I have enjoyed presenting to several wonderful quilt guilds in Missouri and Texas this year and am looking forward to several more programs before the year ends. As I just received word that one of my quilts will be on exhibit in Houston this fall I thought it might be time for a reminder of those programs that are newer on my list of offerings. It is always my pleasure to adapt any of the topics to fit the interests of the group/guild.
Programs I offer:
Beyond the Knot: The Art of Necktie Quilts
2 Workshop Options: 6 hours each
Whether you collected them from a relative, were gifted from a friend, or indulge in the thrill of second-hand shopping to find your favorite colors and patterns, neckties can provide sophisticated texture and character to a project. Introduction to each workshop begins with tips and tricks for utilizing neckties, whether silk or other fibers in quilts. Both workshops will feature artistic examples of ties used in quilts of all sizes to inspire beyond the workshop.
Workshop 1: From Ties to Treasures (Wall Hanging)
A wall hanging size quilt with an adapted double wedding ring style using machine appliqued arcs and center squares on background squares. Minimum of six ties needed for this project. Book workshop
Workshop 2: Knot Your Ordinary Dresden (Table Runner or Bed Runner)
A table runner (or bedrunner) using the Dresden plate template, partial seaming of blocks, foundation paper piecing. Minimum of seven ties needed for this project. Book workshop
Hand Me Down Quilts
1 hour
“Hand Me Down Quilts” is a one-hour trunk show focused on my book and how we can share the stories of our quilts past and present as inspiration for future generations of quilters. My book is available for sale and a workshop on any of the quilts in the book is also offered. One of the quilts, “Roses Remembered” has been exhibited in the AQS Branson show and in the International Quilt Festival’s special exhibition, In the American Tradition.
Learn to use fiber reactive dyes on cotton fabric using two different methods with separate results. Go home with 2 yards PFD (provided) colorfast dyed fabric ready for use in your next quilted project.
Participants will provide:
Mask for use with powdered dye
Protective waterproof gloves
Small bottle (like pill bottle) for taking home dyers soap
2 plastic containers with lids, size of shoebox for dyeing & taking home fabric
Your choice of 1 yard prewashed “ugly” fabric or vintage linens to creatively reinforce the techniques. Must be 100% natural fiber content like cotton, rayon, silk, linen, bamboo but not wool
“Languishing Linens” is a one-hour trunk show of floral quilts, appliqued, embellished using a variety of fabrics including vintage linens. Also available is a six-hour workshop using artisan dyed vintage linens or your personal linens as background for dimensional flower arrangements to finish as a small quilt.
“Through the Looking Glass” is a one-hour trunk show/lecture on history and methods of making cathedral window quilts. A six-hour workshop involves making a 24” table topper with a mock cathedral window technique.
“Mystery Quilt” is a perfect workshop for guild/family, friends or a quilt retreat. Clues for fabric selection and cutting are sent ahead of workshop to facilitate a finished top at end of workshop. Overnight retreats assure a finished top.
Learn five artful techniques with leaves as the motif in a five hour workshop resulting in a small finished project ready to finish outside of class.
This is a series of artistic workshops that will focus on creative techniques that can be applied to future creative quilting projects. The subject matter for class will be leaves but the techniques can be applied to any creative project you might choose for the future. This can be separated into stand alone demos or workshops.
I also love to share the artistic side of quilting through fabric dyeing and painting, surface design and other artistic quilt techniques.
Inspirations, Reflections, and Creations Trunk Show
1 hour
A trunk show of traditional and non-traditional quilts that will inspire and motivate quilters as they reflect on their personal stories and quilts. Participants will follow the process of this art quilter to reflect on experiences, to be inspired to interpret those experiences in to artful quilts and ways to create them.
A short make and take can be included to make a quick folded flower as shown in several of the quilts, add 20 minutes.
Peggy Brown, quilt artist, stated, “The recipe for creating good art is part excellent technique and part good design mixed with a whole lot of spirited individuality.” This program focuses on the design aspect of making “good art quilts”. Knowing and understanding how to use the elements and principles of design is key to the development of a quality product and part of the process of making art quilts as well as traditional quilts. Some people have an inherent understanding of good design and some need to study and make a conscious effort to understand. Participants will work through the elements and principles by evaluating examples of artful quilts presented for their review. This program can be lengthened to give more depth to the understanding of elements and principles of design but not shortened.
Use hand dyed vintage linens as the background for a whimsical fabric floral bouquet. I will bring the linens, students supply their favorite fabrics as we concentrate on the bouquet design. Decorative stitches, bias stems and yo-yos are featured techniques to finish this project. An added bonus will include making mitered borders.
When Emily Dickinson proclaimed that “every leaf speaks bliss to me” she was speaking of autumn but spring also brings a delightful array of colors as new leaves emerge. Participants in this class will create a collage sampler of leaves on hand dyed vintage linens using at least three different techniques including felting with wool, silk and cotton; embroidered leaves with decorative threads and beads; and metallic painting on synthetic fiber. Art quilter Sharon Wasteney will inspire and instruct as students get in touch with the “artist within” while creating their personal design. A kit to be purchased as part of the class will provide most of the supplies needed for completion.
For another option on leaf techniques, choose ‘A Leaf Collection.’
Learn five artful techniques with leaves as the motif in a five hour workshop resulting in a small finished project ready to finish outside of class.
This is a series of techniques focusing on creative techniques that can be applied to future creative quilting projects. The subject matter will be leaves but the techniques can be applied to any creative project you might choose for the future. This can be separated into stand alone demos or workshops.
Contact me to schedule a workshop. I travel throughout Missouri, Iowa, and Illinois (spring through fall), and Texas (winter) for class sizes of 8 or more.
