Workshop Descriptions Available to Venues
” I am so thankful that you have been part of my life this past year–I have learned so much and expanded my world thanks to you. ” Sally G.
- The following workshops are available to groups, guilds, etc. Please let me know if your organization is interested in any of the following workshops. Click here for workshop specifics.
- Length of workshop can be flexible to meet your group’s needs.
- Lectures available.
The following workshops are available to groups:
Perfectly Imperfect Mark Making
Workshop Description:
This retreat-like workshop focuses on slowing down and relishing in process rather than product. Supplies needed are minimal and no machine is necessary. Learning to celebrate imperfection is a prevailing theme. Small compositions will be created with an emphasis on how to use the hand stitch as a major design mark making element. So, grab a bag of fabric scraps and your favorite hand sewing tools, and jump on board. This is not a technique workshop where you learn how to hand stitch. The focus is on using the stitch line as mark making on cloth and learning to color outside the lines. The stitch marks are the brush strokes that make the composition complete. Students will explore personal mark making preferences, with the power of parallel play in groups.
No machine
Willingness to color outside the lines
All levels; no experience necessary
Creating the Illusion of Depth in Art Quilts
This technique-based workshop will use mixed media materials along with fabric and paper, to create the illusion of depth in a two-dimensional plane; in our case, a quilt. Through use of these materials, along with principles of design, you will create small studies using these techniques. Specifically, overlapping, placement, size, value, and focus, will be areas of concentration using the collage approach. Participants will walk away with a better sense of command over creating the illusion of depth on a two-dimensional plane.
3–5 days
All levels
Sewing Machine Needed
As quilters and artists, having construction options to choose from to bring our designs to completion, allows us to solve problems outside the box. This workshop will present construction options while emphasizing the importance of your design voice. A free form improvisational approach to piecing is presented using no measuring, matching no points, and abandoning the traditional rules. Techniques will be taught to allow you more choices when approaching construction problems. Each session opens with a presentation, a demo, direct instruction and discussion for the day’s goals. Students will walk away with a variety of skills that offer piecing options to meet diverse design challenges.
3–5 days
All levels
Sewing Machine Needed
Make an Art Quilt from Repurposed Materials
Do you embrace the surrounding environment? Do you like to recycle materials and create a greener environment? Do you have a giant stash of fabric that you would like to use up? If so, then this workshop is for you! This workshop uses scraps of fabric from other projects along with mixed media elements such as found objects, papers, lovely trash, interesting textures and repurposed clothing. Students will be taught methods to make this kind of quilt image possible. Compositional elements will be the focus and daily presentations will cover topics such as design inspiration, finding your voice as an artist and design elements. Bring in a favorite surroundings photo for a starting point for design. This fun, collaborative and liberating workshop will have you loving the environment in an entirely new way. This method will allow your design voice to sing and give you design confidence!
- Beginner to Advanced
- 3–5 days
- Sewing Machine Required
- Students responsible for supply list
“I’ve learned so many useful things from you: have gotten a much better understanding of art supplies, confidence in using them, knowledge of when and when not to use them, and of design principles in collage. I especially appreciate your letting me touch one of the pieces in your architectural series so that I could feel the “hand” of the fabric once gel medium has been applied. Your panel piecing and your limited color palette are especially intriguing to me. I have to admit that I especially love your most political pieces and find that they speak very powerfully. I have a quilt retreat scheduled with one of my quilting groups next week, so will have even more time to practice what I’ve learned from you. Thank you for a very stimulating and rewarding workshop!” Laura G.
“Homage to Deborah Fell,”
“Jedi Master, coach, and friend. I took my first ever art quilt workshop with Deborah. She delivered to me the liberation of raw edge appliqué and was the first master art quilter to suggest I had a good sense of design. I thank Deborah every day for her encouragement.”
“The workshop handouts were very detailed and great to have as a reference during today’s workshop.”
“Topics covered were explained thoroughly and repeated if necessary.”
“Contributed practical suggestions based on experience.”
