“Fabric Collage Addiction”
Jane Haworth
Welcome to Fabric Collage Addiction. I am really excited to be part of the Artistic Alchemists and to be able to offer this workshop at Zephyr.
Fabric Collage Addiction is a fun, few-rules-apply class where a photo of your choice is made using my raw-edge collage technique in fabric. I love to see students working uniquely on something that appeals or speaks to them. I am not restricting this class to pets, faces or animals. For this retreat I am letting the student decide on their subject matter.
Most recently I have been promoting my popular Pet Portrait class as you can see in the photos above. Some of these works in progress are my pet faces and some are students work.
If you wish to spend this extended time working on a pet portrait that is great but you may wish to try a human face, other animal, flower or just a photo that really speaks to you. Images I have used are fish, frogs, iguanas, flowers and chickens. The technique is all basically the same. I am happy for you to email me the photo for my advice or approval.
Look on my website at the variety of quilts I have made using my raw edge fabric collage technique for ideas and inspiration.
In this 3 day class we will consider good photos and subjects to choose for this technique and I will talk about and display some of my quilted wall hangings. We will work on how to make the pattern that you will use in the class. Learn my raw edge fabric collage technique that uses no fusible or pattern pieces and is pretty forgiving.
We will consider how to choose a background fabric or fabrics and then progress to free-motion quilting techniques, thread choices etc. I will be demonstrating the way I trace, cut and glue the fabrics to create the collage and then when the quilt is put together free-motion quilting. Finally I will give instructions for finishing your quilt and adding a label. If time allows you can start all over again.
This workshop is suitable for all skill levels from beginners to more advanced quilters. I encourage students to try things out of their comfort zone, to have fun and create. In my my workshop there is no “right” way. Even for novice free-motion quilters these collage projects will be a good introduction to “having a go” and I will guide you along the way.
Below are my guidelines for your photograph and how to bring a ready-to-go enlargement with you to the workshop. I will also describe how to do this by hand using the grid technique that you are very welcome to try also. I will bring paper for this method.
Once the photo is chosen it is best to crop it down to focus in on the subject and then this should then be copied again to a full page or 8” x 10” format in color. Then I recommend taking this to your local copy shop and have them enlarge this, in black and white, to about a 200% or 250% depending how large a quilt you wish to make. A 200% enlargement makes a quilt image about 16” x 20” and the 250% is around 20” x 25” image. This will then be your pattern.
Supply List
Color photo cropped and enlarged to 8 x 10 size and black and white enlargement, see notes above. You can email me if you are unsure of the photograph you are using and email me the photo and I can make the enlargement for you for a small charge.
Other photos you like that might make good subjects for a collage. If not your own use a copyright free site like pixabay
A variety of fabrics to match the colors in the photo. Small pieces and scraps work. Batiks, hand dyes, Kaffe fabrics, small patterns, tone on tone, unexpected colors. Small pieces of black and white. I also encourage students to share fabrics especially when only small pieces are needed.
Approx 24” piece of Tru-grid Pellon (sold at Joanns) or similar lightweight interfacing, does not need to be fusible. I will bring some for purchase if you have trouble finding this
Black Sharpie pen Fine tip
Pencil, pen, Chalk pencil, disappearing ink pen or similar fabric marking tools. (You don’t need all these just what works for you)
Small sketchbook, pencil and glue stick.
Embroidery scissors, sharp and good for cutting small pieces of fabric and regular fabric scissors
Aleene’s Tacky Glue or other fabric glue maybe with a fine tip or tool for applying glue like a toothpick
Optional: painters tape, tweezers, Hera Marker, light box
A few choices for background fabric or fabrics. You will want to decide on this after the collage is made. I tend to use plains, bright colors that contrast and enhance the details in the collage.
Batting, backing and binding fabric to finish the project.
Sewing machine in good working order with free-motion or darning foot.
Threads to use. I am not fussy about specific threads just colors that will blend and some that contrast with your subject. I use a bottom line in the bobbin that blends with my backing fabric but bring what works with your sewing machine.
For more of my work, check out my website and feel free to email me at janehhaworth@gmail.comif you have questions.
I’d love to have you in my class and maybe you too can become a fabric collage addict!!!
artisticalchemyblog 