Online Workshops – click here
All Workshops
Facial Expressions – Creating your personalized fabric portrait
People in Nature
Creating your own Fabric by Stamping/Printing
Fabric Dyeing for Beginners
Fabric Dyeing Advanced
Bouquet-licious
Finishing Touches
Photographing your Quilts
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Facial Expressions Workshop – 2 days or 3 days
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 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 hands-on one on one advice and attention.
Learning the shading/value process.
Your knowledge and perspective.
Lots and lots of work time, not a lot of interruptions. Instructor circulates well and provided constructive feedback.
That it is possible to do this!
The demo on the eyes. Great presenter and teacher.
Note: This workshop is also available as an online workshop.
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People in Nature (1 day) – Confident Beginner or Intermediate)
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 the picture 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 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.
I will provide stamp materials, and cutting tools, for creating the stamps. There will be an opportunity for students to purchase a set of cutting tools/additional stamp supplies, after the workshop, if they should wish to do so.
Kit fee – $16 covers printing supplies and paint/ink.
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Fabric Dyeing for Beginners (1 day)
Learn how to create gradations of a colour from light to dark and how to create a luscious rainbow of colours. Come and play, and create wonderful colourful fabrics.
Students will go home with wonderful memories and some fabulous hand-dyed fabrics. This workshop uses Procion MX dyes.
Kit fee: $15 for dyes and other supplies.
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Fabric Dyeing Advanced (1 day)
Students will learn the following dyeing techniques:
– colour runs
– mandelas
– shibori techniques
This workshop uses Procion MX dyes.
Kit fee: $20 for dyes and other supplies
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Bouquet-licious (1 day) – Beginner
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
Student’s Comments:
I would like to thank you for your lecture at the Kenora Guild Meeting the other night and let you know that I immediately tried your blocking technique on the Peace Rose wall-hanging as soon as I finished it. I wish someone had informed me of this technique years ago because it has changed my life.
I was always just a little disappointed in the flatness and squareness of my quilts even when I became completely obsessed with sewing them square I was never quite satisfied after I had quilted them. The blocking technique has made the finished product perfectly square.
Thank you so much for passing along this technique and for the entire presentation. I will share the blocking technique with anyone who will listen. Sandy Wald
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Photographing your Quilts (1 day)
Do you want to send in an entry to a quilt show or other exhibit?
Would you like to have a photographic record of your quilts?
Do you want to take photos of your own quilts, rather than paying a professional photographer to do it?
You can do it! No expensive equipment needed!
Learn all about the ins and outs of photographing your own quilts and how to get great quality photos.
Students will practice taking photos of their quilts during the workshop.
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Lectures
Lecture/Trunk show – “Uncovering Art Quilts”
An engaging account of an art quilter’s journey from traditional quilts, to her current adventures in art quilting. Valerie will do a PowerPoint presentation, and bring a variety of quilts representing her journey.
Lecture – Organizing your Quilt Studio
Need some tips and tricks for organizing your quilting area, storing WIP, fabrics and more? Learn how to get a stress free space for quilting.
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My qualifications – Valerie Wilson Fibre Artist
Valerie has been quilting for the last 15 years and combines her love of fabric with the themes of nature and people. She uses a fused collage style of quilt making.
Valerie’s award-winning art quilts have been shown nationally and internationally and she is the Membership Coordinator for the Fibre Art Network, and the SAQA (Studio Art Quilt Associates) representative for Saskatchewan/Manitoba.
Her current series of quilts feature vintage portraits. Check out Valerie’s work here.
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Interested in booking a workshop?
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Scheduled Workshops
2020 Workshops
Wednesday, March 25
Bouquetlicious
Design Wall (quilt store)
10 am – 4 pm
3242 Portage Ave, Winnipeg, MB
204-897-8458
Student’s work
Tuesday, April 14 Trunk Show and Talk
My Journey as an Art Quilter
Fraser Valley Quilt Guild
Surrey, BC
7 pm
Contact: Judy Bond 604-585-8201
Wednesday, April 15 Workshop – People in Nature
Fraser Valley Quilt Guild
Surrey, BC
9 – 4 pm
Contact: Judy Bond 604-585-8201
Would you like to create a fabric picture of your kids at the lake, or of a friend out walking?
Then this workshop is for you. It is designed to teach students how to create a landscape, but also how to include people in the landscape.
Students will work from their own photos. Assistance will be provided in choosing photos and getting them ready, for the class.
Thursday, May 28 Lecture – From Traditional to Art Quilts
and Trunk Show
The Simcoe County Quilters
Guild
Barrie, Ontario
Friday & Saturday, May 29 & 30
Facial Expressions – fabric portraits workshop
The Simcoe County Quilters
Guild
Barrie, Ontario
9 am – 4 pm each day
Contact – Christine Lewis 705-733-3460
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 fabric portrait.
- 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.
Wednesday, June 24
Trunk Show and Talk – Uncovering Art Quilts
Langley Quilters’ Guild
Langley, BC
7 pm
Detail of “The Hockey Boys” fabric portrait