Courses

Available Courses

If you would like to attend or host a course, please contact me for more information and scheduling.

BASIC FABRIC DYEING

In this class we will go through several exercises to create your own colorful cloth. You will learn several different techniques for using the MX Fiber Reactive dyes with low water immersion. We will talk about the color wheel so that you have a basic understanding of combining colors before mixing them in the exercises. I am happy to help mix a color, however the particular shade to match your kitchen might not be possible because of the colors used in class. The three exercises include making a light to dark gradation of a single color, making a color to color gradation to find the colors that lie between, and experimenting with pre-soda soaked fabric. The participant can chose to make a single color ombre, a rainbow piece or all over multi-colored piece. Kits for fabric and dyes can be provided, students will need to supply containers. Contact me for current kit fees.

Class length: 3 hours

DYEING A COLOR FAMILY

In this class students will mix a color family. A color family is a combination of colors that are related to each other insuring the they match, blend and work well with each other. This is a great class for someone who is trying to work with transparency, is not confident with color, or just wants to build a stash of color. Students will have the choice of cool or warm color palettes, and will make ½ yard of each a dark and light version of blue, purple, red, orange, yellow and green. They will have also have dye leftover with which to make an additional shades or colors. Kits with dye and fabric can be provided, but students will need to supply their own containers. Contact me for current kit fee.

Class length: 6 hours

Ice/Snow Dyeing

Snow Dyed fabric has a wonderful watercolor effect. The technique is serendipitous…you can plan for one thing and end up this something that is just as beautiful. In this class we will explore the technique of snow dyeing, using actual snow which can act as a resist but also distributes the MX Fiber Reactive dyes onto fabric. Ice can be substituted. Students can experiment with folding fabric to create pattern or just scrunching fabric to create texture. Kits including dye and fabric can be provided, but students will need to supply some containers and equipment. Contact me for current pricing on kits.

Class length: 3 hours

Printing on Fabric: working with thicken dyes

We will be printing on fabric with thickened dyes. We will be using techniques similar to printing with paint or ink on paper, however the thickened dyes have a superior hand on fabric. Your fabric will not be brittle or stiff. We will talk about creating layers of color and texture to make your own wonderful fabric with designs of your own choosing. We will talk about thermofax screens, stencils, stamps (commercial or self-made), mono-printing, and paper lamination.

Class length: 3 or 6 hours

Indigo Dyeing
In this class, we will learn basic shibori techniques and use of an indigo vat. While I will show and have examples of stitched, bound, and pole-wrapped shibori, depending on the scheduled length of class will determine students have time to practice all the techniques. Kits can have both dye and fabric, but students will need to have some additional supplies. Contact for kit pricing.

Class length: Minimum of 6 hours. As a two-day class, students would have time to learn and make all the different variety of shibori patterns.

Gaining Confidence with Freemotion Quilting

In this class, we will learn and practice the basic shapes used in free motion quilting. We will start the day by talking about threads, needles and basic techniques/skills. Then we will move into practicing free motion quilting with these basic shapes moving from left to right. After that we will move into making those same basic shapes from all directions. Once we have got a bit comfortable with basic shapes, we will start combining shapes to make more complex shapes and fill patterns.
3 or 6 hour class.

Cut 'N Switch

In this class we will learn to piece improvisationally... making it as we go, without a pattern to follow. We will experiment with line, shape and proportion in creating an original design. We will learn how different line placement and value choices can make in our work . Use a ruler or learn to cut without (drawing with your rotary cutter). Bring colors that interact well but provide contrast. There is not set size for the finished piece, so make a table runner or lap size quilt... making it a great class to learn a new technique.

Class length: 3 or 6 hours

Happiness from Within

Strip pieced ½ Triangle Square Play

In this class we will explore color and variation in order to make a successful scrappy look quilt. While a layouts will be given out, participants will be encourage to make their own variation... making larger squares or developing their layout. We will be making our own striped material during class, as well as learning a simple technique for making half triangle squares which can be used for any size triangles. Participants can bring colorful scraps or newly purchased fabric, just remember variety is the key... bring the beautiful bright colors as well as the ugly, dull step-sisters. A full range of value (light to dark) will also help ensure the success of your project. A fabric swap in class would allow for more variety, if class participants are willing.

Class Length: 3 or 6 hour class

Hawaiian Appliqué/Needle Turn Appliué

In this class, you will be creating our own unique appliqué piece. We will work on creating our own paper folded design. Hawaiian patterns will be available for inspiration or trace. Appliqué designs can be tailored to fit the skill level, so beginner to advance welcome. We will walk through the process alignment, basting, and needle turn appliqué (sewing around curves, point and crotches), as well as needle and thread choice.
Fabric can be purchased as a kit. This class can be combined with a 2 day class so participants can make their own snow-dyed fabric.

Class length: 3 or 6 hours

Three Dimensional Flying Geese
In this class we will explore a simple, quick way to make accurate and dimensional flying geese. Your rows of geese can then be made into a row quilt using a feature fabric or border prints. Not much is needed for the flying geese, so it's a way to use up scraps. The resulting quilts is a great size for a kids quilt, and they will have fun play with the folded fabric. However, it would be easy enough to quilted the geese down. Below are a few more samples.

Class length: 3 hours to understand technique, however 6 hours allow more time towards completion.

LECTURE: MY JOURNEY TO INDIGO SHIBORI

I started quilting in 1995 with traditional patterns and commercial fabrics. I quickly learned to dye my own fabric, and started altering patterns to leave my mark on each quilt I made. This desire to insert myself into my quilting has lead me to art quilting and more surface design and eventually to indigo and shibori. I will also touch on the history of indigo and shibori. Concluding with how I am incorporating this beautiful fabrics and patterns into my art quilts.

Lecture length: 1/2 hour

Lecture: Let's talk about design.

I will show and explain how quilter's employ the elements and principles of design in both traditional and art quilting by showing examples of my own work. Viewers will see a wide variety of styles within quilting world. We will explore how color and value and influence the design, the need for balance and variety, creating a focal point, as well as proportion/scale. I will also touch on how the quilting design can influence the design of the quilt top. This lecture moves at quick pace. Trunk show style lecture.

Lecture length: 1 hour

Fabric Dyeing Demonstration

I will show the basics of fabric dyeing with a little eye candy (showing fabric samples and quilts made with hand-dyed fabrics). I will walk participants through the basic process of using Procion MX Fiber reactive dyes, from mixing the dye powders to rinsing out the fabric. We will talk about color mixing so participants have an understanding of how with the three primary colors you can make hundreds of different colors and values. We will walk through the process of making a gradation of one color (light to dark), a gradation from one color to a second color to see colors that lie in between, and explain a few more advanced techniques which yield colorful results.

One of my first quilts...need I say more

Lecture: My Quilting Journey

In this lecture I will take people through the quilts that I have made, from some of my first quilts to some of my recent quilts. When I started quilting my quest was to make a quilt from every pattern and technique. This challenge has lead me to take class from some of the top national teachers, and create a diverse and varied stockpile of quilts. I will talk about what I have learned about color, pattern, balance and variety. Originality has also been a bit thing for me. When I started out, I was following patterns, but tried to find way to put my own touch into each quilt. We will go through some of my milestone quilts; my first ribbon winner, my first original design, my first published quilt... We will talk about what was successful and what was not. Trunk show style lecture.

Lecture Length: 1 hour