Creative Freeform Piecing and Design
at the Bryerpatch Studio

3-5 day class / technique and design / all levels
A basic knowledge of traditional hand and machine piecing techniques will be necessary
Class description and supply list in PDF

Learn to design, draw, and piece colorful, luminous, freeform designs as well as precision pieced designs using Caryl's simple and direct methods of piecing on paper from a full size drawing. Emphasis will be on color and composition as well as sewing techniques. Caryl will lead you through a series of color exercises, design development exercises, and technique exercises. You will then be able to design and create 3-4 small original samples, using various piecing, design, and color methods.

If you have not done original design before and need help getting started, this is the class for you. If you have good design skills, and need to add some easy piecing tricks, this is the class for you.

See what we did in this class at Asilomar 2002 and MAQS 1998

Fabric

BLUE - RED - YELLOW - PURPLE - GREEN - ORANGE - NEUTRAL (gray/brown/black)

* Choose two colors and one neutral from the above list. Choose three values (light - medium - dark) of each color. You will have fabrics in 9 different colors. Bring at least 1/2 yard of each. SOLID colors only please. 100% cotton please.

Before the beginning of class, cut or tear six to eight strips in random widths between 1½" - 2½" (4-6cm) on the lengthwise grain (parallel to the selvedge) from each fabric. Each strip will be at least 18" (50cm) long. Leave the remainder of each piece of fabric whole, it will be for you to use.

Please Note: These strips will be pooled in the class, so that everyone has a wide range of colors and values to choose from. Be Prepared to Share.

* FABRIC: 
~ Both graduated and multicolored fabric will be available for sale during the workshop in the Bryerpatch Studio Shop. To preview: see Caryl's internet store
~ Caryl will also provide a basket of her left-over fabric scraps for you to work with (no charge).
~ You may also want to bring some additional fabrics of your own. Choose a range of colors and values. These may include prints. Be sure to include dark and light fabric as well as medium.  If you dye your own fabric, or have access to fabrics dyed in color or value gradations, these may be useful. Large amounts of any one fabric will not be necessary

• SEWING MACHINE: One that is friendly and well adjusted.   Must have zig-zag. You must know how to operate your sewing machine. If you already have the following feet, please bring them along: (a) Walking foot, (b) Open toed embroidery foot, (c) darning foot (open toed if you have both) (d) Couching foot, (e) Edge foot.
MACHINE RENTAL
If you are flying and cannot bring your machine, we have a limited number of machines available to rent for $10.00 per day. Machines can also be rented from a local machine dealer. Please contact us if you need to rent a machine.

• ELECTRICITY & LIGHT: There will be good, color balanced lighting in the ceiling over each block of 4 tables. Overhead extension cords will be available at each block of tables. You may want to bring a small tap strip or surge protector if you will need more than one outlet, if you are bringing an extra light, or if you are using a computerized machine.

• EQUIPMENT: We will provide irons, ironing boards, and rotary cutting mats, so you do not need to bring these. We will also have some rulers available but you may want to bring your own rotary rulers. Please bring your own rotary cutters.

• Basic Sewing Kit for hand and machine sewing.
• Scissors for cutting both paper and fabric
• Scotch Brand Magic Tape
• Glue Stick

• Drawing Tools:
~ pen, pencil, ruler, eraser
~ black, fine point and ultra fine point, indelible markers
~ Colored Pencils (optional)
~ compass (one will be available in the class)
~ flexible curve * (Available in the BPS shop)

• PAPER
~ 8.5" x 11" Pad of Tracing Paper (thin, see-through paper)
~ 30-40 sheets of plain white 8½" x 11" (We will have extra copier paper in the classroom)
~ Freezer paper (We will have freezer paper in the classroom)

• VISUAL REFERENCE MATERIALS:
~ 1-2 Magazines or Books with colored pictures, preferably nature or science (ie. National Geographic, Scientific American, Smithsonian, etc.) (We will have some books and magazines in the classroom, but you can't cut them up.)
~ Your own photographs of things that inspire you.

OPTIONAL
• Fleece, Cotton Batting, or flannel 1-2 yards (for pinning up your design)
• Small Portable Light Box (We will have two in the classroom)
• Overhead projector (We will have four in the classroom)
• Tear Away Stabilizer 1-2 yards heavy weight * (Available in the BPS shop)
• "Wonder Under" or other paper-backed fusible web 1-2 yards * (Available in the BPS shop)