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Getting Started in Quilt Art

Getting Started in Quilt Art

  • Briefly: Develop a collection of unique art quilts through fun exercises. Choose any you'd like to try or do them all to expand your creative skills and find the direction you wish to pursue. Some templates included. (Scroll down for detailed description)
  • Type: Workshop
  • Tutor: Ruth Blanchet
  • Videos: 4 with more coming soon
  • Finished size: Various sizes
  • Skill Level: Confident
  • Number of Lessons: 4
  • Techniques

    FAQ About Workshops

    Question: Where do I find the workshop I purchased?
    Sign into your account by clicking on the figure icon in the top right corner of this page. You will be directed to your workshop. Alternatively, click here to sign in
    Question: What does it mean by Duration of 10 or 14 weeks?
    Our standard duration for teacher help is 10 weeks. If you feel you need longer we have an option to select 14 weeks of teacher help. We find this is plenty of time for the student to be engaged. After the teacher time is ended you still have access to the class data and you also have access to extend your time at a later date (details are included in each class)
    Question: Is the workshop self-paced or do lessons open at certains times such as on a weekly schedule? 
    Workshops are self-paced. All lessons are available as soon as you access the class for the first time unless otherwise stated in the workshop description.
    Question: After I register for a workshop, how long can I access the class data (videos, text, images etc)
    Once purchased, you can access the class data at any time, 24 hours a day for as long as you need. On occasion, a teacher or workshop may retire, in this case we will give you fair warning so you can download the class data so you can still access the information.
    Question: Do I need to make an account?
    Yes, you need an account so you can log into the workshop. If you don't have an account we suggest you sign up for one prior to purchase. 
    Question: Can I ask the teacher questions?
    Yes, you can ask the teacher any questions relating to the workshop. Details on how to do this are provided in the course.
  • Tags: applique, art quilt, color, designing, frame, inspiration, Machine Appliqué, mini landscape, mixed techniques, online workshop, Ruth Blanchet, small quilt, straight piecing, threadwork

  • Regular price $42.00 USD
    Regular price Sale price $42.00 USD
    Sale Sold out
    Duration
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    • Description
    • Requirements

    This class will give you starting points for several different areas in Quilt Art. From finding inspiration and color coordinating, to straight piecing landscapes, applique and progressing to more advanced work of shading, shadows, and threadwork. Develop a background, add your own ideas and get inspiration from others in the class. During the whole workshop, you will make several small quilts that you can display as framed artwork or keep as a collection for reference. All your work will be unique and different from other students in the class, yet their work will give you added inspiration and creative ideas.

    Note: Once purchased, you can access the class data any time, 24 hours a day and you get immediate access. (if you don't have an account we suggest you sign up for one prior to purchase)

    Note: Do NOT get overwhelmed by the length of this list, it looks a lot however, most fabrics you will find in your stash as projects are small and only require small amounts. In most cases no more than a fat eighth is required, often much less. All exercises are optional, however the more experimenting you do during class time, the more you will get from the class.

    General requirements:

    • Digital camera, smartphone, or another method of taking photos
    • General quilting supplies such as rotary cutter, mat, scissors, pins, machine needles, thread for piecing etc
    • Pencil for drawing – preferably a mechanical pencil
    • Teflon sheet, parchment paper or baking paper
    • Lightbox may be useful
    • Sewing machine with free-motion/darning foot and walking foot or equivalent (dual feeds)
    • Stabilizer – heavy iron-on non-woven interfacing such as Pellon 808 craft fuse
    • Fusible webbing – I recommend either Wonder Under or Vliesofix. Non-paper backed fusible is also suitable for some exercises (this is discussed in lessons)
    • Small amount of cotton batting - excess from larger quilts is ideal. See individual exercises for actual amounts
    • Note book – preferably blank pages

    Requirements for each exercise Note: Unless otherwise stated, no more than a fat eighth is required

    Lesson One

    Exercise One:

    Does not require fabric cutting, only access to your stash for fabric selection. If you need to increase your stash, charm packs and jelly rolls will give you a good variety of colors. Note: Fabrics selected may be used as one of your projects later in the course.

    Exercise Two:

    • ONE 5 1/2" Fabric motif or photo printed on fabric
    • ONE or TWO medium fabrics to match colors of printout/motif
    • ONE light fabric
    • ONE dark fabric
    • Any small embellishments or appliqués to enhance the printout/motif – optional

    Lesson Two

    Exercise One:

    • A minimum of FIVE fabrics ranging from light to dark, any colors (five fabrics work fine but nine fabrics are ideal). 2” strips are ideal, however, either the lightest or darkest requires a 4” square

    Exercise Two:

    • Freezer Paper – approximately 9” x 15”
    • FOUR landscape fabrics ranging from dark to light (your lightest may be sky color and your darkest may be watercolor)
    • ONE contrast fabric – needs to contrast the four landscapes fabrics. It will be used as tree trunks. See photo.

    Lessons Three

    Exercise One:

    • Two contrasting fabrics either light and dark fabrics or one floral and one plain fabric or two fabrics on opposite sides of the color wheel eg orange and blue. Requires one fabric to be 12” x 18” and the other to be 12” x 22”. Actual size is not important however ensure that pieces are no less than 9” wide and one should be slightly longer than the other
    • Paper the size of your largest piece of fabric – optional (may use plain or freezer paper)
    • A third contrast fabric – optional (only a small amount required)
    • Small scraps of fabric for applique. You need both light and dark fabrics that will contrast the background fabrics
    • Fusible webbing
    • ONE piece the size of the largest contrast fabric (non-paper fusible is ideal)
    • Small amount for applique and third contrast (requires tracing so paper backed fusible is better suited)
    • Sandwich sample for stitching practice made from 10” square of cotton batting, cotton fabric, and stabilizer (see general requirements)

    Exercise Two:

    • SEVEN fabrics in one color ranging from very dark to very light. Solids, one-color batiks, watercolors & hand-dyed fabrics work best. Avoid floral and busy fabrics. Example: If you are using a purple color range, fabrics can be various shades or tints of purple and even extend to very close colors on the color wheel such as blue-purple, however, should not include colors outside this area.
    • ONE contrast fabric for the background
    • A second background fabric slightly darker than the one above for shadow, small amount only – optional
    • Machine embroidery threads to match fabrics
    • Approximately 1/4 yd of fusible webbing
    • Batting and stabilizer slightly larger than the background fabric

    Lesson Four

    • Machine embroidery and other decorative threads - may include rayon, metallic etc
    • Yarn and cording thread – optional
    • Thread stand would be useful – optional
    • Fabric paints or aquarelle pencils/crayons – optional
    • Stretcher bars and staple gun – optional
    • Extra backing and batting for finishing off exercises may be required
    • Binding fabric for finishing off quilts may be required depending on the method used to finish quilts