Backgrounds of fabric collage quilts are surprisingly challenging to design. You’ve spent all this time on your main image—a portrait of a pet or a person perhaps—and now you have to decide how to “frame” them with fabric.
Each day in a fabric collage class, whether in-person or online, I demonstrate and answer questions about a certain step in the process. On day three of a five day class, I cover backgrounds. Even though students are not going to be ready to move on to their backgrounds yet, I give them the information at that point because as they start to see their images coming together, it’s good to start dreaming of what sort of background may support that image.
I’ve written more than a couple posts that talk about backgrounds. The one included as today’s Throwback, addresses the particular corner areas of a background. It follows up and adds to the original post (for which you will find an included link). Subjects of a fabric collage sometimes turn out to be round(ish)—like the top of an animal or person’s head—or it could be a circular design as in a spiral or mandala (detail photo above), or my sun or moon portraits. Centering your subject on a background may leave awkward-to-fill empty corners. This post addresses those orphan corners—and how you can incorporate them into your overall collage quilt design.
Live Online Classes Fall 2023
For more information on both classes, click here.
September 25-29, 2023
Live Online Fabric Collage ALL LEVELS Class with Susan Carlson–Animals Only
Class size is limited to 10 students.
$1,195
Subject matter limited to animals only. Suitable for all levels of students. Subjects limited to animals.
October 16-20, 2023
Live Online ADVANCED STUDENTS Class with Susan Carlson
Class size is limited to 8 students.
$1,495
In an advanced class we ask that a student have taken at least two classes or other fabric collage learning venues from Susan (e-Workshops, private coaching, Patreon Show-and-Share) so I have an idea if this level will be a good fit for you. If so, Tom will then send you a link to sign up for the class.
Facial Features eWorkshop
Click here for more information.
- Eight videos (over 8 hours combined length) collected into one convenient and organized spot
- Each annotated with “Jump Points” allowing you to scan forward and backward to the information you need
- Facial Features Templates included as PDF’s to download and work along with
- Like the Fabric Collage Online Master Class, membership in this eWorkshop is for life
$99
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(With a special Summertime offer good from now through August 31st, 2023)
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.