workshops
A fee schedule for teaching, travel and accommodation details are available from the instructor. Please email for details.
"Listen With Your Eyes"
Creating quilts in the 21 st Century is challenging and exciting in the same breath. We choose to listen to the stories and study the quilt history of our foremothers, and yet the call to come into the ART QUILT community is strong. In this two-day course , quilters have the opportunity to study the impact of the history of quiltmaking on the work we are doing today, and take their design and creative process to a whole new dimension. This is definitely NOT an Art Quilt Course, but designed for those who love to use traditional techniques. Students will create several small quilts that include traditional blocks used in a brand new way, or work on one larger quilt that includes original design developed in class. The goal is to support the knowledge base of those quilters who want to take their quiltmaking "a step back in time" and use the tools, methods and patterns that were so popular in the nineteenth and early twentieth century. Numerous samples and slides will be shared for inspiration. Course designed for beginner to advanced students . Intermediate piecing and appliqué skills an asset.
$15 kit fee includes a comprehensive course workbook, patterns for sample quilts and a variety of graph paper and embellishment materials to be shared during the class.
"Dimentional Quilts" - take your quiltmaking to a whole new dimension in shape and design
This two-day course is designed for quilt makers and fibre artists interested in developing the quilt beyond its traditional form and function by experimenting with surface relief, three-dimensionality and the use of non-traditional materials. Taking the quilt off the bed and onto the wall in exhibition-ready style is the goal for this course! A traditional quilting background is the foundation for taking the quilts in this course to a totally new dimension in an exciting, creative exhibition format. Students will work on one or more small quilts that include traditional skills used in a contemporary or non-traditional way, including foundation paper piecing, fracturing of quilt blocks, and bobbin sewing for embellishment. Suitable for beginner to advanced quilters . Intermediate piecing and sewing skills an asset.
$15 kit fee includes a comprehensive course workbook, patterns for sample quilts and a variety of graph paper and embellishment materials to be shared during the class.
"Creative Design in Patchwork"
This creative one-day workshop will guide you through a full day of design and stitching a terrific wall or lap sized quilt using your traditional quilting knowledge base as a guide. As we start the morning, you will spend time developing your quilt within a grid style design layout. Use a new technique, "Painting with Fabric", to be shared in class as you develop your planned quilt. You will want to include the technique I will demonstrate for "free patch" with a stack of special favorites from your stash, or trade fabrics with those who are in the workshop to add more colour and dimension to your work! Beginner to advanced quilters ALL welcome!
$15 kit fee includes a comprehensive course workbook in binder format, graph paper in various sizes for your design development and a series of patterns to be used by the "design challenged" quilters!
"Sea Garden Pouches"
Original design complements of Judith Baker Montano - embroiderers/quilters of all levels welcome . A full one-day workshop.
In this six hour class, you will use a provided KIT of beautiful hand dyed fabric and embellishments to create a small Art Handbag. This wonderful small handbag will add a great deal of fun to your wardrobe or enjoy it as a framed hanging for your home. Simple to stitch, the base for the handbag (pattern provided) is ready for you to cut, stitch and embellish in your own personal and original style in class. You will use hand quilting, embroidery and bead embellishments to create a true "undersea garden" on the surface of your Art Handbag. This little purse design will be a favorite of your creative designs for years to come!
Materials Fee of $20 payable to Instructor : includes patterns, comprehensive directions, and a variety of embellishments to use in class.
"Free Form Patchwork" - in the gees bend tradition
This playful method of strip-piecing and free form crazy patchwork allows for totally new freedom in original quilt design. No patterns required. The renowned "Gees Bend Quilters" from Alabama have enjoyed creating "new" quilts for generations using only scraps. Now it is your turn to be inspired to design an original small quilt top, pieced" as you go" in this six hour class. Using your stash of favorite fabric scraps, design your quilt as you begin to stitch. Blocks, strip piecing and free form borders are all a part of the fun. Machine sewing. Beginner to Intermediate skills required . (Kit for a small 18" x 24" quilt available - $20 by pre-order only).
Pattern, comprehensive handouts and many tips are included in class fee.
"Dye Works For The Fiber Artist" - low water immersion dyeing
In this course, we explore the properties of the popular PROCION MX dyes we all know and love to use for their simplicity and brilliant colour. Teams of students will use different primary combinations to work through the development of the colour families on white 100% cotton. The results will be shared with other students in class so that everyone goes home with a sample book of more than 300 dye combinations. This is a systematic process, with each student receiving a comprehensive journal of recipes from the Instructor which will help with future dye activities after the course. The goal of the course is the study of colour theory, mixing principles, safety data sheets and the variety of intense hues used throughout the Fibre Arts network. Techniques such as value gradation, gradations within colour families, over-dyeing for more intense colour and resist techniques such as ties, folds and Shibori technique will be explored. Previous experience using PROCION dyes is helpful, but not required.
Materials Fee of $30 payable to the Instructor. Supplies List available with paid registration.
"Surface Design in Stitch"
Prepare to embark on a new journey of artistic discovery in this 2-day design/embellishment workshop. Breathe fresh energy into your sewing projects: quilting, fibre art, home décor, or garments. Learn to build depth and character using fabric manipulation techniques including felting, pleating, texturizing, quilting, trapunto and beading. Transform your fabrics using expressive free motion machine and hand stitching. Enhance your fabrics/design with beadwork or add glittering foil accents. Play with pin weaving, double needle stitching, pin-tucks, slashing, tearing, embossing and knots. Try machine "open work", thread painting, thread lace, raw edge and reverse appliqué techniques and more. Come join in on the fun and stretch in many new ways as you create original, exhibition ready design work!
Intermediate to advanced skills preferred. Machine work involved. Materials Fee of $15 payable to the Instructor for beads and specialty threads/fabrics used in class.
"Innovation vs. Tradition" - exploring the quiltmaking process
In this 2-day workshop, students will have the opportunity to complement and develop their basic quiltmaking skills by learning the effective use, application and design potential of current innovative trends in the wide world of quiltmaking and textile design. Demonstrations, samples and hands-on study will illustrate the use of contemporary techniques through exploration and updating of the traditional LOG CABIN design, enabling students to create and construct original contemporary designs for wall and bed quilts. The Log Cabin will serve as the foundation to build upon, and students will develop numerous modern variations including curved geometric, patterning from straight-line piecing, optical illusions, and diamond, rectangular and triangular shaped blocks. Study of changes to scale, combining different blocks together and working with silks/embroidery concepts will be included. Using fabrics from the quilters stash is wonderful. Supplies list available with paid registration.
Intermediate to advanced skills preferred. Machine work involved. Course can be modified for a one-day workshop or extended to cover up to 6 weeks in a Shop setting.
"Designwork" - your commitment to something new
Welcome to a brand new day in your sewing career! Moving to the sketchpad and machine to create new work is a career and hobby option for many men and women around the world. Quiltmaking is no longer the "home based" hobby we all enjoyed - but a serious and often valuable work option for many. You may be here today to play with your sketchbook, stash of fabrics and your machine, but in reality, you are a designer and just may not know it yet! I am so excited to be a part of your adventure, and will guide you today as you start working on your own original designs and taking that leap of faith we all need as a commitment - making quilts and fibre art pieces that are like no other! With grid paper and pencils in hand, quilters will spend the morning of the first day developing several original designs incorporating a series of familiar patterns or blocks, but taken in new and very different directions! The afternoon will see quilters beginning the process of developing their original design into block components and stitching on their new designs. In our second day together, more design play and stitching will result in several small quilts which can be developed for exhibition or sharing in your home or with friends. Intermediate sewing skills required . (Workshop can be modified to fit a one day format or a Retreat setting of three or more days.)
"Creative Machine Stitchery" - take one day to change your machine stitching forever
Your sewing machine is truly an extension of your design savvy and playful, creative nature. Learning to use your machine to its best advantage is fun and exciting. This workshop will help you understand the process of lowering the feed dogs and creating quilting motifs like the "meander" we all recognize, free form vines and flowers/leaves, spirals, shell designs and more. We will play with soluble fabrics and practice "openwork" design, including spider webs, machine lace and more. Suitable for beginners as well as those who wish to explore variances in use of different standards of threads, the popular metallic thread and specialty techniques like bobbin sewing. A number of samples will be completed during the day to add to your design journal. Comprehensive handouts and stitching guides will be shared.
"Using Colour Can't Scare Me" - a playful guide through the myths of colour theory
During this day of creative play, we will explore your personal fears about using colour in your Quilts and Fibre Arts projects. You can tell me about YOUR colour preferences and I will explain how using the opposite side of the colour wheel might bring out your "alter ego" and invite her to come and play in your sewing room!
You will receive a kit of small bits of fabrics in many colours to play with during the day and create a "colour map" which will help you gain some confidence as you start new projects. Your imagination and your stash (please bring a bag or box of fabrics from your stash that you would love to have the courage to work with) will be put to the test as you develop a small piece that I call a "RUT BUSTER" - the one that will get you started playing with COLOUR! You will receive a complete guidebook for using colour and be able to take some notes as we go through the day that will help you begin a new relationship with your own fabrics. You will learn what to look for when you head to the fabric store and when NOT to buy certain colours and why!
Course suitable for all levels of quilters and fibre enthusiasts . Can be modified to one, two or three day workshop format.
"The Welsh Celebration Quilt" - a traditional quilt for non-traditional stitchers
For all of you who love purely TRADITIONAL Bed Quilts in your home, this workshop will be a great way to start your next quilt project in great Medallion Style. My Dad's maternal family was from Wales and as immigrants to the USA at the turn of the century, landed at Ellis Island in New York 's Harbor. With my grandmother came her beautiful quiltmaking skills, learned as a part of her wonderful and stitch savvy family in the "old Country". As a part of my heritage, the Welsh bed quilt was a favorite resource - large blocks with big prints and simple quilting were a mainstay in the Sumners-Hord household here in the America's, a definitive throw back to the beautiful Welsh and Swedish quilts that had been handed down through my father's family. I will share the design and stitching techniques for creating multiple-border quilts in the Welsh Tradition. You may choose to design your own quilt plan before beginning to cut your block components, or use my comprehensive pattern handouts as your guide.
Beginner to advanced students welcome . Course can be modified from one day to two or more days for Retreat weekends. Machine work or piece your design by hand if you have the time.
"Dyeing to Quilt": The introductory day that will get you started with a lifelong hobby
You simply HAVE to experience the fun of dyeing your own beautiful and original fabric for quilts! You will learn to dye in "containers" which will be an exciting alternative to the messy and often unpredictable bags and dye pots. In this Full Day workshop, students will dye 24 pieces (up to 6 yards) of gorgeous multi-coloured 100% cotton fabric. A supplies fee of $15 includes the PROCION MX dyes and auxiliaries, a comprehensive handout package and many recipes to help you stir up a brilliant rainbow of multi-coloured fabrics. Students will be required to bring white 100% cotton fabrics, pre-washed and ready to dye, along with a simple list of easily available supplies. (Supplies list provided with registration).
ALTERNATIVE SCHEDULE: In a two-day format, students will further explore the diverse low-emersion dyeing techniques enjoyed by home dyeing enthusiasts who are successfully creating, including Shibori, folded and clamped resist dyeing and direct application techniques.
"The Kimono Quilt" - a design workshop developed to help you to create a beautiful Oriental Wall Quilt
In this full-day workshop, you will design your own beautiful, large Kimono Wall Quilt for your home or for exhibition. Using my "Song of the East" Kimono Wall Quilt as inspiration, you will spend the morning developing your quilt's original design. Learn how your chosen palette of fabrics will be best used to carry off the design and enhance your quilt's appeal and visual impact. Pieced inserts of black and white cotton, strip piecing in the sleeves and the addition of raw edge appliqué, small prairie points and original designs for your machine quilting will add to the design's creative value. This is a workshop that will appeal to all levels of quilter - beginner to advanced. Supplies list provided with registration. May be modified to 2 day Retreat Weekend format.
"Quilts in the Circular Realm"
The circle has been a mainstay design element for quilters for generations. Appliqué work incorporating circles has been a playful pass time for quilters over many generations. Quilters are inspired by beautiful, contemporary quilts incorporating Japanese fabrics, colourful children's brights and more. Come learn to create amazing, perfect circles in several ways that will be included in your original quilt design to be developed in class. Whether a basic nine-patch background enhanced by the application of randomly placed circles or a complex design with circles considered as the main design element, you will have fun and learn about using circles in new and exciting ways. 6 hour workshop format or modified to fit a two-day workshop or Retreat Weekend setting.
