Amazing Architectural Appliqué with Susan Brittingham
Have you ever wanted to make a portrait of your home in fabric? Capture the beauty of old building in a quilt? In this class we will learn how to use appliqué and stitching techniques, laces and trims to do just that. Bring a photo of the house, building or architectural feature that you would like to create in fabric and we will make a pattern of the scene, learn about appliqué methods that will help create the scene, create shadows to enhance depth and begin to bring the scene to life with appliqué and embellishments. Supply List * Photo: A large (8" x 10") very clear photo of a house or building of your choice. If you do not have a photo you wish to use, there will be several to choose from in class. * Clear Acetate sheet as large as your photo, such as transparency film for overhead projectors or plastic page protectors * Tracing paper * Fabrics: background sky fabric, no smaller than 9"x 12", you may work larger if you wish. Select fabrics that match the color of objects in your photo. You will need colors to match the different parts of the building, such as walls, roof, windows and doors. You should have two or more shades (values) of each color, try to include some variety of whites, grays and creams if your building is white. You will also need a variety of greens for foliage, and fabric for other objects such as trees, pathways, and roads. * 1/4 yd of Tulle in black, gray, brown or dark blue for shadows * Threads: a variety of lightweight decorative threads including cotton, rayon and metallic to match, blend and accent your fabrics, polyester invisible thread, decorative threads in the colors of any trim on your house. * Stabilizer as large your intended quilt. Tear away stabilizer is recommended or you may use dissolvable paper stabilizer. * Fusible web (Optional) * Scissors: small (4"-5"), sharp, straight bladed, pointed scissors * Thin drafting ruler * Permanent felt tip pen such as a Sharpie™ Ultra Fine Point (preferred) or Pigma pen * Colored pencils, crayons or felt-tip pens * Machine needles: embroidery or sharps size 75, 80 and 90, size 60/8 or 70/10 for use with invisible thread * Spring tension machine embroidery hoop * Sewing machine, clean and in good working order with a darning or quilting foot and the ability to drop or cover your feed dogs for free motion sewing. * Extra bobbins * BSK: pins, scissors, seam ripper, etc * Extension cord
Pat found this quilt to be done in so many different ways using just three templates.If curves scare you, this is the quilt for you.Pat will show you a very easy technique and bring samples to show you.This quilt looks great also in black/white, thirties, scrappy, just to name a few.You name the size of this quilt, the sky is the limit.
Supplies:
Sewing machine in good working order
Extension cord
Rotary cutter, mat and ruler.
Bring a circular rotary cutter if you have one.
A wide selection of batiks: light and darks for high contrast for your melons and curves or any high contrast fabric will work.
One light and one dark marking pencil or chalk marker
Fabric scissors-sharp
Swarowski crystals (optional).Will go into depth how to put the crystals on in class.
Crystals will be put on your quilt when the quilting is completed.
Sharp small pins (preferably Clover Patchwork pins) (optional)
Thread to match fabric
Tweezers or a Stiletto if you have one
Note:Manila templates will be provided by me, but you can get your own book and templates.Please see below.
Book Name and Author:
"The Melon Block Book" by Elisa Wilson
Templates 8"
I purchased the book and templates from Elisa's Backporch Designs, 1200 Forest Road, N.W., Albuquerque, NM87114 Telephone: 505-987-1894
This workshop will cover all aspects of machine quilting including techniques, materials, and supplies. It will cover both the use of the even-feed foot as well as free motion techniques, although more emphasis will be given to free motion techniques which require no marking, and which carry out the mood and the feeling of the quilt. There will be a discussion throughout of how to integrate quilting designs with your quilt top in an artistic way, in order to create a quilt which is totally integrated. In class we will make a sampler of different techniques.
SUPPLY LIST:
·1 ¼yard muslin
·22" x 45" thin cotton batting
·Sewing machine in good working order, (must be able to lower or cover feed dogs)
·Walking foot (even-feed foot)
·DARNING FOOT (A NECESSITY)
·Regular sewing thread (tan or another color that will show up on muslin)
·Package machine quilting needles (size 14 (90) or mixed)
Learn or improve your paper-piecing skills in Paula's fun and relaxed class. Designed especially for the 2008 Blue Ridge Quilt Festival, this 5" x 7" paper foundation pattern was created from a 1929 photograph of the beautiful Mountain Lake Resort. There are three variations that are suitable for beginning, intermediate and advanced paper foundation piecer. Basic quilting skills required.
Supplies: Basic sewing kit IBC straight pins (IBC straight pins are "Imported By Clotilde" and are fantastic! They are very thin and do not distort the pattern when piecing. I use them for most of my quilting)
Seam ripper Sewing machine in good working order, manual 1/4" foot for your sewing machine Extension cord and multiple socket outlet Rotary cutter, ruler and mat: small size
Thread: cotton, size 50 - to match different fabrics Pencil and eraser
Fabric:
Sky: 1/4 yard Trees: four different fabrics in a variety of values - 4" x 6" each
Lake: 1/8 yard Lodge building: grey - 6" x 6" Lodge roof: brown - 6" x 6" Mountains: four different fabrics in a variety of values - 4" x 6" each Variations:
Lake - included in 1/8 yard above (beginner level) Sailboat - scrap brown for boat, scrap for sail - bright (intermediate level) Canada Goose - scrap black, scrap rust, black pigma pen (advanced level) Swan - scrap white, black and yellow pigma pens (advanced level)
*Remember that these are miniature quilts and the fabric’s prints should be small. *Bring extra fabrics to play with. Extension cord
class #06 is a 6 hr (NOT 3 hrs.) class from 10 am - 5 pm
Are you enchanted by shine and entranced by sparkle? Come learn how to add some glittering wonder to your fabric then try some mystery too. Discover the fun of fusible paint and it's myriad possibilities.
Students will learn various methods of adding shine to fabric including, foil applied with wonder-under, glue, or bonding powder.Glitter will be applied with paint, spray and glue. Students will learn how to apply paint to wonder under experiment with its uses.
Supplies
l$10.00 supply fee includes: paints, foils, glues, glitter, etc.
lPlain white or light colored cotton fabric -10-20 (or more) 8"x10" pieces
lWonder-Under: 2yds minimum (*not* heavy weight or heat-n-bond)
lSheer synthetic fabric: chiffon scarves if you can find them: 6-88"x10" pieces
l Mini iron and small ironing board
lFoam paint brushes
lPlastic plate or something to use as a paint palette
lCups to hold water and brushes
lMetal spoon
lGarbage bag for transporting wet items home and to cover your table
lPaper scissors
l4 empty film canisters or small containers with lids
lPaper towel
Optional
lOther fabrics, any fiber, color, or variety. 5 (or more) pieces, 8"x10"
class #07 is a 3 hr (NOT 6 hrs) class from 10 am - 1 pm
Add beads of all shapes and sized to your quilts and wearable art, easily and after you are done quilting and here’s the prize: no knots or mess on the back! Learn to embellish in a way that adds to the overall design instead of looking like an afterthought.
Students will create a small fabric collage on batting, learn different beading techniques, and come home with a small art-quilt. Techniques will also be taught for applying beads to clothing.
Supplies:
lFabric scissors
lSmall shallow bowl or container to keep beads in ("Altoid" type tins work well)
(optional $20.00 kit contains the following)seed beads: 1 tube each of three different colors
lbugle beads: 1 tube of one color
lfour to six medium sized round beads
ltwo large round beads
lseveral different drop shaped beads, both side drilled and straight drilled
lbutton (with holes - no shank) or donut shaped bead
l8x10 piece of background fabric, pre-fused to wonder-under
lnymo or sylamide beading thread: black, white, medium grey or tan
Optional:
lAny interesting beads you might have, seed beads, cabachons, etc.
Thimble and needle threader
If you want to make a book-cover from the kit you will need to bring a small book. Take a piece of 8 1/2" x 11" paper and wrap it around the book, if it covers the spine and both covers it is small enough. 4"x 6"hardbound sketchbooks will be available for purchase from teacher for $5.00 each.
class #08 is a 3 hr (NOT 6 hrs) class from 2 pm - 5 pm on Friday
Painlessly create beautiful designs with intricate detail, perfect for wearables, blocks, borders or accents. Long flowing, curly borders or pictures with the sharpest points and thinnest lines imaginable are possible with this easy method using fusible web. Combine fabrics such as silk and wool for wearables or stick to quilting cottons tried and true. Give your design that extra punch with the added dimension of trapunto... without all the slitting and stuffing!
SUPPLIES:
lZig-zag capable sewing machine. (Oiled and clean, with extra bobbins!)
lSize 75/11 sewing machine needle needle.
lExtension cord.
lSharp Pencil.
lSmall, pointy, sharp scissors.
(optional $15.00 kit includes everything below)
lSuitable copyright free design. The design must have separate, contained, elements in order to work. Think of a stencil or a silhouette. The smallest reasonably manageable "hole”"should be no smaller than 1/4" and the thinnest "line" should be no smaller than 1/8".You must be able to cut out each element in the design separately. Teacher will provide one design and will have additional patterns available for .50 cents each.
lWonder-under or other fusible web that is "sewable." (not heavy-weight w-u.)
lOne fat quarter of dark or light plain fabric.
lOne fat quarter of highly contrasting fabric.
lBatting, size of two fat quarters. Use a batting that will not shred and get caught when placed directly onto the feed dogs.
Lightweight thread to match the top fabric. If your top fabric is patterned, match thread to it’s darkest color.
Can"t choose which surface design technique you want most to learn? Why not try a bit of each? Come spend a day freely playing with a dab of paint, a bit of foil and some photo-transfer.
Students will create a small fabric collage on batting, learn different surface design techniques, and come home with a small art-quilt or a book-cover. Techniques include printing and stenciling, stamp carving, screen printing, foiling, photo transfer and beading.
Supplies: (optional $30.00 kit includes everything below, including a 4"x6" hardbound sketchbook)
lJournal, Sketchbook, or Book that you would like to create a cover for.
lBatting (I prefer Hobbs Heirloom Cotton) or other stabilizing base material large enough to wrap your book like a present.
lFabric for the inside cover of your book about five inches wider than the batting..
lScrap fabric that you don't mind sharing. Include some lighter colored "solids." Hand-dyed or small monochrome prints will work. All fiber contents are welcome!
l1-2 yds wonder-under.
lBasic sewing supplies: scissors, needs, thread, thimble etc.
lAny embroidery or embellishment threads and yarns and needles.
lAny beads, charms, or embellishments you might wish to use and beading needles and thread. I use both Nymo and Sylamide.
lPhotocopies of any pictures you’d like to use for transfer. (see instructions below).
$10.00 fee payable to teacher includes:
paints, foil, adhesives photo transfer and other surface design supplies
Optional Supplies:
lSewing machine (needles, extra bobbins)
lMini iron and board
lApron - or just wear old clothes.
lRubber finger to help pull needles
Photocopies of photographs - see special instructions below:
Photocopies:
lIt is the toner that transfers to the fabric. Laser and Ink-jet prints will not work. Many of the new copy machines are laser printers so be sure to ask!
lLook for photos with clear features and high contrast.
lImages that are Mostly black tend to bleed, especially on thin, non-absorbent fabrics.
lCopy one or two images per page, leaving plenty of space around them and make and bring asmany as you wish.
lTry to make photocopies the week of class as fresh copies work best.
In this 6-hour sit-and-sew workshop, you will learn how to remodel a purchased sweatshirt into a tailored jacket. The remodeling includes fitting, a method of applying a great in-seam pocket shaped to stay in place while providing plenty of room for car keys, check book and cell phone and an easy binding to finish the edges.
You will decorate the jacket with fabric strips that have been snipped, flipped and tucked to provide interesting design elements.A fabric triangle, loop and decorative button make the closure at the top of this very wearable arty jacket that you will enjoy wearing on all but the hottest days.
Materials and Supplies
·Pullover sweatshirt with set-in sleeves one size larger than normal and prepared in advance according to the instructions
·1 ½ yd. of fabric that is the same on both sides (batiks, hand-dyed, woven - not printed)
This is the feature fabric and the binding. This pattern calls for batiks, solid colors, and hand-dyed fabrics that are the same on both sides - not printed. It does not work well with calico, large florals or novelty fabrics, etc.
·4 to 8 fat quarters that coordinate with sweatshirt and the main feature fabric but have some contrast to each other.It takes 2 fat-quarters of the same fabric for the lining and 2 more of another fabric for the flaps. Or you can make them all different. Lots of design options available. I will have packets of my hand-dyed fabric available for purchase
·15 yds. of embellishing yarn, ribbon, or cording – variegated and/or color of your choice
·Fray Check
·Freezer Paper 36" long piece
·Lightweight paper-backed fusible web (1 pkg.) such as Wonder Under or Seams 2
·Chalk or soap scrap for marking
·Thread to match main fabric
·Metallic or decorative machine embroidery threads
·Fine point pen such as Sharpie or Pilot Precise Rollin Ball Extra Fine
Pattern to be purchased from the teacher for $10.50.
Equipment
·Sewing machine with extra bobbins, needles etc.(In good working order)
·Sewing notions (needles, pins, etc.)
·Sharp to the point fabric scissors: small and shears
·Paper cutting scissors
·Rotary cutter with new blade, gridded cutting mat and clear ruler at least 6”x24”
·Optional:mini iron and pressing mat; clamp-on light, chair cushion
Sources of Batiks:
* Sew Biz, 92-94 Harvey St, Radford - 639-1138
* Sew What Fabric 460 East Main St, Wytheville; www.batiks.com, 800-228-4573
* Nancy's Notions Catalog has batiks, 800-833-0690; nancysnotions.com
* Fabulous Fibers & Embellishments has the fabric and yarn for this sweatshirt jacket in a package; www.fabulousfibers.com, 724-355-5050
* Sew Mini Pieces has the pattern and batiks to make this sweatshirt jacket; www.sewminipieces.com, 309-697-3999, email: sewmini@hotmail.com
Before Class Preparation
Please complete all of the pre-class preparations so that we can begin at the start of the class with the designer strips which take several hours to make. We will not take the time to remove ribbing and prepare your sweatshirt as you should complete this before class.
1. Wash the sweatshirt and fabric.
2. Press and spray starch the fabric.
3. Remove the ribbing at the neck and bottom of the sweatshirt by clipping the stitching. Do NOT cut the ribbing off.
4. Stay stitch ¼" away the raw edge of the neck.
5. Remove sleeves from sweatshirt by clipping the seam threads.
6. Press the sweatshirt flat forming crisp fold lines at the sides.
7. Cut on the side fold line from the bottom of the armhole to bottom of the sweatshirt.
8. Press the sleeves in half with the seam at one side.
9. Fold the front of the sweatshirt in half, matching the sides and neck edges. Press this center front line. Mark this fold with chalk or soap scrap. Repeat on the back to form the center back. I like to mark with a piece of Ivory soap on dark sweatshirts so that I know the marking will come out. Use chalk on light colors. Do not use the water soluble pen as they become permanent if ironed and the color will not come out. Do NOT cut on these fold lines
In this class you will make a textured and lacy fabric out of threads and fibers. You will go home with the fabric ready to be dissolved in water to remove the stabilizer. Once dry, the fabric can be constructed into a garment, purse or used to decorate wearable art.
Supplies:
1 Yard Water Soluble Fabric Stabilizer such as "Wash-Away," "Aqua Mesh Wash Away," or Fabri-SolvyNote: Clear film wash out stabilizer does not work in this technique
1 Yard tulle or color of your choice
Wash erasable marking pen: felt tip type work best
2 Spools Wash away thread
1 Spool Clear invisible thread
Assorted metallic, rayon, silk, and cotton threads, thread scraps, floss, decorative yarns etc.
(Unwind all those half-empty bobbins and outdated thread spools. Also save thread ends from sewing and embroidery. You will need to fill about a one-gallon plastic bag.)
Nice to add:
Wool roving : 1 to 5 different colors
Angelina Fibers : 1 to 3 packages
1 spool of heavy metallic thread such as YLI Candlelight, Razzle Dazzle or YLI Metallic thread
Assorted sewing threads in a variety of colors for free motion quilting
Black sewing thread
Machine embroidery needles, size 11 or 14
Equipment:
Sewing machine in good working order that has the capacity to lower or cover feed dogs
Clear 6"x24" quilters' ruler
Extra empty bobbins, at least one metal bobbin for clear nylon thread
Free-motion Embroidery, darning or quilting foot (#29 or darning foot for Bernina?s)
Open toe embroidery foot
Regular presser foot
Scissors, pins and your favorite sewing tools
Websites
The following sites have stabilizers, threads, Angelina and eyelash yarns and lots of other great things that could be used in this project. Also check local stores such as Alpine in Roanoke, Sew Biz in Radford, and Schoolhouse Fabrics in Floyd.
