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WORKSHOPS

OFF THE STRAIGHT AND NARROW

Cut freehand without rulers or templates; sew curved seams without having to match notches. Make up a sampler of contemporary techniques: curved chequerboards, irregular log cabins, textures, uneven circles, non-straight lines, and more.

(One day, all levels. Sewing machine required)

FOOTLOOSE AND FANCY FREE

A free and easy way of working with fused fabrics. Stunning effects can be achieved in a very short time using the technique of patchwork collage. It can be used to make both abstract and figurative pieces.

(One day, all levels. No sewing machine required. Lots of irons and ironing boards required).

CREATIVE QUILT PLAY

A two-day workshop which is about both attitude and technique. We will experiment with contemporary rule-breaking construction methods: freehand cutting, curved and irregular piecing, block re-shaping, innovative appliqué, and assemble a top in an intuitive way to make a wallhanging, to be quilted and finished at home.

(Two days, all levels, but not recommended for very beginners. Sewing machine required)

VISUAL MUSIC

We will look at the work of Paul Klee and other 20th century artists, and take inspiration from their use of shape, line and colour. We will build our own pieces using mostly fused patchwork collage methods. We will also explore quilting designs following Klee's concept of 'taking a line for a walk'.

(One or two days, intermediate. Sewing machine required)

LAYERS OF COLOUR (New for 2006)

First we will paint organza and fine silks with acrylics in an unusual way. Then we will experiment with transparent layers of colour, and construct wallhangings through collage, freehand curved piecing, appliqué, and hand and machine stitching and quilting.

(Two days, all levels. Sewing machine required. Access to water required. Paints supplied at £ 10 per student. Organza and silks for painting may be available for purchase by arrangement)

Workshop Fees: £ 150 per day
Travel Expenses: either return train fare or car mileage @ 28p a mile, as appropriate. Overnight hospitality if required. Maximum number of students depends on the venue facilities/space available to work in.

LECTURES

All lectures are slide-talks; projector, screen and black-out are required, and also a couple of tables for display.
The slides are regularly updated to show new material.

FROM WOMEN'S WORK TO WOMEN'S ART: QUILTS INTO THE 21ST CENTURY

A slide talk looking at 'the infinite world of patchwork', from the early functional quilts, to current work coming from America, Britain and Europe. The tremendous growth and development of patchwork and quilting in the 20th century is reviewed.
 

DREAMS AND REALITY: MY JOURNEY AS A QUILTER

A slide-talk about the origins and development of my life as a quilter, constantly updated. I also bring real quilts to show.
 

COLOURS AND CULTURES OF MEXICO: DESIGN AND INSPIRATION

A slide-talk about Mexico's incredible colours, the Maya and Aztec civilizations, and looking at how artists have been inspired by them. It includes many images of quilts by makers whcih have used Mexican sources of inspiration to produce completely different pieces of work.

Lecture Fee: £ 100
Travel Expenses: either return train fare or car mileage @ 28p a mile, as appropriate.
Overnight hospitality if required.