Want to take a workshop from Caryl in your own studio? Check out our new workshops on CD ROM in the Bryerpatch Studio Internet  Store!

Pixels to Pizzazz!!!:
Freeform Computer Design for Quilters.
by Caryl Bryer Fallert

3-5 days  - all levels - studio design class

Supply List - Classroom Requirements
Click here for this information in printable PDF format

Leave your stash and your sewing machine at home, and bring your laptop and your drawing tools. This workshop combines the best of Caryl's Computer Design workshop with her freeform design class.

The goal in this workshop will be to design and create a full size drawing for an original art quilt, that goes beyond the traditional grid format. We will also have fun designing and printing digital fabric.

On the second day we will work with original freeform designs. You will have a chance to scan your original doodles, sketches, and drawings into the computer so they can be manipulated and colored. If you have designs you want to work on, bring them along.

On the third day of the workshop you will have a chance to work on a design of your choice with Caryl there to coach and trouble shoot. The questions often arise when you start finding out what you really want to do with a program. Working through the whole process in the class will give you a chance to get your questions answered on the spot.

You may come with a design idea in mind, or you can plan to develop a new idea in the class. The focus will be on techniques for developing original designs. A number of machine sewing techniques for creating freeform designs will be demonstrated as vehicles for greater freedom of expression. You can bring your stash, and sew on the last two days, or you can focus on your design skills, and spend the last two days refining designs that will be ready to sew when you get home.

Supplies Needed:

• Drawing Tools :
  • pen, good pencils, ruler, good eraser
  • Fine point and ultra fine point, indelible markers (black)
• Paper
  • Pad of Tracing Paper (thin, see-through paper)
  • 100 sheets of Plain White 8½" x 11" or A4 copier paper. This will be for printing, drawing, and taking notes.
• Inspiration:
  • 5-10 Magazines or Books with colored pictures, preferably nature or science (ie. National Geographic, Scientific American, Smithsonian, etc.)
  • Photographs you have taken that you would like to translate into quilt designs.
• Hardware:
  • Computer (please bring one that has been your friend for a while) It needs to have a screen resolution of at least 1024x768 and an operating system compatable with Corel Draw (see requirements on the box the program comes in Corel, or on the Corel Website).
  • Mouse, track ball, or tablet (whatever gives you have the most control) It will be difficult for you to draw if you are only using a touch pad. Please bring a mouse you are comfortable with and can use with good control.
  • Writable CD's or jump drive for sharing files.
  • Surge protector strip for plugging in your computer.
• Software:
  • Some version of Corel Draw already installed on your computer. You don't need the latest and greatest version. Versions 8, 9, 10, or 11 will do nicely. Get the "graphics" version that includes Corel Draw and Corel Photo Paint rather than the "office" version. You can often find older versions of Corel on the internet at a greatly reduced price.
  • If you are a MAC user, CorelDRAW® Graphics Suite 11 is designed for both Windows® and Macintosh®, and supports the latest operating system releases, including Mac® OS 10.1 and Windows XP.
    
• OPTIONAL
  • Digital Camera
  • Portable printer
  • Scanner
  • All in one scanner/printer (Caryl will have at least one in the class)

Click Here to see the computer design process used in several of Caryl's quilts.