In this class you will create a personal, one-of-a-kind, fabric collage. I will guide you step by step through the process of fine tuning your composition and selecting your color palette. Next you will select a range of fabrics that express your personal vision. I will offer you as little or as much guidance as you want as you move through this process. Once you have assembled your fabrics you will prepare them for collaging by applying a thin layer of iron on adhesive to the wrong side of the fabric. This readies them for layering using a raw edge applique technique. Now the real fun begins! You get to play with scissors, no running of course! Cutting shapes from your fabric you can be wildly intuitive, for a loose expressionistic effect or you can be precise, relying more heavily on patterned cuts for a more detailed and realistic look. When I first began exploring fabric collage and applique, I had many frustrating experiences cutting fabric with the wrong side of the fabric facing up. I kept cutting the design in reverse. Aargh! Finally, I developed a method of creating my own pattern pieces that virtually eliminates this problem. It is quick, easy, and almost foolproof. Once you learn my system, you’ll never worry about cutting a design in reverse again. As you continue to add layers of fabric you are free to play. You can arrange shapes, rearrange shapes, and move them around again until your inner critic finally goes “Yes! I’ve nailed it”. My goal is for you will leave class with a finished collage. You can leave it as is or add an additional layer of detail and texture with free motion sketch stitching or add additional color with acrylics. Either way, you will have an original work of fabric art that can be mounted to hang on the wall, turned into a pillow, or incorporated into any sewing project.

Materials Fee $25 paid at beginning of class includes:

Sketch Paper
Tracing paper
Pencil & Eraser
Scotch tape
Selection of fabrics
Variety of Acrylic pens and pencils
Steam a Seam 2 Lite – Iron on fabric adhesive
Variety of Acrylic pens and pencils
Cutting mats - to share
Rotary cutters – to share
Irons and ironing boards – to share
Variety of Acrylic pens and pencils
 

Supplies Needed  to bring for Class:

Required
Minimum of 6 fat quarters of fabric that would make good flower petal or leaf colors. They can be prints, batiks or solids. There will be an opportunity to exchange pieces of your fabric for fabric from other class participants to extend your fabric choices.
1 fat quarter in a more neutral or contrasting color, something that might work as a background for your collage.
Fabric scissors
Paper Scissors

Optional:
Serger tweezers
Additional fabric
Project design sized to 11x14