WORKSHOPS
The workshops that Alison teaches can be uniquely tailored to suit the artistic levels of the groups inquiring. Her experience comes from the combination of a career in graphic design and illustration plus 10+ years experience attending many textile courses with many well known art quilters and textile artists. If it’s design or textile art techniques you’re looking for, chances are she’s learned them. Even the finishing techniques are important to learn!
Do you or your guild have an idea for a workshop that you don’t see here? Let’s create one for your group together!
WORKSHOPS
ART TECHNIQUE CLASSES
COLLAGE BOUQUET: 2-3 DAYS
Working with motif fabrics, students will design, plan and execute their botanical, animal or face of choice or other favourite image onto a quilt. Students will learn composition techniques that will be helpful for other projects. The class will analyze and talk about the kinds of fabrics that make their collages unique.
LANDSCAPE ART QUILTING: 2-3 DAYS
Working from a photo or painting, students are shown how to look at a landscape, analyze it, and translate it to fabric using a variety of construction methods. Students will work towards creating an 11” x 17” size art quilt with a detailed explanation of techniques, tips and tricks. Alison will work with each participant to set their project goals. (Would pair nicely with a free-motion art quilt workshop)
FREE MOTION QUILTING: 1 DAY
An introductory level instruction will be given about the specialty method of anchoring down a quilt. The class will include sewing machine best practices, threads, needles, tips and tricks for sewing art quilts. Students can expect a full day of experimenting and practice through a number of lessons to gain the courage to tackle an art quilt project. Recommended for beginners, intermediate and advanced quilters.
USING TECHNOLOGY
BEGINNER PROCREATE on the iPad: 1 DAY & HOW TO USE PROCREATE FOR ARTISTS: 1 DAY
Learn the basic tools and how to use Procreate on the iPad. We will also create a unique image using the web and experiment with many artistic mediums with one pencil. All the power to design, plan and create art. A game changing technology in my process from playing with images and ideas to finished stitching. Let me show you how!
EMBROIDERY TECHNIQUES
FUNKIFY YOUR JEANS: 1 or 2 DAY
Learn embroidery and mending techniques including English Paper Piecing. Enough ideas to start you on your way to create a one-of-a-kind-wearable. There is nothing like extending the life of your favourite pair of jeans and giving them new wearable possibilities.
DYEING CLASSES
Starting at $100 per hour. Materials and supplies can be provided upon request for an additional fee.
SNOW DYEING: 2-3 DAYS
Learn one of the easiest and most dramatic effects of dyeing fabric using snow. Day 1: students will be shown different folding techniques and samples. Time will be spent planning and preparing our fabrics for dyeing. Day 2: results reveal with rinsing and fixing processes towards finished dried fabrics. March, April or winter Chinook weather recommended. In summer snow can be modified to ice.
IMMERSION DYEING: 2-3 DAYS
Learning with Procion fibre reactive dyes, students will start with the basics of mixing the colour wheel. From here students will be able to understand how to mix any colour. We’ll learn different stitch resist techniques and Indigo dye processes. Recipes to try and notes will be provided. Lot’s of tips and tricks shared including how to keep accurate and useful records and samples. This is a broad topic and can be tailored to group interests. Students will go home with 24 swatches of fabric completing the colour wheel.
THICKENED DYEING: 2-3 DAYS
Taking it to the next level by adding thickener to the dye. A different method to applying colour and texture to fabrics. Stamping, mono-printing, silkscreen printing, deconstructed prints are a few of many ways to dye print. On day three we’ll play with resists such as, flour paste, wax and other mixtures to create original marks to create one-of-a-kind fabrics. This is a broad topic and can be tailored to group interests.
SNOW DYED PILLOW: 2 DAYS
*Must take snow dyeing workshop first or have an interesting dyed piece of fabric to work on. As well, have basic free motion quilting knowledge.
What can I make with all this dyed fabric? Pillows and more! Students will develop the courage they need to take their original fabric and turn it into something they can use. Step-by-step students will design and make their unique pillow.
SNOW DYED T-SHIRT: 2 HALF DAYS
Using snow or ice students will learn the easy and quick process of making a unique wearable piece of art. Students will be introduced to colour combinations, folding and clamping techniques. Set up your shirt and leave the ice to melt. Return on day two for random results that are unique and fun. We finish the process so that the t-shirt stays bright and holds its colour. More time can be arranged.
Sewing and Creative Classes
I offer basic sewing machine and hand sewing instruction in the comfort of your home or space. Curated for every skill level, from beginner to more advanced sewers looking to add more skills and knowledge to their current toolbox. A class that is intended to meet each student at their current skill level and build from there. One-on-one and group instruction starting at $100 per hour.
Open to all age groups. Fill in the gaps of your sewing knowledge.
Get back to that project you’ve had in progress, or start something new!
Examples of where a beginner needs to start:
• Navigating your sewing machine.
• What thread do I use with what needle?
• What foot should I use for this project?
• How do I sew a consistent 1/4” seam?
I also offer intermediate and advanced Art Quilting techniques, art critique and art coaching.
Looking for a custom tailored workshop for you and your friends?