This talk and mini class (with some voluntary participation)explores what I call Fabric Driven Design.I look at a piece of fabric and it speaks to me...and no I am not crazy. The method used to make my art quilts is driven by the fabric.The Fabric will show me what it can do and the art quilts that are created reflect the Fabric Driven Designs. I will talk about basic color and design theory and with some help from the audience we will try to apply some of this knowledge. I want to inspire the audience to go where no Quilter has gone before!

In this talk,demonstration and group participation event,we will focus on the changes in quilting techniques, born of the creativity of quilters over the last 250 years and the new tools that make new techniques possible. I will talk about how quilting has changed from 1776 to the present and the milestones that changed the way quilting was done and where it is going now. This lecture is meant to be informative and entertaining, as the group participation allows the participants to see how Betsy Ross made perfect 5 pointed stars for George Washington to prove a point,so to speak.This is an excellent program for anyone interested in the history of quilting in our country.

From personal experience I will take you through the ins and outs of creating Functional Art at home.For those of us who lust after fabric we need a way to fulfill that lust by creating something we can touch. But to do this we need to fill some basic requirements.

1. Not everyone can have a studio, so look at what space is available and can you make it yours?
2. Time.........yes we all are busy,but there has to be a way to make time to be creative
3. Motivation.........That is a huge one and for many of us it is the most difficult
4. Deciding what you are going to create once you are motivated and basic guidelines of how to get the project going
5. Some ways to keep things organized and somewhat neat!

So let's get to it...........rev up your sewing machine and hold on!
(handouts are available)



  

The biggest problem for all creative people is finishing a project on time  or simply finishing the project. This lecture is a humorous look at at how these stresses can be relieved (not relived). Come with me and we will take a look at how to get rid of that stress creatively!

This Talk and Trunk Show traces my development as an Art Quilter and Teacher. It begins with my classes in 1990 and continues through my departure from the traditional side of quilting to more of a slash and burn approach.
I will show you my early work and take you on a tour of my most recent work!

This is a 3-hour class exploring a different approach to making curves. We will look at the methods of Judy Dales and Debbie Bowles.We will examine the method used by Kathie Alyce in her Quilted Landscapes that will knock your socks off and it will change how you approach piecing curves. This is a technique only class. We will on be learning this approach to curves,no particular project has been chosen.


Curve Class Supply list (PDF)

Material Fee: 5.00

This class is ideal for any Quilter who is looking for an alternative to hand quilting or tying a quilt. We will make a sampler practicing all of the utility stitches.We will concentrate on the technique and not on making a finished quilt.

Material Fee: 15.00

Book: Woven & Quilted - by Mary Anne Caplinger (provided by instructor for use in class) Note:Limit to 12 people in each class (due to book being out of print and I only have 12 copies). If taught in the 1/2 day format, it can be taught in a morning workshop to one group of 12 and then an afternoon workshop with a group of 12 . This is an easy class, some people may even find they are finished with the first hanging before the class is over and want to start a second one. I will be teaching the basic weaving technique in a simple hanging starting with a yard of your main fabric.

Reference Book: Attic windows, Quilts with a view by Diana Leone and Cindy Walter-Krause Productions, Iola , WI 2000 ISBN: 0-87341-834-4 (very helpful ,but not necessary)This class is all about perspective.To take this class you need to have a good understanding of how your sewing machine works and what a mitered corner is. I will be teaching 3 different methods to make the Attic Window and then you can decide which method works for you. This is a technique only class.

Try your hand at An Art Quilt Book: Easy Art Quilts-Amazing Designs Based On Tradition by Christiane Meunier, Chitra Publishing, 2000, ISBN: 1-885588-34-8 This book must be purchased for the class. As I am not the author, students must purchase the book in advance of the class. Using black makes this simple design look spectacular! You can use all your lighter batiks or those wild child fabrics you have stashed away and don't have a clue what to do with them! This quilt can be made into a twin size or even a King, but please think first about going there! Project will not be completed by the end of class.

This is a full day class learning about curves. We will explore and practice the
different curve techniques , then concentrate on one block to make a small wall hanging.

This is the companion workshop to What has Fabric Got To Do With It? The Essence of Fabric Driven Design. This workshop is designed to give you the tools to work out of the box, no matter how small your box is.I will help to answer questions such as: Do you always need a pattern before you make a quilt? Do you go for those adventurous colors combinations or do you play it safe and use the same color palette on every quilt?

Material Fee: 15.00

This holiday hanging is an original design of mine. It is a door or wall hanging and has bells attached by ribbons. The directions for the Holiday card holder are included for anyone who takes the class. The techniques used to make the Holiday Hanging are also used in constructing the Holiday Card Holder. The fabrics used for these two projects can reflect any holiday or season; a student shouldn't feel limited by the title!

Elizabeth Boyd's Technique for creating 6 unusual blocks for a hanging or baby quilt is great for all levels of Quilters. The technique requires knowledge of how to use a rotary cutter and a sewing machine.

Day 1 we will learn: To take apart the sweatshirt How to fit the pieces to fit your frame About the different options for piecing the fabric which will cover the sweatshirt pieces. We will then start designing and piecing. Day 2 We will continue to work on piecing either the back or the front We will talk about the options of pieced or solid sleeves I will explain and demonstrate machine quilting the sweatshirt pieces We will talk about the actual garment construction, how to put in a lining and the methods of finishing the garment we will talk about how to use a commercial pattern and adapt it to the sweat shirt based model Other options for the sweatshirt base

This is my original design and can reflect any season! Works great with big prints for the center of the log cabin. Using the log cabin technique and cutting every other log on an angle creates an interesting look to the traditional pattern. The centers of the log cabin can be small or large and the size of the final blocks will be up to the Quilter. Project will not be completed by the end of class.

Using the Elizabeth Boyd technique for stack and slash as a base you can give your quilt that stained glass look without bias tape or fusible materials.The technique requires knowledge of how to use a rotary cutter and a sewing machine.