Most people who try fabric collage for the first time come from a quilting background. Because piecing (machine or fusible) is what they’re used to, it sometimes takes them a while to overcome the idea that they can put a piece of fabric in place—then change their mind.
I developed fabric collage to be immediate and flexible—like paint, it can be changed, added to, removed. Which lends it to being worked in drafts. When the image is first completed, that doesn’t mean it’s done. A first draft invites further refinement.
One of the best books I’ve ever read on this way of working is “Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Life and Writing” by Anne Lamott. It’s so good that I begin each class I teach with passages of the book. This week’s Throwback Thursday post covers how I do that.
So study up on drafts then this Saturday in your regular post I’ll show you the second draft of my newest quilt, “Blue Moon Sam,” where you’ll see how I’ve changed the quilt from first to second draft.
“Bird by Bird”: How I Use a Book on Writing to Teach Fabric Collage
TONIGHT: Thursday Night in My Studio Live!
Tonight we continue to “fill in the gaps” from the previous Improvisational Faces series with a presentation on “Child vs. Adult Faces.”
To sign up for this and other live events visit the website: www.susancarlson.com and scroll down to the Thursday Night section. You can also purchase recordings of past three series of presentations there.
Susan Carlson Fabric Collage: Spiral eWorkshop
Wondering if fabric collage is for you? This eWorkshop is intended for beginners in fabric collage. The spiral project is simple, low stress, but still teaches the basic techniques of fabric collage. It also serves as a handy refresher course for those with more experience.
Susan Carlson Fabric Collage: Sea Turtle eWorkshop
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.
HI Susan, I have your books and have followed you for some time.
Do you have a video about stitching and quilting the collage quilt? I have looked and don’t see anything.
Thank you,
Connie Reilly
There’s a whole blog post about free-motion machine quilting. Use the blog search feature to find it.
I so very new at this type of art, I don’t know how to “attach” the fabric to backing. Or batting. I understand being able to change the pieces of fabric until satisfied, but then what happens?
Diane, Since you’re such a beginner you might want to start by visiting any page of the blog and using the Categories drop down menu on in the right hand column (if on a computer) or at the bottom of the page on a mobile device. Select “How To”. Which will list all the blog posts that concentrate on the techniques involved in fabric collage. See especially one blog called “Why Glue? Updated” which will show you how glue is used.