As a fabric collage artist I’ve found it incredibly useful to work in drafts—in stages that carry with them certain understandings. During the first draft, I try to get things down well but not necessarily perfectly. I let things slide if I need to. In the back of my mind I know that’s what the second and third drafts are for.
When my students get stuck, it’s often because they’re trying to make their first draft their final draft. They’re being too detailed or “fiddley” with their first draft. First drafts are to do as well as you can with where you’re at—be it experience or even having the “perfect” fabric, or scissors, or pins, or….
Working in drafts help us get past the need for “perfection”—I’m pretty sure everyone has that issue in one form or another. But knowing that there are (at least) two more drafts to come can loosen up our perspective on the first draft to just get started on a project. As Anne Lamott says in her book, “Bird by Bird,” “You have to put something down before you can fix it up.”
And that’s what I try to remind my students, to get something down to start, and keep moving from there. There’s a time to circle back later in a second draft, and then a third draft. In a very practical sense as far as teaching goes, I do need to see some sort of progress in order to give feed-back, and then to give new feed-back as I come back around. And that’s what we need to remember as we work on our collage pieces on our own as well—to keep a perspective on which draft we’re working on.
Second and third drafts will be the subject of my next Fly on the Wall Studio Watch session on Thursdays, March 2 and April 6, 7:00 p.m. Eastern US time. In a previous Fly on the Wall series, I finished the first draft of my lace polar bear “Winfrieda.” In these two new sessions I’ll be working on the next drafts of that piece, identifying trouble areas and deciding how to fix them, and also identifying what I’m really liking and how to add more! Need more information or want to register for this new Fly on the Wall series? Visit this link.
Through the book “Bird by Bird,” by Anne Lamott, I increased my understanding about the importance of working in drafts—and that’s the subject of this week’s Throwback Thursday. Even though Anne talks about writing and I talk about fabric collage—it comes down to creativity of all sorts, and even to life in general. I’ve found her wisdom inspiring and helpful—and I read through it almost every year. Her advice is intended for writers, but you may like to check it out, whatever your interests.
“Bird by Bird”: How I Use a Book on Writing to Teach Fabric Collage
Space Available in May 2023 Live Online Class
You are invited to join me via Zoom for a 5-Day Live Online Fabric Collage Class. This class is for all levels of fabric collage proficiency, from beginner to advanced. The class runs May 29–June 2, 2023.
I have included an update of the number of spots available and will do my best to keep it updated as it changes. If you find on the registration page that the class has sold out and would like to be placed on a waitlist, please email Tom ([email protected]). Thank you.
CLASS DESCRIPTION: Five-Day Live Online Fabric Collage Classes (Animals Only)
Price: $995 per student
Required Class Fee: $169 for the Fabric Collage Master Class—an online resource “manual” to refer to before, during, and after class—yours for life ($199 regular price; contact tom@tomallenbooks for coupon code for discount. This fee is waived if you already own the Master Class)
Hardware and Software Requirements: Computer, tablet, or other larger-screen device; reliable internet; ability to photograph and send images of collage in progress (a cellphone is recommended); Zoom meeting software (free to download)
Maximum Number of students: 12
Subject Matter: This class deals with animal subjects—furred, feathered, or scaled—pets, exotic animals, birds, insects, sea life, sea slugs, whatever type of animal appeals to you.
Included: Forty-five minute private pre-class coaching session to prepare you for Day One of class.
See links below for more information.
May 29-June 2, 2023
2 Spots Remaining (as of February 22)
Register and pay here:
https://susancarlson.com/product/may-2023-live-online-fabric-collage-class-with-susan-carlson-animals-only/
https://susancarlson.com/2022/10/29/upcoming-fabric-collage-learning-opportunities-with-susan-carlson/
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.
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.
Serendipity Quilts for Sale
$29.95 plus shipping. Full color throughout. Four complete projects, start to finish, of increasing complexity. Learn fabric collage with this book.
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