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Patchwork: A Graphic Biography of Jane Austen

03 Dec 2025 18:00 - 19:00

In her later years, Jane Austen made a patch­work quilt. She folded thousands of tiny scraps of fabric over slips of paper and painstakingly stitched them together.

In Patchwork, Kate Evans employs these slivers of cloth to illustrate Jane Austen’s life story. Evans teases apart the threads that connect Austen’s beloved novels, the events of her life, and the fabric of society in Regency England.

Kate Evans will be speaking about this major new work of graphic biography. Her patchwork quilt of embroidered images from the book will also be available to view.

Four-panel illustration of a person in a long patterned robe joyfully stretching in different directions. Speech bubbles read: “This exquisite weather is too good! I enjoy it all over me, from top to toe, from right to left,” then “Perpendicularly!,” “Longitudinally!,” and “Diagonally! Nice, unwholesome, unseasonable, relaxing, close, muggy weather!” Papers lie scattered on the floor.
Illustration of three people in Regency-style dresses and ornate hats standing together. A thought bubble above one figure reads: “I will be as civil to these people as their bad breath will allow.” The background is beige with soft shading, and the figures are drawn in delicate pastel tones with detailed clothing and accessories.
Illustration of a Regency-era drawing room with green walls, ornate gold-framed mirror, and a lit fireplace. Seven people in elegant period clothing stand in conversation. One figure in the center wears a white gown and has a thought bubble that reads: “Such elegant stupidity.” The room is decorated with framed pictures and candlelight reflected in the mirror.
Illustration of a person in a long white Regency-style gown leaning forward with arms outstretched, pressing against a closed door. To the right, elegant italic text reads: “I cannot anyhow continue to find people agreeable.” The scene is minimal, with a plain background emphasising the figure and the door.
Illustration of a grand ballroom scene with chandeliers and green walls, where elegantly dressed figures in Regency-style attire converse and dance. Speech bubbles above the group include phrases such as: “Have you read Patchwork, a graphic biography of Jane Austen?”, “It is well written,” “The characters are naturally drawn,” “A very pleasing and entertaining narrative,” and “It reflects honour upon the writer.” Text at the top reads: “There are Advertisements. There are Reviews. Word of the book spreads…”
Illustration of a person in Regency-style clothing wearing a white cap and blue shawl, holding up one hand in a gesture. A large speech bubble reads: “If I am a wild Beast, I cannot help it. It is not my own fault.” The background is pale with soft shading, and the figure holds a piece of paper in the other hand.
Illustrated book cover for Patchwork: A Graphic Biography of Jane Austen by Kate Evans. It shows a person in historical clothing sitting on a wooden bench by a tall-paned window, holding a needle and thread while working on a large pale quilt with small cross patterns. The title “PATCHWORK” appears at the top, and the subtitle and author’s name are in elegant serif fonts across the image.
Person with long, layered, light brown hair featuring darker roots and lighter tips, wearing a dark turtleneck top, standing in front of a textured stone wall background.
Four-panel illustration of a person in a long patterned robe joyfully stretching in different directions. Speech bubbles read: “This exquisite weather is too good! I enjoy it all over me, from top to toe, from right to left,” then “Perpendicularly!,” “Longitudinally!,” and “Diagonally! Nice, unwholesome, unseasonable, relaxing, close, muggy weather!” Papers lie scattered on the floor.
Illustration of three people in Regency-style dresses and ornate hats standing together. A thought bubble above one figure reads: “I will be as civil to these people as their bad breath will allow.” The background is beige with soft shading, and the figures are drawn in delicate pastel tones with detailed clothing and accessories.
Illustration of a Regency-era drawing room with green walls, ornate gold-framed mirror, and a lit fireplace. Seven people in elegant period clothing stand in conversation. One figure in the center wears a white gown and has a thought bubble that reads: “Such elegant stupidity.” The room is decorated with framed pictures and candlelight reflected in the mirror.
Illustration of a person in a long white Regency-style gown leaning forward with arms outstretched, pressing against a closed door. To the right, elegant italic text reads: “I cannot anyhow continue to find people agreeable.” The scene is minimal, with a plain background emphasising the figure and the door.
Illustration of a grand ballroom scene with chandeliers and green walls, where elegantly dressed figures in Regency-style attire converse and dance. Speech bubbles above the group include phrases such as: “Have you read Patchwork, a graphic biography of Jane Austen?”, “It is well written,” “The characters are naturally drawn,” “A very pleasing and entertaining narrative,” and “It reflects honour upon the writer.” Text at the top reads: “There are Advertisements. There are Reviews. Word of the book spreads…”
Illustration of a person in Regency-style clothing wearing a white cap and blue shawl, holding up one hand in a gesture. A large speech bubble reads: “If I am a wild Beast, I cannot help it. It is not my own fault.” The background is pale with soft shading, and the figure holds a piece of paper in the other hand.
Illustrated book cover for Patchwork: A Graphic Biography of Jane Austen by Kate Evans. It shows a person in historical clothing sitting on a wooden bench by a tall-paned window, holding a needle and thread while working on a large pale quilt with small cross patterns. The title “PATCHWORK” appears at the top, and the subtitle and author’s name are in elegant serif fonts across the image.
Person with long, layered, light brown hair featuring darker roots and lighter tips, wearing a dark turtleneck top, standing in front of a textured stone wall background.

Prices

Free

Venue/Location

Carpenter Room
Sheffield Central Library
Surrey Street
Sheffield
S1 1XZ

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Sheffield Libraries
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