The Fabric Collage Finish Line #88

The idea to share the finished work of my fabric collage students goes back to the end of August 2016, almost a year after the beginning of this blog in November 2015. Every so often, past students would send me photos of the completed collage quilts they had begun in one class or another. It was always a treat for me to see their results, but a shame that no one else got to enjoy the journey. Finally there came the thought to create a new blog post category—The Finish Line!

In the years since, hundreds of fabric collage enthusiasts—that’s you, my readers—have submitted finished quilts to share with others. For instance, in December 2017, the quilt “Elizabeth, the Almost Perfect Cat” (detail above), by Martha Ginn, was featured in the Finish Line #7. And you’ll see another cat collage by Martha below, in this post, volume #88!

By sharing quilts and journeys, those that are just beginning or in the middle of their own projects can draw inspiration and ideas to help them along. Just the fact that others are out there plugging away helps to create the sense that “Hey, maybe I can do this too!” By observing and reading collage quilt stories, you get ideas for how to approach your own work. How was the piece quilted? How was the nose constructed? What sort of background was chosen?

Taking inspiration from what you see and learn from others’ work is a great way to keep the creative juices flowing. Thanks again and again to sooooo many of you who have shared yourselves with us through your artwork—photos and stories of trials and tribulations, your thoughts and humor. Today’s post features the work of three lovely ladies who I (first) met in pre-pandemic classes years ago. As I work on this post, I’m just smiling away thinking of them. I hope you’ll be smiling too.

Please click button below to submit your own finished fabric collage quilt to share in a future Finish Line post—and thank you.

Submit Quilt for "Finish Line"

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Martha Ginn

See more of Martha’s work in these posts from: November 2017, Finish Line #7—December 2017, Finish Line #16—January 2019, and Thursday Night Spirals—November 2020.

I do believe that Martha Ginn of Hattiesburg, MS, is one of the sweetest people you’d ever meet, but unfortunately I’ve only had the chance to work with her in one class of mine. However as you’ll read below, she has attended my online presentations and I know she reads all my blog posts since she often contributes with comments, especially when I include photos of my cat sleeping on one pile of fabrics or another. We share an appreciation of cats—their personalities and companionship—and Martha always remembers the name of my cat, Djinni.

I was delighted when I saw this collage quilt submission—Martha really stretched herself with the use of these silky and shiny fabrics—perfect look for Her Royal Highness. It certainly tells me that this is one pampered and revered cat. And even though these are solid colored fabrics, they have such a great visual texture—finished off by Martha’s innovative stitching. Blanche’s person is a lucky guy to receive this portrait!

From Martha:

I attended Susan’s Portland, Maine class October 2017, have the Master Class, attended the Thursday Night 2020 webinars, and always read her blog posts. All these previous learning experiences came to mind to help me create this piece.

After seeing “Elizabeth, My Almost Perfect Cat” (started in Susan’s Portland October 2017 class), a friend asked me to make a fabric collage of his cat Blanche Devereaux, Her Royal Highness, from his photograph. Having never tried a white animal, I was unsure how to proceed but decided on satins, polyesters, some lace, with colored stitching for definition. Photo inspiration by cat’s owner, Mike Lopinto.

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Mary McKay

See more of Mary’s work in these posts from: January 2019, Finish Line: August 2019, March 2021, April 2021, September 2021, Finish Line: September 2021, December 2021, Finish Line: December 2021, May 2022, Finish Line: September 2022, and Finish Line: February 2023. , and again in February 2023! Whew!

What can I say about the work of Mary McKay of Palm Desert, CA, that I haven’t already said? This will be the 13th blog post (see links above) that has included her collage quilts. I’ve worked with her so steadily in the last few years that she’s become a good friend. She’s quite the traveler and most of her subjects (if not family members) are non-human characters she’s met and photographed along the way.

Mary is very deliberate in her fabric choices, choosing colors and prints that help to tell the story of these beings. Oscar is definitely a lively and fun-loving fellow with his complementary colors of aqua blues and orange. She had the thought of the black-and-white checkerboard background before we ever talked about what it might be—and when an idea like that comes to you, you gotta at least give it a try. It’s unconventional but looks just right for him. In this case, Mary traditionally pieced the quilted squares especially for Oscar.

From Mary:

I started Oscar in an online class with Susan and almost finished him in an in-person class with an amazing group of women and Susan in Santa Fe last May 2022. I love fabric collage and working with fabric.

Oscar the sea otter lives his best swimming life possible in a small cove in Kachemak Bay, Alaska. He was photographed by Valise Higman, an incredible artist who rows to work and posts wonderful Instagrams. He was quilted by Andrea Elliott.

Things I learned with Oscar: Don’t buy any more digital fabrics. Glue can be used to attach a hanging sleeve. Use fresh bottles of glue often.The final act of trimming can raise your heart rate almost as much as running.

 

I’ve discovered the joy of creating and working outweighs the many imperfections in the final product. Recognizing that it’s never going to be perfect gives me the space to work.

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Ann Larsen

See more of Ann’s work in this post: October 2018.

Ann Larsen of San Antonio, Texas traveled to Maine to attend one of my (hometown) Harpswell retreats back in 2018. This class had three of twelve students dealing with big smiles on their subjects. These three happened to be seated near to each other and I overheard occasional tooth consulting throughout the week. If I’ve got my classes straight, Ann is an actual dentist (you can correct me if I’m mis-remembering, Ann!), and gave helpful dental construction advice to the others, as well as creating beautiful teeth for her daughter.

It was interesting to read below, of Ann’s creative struggles finishing the collage after class ended. But like she says, she persisted, and her quilt looks great. I’m glad that she kept the bold and decorative quality of her colors and fanciful prints—adding contours and lots of visual interest to her daughter’s face. A very special memory quilt—with lots of thought and detail.

From Ann:

This is my daughter Kira and our dog Leila. Kira was about 21 when this photo was taken. Leila was about three and has since passed away. This quilt is for Kira and also to remember sweet Leila.

I started this quilt in class with Susan in Harpswell, ME, in October 2018. This was my first human face fabric collage quilt. I had been doing traditional quilting since 2004. I had also done some dog portrait quilts with larger pieces of fabric and fusible web.

I wanted to try Susan’s technique of gluing smaller pieces of fabric to a background to make the end result look more detailed like a photo or painting. Susan’s eye for color and value are amazing. Her Samuelsaurus Rex was what drew me to her style when I first saw her on The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson way back when. I think she is a genius and wanted to try my hand at it but this is not a skill that comes naturally to me.

I struggled and found it very challenging and slow-going in the beginning. But I am stubborn. I put it away for about a year but was determined to finish it. I took it out again and slowly worked on it for about another year. I re-did parts of the face, dog, and shoulder many times. In the end, there was as much glue as fabric! I finally finished it in January 2021- two years and three months from starting it.

 

I think what helped me the most was the hack of looking at [photographing] the quilt in black and white to see the values regardless of the colors. I’m so glad that I persisted and finished this. Susan’s blog posts are very inspiring. What a great teacher! Now I still have another daughter, son in law, and granddaughter to do 🙂

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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 April 14)

Register and pay here:
https://susancarlson.com/product/may-2023-live-online-fabric-collage-class-with-susan-carlson-animals-only/