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PRISMATIC FLOWERS
Workshop
Description:
Playing with color, texture, depth and shading, students will
manifest a small flower piece filled with light and energy.
Choosing from one of Barbara's flower drawings eliminates the
drafting and allows students to go right to designing with
fabric. |
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The ingredients needed to create a
flower filled with light and energy are:
This is
only a beginning. Creating these textual prismatic flowers
involves lots of thread and is addictive.
Length:
1 to 2 days (2days is best to develop a
more complete design)
Levels:
All levels
Tools & Supplies:
-
Sewing Machine
with zigzag capabilities
-
Invisible Thread
-
Bobbin Thread in neutral color
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Straight Pins
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Small Sharp Pointed
Fabric Scissors
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Flannel Design Wall or 22" x 34" foam core board
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1
Yard Sulky Totally Stable
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Fusible Web
1/4 yard - Steam a seam 2 regular -
light weight works best
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Black Permanent Ink Felt Tip Pen Sharpie extra fine
point is best
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Re-Positionable or Re-StickableGlue Stick
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Optional: A low-wattage wand
mini iron
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$3.00 Lab Fee
Fabric:
Choose a color that you like best for your flower and bring 15 fabrics
pieces and/or scraps which are multi colored fabric containing this
color. You only need small pieces for the petals (1/4 yard or smaller
pieces) Give yourself many choices.
i.e. Red Flower Fabric Requirements
- Red fabric with yellow areas, Red with pink areas, Red with green or
blue areas, Pink with fuchsia areas, any multi colored fabric containing
red.
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BEGIN AT
THE END
Workshop
Description:
This workshop is for the innovative quilter whose
quilt borders are often an after thought. Students will create a
totally integrated small art piece, beginning with a foundation pieced
border full of curves and some geometric shapes. Then its on to the main
body of the quilt composed of geometric shapes and some curves. Machine
appliqué piecing and foundation piecing techniques will also be used. |
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Length: 1
day or 2 day. A 2 day workshop allows students to enhance
composition and complete their quilt top.
Level: All levels (Basic sewing skills required)
Techniques: Innovative Design, Foundation piecing and
Machine Appliqué
Class Size:
20 Students (or a maximum of 25 if
class room space allows)
Tools & Supplies:
-
Sewing Machine Machine must be in proper adjustment
and have zigzag capabilities. Students must be familiar with machine.
-
Extension Cord
-
Basic Sewing Supplies
-
Small Sharp Pointed
Scissors
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Needles 80/12 Embroidery & 80/12 Jeans Stitch
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Thread Invisible thread and regular neutral colored
thread
Optional
Lingerie/Bobbin for bobbin -
used in machine appliqué.
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Flannel Design Wall or 22" x 34" foam core board
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Rotary Cutter, Mat and Ruler
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3 yards Sulky Totally Stable White at least 18” Wide
or
comparable foundation that is transparent enough that a drawing
underneath can be seen and traced.
-
Black Permanent Ink Felt Tip Pen Sharpie extra fine
point is best
-
Re-Stickable or Re-Positionable Glue Stick Clover or
Scotch brand by 3M are best (glue stick is available at office supply
stores)
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Sketch Book and
Pencil
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$3.00 Lab Fee
Fabric: Students should bring 20 or more 1/4 yard or
larger pieces in a wide variety of fabrics such as batik, hand dyed,
hand painted, colorful prints, and stripes. They will want to have a
range of dark, medium and light tones. Many choices of pleasing
combinations of color and texture work best. Smaller fabric swatches or
scraps also add to the variety of choices.
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COSMIC
SPIRALS
Workshop
Description:
Students will learn the
techniques Barbara uses in her award winning quilts for designing
and constructing magical spirals, and will begin a small
wall hanging containing one 18” block. Foundation piecing is
used to achieve precise points for the geometric black and white
spiral. Color is then added to the next round of the spiral
with strips to complete the block. Drafting of the spiral will be
demonstrated, a preprinted pattern will be provided. Many design
options will be discussed.
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A two day workshop will include a foundation
pieced, machine appliquéd organic spirals block.
Length: 1 Day or 2 Days
Level: All levels (Basic sewing skills and rotary cutting
experience)
Techniques: Foundation Piecing and Machine Appliqué
Tools & Supplies:
-
Sewing Machine Machine must be in proper adjustment
and have zigzag capabilities. Students must be familiar with machine.
-
Extension Cord
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Basic Sewing Supplies
-
Needles 90/14 Embroidery & Jeans
Stitch 80/12
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Thread Invisible nylon thread - smoke
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Regular Sewing Thread - white and neutral color
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Bobbin for bobbin - neutral
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Flannel Design Wall or 22" x 34" foam core board
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Rotarty Cutter, mat and ruler
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Foundation Material 1 Yard Sulky Totally Stable at
least 18” wide
or
comparable foundation that is transparent enough that a drawing
underneath can be seen and traced.
-
Black Permanent Ink Felt Tip Pen Sharpie extra fine
point is best
or similar
permanent marking pen.
-
Glue Stick - Must be Re-Stickable or Re-Positionable
Clover or Scotch brand by 3M are best (glue stick is available at office
supply stores)
-
Optional: Add a 1/4" Ruler
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$3.00 Lab Fee
- $6.00 for two-day workshop
Fabric:
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1/2 Yard Each of pre-washed black and white, good
quality, 100% cotton fabric
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1/2 Yard of a Multi-Colored Cosmic Background Fabric
(Fabric that surrounds the two blocks).
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Choose 5 different colors for fabrics 5 fabrics in
each color 1/8 yard or larger pieces, grading from dark to medium to
light for a total of 25 different fabrics or even more graduations per
color if you wish. A variety of fabrics such as batiks or
interesting small or medium prints, in a pleasing combination of
colors and textures
2 DAY WORKSHOP: Add 1/2 yard Sulky Totally Stable
& change white fabric to 3/4 yard.
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INTUITIVE IMAGES
Making the Connection
Workshop Description:
Students will use different techniques such as
relaxation and music to tap into innate design abilities.
Experimenting with freehand drawing and different ways of creating
(centered or chaotic; intimate or engaging; implied or literal
etc.) helps each student to understand their natural creative
style and translate their drawing into a powerful art quilt.
Drawings will be developed into full scale design and students
will be working on the wall with fabric, color and texture.
As designs progress, the instructor will work with each student to
assist with problem solving and appropriate construction
techniques for their composition. Quilting and embellishing will
be discussed.
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Length: Minimum 2 days
Best if 3 or 4 days workshop for more in-depth treatment of
designs.
Level: For students that have taken different technique and
design classes and are now interested in developing there own unique
style, or for the artist exploring fiber as a medium. Also for the
adventuresome beginner interested in going directly to original
design and is self motivated.
Tools & Supplies:
5 Day Supply List
-
Sewing Machine Machine must be in proper adjustment
and have zigzag capabilities. Students must be familiar with machine.
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Extension Cord
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Basic Sewing Supplies
-
Small Sharp Pointed
Scissors
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Needles 90/14 Embroidery & Jeans
Stitch 70/10
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Invisible Thread
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Regular Sewing Thread neutral color
such as gray or off-white
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Optional Thread: lingerie/bobbin for
bobbin
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Flannel/Batting or 22" x 24" foam core board
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Rotary cutter, mat and ruler
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Template Material 3 yards Sulky Totally Stable at
least 18” wide
or
comparable product that is transparent enough that a drawing underneath
can be seen and traced and one side of the product can be ironed to
fabric. Freezer paper will not work unless it is transparent.
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1 Yard of Fusible Web Seam a Seam 2 works well
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Black Permanent Ink Felt Tip Pen Sharpie extra fine
point is best
or similar
permanent marking pen.
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Glue Stick - Note:
must be restickable or repositionable
Clover Glue Stick or Scotch brand by 3M is best and available at most
office supply stores.
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A Variety of Decorative Threads
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Sketchbook and Mechanical Pencil
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Optional: A low-wattage wand
mini-iron
Fabric: Students
should bring 30 or more 1/4 yard or larger pieces in a wide variety of
fabrics such as batik, hand dyed, hand painted, colorful prints, and
stripes. Have a range of dark, medium and light tones. Many choices of
pleasing combinations of color and texture work best. Smaller fabric
swatches or scraps also add to the variety of choices.
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1 Yard
backing fabric
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Bring items from nature
rocks, leaves, shells, feathers, etc.
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MYSTICAL CASTLES
Workshop Description:
What is your vision - The Emerald
City; Shrouded Castles; Mountain Fortress; Ancient Pavilions;
Temples of the Spirit? Playing with color, texture, depth and
shading, students will experience the joy of translating one of
Barbara's castle drawings into their own unique creation. Fusing
will be used to construct a small wall hanging and machine
appliqué will be demonstrated. No sewing machine required
for class. |
Length: 1 Day
Level: All levels (Basic sewing skills required)
Techniques: Fusing - Machine Appliqué
Tools & Supplies:
-
Straight Pins
-
Small
Sharp-Pointed Fabric Scissors
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Paper Scissors
-
Flannel Design Wall or 22" x 34" foam core board
-
Rotary Cutter, mat and ruler
-
Fusible Web 1 1/2 yards -
Steam a
Seam 2 regular or light weight works best
-
Black Permanent Ink Felt Tip Pen Sharpie extra fine
point is best
-
Sketch Pad & Pencil
-
Optional:
A low-wattage wand mini-iron
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Favorite Pictures or
Drawings of Castles
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$3.00 Lab Fee
Fabric:
-
1 Yard Black Fabric
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20 or More
1/4 yard or larger pieces in a wide
variety of fabrics such as batik, hand dyed, hand painted, colorful
prints, novelty prints and stripes. Have a range of dark, medium and
light tones. Many choices of pleasing combinations of color and
texture work best.
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For more variety of choices bring some of your small
fabric pieces or scraps. Students may want to share fabrics.
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Examples:
Emerald City-bring mostly green
and some interesting contrasts and geometric fabric
It is hard to go
wrong if you bring lots of fabrics in many colors and varieties.
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DANCING FEATHERS
Workshop
Description: What better to
construct this whimsical Fancy Dancer piece than doing some fun
free form cutting of lots of feathers. Let the fabric be your
guide. Explore the fabric for just the right lines, veins, color
& texture. Learn to translating your feathers into a composition
filled with transparences and depth. Maybe the feathers will be
flower petals. Fusing & gluing will be used to construct a small
wall hanging. No Sewing machine required for class. |
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Length:
1 Day
Level:
All Levels (Basic sewing skills required)
Techniques:
Fusing
Class Size:
20 students (Maximum 25 if class size allows)
Physical Requirements and
Equipment for Classroom:
-
Per Student
4x8' wall space on which tape and pins
can be used
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Sufficient Table Space for sewing machine, fabric, and
elbow room
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2-3 Irons and Ironing Boards
Tools and Supplies:
-
Straight Pins
-
Small
Sharp-Pointed Fabric Scissors
-
Design Wall
1 piece 20"x30" foam board or 1/2 yard
flannel wall
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Rotary Cutter
mat and ruler
-
1/2 yard Fusible
Steam-A-Seam works well
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Basting Glue Stick
-
Black Permanent
Ink Felt Tip Pen Sharpie extra-fine
point is best
-
Optional
a low-wattage wand mini-iron
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Optional
Feather acrylic templates (available on the
products page for $17.00)
$3.00 Lab Fee for
Pattern
Fabric:
-
1/2 Yard
Background Fabric
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For Feathers
15 or more pieces of fabric. You can
use 1/4 yard, fat quarters, or a jelly roll. Fabrics with lines,
veins, textures and shading in lights and mediums work well. Use a
1/4 yard novelty print for the center.
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RESPONDING TO THE SURFACE
“Nature’s Language”
Workshop
Description:
The creative impulse will be combined along with one of a kind
hand dyed fabric and nature’s lines and colors to create a
powerful fiber piece. Students will develop a surface design in
response to the lines and color of their fabric which has its own
strong voice. |

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In the morning
students will use visualization, to develop a spontaneous
design, in response to the fabric. By afternoon, central design
will be satin stitched on the fabric. Decorative threads
and machine embroidery and free-form organic quilting lines
will add texture to the composition on the second day. |
Length: 2 Days - Option: 1
day - students create a small design and begin machine quilting.
Level: All levels - Basic sewing skills are required
Techniques: Learn Innovative surface design. Machine
embroidery, and intuitive quilting.
Tools & Supplies:
-
Sewing Machine Machine must be in proper adjustment
and have zigzag capabilities. Students must be familiar with machine.
-
Sewing
machine must
have a darning or free motion foot, and the feed dog must
have lowering capabilities or a plate that covers it.
-
Open-Toed Embroidery Foot is helpful
-
Basic Sewing Supplies
-
Needles 80/12 Embroidery & 70/10 Jeans Stitch
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Thread Invisible and Regular neutral colored thread; a
variety of colors of decorative thread for embellishment - metallic,
silver, variegated satins, etc.
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Bobbin Thread for Bobbin Bottom Line or YLI Bobbin Thread
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Flannel Design Wall or 22" x 34" foam core board
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Rotary Cutter, mat and ruler
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Two Yards Iron-On
Tear-Away Stabilizer
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Sketch Pad
and mechanical pencil (#2 - 0.7mm)
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Fabric Marking Pens washout or fade
out
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1/2 Yard Fusible Web
Steam a Seam 2 works well
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Optional: Several pictures of nature (leaves, trees, rocks,
etc.)
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Optional: A low wattage wand mini iron
Fabric:
Students should bring a 1/2 yard or
larger piece of hand dyed multi colored fabric with interesting lines
and colors. Batiks will work but a unique hand dyed is better.
Also bring 4 coordinating 1/4 yd pieces and a 1 yard piece of
fabric for backing.
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PHOTO INSPIRATION
Workshop
Description:
Design a unique vacation memory quilt. One moment frozen in
time by the camera can be brought to life with cloth, texture and
color. Using a photograph as an inspiration students will do
a small line drawing. Drawings will be an interpretation
of the image, not an exact replication. Drawing will be developed
in fabric. Construction method is machine applique. |
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Length: 1 Day
Level: All levels (Basic sewing skills are required)
Techniques: Fused stained
glass effect
Tools & Supplies:
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Straight Pins
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Small
Sharp-Pointed Fabric & Paper Scissors
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Flannel Design Wall or 22" x 34" foam core board
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Rotary Cutter, mat and ruler
-
Fusible Web 2 yards -
Steam a
Seam 2 regular or light weight works best
-
Black Permanent Ink Felt Tip Pen Sharpie extra fine
point is best
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1 Sheet Mylar at least 8 1/2" x 11"
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Optional:
A low wattage wand mini iron
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Favorite Scenery
Picture
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Pencil and Eraser
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Fabric:
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1 Yard Black Fabric
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20 or More
1/4 yard or larger pieces in a wide
variety of fabrics such as batik, hand dyed, hand painted, colorful
prints. Have a range of dark, medium and light tones.
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Many choices
of pleasing combinations of colors in
your photograph.
-
For more variety
of choices bring some of your small
fabric pieces or scraps. Students may want to share fabrics.
-
Examples: Glaciers; Brings whites, blues, light pinks,
yellows and teals.
It
is hard to go wrong if you bring lots of fabrics in many colors and
varieties.
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JUMP START YOUR CREATIVITY
Workshop Description:
This technique is for the quilter that
is ready to break out of the box and experience a playful way of
creating. Too much thinking or fear often stops quilters from
trying new designs and fabrics. A simple flower pattern is the
first ingredient, a wide array of wild, powerful & playful
novelty fabrics (polka dots, geometrics, floral's, etc.) and few
solid fabrics is the second ingredient and willing spirit is the
third ingredient. A pattern will be provided. |
Length: 1 Day
Design Class:
Tools and Supplies:
-
Sewing
Machine with Zig Zag capabilities.
-
Invisible
Thread
-
Bobbin
Thread - neutral color
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Straight Pins
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Small
Sharp-Point Paper and Fabric Scissors
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Flannel Design Wall or 22" x 34" foam core board
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Two Yards
Sulky Totally Stable
-
Fusible
Web - 1/4 yard - Steam a Seam 2 regular - light weight
works best
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Black
Permanent Ink Felt Tip Pen - Sharpie extra fine point is
best
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Repositionable
or Restickable Glue Stick
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$4.00 Lab Fee
Fabric:
-
A
variety of 12 or more 1/2 yard pieces of fun/playful
novelty fabrics. The fabrics could be polka dots, geometrics, large
floral's, etc. Give yourself many choices don’t worry about
coordinating.
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4 or
more 1/2 yard pieces of solid or fabrics that read solid
that could possibly go with your collection.
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1/4yard
piece of a high contrast fabric Could be black & white.
i.e.
Pull a playful selection of novelty fabric from your
collection or library of fabrics.
What better fabrics to work with to get the brain out of the way.
This is not a struggle of matching fabric for a perfect quilt.
Trust your instincts & pull
fabrics for no other reason than it looks fun and playful.
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THREAD
CREATES THE DESIGN
Workshop Description:
Most often the quilting plays a supporting roll in a
quilt. With free hand quilting designs and an array of beautiful threads
the quilting takes top billing. This class will give students the
opportunity develop quilt designs and experience stitching the designs
with different types and weights of threads. This small example piece
from a small
project will
increase machine quilting and free hand quilting design skills.small
example piece from small project
Length: One Day
Workshop
Tools and Supplies:
Sewing Machine -
Machine must be in proper adjustment. Students must be familiar with
machine. The machine must have a darning or free motion foot, and the
feed dog must have lowering capabilities or a plate that covers it.
Marking Tools for Dark Fabric
Basic Sewing Supplies:
Needles - Embroidery, Top Stitch &
Jeans Stitch
A Variety of Colors of
Decorative Thread for quilting, variegated & solids, rayon's
Lingerie/Bobbin
for bobbin natural color
Quilting Gloves
Fabric:
Students should bring 1 - 26”x26” quilt sandwich,
pinned or fused (Black fabric top, batting and backing)
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STUDIO: EXPLORING YOUR
CREATIVITY
Studio
Description:
Studio is for the
quilter/quilt artist who has taken all the classes they want to for a
while, but want to be in the retreat environment with other quilters,
have a recognized instructor available to them and an abundance of
vendors. For the person who wants to explore a new idea for a quilt or
continue working on an existing quilt. Barbara would be in the studio
available for help with problem solving and techniques. You determine
your own goals, Barbara offers a supportive environment with
suggestions, challenges and motivation if requested. This is an
uninterrupted time to focus and create your own personal quilts.
Length: 2 Days, 3 Days, or 4 Days
Level: All levels
Student Limit: 15 Students (Maximum 20 if class room space
allows)
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PAINTERLY FLOWERS
Workshop Description:
Fabric
is an up close and tactile way of expressing the creative impulse.
reate an imaginary flower by using fabric like a paint brush stroke.
The brush stroke can be linier, to direct the eye, or textural, to
add shading and depth. A simple flower pattern is the first
ingredient. A pleasing combination of fabrics with directional
lines and textural effects to create shading is next. A range
of lights, mediums, and darks helps add depth to the petals. A
few accent fabrics that add highlights and interest completes the
design. This flower is only the beginning. This
technique can be used in all types of quilt design. |
Length:
1 0r 2 Days
Level:
Basic Sewing Skills
Technique:
Machine Applique
Tools and
Supplies:
-
Sewing
Machine with Zig-Zag Capabilities
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Open-Toed Foot
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Invisible Thread
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Bobbin
Thread -0 60 weight, neutral color
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Straight Pins
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Paper and
Fabric Scissors - with sharp point
-
Design
Wall - at least 20"x20" or foam core board
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1 1/2 Yard Sulky
Totally Stable
-
Fusible
Web - 1/4 yard - Steam-A-Seam 2 regular - light weight
works best
-
Black
Permanent Ink Felt Tip Pen - Sharpie extra-fine point is
best
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Repositionable
or Restickable Glue Stick
Optional:
Low wattage wand mini iron
Lab Fee:
$4 Pattern
Jumpstart
Your Creativity Kit - Available HERE
Kit Includes 2 yards Sulky Totally Stable, 1 package Steam-A-Seam,
Repositionable glue stick, Superior Mono-Poly and Bottom Line bobbin
thread, Sharpie marker.
Fabric:
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5
- 1/2 yard pieces with linier lines
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5
- 1/2 yeard pieces with textural/shaded areas. Directional and
multi-colored batiks or prints work well
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2
- 1/8 yard pieces of accent/highlight fabrics
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1 Yard
- background fabric
Choose a color
that you like best. Give yourself as many fabric choices as
possible
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“QUILTING A LIFE”
A Creative
Journey
Lecture Description:
Barbara takes listeners on a wonderful journey through quilting
and creativity to purpose. She shares her evolution from quilter to
quilt artist and shows many of her award-winning quilts. More
importantly, she discusses the tools, which helped her understand her
life’s purpose. These invaluable tools help listeners expand their
creativity, and develop their natural talents, in whatever area they may
be.
What is my purpose? Seems to be the question that is on
everyone’s mind today. This is an important lecture for anyone wanting
to expand their creativity and to begin to know their life’s purpose.
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“DESIGNING OUTSIDE THE
LINES”
Expressing Unique Creativity
Lecture Description: Each person came into the world with an
innate way of creating. How to find and understand that unique way of
creating is the topic of this lecture. Great artists bring their full
energy and uniqueness to each piece. Creating with joy and purpose
manifests wonderful quilts. The frame work that quilting offers is a
good place to begin the process, then to go beyond the boundaries and
design outside the lines.
Length: One hour
Instructor Fee: $275.00 or $225.00 (In conjunction with a
2 to 4 day workshop)
Physical Requirements For Lecture:
PowerPoint Projector
Microphone if large space
Podium
Wall space or quilt rack behind podium to hang one quilt
Table for quilts
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Physical Requirements For
Classroom:
4’ X 8’ wall space per student
Table space sufficient for sewing machine, mat and elbow room for
each student.
One or two students per table
2-3 Irons and Ironing Boards
Preferred Classroom Setting

Student Limit:
20 Students (Maximum 25 if class room space allows)
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2018-2019 FEE
INFORMATION
WORKSHOP FEES:
$700.00 (1 day workshop)
$1300.00 (2 day same workshop)
WORKSHOP SIZE:
A class of 20 students is preferred, with a maximum of 25 students,
provided classroom size allows. An additional fee of $25 for each
student in excess of 20 will be charged.
LECTURE FEES
$300.00 (1 hour lecture)
$270.00 (In conjunction with 2 day workshops)
EXPENSE TO BE PAID BY CLIENT
All travel costs including
air coach, extra bag fee, parking and ground transportation in transit
or destination city. If appropriate, travel by auto will be charged at
Government rate.
Rental car, if required, will include full coverage
insurance fees. All food and
lodging, with hotel or motel accommodations preferred. All arrangements
must be approved in advance.
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Letter of Agreement
for Workshops & Lectures by Barbara Olson
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PROMOTIONAL POSTERS
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Barbara Olson's
Workshop Schedule
List
of Resources
Contact Barbara Olson |

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