Batik Basics with Soy Wax and Textile Paints – 2 or 3 days
If you’ve always wanted to try batik but were afraid and overwhelmed, this is the class for you. Soy wax, which was originally developed to make candles, makes the job of batiking much easier. There are no unhealthy fumes to worry about exhausting. The melting point of soy wax is much cooler than traditional batik wax, so the risk of fire is very small. Also, soy wax is water-soluble! So removing the wax from your cloth is as easy as ironing and washing it out in your own sink or washing machine. The paint is heat set with your iron at the same time you are removing the wax. Clean up is a snap with soap and water. What’s not to love?
Students should bring to class
approx. 6-8 yards of tightly woven natural fabric such as cotton, silk and rayon. All fabric should be pre-washed in hot water with a laundry detergent that is free of scents and softeners or with synthropol, a cleaning agent that can be bought from on-line dye supply houses like Pro-Chemical and Dye Co or Dharma Trading.
All levels
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Design Workshop– 4-5 days or once a week over a period of 6 weeks
Wondering how to make the leap from quilting to “Art Quilting”? Wondering what to do with those unfinished art quilt projects?Having trouble figuring out where to go with your next art quilt project? Wondering why your piece just isn’t quite right?
Bring in those unfinished projects you may be struggling with or the last project you did before the block came. We’ll talk about inspiration, design decisions, composition, color value, mark making and contrast, as you learn how to develop your own critical eye.
Demonstrations as well as hands on work with a variety of techniques using textile paints will be introduced to the class as student needs arise.
Students should to class
any sketchbooks or visual journals they wouldn’t mind sharing.
Advanced beginner and beyond
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Dyeing Plant Based Fibers with MX Fiber Reactive Dyes – 2 to 3 days
This workshop is an introduction to dyeing plant-based fibers (silk, cotton, rayon, bamboo) with MX Fiber Reactive Dyes. Students will explore the exciting techniques of immersion and tie-dyeing using the basic shibori methods of folding, clamping and pole wrapping. In this class we will be using premixed dye colors to simplify the learning process.
Students should bring to class
a pair of heavy duty or rubber gloves designed to be used for dyeing
a dust mask and approx. 8-10 yards of tightly woven natural fabric such as cotton, silk and rayon. All fabric should be pre-washed in hot water with a laundry detergent that is free of scents and softeners or with synthropol, a cleaning agent that can be bought from on-line dye supply houses like Pro-Chemical and Dye Co or Dharma Trading.
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Monotype Printing on Fabric (or paper) 1 or 2 days
If you already love monotype printing, then you’ll be star struck by this wonderful new technique! Using a basic ingredient from your pantry closet as a printing plate, have fun creating monotype prints that have just a little bit something extra. Because the gelatin allows the paint to stay wet longer, prints made from a gelatin plate tend to have amazing detail and texture, making them great for printing natural objects like leaves and sticks. As the plate breaks down, the additional marks and texture only add to your prints. Students will have a bit of homework before class, preparing their own printing plate. Instructions will be provided.
Students should bring to class
approx. 4-6 yards of tightly woven fabrics (or paper) such as cotton, muslin, silk and rayon. All fabric should be pre-washed in hot water with a laundry detergent that is free of scents and softeners or with synthropol, a cleaning agent that can be bought from on-line dye supply houses like Pro-Chemical and Dye Co or Dharma Trading.
All levels Welcome
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Textile Paint Extravaganza – 5 days
Come find out all the wonderful ways you can add textile paints to your quilting project. Whether you add paint as an embellishment to your favorite commercial fabric or start with white fabric, textile paints can bring your creative pursuits to the next level. Use textile paints as an airbrush medium, use them for stamping and stenciling, silk screening, direct painting and so much more!
In this class students will get exposed to many samples of these techniques as well as get a chance to work with many of the materials and tools.
All levels welcome. No previous painting experience is necessary.
Students should bring
approx. 6-8 yards of tightly woven natural fabric such as cotton, muslin silk and rayon. All fabric should be pre-washed in hot water with a laundry detergent that is free of scents and softeners or with synthropol, a cleaning agent that can be bought from on-line dye supply houses like Pro-Chemical and Dye Co or Dharma Trading.
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Building a Vest with Surface Design – 2 or 3 days
Time to get out those tiny bits of fabric, ribbon and lace that were left over from your favorite sewing and quilt projects, but never had the heart to throw away. Through careful design, composition and a variety of surface design techniques, participants will turn a collection of mismatched pieces of fabric into a beautiful vest.
Students should bring to class
the front and back of a vest pattern already cut out for both the outside, lining and flannel batting. Small simple prints work the best.
Scraps of fabric, ribbon and/or lace
Scissors for fabric
All purpose scissors
Pins
Vanishing marker or any other fabric marking devise
Exacto knife with an #A blade
Black Sharpie Marker
Clear ruler
Sewing Machine
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Painting on Silk with Water Soluble Gutta Resist and Textile Paints – 2 or 3 Days
Learn the basics of the ancient art of Serti painting on silk. Using a water-soluble resist, students will outline a predetermined design on a piece of stretched silk. Then use thin textile paints to fill in the areas with color. If you already love watercolor painting, you’ll love this style of painting on silk, without having to worry about the toxic nature of traditional gutta and dye chemicals.
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Unconventional Screen Printing on Fabric without Photo Emulsion – Can be accommodated for 2 1/2 – 4 days
This class will demystify and alleviate any fears of silk-screen printing you may have developed over the years. We will explore some of the most basic, innovative and chemical-free ways to print on fabric using a silk-screen and water-soluble textile paints.
Students should bring to class
approx. 8-10 yards of tightly woven natural fabric such as cotton, muslin, silk and rayon. All fabric should be pre-washed in hot water with a laundry detergent that is free of scents and softeners or with synthropol, a cleaning agent that can be bought from on-line dye supply houses like Pro-Chemical and Dye Co or Dharma Trading.
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Stamp Making for Textiles (or paper) – 2 days
Using your own custom made stamps will not only bring you the personal satisfaction of working with your own designs, it will also give your work a level of personal style that commercial stamps never could. Students will be exposed to a variety of traditional and unconventional ways to make their own stamps while focusing on hand carving. Time will also be spent discussing and experimenting with paints, ink pads and glue as students learn how to use their new tools!
Students should bring approx. 4 yards of tightly woven natural fabric such as cotton, silk and rayon. All fabric should be pre-washed in hot water with a laundry detergent that is free of scents and softeners or with synthropol, a cleaning agent that can be bought from on-line dye supply houses like Pro-Chemical and Dye Co or Dharma Trading. Most of the fabric should be white however students can also bring solid colors as well as small prints. Fat quarters are fine as well.
Students should bring from home:
An Exacto knife with a #A Blade
All purpose scissors
Fabric scissors
Ruler
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From Simple Stencils to Complex Art Quilts - 5 days
Explore surface design and quilt construction by converting simple shapes into original stencil designs. Learn screen printing using your new stencils and spray painting with textile paints on fabric, turning your images into stunning art quilts filled with layers of transparent imagery and stitch.
Students should bring from home
A few simple drawings or sketches (if you have any)
Approx. 3 yards of inexpensive muslin or a large white/cream bed sheet to be used as a drop cloth
A small selection of thread/yarn/decorative thread/embroidery floss
Hand sewing needles plus a thimble
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Painting Silk Scarves – 3 days
You don't have to use fabric dyes to create beautiful, hand designed silk scarves that are layered with color, imagery and personal nuance.
Come learn about the incredible possibilities you can achieve with textile paints from creating gorgeous, watercolor effects and simple tie dye to hand stamping techniques using your own customized and hand carved stamps.
We'll start the workshop off learning simple tie dye techniques then move on to direct painting on unstretched silk fabric using brushes and inexpensive spray bottles. On day 2 we’ll add layers of stamping and surprising textural work to finish off the hand painted silk scarves you never knew were possible to create!
A $65 materials fee includes enough paint and tools to use in class as well as four 8” x 54” silk habotai scarf blanks, materials to carve 4 small stamps and to cut two small stencils.
Students should bring from home:
An assortment of foam and/or watercolor brushes you may already have
Bar of soap in a plastic travel case – Ivory is preferred
Old tea towels or a roll of paper towels
An old sheet or a 3 yard piece of inexpensive muslin
Scissors
Optional:
Digital Camera
Sketch Pad
Notebook or electronic device for taking notes
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Hand Painted Fat Quarters* - 2 - 3 days
Hand painting your own personal and one-of-a-kind fat quarters have never been easier! Come learn about the incredible possibilities of textile paints from using them to embellishment your favorite commercial fabric to painting the cloth of your dreams. In this class students will learn to how to paint background watercolor techniques as well as design, cut and use their own stencils and stamps to create unique fat quarters that are filled with depth, nuance and personalized imagery. And best of all, no prior painting or drawing ability are needed!
Use your fat quarters for quilting blocks, pillow covers, placemats, napkins, journal covers and so much more!
Student Supply List:
3-4 yards of densely woven white fabric such as cotton, rayon, silk linen etc. that have been pre-washed in a laundry detergent that is free of scents and softeners such as “All Free and Clear”
Stencils you may already have.
Stamps you may already have.
A large old sheet or several yards of inexpensive muslin
Optional:
Digital camera
Sketch Book
Notebook or electronic devise for note taking