Presentations
The artist in you
In this one-hour presentation, I describe my personal journey from that of a traditional quilter to an artist who makes both traditional quilts and art quilts. I start with a digital slideshow, which shows my work and some of the techniques I use. Then I do a trunk show and a question-and-answer session. The focus is on ways for traditional quilters to become more creative by embracing their own “inner artist.” It is my goal to inspire and encourage quilters to try making an art quilt for several reasons: to challenge themselves, to unleash their innate creativity, to learn new techniques, to discover things about themselves through art, and to share their view of the world with others.
Yes, you can do needleturn appliqué!
In this one-hour presentation and digital slideshow, I walk you through my method of doing needleturn appliqué. I cover all the basics: fabric choice and preparation; several ways of making templates (or, better yet, working without templates at all!); creating positioning overlays; doing reverse applique; and stitching precise concave and convex points, curves, beautiful circles and bias vines. You’ll learn about the little details and tools that make all the difference: knots (starting and stopping), threads, needles, pins, sand boards, and marking devices. I finish with a trunk show and question-and-answer session. My love and enthusiasm for needleturn applique is infectious! Those in your group who admire needleturn appliqué but are terrified to try may just decide to jump in!
2009 presentation price: $200
2010 presentation price: $250
For details on additional fees (mileage, travel, acccommodations, etc.), please contact me.
Workshops
In my workshops, I strive to provide professional instruction in a supportive, friendly atmosphere. I encourage students to push themselves beyond their comfort zones to learn new things and improve their skills, and to have fun doing it.
2009 workshop prices: 3-hour workshop is $300, 6-hour workshop is $400.
2010 workshop prices: 3-hour workshop is $350, 6-hour workshop is $450.
For details on additional fees (mileage, travel, acccommodations, etc.), please contact me at susan@bluemoonriver.com.
Start with a photo
This workshop is designed to help you learn the skills you need to go home, take your favorite photo, and interpret it in fabric. In the
workshop, we will all be working on the same photo, a close-up shot
I took of a wonderful round barn at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont. You’ll learn how to:
- make a positioning overlay from clear upholstery vinyl
- create patterns on Heat-n-Bond Lite
- cut out your fabric pieces and fuse them
- use thread to “paint” on top of your fabric to add detail,
color and texture.
MAX CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Intermediate
TIME: 6 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Several ironing boards, several light boards, access
to outlets for sewing machines, table space for each student.
Needleturn appliqué for the terrified
Learn the fine art of needleturn applique step by step. If you’ve never done needleturn applique and are intimidated and afraid to try, this workshop is for you. Using my “Spring Valentine” pattern, which has all the shapes and techniques beginner appliquers need to learn, we will cover:
- marking and pinning
- concave curves and points
- convex curves and points
- reverse applique
- bias stems
- small and medium circles
- straight lines
- making a positioning overlay
- making pattern templates
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Beginner to intermediate
TIME: 6 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Good lighting or individual lights brought
by students. Table space for each student.
Machine quilting 101
Many beginner quilters have a bunch of quilt tops sitting in their sewing room that they are afraid to quilt. In this class, students learn the basics and gain confidence to go home, practice, and take on those quilt tops. In this class, students learn about:
- preparing a quilt for quilting (how to
make the “quilt sandwich”)
- pinning and basting
- lighting, ergonomics and posture
- exercises to reduce strain
- the sewing surface
- settings for your machine
- the essential feet (free-motion/darning foot,
and walking foot)
- how to work with a big quilt
- starting and stopping neatly
- what to do if thread breaks or you run out of thread
- thread, needle and batting basics
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Beginner to intermediate
TIME: 3 hours or 6 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Access to power outlets. Each student must bring a machine able to drop feed dogs, and with a free-motion foot.
Surface design madness
Come and experiment with some of the exciting new materials
you can use in (or on) your quilts to create texture and color. I provide all the materials for a $10 fee payable at the start of class. This is a fun, low stress way to try some new things. The only thing you need to bring is a quarter yard of white fabric, a quarter yard of black fabric, and a creative spirit! We will work with:
- Lumiere fabric paint
- Dye-na-Flow fabric paint
- Jacquard textile medium
- Shiva paintstiks and rubbing plates
- rubber stamps
- Angelina fibers
- Tyvek
- Wonder Under (used as a paint transfer material)
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: All
TIME: 3 hours or 6 hours (3-hour workshops may cover fewer materials than are listed above due to time constraints)
REQUIREMENTS: Access to outside space and power outlets when heating and burning materials. Access to water for paint cleanup.
Two ironing boards. Table space for each student.
Thread painting
A workshop for those who already have basic machine quilting experience who want to expand their skills to create color and texture with thread. Using a line drawing of a dragonfly, students learn how to:
- make templates for the body and create fusible pieces
- stabilize the fabric surface
- choose the right threads and needles for threadpainting
- adjust tension for the correct stitch
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Intermediate
TIME: 6 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Table space for each student. Access to power outlets. Several light boards (I will bring one). Two ironing boards and irons.