Happy New Year!
Out with the old, in with the new!
As proud as I am of all I and my students have accomplished in the past 12 months, it just seems like one of those years where maybe it makes more sense to look ahead rather than back. Reflection on what has been done is useful, but it’s more exciting to think about what’s coming up.
With Live Online Classes, in-person classes, Patreon Zoom Show and Shares, and fabric collage coaching, my 2022 teaching schedule is already comfortably full. More about those events following below.
Which brings us to 2023. I’ve been gradually informing venues where I typically teach each year, so now I’ll let you know as well: I won’t be traveling to teach in 2023. I’ve decided to take a sabbatical from in-person teaching (which greatly cuts down on preparation and travel days) so I can instead focus on creating new art for myself, which in turn may generate more ways of sharing my love of fabric collage with you. This will a good move for me and I’m quite excited with the possibilities.
I should clarify that this will be a “planned” year of sticking to my studio, as opposed to the unplanned and unsure teaching schedule of the past two years. I think we all can identify with that. I do however, intend to schedule more Live Online Classes toward the end of this year and into 2023. Announcements will be made here in the blog as 2022 progresses.
For now, here’s a peek at my fabric collage events that are happening in this New Year of 2022—with an exciting new announcement—the return of my “Specimens” quilt exhibit, this time at the AQS QuiltWeek-Paducah Show at the end of April!
Live Online Classes—First Up: January 24-28, 2022
We will continue to offer live online classes via Zoom as my schedule permits. I currently have only one Live Online Class scheduled at the end of this month. However, and because of my contracted in-person teaching, it will likely be the only one until the fall. If any of my in-person classes are canceled I may compensate with adding another live online class or two. So if you’re interested in learning fabric collage in this way, be sure to add your name to our “Expression of Interest” list, see below, to receive emails as we have further information available.
Currently there are two spaces left for my Live Online Fabric Collage Class for January 24-28, 2022. That’s five days plus a 1-hour private coaching session to be scheduled the week before class.
Here’s the link for more information.
And here’s the link to register for the class.
This is an animals-only class. Membership in the Fabric Collage Master Class is a prerequisite. The class day typically runs from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Eastern Time to accommodate those on the west coast for whom it runs 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Please feel free to contact Tom with any other questions ([email protected]). And if you live in another part of the world where our time zones are incompatible, yet you’d be interested in a live online class, please let us know and maybe we could come up with an alternative solution.
Expression of Interest: I’m collecting the emails of those who express an interest in joining upcoming live online classes. Just contact Tom and he will add you to the list.
Patreon Zoom Show and Share—Monthly
Each second Tuesday (usually) of the month I hold an evening Zoom meeting for my Patreon community where members share their fabric collage projects and I give feedback on their in-progress quilts.
What is Patreon, you may ask? Patreon is a service that allows followers to support artists, teachers, or other creators of their choice. Levels of giving for my community range from $1 to $20 a month (or more). To learn more about becoming a Patreon supporter and its benefits, check out this post.
Based on levels of subscriber support, we provide incentives as thank-you’s that include: early notice and sign-up for our live online classes, direct access to my feedback through monthly Zoom Show and Share meetings, and discounts on Fabric Collage Coaching.
These incentives have evolved and will continue to evolve to reflect the needs and requests of our Patreon community. If you are interested in learning fabric collage then I want to get to know you, and the best way to do that is through Patreon.
“Specimens” at AQS QuiltWeek-Paducah, Kentucky—April 27-30, 2022
My “Specimens” collection of quilts which first appeared at the International Quilt Show (Houston) will appear at AQS Paducah April 27-30, 2022. The twelve quilts in this collection represent creatures that are rare, extinct or otherwise noteworthy.
I plan to be there to see the show and to hang out at the exhibit to say hello. I will also be giving an hour lecture on that Friday. AQS member registration begins January 18, 2022, online general registration begins February 1, 2022.
In-Person Classes 2022
Here’s my in-person teaching schedule for 2022. Most of the classes are already full, and have been for two years or more, as the classes have been cancelled and rescheduled over the course of the pandemic. You need to contact the individual venues for more information or to be placed on their wait lists. Their contact info is provided in my schedule link or on the venue’s website.
Currently the only (two) spaces available that I am aware of is for the Advanced Students Class with MISA in Santa Fe. You need to have had at least two in-person or live online classes with me to qualify for that event.
Fabric Collage Coaching/Independent Study
Fabric collage coaching are hour-long, one-on-one Zoom sessions where I can help someone begin, continue, or finish their fabric collage quilt. With the online annotation I can make on their photos, screen-shots, and an included recording of the session, students are able to take all that information and work on their own at their own time and convenience.
This option would be especially relevant for anyone who would like to delve into people portraiture—a subject that I have yet to develop into an online class, due to its highly individualized nature.
The price for a coaching session has increased from $100 to $129 per session. HOWEVER, I am making a special New Year’s offer through January 31, 2022: Reserve and prepay for as many coaching sessions as you would like for the old price of $100. Actual dates for your coaching sessions—anytime in 2022—can be determined later.
Contact Tom ([email protected]) for more information or to arrange purchase or scheduling of coaching sessions.
A Holiday Gift from Us—Enjoy a FREE PATTERN of Your Choice
OFFER ENDS THIS SUNDAY JANUARY 2nd, MIDNIGHT (EST)
These downloadable patterns are perfect for fabric collagers of any level—created to give alternate design options to the fabric collage technique found in my Serendipity Quilts book and eWorkshops.
Use the coupon code below.
This code may be shared (just forward this post to a friend) but applied only once per user.
freefabriccollagepattern
Visit susancarlson.com/patterns to select.
Thank you so much for the free pattern. I chose the turtle. Since this well be my first attempt at one of your projects, I think I might start with the spiral, which I saw you do about a year ago when I ran across you on YouTube. Now I feel confident on starting, especially after purchasing interesting fabric to use.
I am a “wanabee” quilter, so this will be out of my comfort zone.
I want to sign up for one of your classes, but don’t feel confident enough to do it virtual. I’ll have to give it very serious thought.
Your talent has been with me for over a year now, so wish me luck that I can come even close to yours.
God bless, and a Very Happy and Healthy New Year to you and your loved ones.
I totally admire your talent. I wish I could participate in one of your sessions, but I am not equipped for it. Besides living in Switzerland, there would be a scheduling problem. I will therefore continue to follow you from time to time, for the pleasure of my eyes and to hear from you.
At that time of covid i think online schooling will be only solution right now.