There has been a fluttering of Fascinating Bugs and Butterflies landing in our email box this week—such as “My Cicada Song,” by Karen Stenback, above. What a luscious treat to see these amazing fabric collage creatures arrive—so many that we’re separating the bug submissions into at least two more posts (following Part 1 last week). Thank you to all who have been collaging like crazy and have sent in such delightful work to share. Please keep sending us your inspirational progress!
Our July and August Zoom Fascinating Bugs and Butterflies Follow-Along was inspired by, well, all the insects that make a showing in the summertime, plus this year’s Cicada-Palooza emergence. Since today’s post falls on our “end-of-summer” Labor Day weekend, I’m dedicating this Part 2 Bug Follow-Along post to highlight just some of the scintillating cicada submissions we received.
Please join me in celebrating this year’s overlap of two periodical cycles of cicada broods—one every 13 years and the other every 17 years—which only happens every 221 years! That is as amazing as the emergence of the fabric collage interpretations you are about to see and read about, below.
Here’s to 2024’s (once-in-a-few-lifetimes) Cicada Summer—and to all my lovely students who have shared this season with me. Be sure to fly back next month for another installment of Fascinating Bugs and Butterflies—more summer cicadas and other unique species captured in fabric collage.
Cheers!
Click on smaller gallery photos to see them larger.
Learning resources include: Fantastical Fish eWorkshop, Serendipity Quilts, Spiral eWorkshop, Facial Features eWorkshop, Fabric Collage Master Class, 5-day Live Online Zoom Classes, and my patterns (including fish and sun/moon patterns).
Julie Rush
From Julie Rush of Missouri:
We had a grand XIX cicada year in Missouri. Our woods were filled with them. We could hear their sounds coming from the surrounding hills long before they finally arrived at our property. There were thousands. Once they arrived I took many photos & had plans for doing a collage. Then, voila, your email announced this workshop, I signed up. Happy days!
Pat Corcoran
From Pat Corcoran of St Augustine, Fl:
I’m a little rusty so I wanted to do the bug but I got behind due to life. Slowly catching up and hope to do more of your projects this coming year. I work 2 to 4 days a week and also teach other forms of quilting.
Karen Leavitt Hanley
From Karen Leavitt Hanley of North Creek, NY:
The Cicada class with Susan is my first real attempt at collage. In preparation for the workshop, I bought Serendipity Quilts, and follow her on Facebook/blog posts. My sister, Tracy Hughes, took an online class with her and raved. She has gone on to create several masterpieces using techniques learned from a range of successful fabric collage artists. My sister Lynn Marrison, lives nearby Susan, in Woolwich!
Because my space is limited, and I have several projects in varying stages of progress, it is challenging to work on the Cicada, and still have space to work on the other projects (in the evenings when I don’t have the creative energy I want to devote to the Cicada). Too, I am not at all used to working with tiny bits, though my fellow quilters know that I do like to build more traditional quilts with lots of small pieces. This is a new experience… a little fussier and less organized than my OCD type brain is comfortable with, but that’s PRECISELY the wonderful benefit. I went into it wanting to stretch my creative juices, and this is surely succeeding on that front!
Susan Wilson
From Susan Wilson of Pittsboro, NC:
I’ve always enjoyed the process of machine appliqué. In recent years I’ve become a huge fan of Bisa Butler’s work. Such inspiration! I really wanted to take my own creative efforts to a new level… from simple appliqué to fabric collage. In 2023 I discovered Susan’s book, Serendipity Quilts. Then I found her blog, bought the video workshop for her Spiral pattern, participated in the Fish follow-along in February 2024 (subject: Hot Lips). Whew! I think I found my teacher! Finally, I purchased the Master Class!
I’m continuing to enjoy the journey as I work / play to improve my skills.
Because of summer travel etc, I’m very thankful for the videos that made it possible for me to join in the middle of this (my second) Follow-Along. To date, I have successfully filled in my cicada’s body and wings, and have added a few details.
What I have learned this time around is that it’s easy to get carried away by details BEFORE the initial coverage of the first draft is complete.
I’m still learning a lot about color value and can see the importance of setting a good foundation that suggests where the light is coming from. I consciously chose fabric pairs that were similar but different in value to build the wings… right side lighter than the left side. Not sure how I’m going to like that in the end, but it’s been a fun exercise.
I’m using a 300% enlargement of the pattern, gradually scaling up my work so I can eventually do something really BIG. Also, trying to use larger pieces of fabric as I work. Seems very challenging at this point.
I’m taking seriously the idea of establishing a story for my fantastical subject. The challenge must’ve been foremost in my mind, because I woke in the middle of the night with a name for this piece and the basis for its story. Still so much to flesh out! I look forward to the day I can submit it as a true “Finish Line” project!
Karen Stenback
From Karen Stenback:
My cicada is unfinished at this point. I need to add netting and also want to try a background with a tree and landscape like what Susan has done. I have taken Susan’s Thursday spiral class and moon class. I started out in collage with both of Susan’ books. I also have taken the Master class. My cicada’s name is “My Cicada Song.” My stash included some ocean fabric so you might see some fish and a turtle if you look closely.
Jenny Garcia
From Jenny Garcia of Los Altos, CA:
I have to admit to being frustrated with the process at first. I don’t consider myself an artist (I am, after all, a retired science teacher) so I don’t think I’m very creative. I had a bit of an epiphany during the second week of the class…I realized that I would be much better off if I let the fabric guide my decisions (instead of the pattern doing the guiding). After looking at my fabrics in a whole new way, I felt like I was seeing parts of the cicada in the fabrics…they just needed to be cut out and applied. That revelation really changed how I approached the collage and I felt a lot “freer” to just cut and go!
The quilt is not quite finished but at some point I’ll have to call it done — I just haven’t decided where that point is!
Sharon Millspaugh
From Sharon Millspaugh of Kuna, Idaho:
I saw Susan’s work on Facebook approximately 7 years ago and fell in love with the idea of painting with fabric. I have the Master Collage Manual and the Sea Turtle classes plus both of Susan’s books but haven’t had the time to complete any projects. I have also followed Susan in several of her Fly on the Wall sessions. I have just recently retired and I’ve reorganized my craft room and I’m going to be able to spend more time developing my skills.
Zammara is the name of my Cicada, this cicada lives in the tropical forest zones. The beautiful blue colors is what made me decide the color palette I would use. The original fabric I had chosen just wasn’t working so a trip to the fabric store was made. I started Zammara over three times before I finally jumped the fabric Paralysis hurdle! One thing that has helped me is rewatching the sessions and the encouragement from the members in the Fascinating Bugs and Butterflies Facebook group. I have plans on the background to be a patchwork of greens but who knows that could possibly change.
Judy Schryver
From Judy Schryver of Lockport, NY:
I tried a feathery batik background and found it did nothing for the cicada. So I selected dots from my aboriginal fabrics, and was much happier with the results. I learned to make the legs on parchment paper. Now need to try some tulle in places.
The Fascinating Bugs and Butterflies Follow-Along drew in many participants—almost 100!—many of whom were trying fabric collage for the first time. Registrants were given a free Cicada pattern which I made especially for this class—in honor of this summer’s “Cicada-Palooza.” They were also able to choose a free bug or butterfly pattern from my collection, so in this series of collaged bug posts you will see many cicadas but also some butterflies and other crawlies.
It has only been a couple weeks since the four-week Follow-Along class finished up and the progress these students have made and will continue to make is amazing. The collages that are on display are almost all still in progress, but they are oh so much fun to see—a perfect treat to sit back and savor as our summertime winds down. See Part 1 here.
Another big and buggy thanks to all who have sent, and are continuing to send in, your bugs and butterflies to share with all of us—they have been, and continue to be, fascinating.
Stunning work as usual! Do you sew the pieces after you glue them?
Wow! So many fabulous interpretations of the cicada energy! Could relate to the trials and tribulations … and really enjoyed reading about individual ‘ah ha’ moments. Thank you all for sharing.