Workshop & Instructor Information

Elizabeth Barton

Art Quilts: Working in a Series

May 1 - 6, 2011

5-Day Workshop

All Levels

Art Quilts: Working in a Series

Do you want to improve your work as an art quilter? The best way to develop a coherent body of work is to work in a series.  This workshop focuses on the development of  at least 6 related designs for quilts.  This can be accomplished either by working from one design to another and another…and another….or by planning 6 ideas at once.  The work of well known artists and quiltmakers will be examined to help us come up with lots of good ideas. We will be exploring many ways of developing  quilt designs based on a single theme or idea.  The aim is to generate lots of designs and then critique them discovering as we do the basic principles of good design.  A strong series is then chosen by each person. Following that, the series will be planned in terms of design, value and color, and work will start on one or more pieces – according to your choice.

No drawing skills necessary! 

There is a strong emphasis on individual help and growth.  Everyone can work at their own pace, aiming toward their own goals - whether they be very serious ones, or more light-hearted.

I want to teach you how to work from your own ideas and discover  your own unique voice.  Your quilts may be abstract, realistic or impressionistic.  I emphasize individualism and independence!  I want each person to grow in the way they wish and, therefore, I like to spend time both on group discussion and on individual help.

The main focus of the workshop will on design development:  helping you to learn how to discover, improve and critique possible compositions.  I want to help you think both laterally – to generate design ideas, and vertically – to make a plan to evaluate for design strength and then follow in making the piece.    There is a strong emphasis on developing vocabulary and on knowing what is involved in good design so that intuition can be better informed!

We will also work on composing exciting color schemes: Color choice is covered in depth   in order to help you compose strong beautiful and unified color schemes.  

Once design and color are chosen then we will block out the composition, refine it and discuss construction.  It is your choice as to whether you actually construct the piece in class, or prefer to take it home and work on further pieces.  80% of the work of a strong piece is completed in the design stage! However, a full discussion of a variety of construction techniques as befits both the design and the maker (thus all levels of experience are possible) will be given.  Construction (piecing, appliqué, layering etc) and continuing design choices during the construction process are supported by both group discussion and individual help.  Machine quilting and all finishing techniques are also addressed to make for a successful art quilt.

With all my design classes, participants should leave the class with a good basic knowledge of composition and design, several design drawings, greater confidence in choosing colors, knowledge of a variety of construction techniques and at least one quilt close to being finished!  They should also be well on their way to discovering their own personal style in quiltmaking. The emphasis will be on individual growth and discovery.  While class discussion, demonstration and “mini-lecture” will be a part of each day, I also hope to spend as much time as possible one on one with the students to help them to grow as artist quiltmakers.  Students should also be prepared to laugh a lot, make mistakes and enjoy themselves!

All critiques are done in a gentle, positive way emphasizing strengths rather than weaknesses.