The end of the year sure seems to speed up, doesn’t it? Seemingly on the heels of one online class came another, both 5-day workshops, one in October, the other ending last week in November, just in time to prep for Thanksgiving. Hope you had (or are still having) a good time with special people over this long weekend.
November’s Online class was geared toward those who have taken at least one or two prior classes with me and are at that “intermediate-advanced” level, past the basics in any case. It allows us to move along a little faster and dig a little deeper into the fabric collage technique—always so much more to learn! That’s what I love about what I do—always more to discover about working with fabric collage—for my repeat students, such as Cathy Holmes with the in-progress portrait of her grandson (photo above)—and for me as well.
Having this latest online class so fresh in my mind made me all the more thankful for the opportunity to teach this way—no traveling. I’m not adverse to travel, I’ve done it plenty, but when time starts speeding up it’s sure nice not to have to pack anything, or to catch any mode of transportation, or to heft any well-packed carry-on into overhead storage, or to wait with fingers crossed that my two checked bags will appear at the top of the baggage carrousel—one with class materials, one with my “teaching” clothes—before I have to heft them off that moving contraption.
Oh, I’ll be doing all that again soon enough—once I get to where I’m traveling to, I do enjoy myself—but it’s sure nice to have the balance of both in-person and online classes as part of my year’s schedule.
For me it’s mostly the thought of what’s involved with travel that makes me most appreciative to be able to teach while staying at home. For my students, it seems like what is most appreciated is the ability to dip into their fabric stash as needed. Plus having their fur-people around them. I agree with that as well—who wouldn’t want their cat slowly stepping across the computer keyboard as they’re making annotations on someone’s photo?
Let me introduce you to four of the students in this class (in alphabetical order by first name) and their fabric collage “subjects of the week.” I’m sure many faces in today’s and next week’s posts will be familiar to many of my long-term readers. Sit back and enjoy the show, and be astounded.
As always, click on any smaller photo to view larger and to scroll through that particular photo gallery.
The Show and Share quilts you’ll see are those that were sent in for our “Class Evening” where we just visit (possibly drink wine) and share past fabric work to get know each other better.
Check out 2025 Fabric Collage classes with Susan—both in-person and online classes (including our 4-week Work-Alongs) are scheduled and open for registration. Click the 2025 link below for more information, including dates, fees, and descriptions.
2025 Live Online and In-Person Fabric Collage Classes
Further Susan Carlson Learning Resources: Susan Carlson Quilts website, patterns, blog (in general), YouTube videos, Spiral eWorkshop, Patreon, and our February Fantastical Fish and Summertime’s Fascinating Bugs and Butterfly Work-Alongs
Becky Manske
Becky Manske from Eau Claire, Wisconsin, has taken a couple classes with me at Woodland Ridge Retreat, just “down the road” from her. She began working on this double portrait of her grandchildren in November 2017, followed up in November 2021 with further progress. I was impressed to learn that in the interim, Becky has taken drawing and painting lessons in portraiture—so she came to this latest class with a fresh understanding on where she wanted to make changes on her previous work. Working in “drafts,” Becky made subtle yet cumulatively huge differences in the levels of completion of these portraits over the course of the week. If you look closely at the kid’s faces above, you can see the subtle shading Becky achieved with black tulle—especially around the eyes and mouths.
From Becky:
Natalie and Kasey are 2 of our grandchildren. This photo was taken during the time I watched them both. They sure became great friends. I felt the photo reflected that time they spent together making memories.
Becky Manske Show and Share
Cathy Holmes
Cathy Holmes logged in from Lewistown, Montana. In September 2021, and a couple months later in another online follow-up class, Cathy began and continued working on a beautiful deer. You may want to check out her comments on the faun’s progress, and how she made the spots, in those class links, above. Cathy has continued to work independently on other subjects since then, but this week was her first portrait collage and she made great progress on all those main elements of her grandson’s face and hair—taking his joyfulness into a colorful and fantastical realm.
From Cathy:
I worked on a portrait of my grandson Dexter at age 7 rolling in a leaf pile. His joy is infectious and reflects the blessing he is in my life. With Susan’s help, I think I’ve started to capture that joy in my work. As a teacher, Susan is exceptional. Not only is she an accomplished artist, but she is able to get students to see the subtle changes in shape and value that make up a subject. Plus, she has a special way of encouraging us to break through preconceived boxes. For me, that was giving my towheaded grandson blue green hair! So fun! And he’s going to love it.
Cathy Holmes Show and Share
Grace Crocker
I have now lost count as to how many fabric collage quilts that Crace Crocker of Chico, California, has now created. I know she has already passed #20 as she begins this latest family portrait—her daughter, more than 50 years ago. When working with old photos as Grace does, you gotta work with what you have, and though Grace may have hit a wall or two with this portrait, she kept right on going and worked things out. Grace was one of three students dealing with baby teeth in grinning mouths—and they all made it through that (sometimes) painful-to-collage facial feature quite well. The dress that Grace is constructing for her daughter’s portrait is from fabric that Grace’s mother embroidered decades ago, for her granddaughter, Laurie.
From Grace:
I struggled more than ever before to get Laurie’s eyes—the photo was dark and I couldn’t see them. Finally Susan told me to do them “exactly like I see them.” She also showed me how to color the eye with shaded fabric, no distinct pupil. Aha!
Grace Crocker Show and Share
Jean White
When Jean White from Kingston, Ontario, Canada, is finished with this portrait of her daughter, she will have collaged a nearly life-sized portrait of a mermaid as well—merging real-life and fantasy. In my opinion, the hardest part is done—Cherie’s facial features. Referencing the “teeth” video from my Facial Features eWorkshop, Jean was able to recreate her daughter’s smile step-by-step. It may have taken a few hours, but it’s now done, and done well. From now on, Jean can play with her fabric and take as much artistic license as she wants on any choices she makes for the mermaid body, who’s to say otherwise? Cherie’s hair is already taking on a wavy “floating” quality.
From Jean:
Cherie, my daughter, had always been fascinated with the concept of a mermaid. She has always had a passion for water (synchronized swimming, diving as a teen and now scuba diving as an adult). It only seemed natural that the portrait should be her with a mermaid body.
Jean White Show and Share
Come back next week—same collage-time, same collage-place— for Part 2 of the names, faces, and fabulous fabric collage work of the second half of my November 2024 Live Online Class.