We attend quilt classes to surround ourselves with other like-minded fabric-enthusiasts who get all excited when someone starts talking about their “stash” and how they “store” it. Now, taken out-of-context in mixed company, those words could raise some eyebrows. But you know what I mean—it is fun talking fabric, isn’t it?
These days we have options as to how we attend quilt classes, how we meet fabric folks, how we share our time and ideas. Both online and in-person classes are great ways of learning that we now have access to—each good for their own reasons and I find it an interesting balance that I enjoy teaching classes both ways. But this year, 2024, the borders between online and in-person started to blur.
In January, three of my students—self-named “Susan’s Angels”—decided to attend my Tucson class after meeting and becoming good friends through my online classes. The entire Tucson class was great, but seeing how these three deepened their friendship during that week was lovely. In photos above and below are: my Angels (left to right in group photo)—Mary McKay, Grace Crocker, me, and Brenda Carter; finished quilts for show-and-share that were all begun and finished online; Brenda’s husband Cal; and Grace’s daughter, Bonnie. Seemed like I knew all of them quite well before ever giving them a hug.
Another group, below, who had met in an online class and became friends—the “Zookeepers”—have continued weekly Zoom meetings long after the class with me had ended. Last month in September, they got together at one of their homes for a multi-day in-person reunion—in outdoor photo below, left to right; Catriona Sterling (traveling from Scotland), LeahGrace Kayler, Ros Pettit, and Sylvie Aguilar. I was able to spend a day visiting with Catriona myself, and last year Catriona gave a tour of Edinburgh (including a visit to see my “Tickled Pink” rhino in an exhibit) to my Angel Mary and her husband Frank (all of us in selfies below).
There are more and more connections being made in this world of fabric collage—as we gather one way or another (or both) to learn and enjoy each other’s company. It’s all good. Hope you can join me next year in a class, or two.
Live Online Classes
For my online classes, my husband Tom Allen, works with me throughout each day (though separate rooms and computers) as he facilitates my ability to circulate from one person to the next, looking at and discussing their progress through photos sent to Tom, for me to then view and annotate in each consultation. 2025 will be the fifth year we’ve been offering these five (consecutive) day classes and, we’ve been told, we’re pretty darn good at it.
See this blog post for details of 2024’s Live Online Classes and links to Live Online Classes. Peruse more “NOT on the Road” online class posts here.
January 20-24, 2025
Live Online Class—All Levels, Animals Only
REGISTER HERE
Maximum Class Size: 12
Price: $995
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March 10-14, 2025
Live Online Class—Intermediate-Advanced
Maximum Class Size: 8
Price: $1,495
To Register: This class is for experienced students at the intermediate or advanced level. You should have a grasp of the fundamentals of fabric collage before starting this class, preferably through taking a prior class with Susan, or having worked through the Master Class or other eWorkshop. Please submit your request to register to Tom ([email protected]) and he will send you the link to register or ask for further information. Thank you.
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June 23-27, 2025
Live Online Class—All Levels, Animals Only
REGISTER HERE
Maximum Class Size: 12
Price: $995
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November 17-21, 2025
Live Online Class—Intermediate-Advanced
Maximum Class Size: 8
Price: $1,495
To Register: This class is for experienced students at the intermediate or advanced level. You should have a grasp of the fundamentals of fabric collage before starting this class, preferably through taking a prior class with Susan, or having worked through the Master Class or other eWorkshop. Please submit your request to register to Tom ([email protected]) and he will send you the link to register or ask for further information. Thank you.
Please note: Pre-requisite of any 5-day class: ownership of Susan Carlson’s Online Master Class—a reference manual for the beginning-to-end fabric collage technique. Especially useful with both pre-class and post-class information. Student discount of $30 off full price of $199. Ownership is “forever,” any and all updates included. Please contact Susan’s husband Tom at [email protected] if you have questions, and to get your discount code.
What is Included in a Five-Day Live Online Class:
Tom and I strive to make the Live Online Fabric Collage experience special and different in its own way. In addition to the advantage (and cost savings) of attending from the comfort of your own home—no travel involved and access to your fabric stash—we’ve added the following menu of perks.
Through our online classes each student receives:
Pre-Class Coaching
Individual coaching sessions live with Susan to get you better prepared for class and to familiarize you with the Zoom platform.
Daily Class Videos
Pre-recorded videos of daily class demonstrations on the process of fabric collage are yours to keep and review both before and long after our week together has ended.
One-on-One Feedback
The bulk of the day is taken up with one-on-one feedback. I use Zoom to annotate photos that you send to Tom throughout the day.
A Fabric Pack for Fabric Collage
I have been curating special 10-fabric collections—mailed to every Live Online student since the week-long classes began in 2021—colorful and helpful designs that may come in handy during the week, or to horde for a later project if not.
Pre-Class Meet and Greet
Meet your classmates in a pre-class Sunday evening social. This meeting also serves to further familiarize everyone with our Zoom classroom format.
Mid-Week After Class Social Hour and Show and Share
On a chosen evening after class, we kick back with beverage and food to relax and get to know our classmates better. Usually everyone sends us extra photos to share some of their past work in fabric.
Daily Walkthrough of Student Progress
At the end of each class day we go back and visit the beginning and ending photos of everyone’s subjects—oohing and aahing at the great progress and lessons learned as we worked together.
Return of Follow-Along Classes!
These easy-going, cut-loose Zoom classes take place over four consecutive Thursday nights. Follow-along as I lead you through the creation of a Fantastical Fish in February and a Fascinating Bug or Butterfly in the summer. Check out the info below and check your calendars to see if you can join us. By the way, Thursday night presentations are always recorded, and video links are sent to all registrants to watch and refer to whenever desired.
These fabric collage projects that are designed and paced to get you started on your work of art. I pick subject matter that, as Tom says, are gateway drugs into the fabric collage process—versatile and low-stress designs to emphasize the playfulness of this technique.
Each presentation begins with a slide show to get you going or to catch you up with the previous week’s progress on the collage I’m working on, and then continue with a live demonstration. There will be opportunities to ask questions throughout the session. I encourage folks to watch, listen, and ask questions during our time together. Then I give “homework” for those who wish to continue working on their own bug project.
Included in each Follow-Along Class:
• Four live presentations of demonstration and instruction
• Question and answer periods
• Free fish, bug, or butterfly pattern to choose and work from (depending on which class you sign up for)
• Recordings of all sessions—yours to keep to refer to at any time
• Materials list to get you going right away
February 6, 13, 20, 27, 2025 — 7 pm, Eastern Time
Fantastical Fabric Collage Fish Zoom Follow-Along
REGISTER HERE
Price: $78
For More Information: Fantastical Fish Fabric Collage—February Results! Part 1 (includes links to Parts 2 through 4)
If you’re looking for a fresh and creative start to the New Year, here’s a step-by-step way to play with the fabric collage technique. This Thursday Night series scheduled for February will be a break in routine to just play with fabric using a subject I’ve been fond of for decades—fish—they come in all shapes, sizes, and colors, which means anything goes. If you’ve been wanting to “cut loose and let go,” here’s your chance. Each week I’ll be giving a live demo with Q&A as I take you from beginning to end of a fantastical fish collage—using your own prized fabric stash.
In between the Thursday sessions, you can apply the steps covered to your own fishy fabric creation. As a registrant you will receive a code for a free fish pattern from my online shop to follow along as you play with your own fabric stash—but you are welcome of course to use your own fish design, or just “go with the flow” of your fabric.
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July 24, 31, August 7, 14, 2025 — 7 pm, Eastern Time
Fascinating Fabric Collage Bugs and Butterflies Zoom Follow-Along
REGISTER HERE
Price: $78
For More Information: Fascinating Fabric Collage Bugs and Butterflies Zoom Follow-Along—Has Begun! and Fascinating Bugs and Butterflies Follow-Along Results: Student Fabric Collage Results 3! (with links to Parts 1 and 2)
I will be taking a “cut loose” approach in my presentations—same as with the fish class—this time creating a collage light, airy, and enjoyable as butterflies and bugs are themselves. At the end of each session, I finish with “homework” that can be worked on here and there within the coming week.
As with all our Thursday Night sessions, a recording link will be emailed the next evening to all registrants to review or watch later if you cannot join us live.
In-Person Classes
Please note: Pre-requisite of any 5-day class: ownership of Susan Carlson’s Online Master Class—a reference manual for the beginning-to-end fabric collage technique. Especially useful with both pre-class and post-class information. Student discount of $30 off full price of $199. Ownership is “forever,” any and all updates included. Please contact Susan’s husband Tom at [email protected] if you have questions, and to get your discount code.
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Fabric Collage Images with MISA in Santa Fe, New Mexico
March 31-April 4, 2025
All Levels
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION
For my 2022 Santa Fe Class blog post write-ups—Part 1 here and Part 2 here
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Woodland Ridge Retreat
May 28-June 1, 2025
Combination Intermediate/Advanced and All-Levels Class
Class is full but click here to be added to the waitlist
Click here for my Woodland Ridge Retreat blog post write-ups (take your pick!)
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Fabric Collage Immersion with MISA—a 10-Day Class in Bar Harbor, Maine
September 8-19, 2025—All Levels
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION
For my 2024 Bar Harbor Class blog post write-ups—Part 1 here and Part 2 here
A week is never enough. That’s what I hear again and again at the end of one of my 5-day classes, students want more. And now, they can get more—more class days in the same location, more class days without more travel, more class days with a 2-day break in-between the two weeks of class time—time off to explore the area and re-charge.
While providing “more” fabric collage, this format will also allow students to work at their own pace. For some, five days feels rushed and they’d rather spread the work out over more days. Others may have a goal to get farther along in the process. Regardless, everyone will have the ten days of my help and guidance to meet their fabric collage goals for their project.
Week 1: Getting started and making good progress on key elements or features of each person’s chosen subject—learning more and more daily, on how to work with my fabric collage technique.
Week 2: Immersing and relaxing into the collage process while taking subjects farther—experimenting with and deciding on background possibilities, learning where more details could be added in second or third drafts, having the time to play with additions such as sheer fabrics to manipulate the light and dark values found in the collage subject.
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Susan Carlson Fabric Collage Travels to Italy: Under the Tuscan Sun (celestial portrait class)
October 19-24, 2025
Tuscany, Italy: Serendipitous Fabric Collage with Susan Carlson
All-Levels, 4 spots remaining
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION
Click here for my 2025 Tuscan Sun blog post!
How can anyone resist? This brought back many precious memories. I’ve made new friends in every ZOOM class (number 9 is next month) without leaving my home. It was extra special to meet in person in Tucson.
Susan and Tom have perfected ZOOM classes. I learn something new every time.
I’m addicted and I love it.