classes
My classes are for class participants to enjoy the process of learning, and to go beyond where they thought possible. In a non-threatening and respectful environment, I guide students to work in the direction of their own interest so that each person produces individual work within the general theme of the class. For this reason I do not usually provide patterns or kits. All classes however are supported by extensive visual material such as slides, pictures, books and actual examples of techniques and possible interpretations. As an art educator, I encourage students to develop a thorough knowledge of the elements of design and learn to apply these to the medium of quilt making with confidence.
class descriptions
Aardvark to Zebra - African Animals in Design: No other continent can match Africa for its richness and diversity of animal life. Tales of animals abound in African legends and folktales while images of animals have been captured over the centuries by numerous rock artists, sculptors, painters and modern day photographers...
African Cloths, Colors and Quilts: Africa has a rich, varied textile heritage, including everyday cloths, attire and ceremonial garments. In this class we view slides and examples of the treasure trove of African textiles from Egyptian appliqué to woven Kente cloths and textured Shoowa velvets...
African Motifs in Design: Enjoy a rich array of African textiles made over the centuries, from Egyptian appliqué, to woven Kente cloth and contemporary printed and embellished work. After seeing slides and actual textiles, you may choose to work by hand or machine to make your own small bag or quilt top...
Branch Out: Nature has crafted trees to be the largest life forms that have ever existed on our planet. They have given shelter, shade, food and inspiration for centuries to artists, poets and storytellers. Now let us celebrate their beauty and diversity by using them as a basis for composition and design...
Confident Color for Quilters: COLOR is the most striking feature of any quilt, yet so many people are afraid of using it. In this hands-on workshop students will learn how to use color confidently and sensitively to bring added life back into their quilts...
Cross Currents: Give your quilts a new energy by discovering the strength of crossed designs. From signatures to quilts to voters' marks, X and + shapes have long provided visual impact along with strength and stability. Learn how these shapes and their variations have been effectively used for generations by...
Dancing on the Tightrope: Are you ready for a totally new start to your work but are not sure how and where to begin? Then this class is for you. After looking closely at work at a variety of contemporary art, from street artists to new fabric designers, we will start on exciting new approaches to design...
Design by Nature: In this class we will look at beauty, patterns and possibilities in the natural world around us. Using these as a basic design source, simplifying and maybe repeating them, we will make rich and exciting individual quilt tops...
Promises and Possibilities: Design in Action: The purpose of this class is to take an in-depth look at the arrangement and organization of visual elements that make a successful composition or design; and to study the raw elements of design, and see how they can be put to use in the process of quiltmaking...
Earth, Wind and Fire: Use the nature and elements to fill your work with the richness and magic of color with its myriad varieties and ever-changing palettes. From this infinite source of inspiration, investigate the range and varying qualities of natural features that give us colors...
Embroidery, Embellishment, Enrichment: Treat yourself to the luxury of making and beautifying a small quilt with embroidery and embellishment by hand and or machine. Instruction and demonstrations show both hand and machine embroidery and embellishment with an emphasis on discovering how to use both together...
Face Value: Every day, whether we like it or not, we see our faces in the mirror! This is the best way we have of recognizing friends and strangers. From rock engravings and masks to formal portraits or vacation groups, people have depicted faces for thousands of years. In this relaxed class we look at ways of unraveling the mystique of portraying faces...
Going Round in Circles: In this hands-on sewing class, students will discover the possibilities of circles as they learn how to use them to make a quilt top. From perfect whole circles to eccentric and concentric circles, a variety of spirals and helixes, arcs and wedges...
Hand Stitching for Texture and Touch: Explore the possibilities of adding texture, depth, pattern and excitement to your work with stitching. Working by hand with a variety of stitches and threads discover the numerous ways in which layering with threads can add richness and mystery...
Here and Now: Unleash your inner artist and make a quilt that no one else could make as you develop a personal design with your own sense of time and place. Emphasis will be on COLOR and VALUE, LINE, SHAPE and TEXTURE to express your own journey to where you are now in your life...
Kandinsky Quilts: If Kandinsky had made quilts they would have been singing magic! Discover that magic and feel the color and line in Kandinsky's work as you heighten the sensitivity of your new quilts. In studying the work of this influential painter's extraordinary lyrical abstract compositions, discover how...
Kuba Connections: Discover the rhythmic magic of these exquisite raffia cloths from the Congo and use their beautiful quilt-like designs as a starting point for your improvisational small quilt top. You will see and feel actual examples of these woven and embroidered textiles as you work to make your own piece...
Line Dance: Have fun playing with line and learning how to make it work for your quilts. Add movement, texture and vitality as you discover a variety of lines form smooth and graceful to sharp and crisp, and a whole lot in between. This in a hands-on class where we will learn the secrets of embroidery, trapunto, piping, couching and quilting...
Looking In Looking Out: Explore the exciting possibilities of windows and doors as you design and let the light into your quilt! Do what other artists have done over the centuries and use windows and doors to open your eyes to another view. Using these shapes and the spaces they define, discover the vitality of positive and negative design...
Matisse Magic: Bring the magic of French painter Henri Matisse into your quilts as you work with large areas of joyful color and sensuous line. After discovering the variety of this celebrated artist's work, students will make a few paper cut-outs before starting a large color-filled composition...
Over the Moon: The moon with its phases and movement across our skies has always had a special place in our hearts and lives. This class offers an opportunity to celebrate its varying shapes, light and mystery as the basis for making a rich and exciting quilt top. Learn how to design using circles and parts of circles, and then...
Pattern, Rhythm and Repetition: Our use of pattern, rhythm and repetition affects our lives every day, helping us understand and interpret the structure of the world around us. In this class you will discover and experiment with different kinds of pattern, learning how to use them effectively...
Positively Line and Shape: If your quilts need that extra lift to add sophistication and elegance, this is the class for you! Give your quilts new energy and strength by focusing on the shape and line that are so vital to the design of a successful quilt...
Quilt Jazz: There are striking and exciting similarities between jazz and improvizational quiltmaking. Discover what they are and how to put them to use in making your contemporary quilts. So if freedom and fun are what you need in your quiltmaking, this is the class for you...
Rock On: Get down to earth with your quilts as you discover the beauty and design possibilities of rocks and stones as you learn how to make good design from natural sources...
Signs and Symbols: From suns and moons to honey bees and hands, throughout history, people have made use of a wide variety of signs and symbols to make sense of the world, and to communicate...
Skin Deep - Transparency and Layering: Put new subtlety and variety into your work using transparency and layering. Discover how to use a range of sheers such as organza, voile, tulle and net to create mystery and depth in your work. Learn how to make successful use of raw edges, seams, creases and grooves...
The Thinking Eye: This class is an in depth investigation into the artistry and magic of the famous 20th century artist Paul Klee. After looking closely at his amazing work, be inspired by his sensitive playfulness and enchantment to create a new whimsical or abstract quilt of your own...
Up Close and Personal: Learn to look at frequently unseen beauty, patterns and possibilities in the details of the world around us. Examine the basic forms of the natural and man-made world, then simplify these forms and maybe repeat them...
Vive la Difference! Contrast in Composition: Add vitality, variety and subtlety to your work by sharpening your understanding and use of the many forms of contrast, key to successful art and design...
Walking the Line: This class celebrates the magic lines and color painted by Friedenreich Hundertwasser. The much admired work of this artist offers us a glimpse into the secrets of his treatment of line color and how he made them sing. Discover how you can imbue your work with the vitality he achieved...
Word for Word: Write yourself a quilt! Make an exciting contemporary quilt top with words and letters to give your quilt an updated look that has personal meaning for you. Using the letters of your name, or entire words and phrases make strong designs that sing with color, line and shape...