.]
“To reach a wider audience, I uploaded a series of BigStitch lessons. They are available at no cost on YouTube; just search “BigStitch Jo Glover” for the 5 lessons and Gallery. I’m for the preservation of hand quilting.” [
Here is the link to
Jo’s YouTube lessons. I am so impressed that she did this!]
Matisse’s Goldfish, by Jo Glover
“Right now, I’m stitching straight lines about 1/3 inch apart, using crochet thread AND NO HOOP OR THIMBLE, ssshhhh. My friend Jane Cole brought this style, called chiku-chiku, to my attention. (Chiku-chiku is the sound a sewing machine makes when stitching) Jane got it from
Quiltmania magazine, issue # 100, in an article featuring the originator, Akiko Ike.”
Pillow with close lines of BigStitch quilting by Jo Glover
“Mixing fine hand quilting, BigStitch, and machine quilting (and now, chiku-chiku) in the same quilt is fantastic. I do prefer solids or hand dyed fabrics to showcase the hand stitching. I see many Modern quilters featuring their machine quilting on solids, and that’s great.”
Amerika Blooms by Jo Glover
“Quilters I have known and loved include Gwen Marston, Jonathan Shannon, my friend Jane Cole, the Gee’s Bend quilters, Fran Skiles, Jacquie Gering and Katie Pedersen, and Yoshiko Jinzenji.”
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I’m trying to contact Jo Glover. I am an old friend of hers!
I’ve forwarded your intact info to her. Thanks for visiting 😊
I am trying to set up programs for my quilt guild in Fulton Il would like to see if Jo is available.
Great! I’ll pass your information on to Jo.
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LOVE, LOVE, LOVE your beautiful big quilting. Enjoyed your blog.
I just viewed one of the videos.
This is so interesting.
It is on my list of things to try.
Again, I learned about something new and beautiful from this blog.
Thank you.
Jo is a fine quilter, and often doesn’t get credit for big stitch quilting now that so many others have adopted it. Thanks for visiting.
Would like get the , big stitch, book.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure how to contact Jo any more. I know she lives in the Waynesville, NC area, so you might just try Google. Good luck!
Thanks for the Jo Glover link
Thanks for visiting 🙂
Looking forward to be doing a lot of big stitch quilting
Have fun!
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