Virtual Courses and Lectures/Trunk Show
Any of these courses can be booked by a small group.
See my virtual teaching contract here.
Facial Expressions Workshop
– 2 days or 3 days (Also available to individuals as an 8-week scheduled workshop online.)
Have you ever wanted to create a portrait of a friend, or family member, in fabric, but you don’t know where to start?
Or have a fear of not being able to create a good likeness?
Learn all the secrets of creating a realistic portrait in fabric.
– choose a photo appropriate for a portrait
– develop a pattern from your photo
– select appropriate fabrics
– use fabric placement to create depth and realism
– stitch and quilt your portrait
In this workshop, you will create a head and shoulders fabric portrait from a photo of your choice using a fusible appliqué method.
In the 2 day workshop, most students (depending on the complexity of their design) will complete the fabric placement for their portrait. Stitching techniques will be demonstrated. Some students will start the stitching/thread painting.
In the 3 day workshop, all students will have completed the fabric placement, and have started stitching and thread painting their portraits.
Comprehensive notes, with step by step instructions and abundance of photos, are provided for both workshops.
Comments from students:
“I loved it when the faces started appearing in the fabric and bits of cloth became people. The trunk show was also a highlight.”
“I’ve never done this type of quilting so just gaining this knowledge has boosted my confidence in trying it myself. I’ve also learned about fabric values. This alone is great!”
Things students enjoyed most about the workshop?
The one-on-one advice and attention.
Learning the shading/value process.
The instructor’s knowledge and perspective.
That it is possible to do this!
The demo on the eyes. Great presenter and teacher.
Note: This workshop can be done virtually as a 2 – day workshop but is also available as a scheduled 8-week online workshop.
In the Online workshop you can work at your own pace but still have regular input from the instructor.
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Quilted Faces (1 day)
This course was designed as a taster for those wanting to try out creating a fabric portrait. Here the pattern and the shading are provided. All students will create the same portrait “The Girl with the Pearl Earring”.
Kits are available that provide the skin tone fabric, pattern and essential tools. Cost is extra for the kits.
This course can be used in conjunction with the book Quilted Faces (available on Amazon).
People in Nature (1 day) – Confident Beginner
Would you like to create a fabric picture of your kids at the lake, or of a friend out walking?
This workshop is for you. It is designed to teach students how to create a landscape, but also how to include people in the same.
Students will work from their own photos. Assistance will be provided with choosing photos and getting them ready for the class.
Note: This workshop is designed for a small project. The maximum size of the piece is to be 18” in either height or width so that students can get most or all of their pictures done in class.
If students would like to do a larger project, I would recommend a 2-day workshop so that the students can get the background completed, and have time to add the people to the piece.
If so desired, the instructor can provide a design for the workshop.
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Creating your own Fabric by Stamping/Printing (1 day) – Beginner
This workshop is designed with a focus of stamping on fabric but would be of interest to scrapbookers as well.
Students will learn how to create their own designs on fabric and will be given suggestions on how to use these fabrics in their quilts.
The workshop covers:
- using found objects for printing and stamping
- students creating their own stamp designs using various materials and then using these stamps to make designs on fabric.
Bouquet-licious (1 day) – Beginner
Can also be booked by a small group.
Student’s work
This is a great beginner art quilt project. Students will create a bouquet of flowers from large print floral fabrics and use free-motion stitching to enhance the flowers and background. Simple quilting and a border complete the picture.
Students will learn about focal points, composition, and balance while creating a simple bouquet of flowers.
This bouquet of flowers will look wonderful on anyone’s wall. A lovely little gift to make for a friend (or to keep for yourself).
Finished size of the project – Approx. 9” x 13”, but can be larger, dependent on the vase size and shape.
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Finishing Touches (1 day) – Beginner
Learn how to give your quilt those finishing touches that help to create a masterpiece.
This workshop includes:
Adding Borders (including mitred borders)
Blocking and Squaring your Quilt (ensures a flat, even quilt)
Bindings (with a simple joining technique)
Facings (basic)
Lining up seams for blocking a quilt
On-Demand Classes and a Membership
Portraits in Fabric Membership
This is a supportive community of portrait enthusiasts with a number of courses and resources included that provide for ongoing discoveries.
Together we will try both tried and true and new techniques and learn from each other in a step-by-step organized fashion.
There are stages for all learning levels from beginner to advanced students. The content is designed to avoid overwhelm and to support you on your journey into fabric portraits.
You can select the starting point that’s best for you!
There are be monthly Q and A’s, a resource library, and lots of support and encouragement.
I am active in the private Facebook group. Join this group of enthusiastic quilters and art quilters.
I love teaching quilters how to create portraits in fabric, and this membership provides all the information you need to create your own personalized family heirloom and take your skills to the next level.
Monthly subscription. Learn more here.
Posterizing your Photograph
Ed – Posterized
$5.99 Can.
(Available at any time)
Understanding shading and values is the KEY to converting a family photo into a unique, lasting fabric portrait.
This mini-workshop will show you how to see the values in a photo, an important first step in creating a fabric portrait!
What you’ll get:
- 3 videos walk you through the process of posterizing a photograph
- a handy PDF that you can refer to while you work
Sign up now to get a start on creating a fabric portrait!
The Eyes Have It!
Violet
$39 Can. (Available at any time)
Do you want to know how to create realistic-looking human eyes in a fabric portrait?
- Discover the process of how to look at eyes like an artist.
- Find out the method for accurately recreating the eyes in your photo in fabric.
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Learn how to add the details that make the eyes come alive.
This course is primarily aimed at those who want more information on creating realistic eyes in a fabric portrait and focuses on that area only.
Check it out here.
For those who want to learn all about creating portraits in fabric, check out my scheduled online workshop Facial Expressions.
Smiles and Pearly Whites
Detail of eyes
$39 Can. (Available at any time)
Would you like the mouth and teeth in your fabric portrait to look real and not distorted?
Have the mood of the person accurately reflected in your portrait?
This course gives you all the details on how to achieve a realistic mouth and teeth, including information on adding the detail stitching.
Check it out here
Lectures
These lectures are now available for your guild live and online.
How does it work:
Book me for your regular guild meeting date and time.
Send your members the exclusive link to your online guild meeting.
Only your members will be allowed in, so your guild membership keeps its value.
I will attend and present my lecture. The same one as I would present in person but one that you and your members can enjoy at home!
Or I can use my own Zoom link and present my lecture directly to your guild. as a separate option.
Here is my Virtual Contract_Valerie_Wilson.
Lecture/Trunk show – “Uncovering Art Quilts”
An engaging account of my journey from traditional quilts, to my current adventures in art quilting. I do a PowerPoint presentation and show a variety of quilts representing my journey.
My virtual trunk show and lecture include close-up views and progress shots of my quilts.
Photographing your Quilts
Do you want to be able to take professional quality photos of your quilts at home? I can show you how to do it with a small amount of inexpensive equipment.
My photographs were published in Art Quilting Studio magazine – September 2020 in a feature article on my work.