Improvisational Quilting and Fabric Books

Leave your preconceived notions and rulers at the door! In this class students will let go of their inhibitions about quilting and learn how to improvise and design nontraditional quilts. On day one we will introduce ourselves and discuss/ look at examples of improvisational quilts. As a warmup, students will pick a bag with random shapes and colors and textures of paper. They will arrange them into paper “quilts” to introduce them to the sense of play and freedom that comes with improvisational quilting. Then we will move onto arranging fabric scraps into various collages to begin the design process. Participants are encouraged to bring scraps, fabrics that have special meaning to them, old clothes, or anything else they want to incorporate into their project. We will learn basic quilting techniques and alternatives to get started on sewing.

On day two, we will continue working on our mini quilts, and be introduced to fabric books. Different binding options will be taught. Students will have the opportunity to continue their quilt, start a fabric book, or any combination of the two.

This class is open to all – no sewing experience is needed.

Skills and Techniques:

• Improvisational quilting by hand
• Binding a quilt by hand or machine or combination!
• Planning and designing an improvisational quilt
• Planning and designing a fabric book
• Learning to trust your instincts as a maker

Materials Fee: $40 paid directly to instructor.

Special Tools or Equipment: Students can bring a sewing machine, cutting mat and rotary cutter if they would like. Sanborn Mills Farm has two sewing machines the class can use.

Workshop Policies: Please be sure to read our policies before you register for a workshop which can be found here Workshop Policies