As these strange and worrisome times evolve around us, much of it beyond our control, it’s sometimes helpful to concentrate on small things that are within our control or at least our influence.
A hobby, a pastime, a diversion, an art is something that can help keep us sane as we practice “social distancing.” If fabric collage is your go-to diversion, this week’s Throwback Thursday shows you a simple and easy way to get started on a new project: my fabric collage patterns. The TBT below provides a whole post full of fabric collages based on my patterns for your inspiration.
To further inspire you, and help you cope, please accept a free pattern using the following coupon code: collagecopingfreepattern
Please feel free to share this with any of your friends.
Once you’ve selected your pattern, copy and paste the coupon code into the box in your shopping cart and click “Apply Coupon.” One pattern will be yours free (though feel free to purchase more at $5 each). Offer (for now) expires May 31, 2020.
These patterns are download only, meaning you will be able to download the pattern immediately after payment. An email with a link to download the pattern will be sent to you automatically. If you do not see it, check your Spam or Junk folders. If you still do not find it, contact us directly though my website and we will email it to you. This pattern, and any you have ever purchased, is always available to you by visiting the “My Account” page and clicking on the “Downloads” link.
If you are a beginner to fabric collage or simply want to further refine your technique, this Saturday, March 21, I launch my Susan Carlson Fabric Collage: Sea Turtle eWorkshop.
In this eWorkshop, I take you step-by-step through the mind-occupying and low-stress process of creating a sea turtle quilt—based of course on my sea turtle pattern (included with purchase of eWorkshop), see photo above. With over four and a half hours of video, no detail is overlooked, from choosing fabric to finishing and hanging.
Also on Saturday, I’ll fill you in on my latest endeavor, something we’ve been thinking about for a while, but now have received the push (and, frankly, the time) to do: webinars. This would be some version of a live lecture or classroom via streaming video and audio.
Here’s hoping that we remember this time not for terms like “sheltering in place” and “social distancing,” but for the opportunity we had to try something new, refine an existing skill, or accomplish whatever we find rewarding.
Coming Saturday, March 21!
Learn fabric collage with Susan Carlson. Each step is clearly written, illustrated with photos, and demonstrated with video. Learn with a Sea Turtle then launch into any fabric collage project you wish.
Fabric Collage Master Class
For instructions on the entire fabric collage process, you can purchase the Susan Carlson Fabric Collage Online Master Class Manual. Using video, photos, and text I take you from soup to nuts, beginning to end in creating your own fabric collage masterpiece.
Serendipity Quilts for Sale
My book on fabric collage, Serendipity Quilts, is back in stock! The price is $29.95 plus shipping. For a signed copy click the button below. Note: If you want a inscribed copy (as in “To Jane”) I have to be home to do it, so you may want to check my teaching schedule. Otherwise your order may be delayed.
I’ve been following all your online posts for quite a while now and have got your book Serendipity quilts.
Now I have ordered your free pattern, rather than make my own, so can finally take the plunge and have a go myself.
Thank you.
Thank you. I’m new to Collage . I do have your book Serendipity Quilts and will use it’s guidance to make this pattern.
Wow!!! These are certainly interesting times. What a generous offer! I should be enjoying my last couple of days with you in California–shopping at Marita’s and Back Porch Fabrics, enjoying deer on the beach, sampling Asilomar’s Moroccan stew and making a huge fabric mess in the classroom! Instead, I’m home; making a Sea Turtle and have turned our dining table into my creative haven. Sending hugs to all!
Thanks for giving your loyal fans an outlet to the patterns
I also have the Serendipity book and wanted to try the spiral pattern
Even though the premise for the pattern seems easy, am having a hard time getting it
Please post the pattern as a beginners entry into your world, at least 18 x 18â€
Would love to focus on the spiral pattern than our world spiraling out of control
Thanks very much
Brenda Schulman
When I purchased a subscription for membership I was offered a pattern. I did not select one because I wanted to know if I take your March 21 class does the turtle pattern come with it? If it does not I would like to accept the turtle pattern as on of my choices. If it does come with the class then I would like to make another selection.
Thanks Lora Summerwill
[email protected]
The turtle pattern comes free with the Sea Turtle eWorkshop.
Thank you, Susan, for the free pattern! It is very generous of you. I’ve ordered mine and will send you pics when I’ve made it. Thank you!
Thank you!
I don’t know what I’d do without my quilting. There’s only so many hours one can read. This is a good time to take out my book and collage me a sun. Blessings to you, Susan, as you shelter in place.
Thank you for thinking of others during this unpredictable and chaotic time. Stay well.
Thank you so much!
Thank you for the pattern. I downloaded the turtle and now it’s gone. Where does it download to?
Laura
Can you search your computer? If so, search for seaturtlepatternsm.pdf. If you don’t find it contact me via email through the website and I will email it to you.
Thank you so much for the free pattern, your generosity it very much appreciated and shows what a kind lady you are. I already have your serendipity quilts books, but i have been wanting to try a fish but never got around to doing it myself, so thank you again
Your book Serendipoty is my ‘go to’ book when I’m stumped or need inspiration. I can usually keep at it & it works out. But sometimes I think I just stop myself right before I get to the next level of creativity. Do others do this? Do you cover this in class?
Mary, I usually don’t have time to directly address more abstract issues like creativity and inspiration. Instead I am wrapped up with the nitty gritty of the technique I’m trying to teach. But in the end, I think that’s where creativity and inspiration comes from, the nitty gritty. It’s the doing and persevering and repeated trying that produces that inspiration and creativity. Have you heard of the “runner’s high”? When runners hit a certain distance they often get an endorphin rush. It’s kind of like that, I think. The reliably creative people don’t stop until they get that high.
https://susancarlson.com/2020/02/29/a-leap-day-fabric-collage-leap-of-faith/
Mary, in addition I’d like to confirm that yes, others seem to stop themselves at certain parts in the creative process. I think it’s those doubts that creep in and give us second thoughts. The trick is to ignore and forge ahead. If you don’t, you get stuck. So what if what you’re doing isn’t perfect (or maybe it is and you don’t see it)——better done than perfect. The more you do, the more you learn, the better you get.
You asked about what I cover in a class, are you asking about my online classes? The two I have out——the Fabric Collage Master Class Manual and Sea Turtle eWorkshop are both independent study, but I do give encouragement in both. In the new sea turtle workshop in particular, as you follow the steps through the project, you HAVE to take yourself to the next level. Hope that helps.——Susan
Susan: Thank you so much for the quick reply. Yes-I have achieved that feeling! Just not with this one as yet. I will let it rest for a day or so, then look at it again.