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!

Creative Freeform Piecing and Design

3-5 day class / technique and design / all levels
A basic knowledge of traditional hand and machine piecing techniques will be necessary
Classroom Requirements / Preferred Classroom Set-Up
Class description in PDF (printable) format

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 design development exercises and technique exercises. You will then be able to design and create 3-4 small original design wall quilts, 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

Supplies Needed:

Fabric

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

Choose four colors and one neutral from the above list. Choose three values (light - medium - dark) of each color. You will have fabrics in 15 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.

For your personal use, bring additional fabrics in 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.   Fabrics in graduated colors will also be available for sale in the class. These can be previewed in our Internet Store

Other Supplies Needed

• Sewing Machine: One that is friendly and well adjusted.   Must have zig-zag and free motion capability. Other options are welcome. 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) Open toed darning foot, (d) Couching foot, (e) Edge foot.
• Heavy duty Extension Cord with two outlets. Three prong adaptor if needed for classroom outlets
• Thread:
  • medium grey, cotton or polyester.
  • clear & smoke mono- filament (polyester is recommended) nylon will be ok.
  • a few other colors.
• Basic Sewing Kit for hand and machine sewing.
• Iron: Preferably with steam
• Table Top Ironing Pad
• Scissors (paper and fabric)
• Scotch Brand Magic Tape
• Rotary Cutting Board and Ruler
• Drawing Tools :
  • pen, pencil, ruler, eraser
  • compass
  • Black, indelible marker: fine point and ultra fine point.
  • flexible curve
  • colored Pencils
• Paper
  • Pad of Tracing Paper (thin, see-through paper)
  • 40-50 sheets of Plain White 8½" x 11" or A4 copier paper
  • Freezer paper (1 roll • may be shared)
• 3-5 Magazines or books with colored pictures, preferably nature or science (ie. National Geographic, Scientific American, Smithsonian, etc.) You may also include photographs you have taken yourself of things that inspire you.
• Glue Stick
• Litter Bag
• Niagra spray starch (If you are driving. One can may be shared by the whole class.)
• Film cartridge or other small plastic container
• 4-5 cotton swabs or a water color brush

OPTIONAL

• Fleece or Cotton Batting 1-2 yards
• Small Portable Light Box (If you are driving and already have one)
• Overhead Projector: (If you are driving and already have one)