No workshop, single room.
No workshop, shared room.
(spouse/friend/partner) sharing a room.
Priscilla Bianchi [5 remaining]
Intuitive and Spontaneous Improv Curves and CirclesOver time my artistic work has evolved and so has this workshop. More freedom, more abstraction, more improv, much more play! This workshop introduces students to elements and principles of design, and explores a variety of ways to create curves, waves, and circles. All these art quilting techniques will enrich the students´ repertoire, and provide the flexibility an artist needs to create original, innovative work. Students will be encouraged to experiment and stretch out of their comfort zones in order to express themselves in their own way. The kit of assorted hand-woven Guatemalan textiles (provided in class), is the basis to create a strikingly attractive design with color, movement, texture, rhythm, and ethnic flair!Level: All
Vicki Conley [16 remaining]
Designing from Photo to ImaginationYou will learn how to simplify and combine photos into a graphic design both the old-fashioned way with tracing paper and with apps on the iPad. You will learn my turned edge machine piecing technique using Floriani Stitch N Wash® stabilizer. Cutting apart the stabilizer to use as templates you will see how easy it is to turn the edges with glue stick. It is left in the finished piece giving nice body to the art quilt. You will also learn my fussy piecing technique using a gradation fabric. You can construct either a landscape or an animal. Bring plenty of photos. $7.00 Kit fee for stabilizer.Level: All
Becky Goldsmith [18 remaining]
Photo to Fabric: Hand-Sewn CollageCreate a fabric collage that has texture and vitality and is sewn using practical hand sewing techniques. Learn how to turn any photo into a full-size drawing on paper, how to make and use templates for a more precise image, or how take an improvisational approach for a different, but wonderful, result. Much of the class will be spent choosing just right fabrics and Becky will guide you through this process so that you gain confidence in your own design ability. Option to use your own photo or Becky’s Water Lilies drawing in class.Level: All
Jenny K. Lyon [6 remaining]
Joyful Free Motion!Have you always wanted to free motion your own quilts with joy and confidence? Have you taken classes but are still unsuccessfully free motion quilting? Jenny will meet you where you are, no matter your style or experience level. She will start with a solid foundation of the essentials of unmarked free motion. Each morning and afternoon will begin with a short lesson covering a variety of topics. Bring your own project and Jenny will provide advice, support, direction, and suggestions for students without a project. Her style is encouraging and light-hearted. Chocolate will be involved.Level: Confident Beginner to Advanced
Katie Pasquini Masopust [10 remaining]
From Watercolor to QuiltsAbstract watercolor paintings will be created the first day using 10 different painting techniques that will leave the student with many paintings to choose from. Techniques include, transparent layered shapes, resists, rubber cement drawing resist, washes, glazing, dropping in of colors, surface treatments using soap bubbles, rubbing alcohol and grids, etc. One painting will be chosen and cropped to find the most dynamic part. This will be drawn to make templates, then enlarged, and translated with fabrics into a quilt using either my turned edge technique or the students preferred technique. When the quilt is done it will look like a watercolor painting. No painting experience is needed.Level: Intermediate to Advanced
Julia McLeod [15 remaining]
Reclamation!Build a quilt with reclaimed textiles that demand different preparation and piecing techniques than typical quilters’ cottons. Students will learn to: identify different fibers and fabric structures; dismantle garments and ‘harvest’ usable fabric; combine varied textiles in one quilt; and accurately piece, appliqué and layer even the most challenging textiles. Traditional, modern, and art quilters will gain new skills and discover the joy of reclaiming unusual textiles.Level: All
RaNae Merrill [16 remaining]
Spiral Mandalas and MoreExplore the swirling world of spirals as you create a spiral mandala quilt. Everything is based on a simple twisted Log Cabin block and there are no curved seams! We’ll explore “seeing between the blocks”, proportion, flow forms, various types of symmetry, color, value, and fabric choices. You may create your own version of the quilt shown here, or use a pattern in my book Magnificent Spiral Mandala Quilts, or create your own design completely from scratch. We’ll also explore other layouts using combined spirals, and if you wish you may design a quilt that is not a mandala.Level: Beginner to Intermediate
Pearl P. Pereira [18 remaining]
Kona Wreath or Independent StudyPearl’s inspiration for this wall-hanging comes from her childhood living in Oahu. The center tropical floral blocks framed with a unique applique border with hibiscus border with pineapple corner stones. Learn how to make this border with two templates that repeat around the quilt. Learn how to use the border techniques to design your own unique borders. Join Pearl as she guides you through careful prep work for perfect applique results; and let her introduce you to her uniquely successful techniques she has developed. Learn Pearl’s Off-the-Block prepared edge freezer paper appliqué techniques. Perfect your appliqué skills as we learn the basic step to make: “any size Perfect Bias Stems,” reverse appliqué, sharp points, perfect circles, plus smooth concave & convex shapes. Pearl’s workshops are always open for independent studies please feel free to work on any appliqué project of your choice.Level: All
Meri Henriques Vahl [22 remaining]
Layered Fabric CollageLearn an easy and fun technique of raw-edge landscape collage and my unique and simple way to add people to your quilts. Bring your favorite photograph or idea for inspiration, lots of straight or safety pins, fine tulle, batting and the fabric you’ll need to make your artistic vision come true. In addition, I’ll show you how to add borders – or even more sections to create a quilt of any size. Be sure to check out The Quilt Show.com, episode #2908, if you’d like to see me demo my quilt-making process and you can also visit my website to see my finished award-winning quilts.Level: Intermediate
Non-Workshop
Non-Participant ESS attendee. Please only select this option if you are wanting to be a part of the Empty Spools Seminars programs but don't wish to take a class. If you are a non-workshop companion do not select this option unless you need a separate room. Use the section at the top of the page if you are sharing a room.
Please select a 2nd and 3rd choice teacher in the event your class cancels.
Sewing Machine Rentals
A limited number of Bernina sewing machines will be available for those who cannot travel by air with their own machines. Reservations and payments may be made through the Empty Spools Registration. Sewing machines are provided by The Cotton Patch of Lafayette, California.
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