Due a technological hiccup, our last Saturday post was not delivered to people’s email! We definitely don’t want you to miss out on this second edition in this series of quilts from my Quilter’s Fantastical Trophy Fish Class. So to rectify matters we present this special Friday edition of our blog. Tomorrow we’ll deliver the third helping of fish in your regular post.
We have launched a new eWorkshop: Susan Carlson Quilter’s Fantastical Trophy Fish eWorkshop. This independent eWorkshop takes you through the entire process of making your own Quilter’s Fantastical Trophy Fish using over 6 hours of video recorded instruction. Also included: a free fish pattern! Details below.
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I can’t tell you how cool it is to not only see photos of these fish arrive in our email, but also to read how each fabric artist has approached their own project. Tom and I never imagined this series of presentations would hit the sort of chord that it has. There are submissions from those that have for years observed fabric collage from the sidelines, who have now jumped feet first into the colorful waters of these fish—such as “Frannie the Fantastical Trophy Fish” by Vickie Soderman (above). They’ve taken the first strokes into a new world of creating, and are loving it.
As subjects for fabric collage, fish are a great choice since there are as many ways to interpret a fish as there are fish in the sea. This is true for both beginners—looking for an easy, low-stress subject to learn the technique—or for experienced quilters—who may want to loosen up and just have fun playing with fabric.
This versatility was why I chose fish for my February 2024 online fabric collage class. For four Thursdays attendees followed along as I explained how I was making my fish quilt and gave them instructions (and homework) on completing their own.
Today’s post shows off more of the fantastical fish quilts created during the class—check out the fabulous Part I here. Many of these collages are still in progress and some are finished—either way, the vibrancy of color and richness of pattern are on full display. Congratulations to all you fantastic fabric collage artists and a big thanks to those who have shared your results with the rest of us.
Since this Quilter’s Fantastical Trophy Fish Follow-Along Class has taken on a life of its own, we are continuing to collect results, so keep sending them in! Thank you.
Submit Quilt for "Finish Line"
NOW AVAILABLE!
Susan Carlson Fabric Collage: Quilter’s Fantastical Trophy Fish eWorkshop
INCLUDES:
• All four recordings from the four-week class.
• Extended 10-minute edition of piecing time lapse (see below).
• Over six hours of video instruction.
• Annotated videos with “jump points” to help find the information you need.
• Materials list
• Links to helpful blog posts.
• Free fish pattern of your choice.
Learning resources referred to in this post include: Serendipity Quilts, Fabric Collage Master Class, Zoom classes, and my fish patterns.
Click on any of the smaller images below to view them larger.
Janice Morrow-Siebenaler
From Janice Morrow-Siebenaler of Denver, CO:
“F.N.S.I.N. #1” (“Fish Not Seen in Nature #1” (I plan to make a 12 fish series in order to get a better handle on values)
What I’ve learned in the last four weeks:* Layering: I was unaware of how layering can enrich a collage to the point of, “I don’t know why I like this collage, but I just know I do!” I’m looking forward in experimenting a lot more in that area.
- Backgrounds: I realize now that I’ve been not only overthinking them, but I’ve been too timid about throwing in a few, “what the hey!” surprises. & honestly, who doesn’t like a collage surprise? (I’m on to you, backgrounds!)
- Jazzy fabrics: I only knew about tulles, (mainly black), & netting. So learning that little jazzy pieces can be just as effective as larger pieces is very helpful. & oh yeah, insanely cool!
- Not only getting “permission,” but encouraged to go “nuts”: Providing the patterns for us, as well as the Zoom classes, has probably enriched the lives of thousands of “closet artists,” that never knew they had any ability to create anything. (How about this: “Zoomers for Boomers”? No? OK, then) 🙂
- Intuition? Instinct? Accident? Best Guess? Better Angels? This is probably too “woo woo” to include in a class, but in the last 10, or so years I’ve been collaging, over, & over I’ve come to recognize that my “vision” for a new project never, ever, ends up like I first imagined. EVERY single time it turned out better. The more I collage, the more I’ve come to trust that “mystery” will eventually fix it
- Right after Susan’s first Trophy Fish Zoom class, I organized my “light,” “medium,” & “dark” fabrics, & cut them to hand-sized pieces, & placed them into little plastic containers, & started to “work.”
Photo #1: Shows I had a decent start.
Photo #2: Indicates that once my “Inner Collager” wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes, she took over. The little plastic containers got buried under yards of fabric. The “metallic-y” fabrics didn’t just appear, they also took over. But I like where this is going. & I like the little wavey lavender batik fin. I wonder if “I.C.” will let me keep it.
Photo #3: No. She will not. But I like the bright yellow tummy.
Photo #4, & 5: For the tail I wanted a gossamer type fabric. Tulle, not thick enough, organza, too thick, but I did find whatever kind of stretchy, sparkly fabric this is. Once I put it on the muslin, I didn’t like it. & I can’t make it work. “I.C.” is off hiking in the foothills somewhere, heaven only knows when she’ll get back.
Photo #6: After a three days of no progress, I decided to cut out a batik curved feature for the fish’s belly. My intention was to just cut off about 1/8th thick width, but then I laid the whole piece down on the body, to go answer the door. When I returned, do you see what I saw? Now it looks like the fish is TURNING. I’m stunned.
Photo #7: Total game changer. More work is needed, of course. I may need to thin out the tail, & I think something needs to be done to the dorsal fin to enhance the perspective somehow, & maybe some trimming on the belly. AND, whatever else my Inner Collager decides.
Barb Blake
From Barb Blake of Colorado:
I took a class from Barbara Yates Beasley in 2019 and loved the idea of painting with fabric. A quilting friend gave me Serendipity Quilts and I started following Susan’s posts. I love the fantasy aspect of collage quilting. During Covid I also learned to Crumb Quilt…I really love/appreciate using up my scraps ❤
Vickie Soderman
From Vickie Soderman of Keewatin, Ontario, Canada:
I’ve been following Susan for years, following her blog, have her book Serendipity and the Master Class but have never attempted a project before. I have done 3 or 4 template based collages but have never had the nerve to try Susan’s technique until now. Love it!
Frannie went through many changes or drafts. I finally am at the place where I can say I’m happy with it. I never would have used the shears and sparkle before but that really makes a difference. Living where I do I was very limited in what I could find. Ribbons from Walmart that I cut up was about it as well as some netting.
Thank you so much for this opportunity. The weekly sessions spurred me on to keep at it. I know I still have a long way to go but it was a great start.
Susan Ryan
From Susan Ryan of Chicago, IL:
I was excited to make a fish collage specifically because for many years fish have figured vividly and prominently in my dreams, especially at times of change. I enjoyed the process and feel I was able to make a piece that reflected my style under Susan’s excellent tutelage! The patience, persistence, and attention to detail required was a challenge for me as I lean toward simpler methods! I learned a lot about the relativity of color! While mine is not nearly as beautifully complex as one of Susan’s, I am very happy with it and enjoyed the challenge of creating it! Thank you to Susan and Tom for presenting a wonderful class!
Debra Boudrieau
From Debra Boudrieau of Peterborough, NH:
I had done one Laura Heine day long class and done a kit that was provided but I have always wanted to take a class with Susan. This one was so much more inspirational. And Susan is a fabulous teacher. And Tom does a great job with the technology side so the whole experience was perfect. Frustrating at times because I came up against my own limits…but Susan was so kind and supportive that I pushed through. And I have never free hand machine quilted before so another hurdle (though it is very far from conquered).
I love clear blue and white fabric and though I do want to do another fish and let myself go completely wild using more of Susan’s teaching I kept being drawn to the idea of using only two colors. So this fish is swimming on the side of a piece of Willow Ware…that’s her ocean. And I love lace. And I’ve had the small buttons [middle left and lower right in border] that were the last addition for a longtime with no place to put them…so that made me very happy.
Other Posts in this Series
Fantastical Fish Fabric Collage—February Results! Part 1
Even More Fish in the Sea: Fantastical Fabric Collage, February Results! Part 3
And More Fish in the Sea: Fantastical Fabric Collage, February Results! Part 4
To come April 27, 2024