I love the process of collaging fabric fish—and I love (possibly even more) seeing the results of others’ fabric collaged fish. Each and every one of them are fabulous to look at and examine the fabric choices in colors and designs that the artists made—such as Nancy Hutchison’s in-progress “Fancy Fish” (photo above).
Each of the following fabulous fish have stories behind their creation which add to my enjoyment and appreciation of each one of them. Maribel Marrero’s fish initially reminded me of the story of “The Magic Fish,” that my wonderful Aunt Verlyn would tell me when our family visited her—I thank Maribel for bringing that memory to mind. However, Maribel’s “Delilah” has her own story to tell and sea to swim, so to say—as does Sharon Millspaugh’s “One That Got Away.” Thank you ladies for sharing your fishy journeys and bringing me a smile.
Enjoy your own swim through the fabric seas below, and if you have a finished fabric collage for a future Finish Line post to share with us, please click on the following link for more info. Thank you.
Submit Quilt for "Finish Line"
February 6, 13, 20, 27, 2025 — 7 pm, Eastern Time
Fantastical Fabric Collage Fish Zoom Follow-Along
REGISTER HERE
Price: $78
CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION
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Maribel Marrero
From Maribel Marrero of Cortlandt Manor, NY:
When I started the “Fantastical Fish Fabric Collage” class I knew I wanted to give my fish a backstory. By doing so, it helped develop my color choices, fabric selections even the changes I made to her initial design. When I first downloaded her image from Susan’s available templates I had my son, Daniel, design a combination of Susan’s fish with a few differences, however, as I continued working on the project more and more changes appeared.
The top, mid, bottom and tail fins were completely redesigned, her mouth and eyes changed and eventually the only similarity to the original template was that they were both fish. ???? That is the beauty of fabric collage, even if I used the exact template she still would have have come out completely different because I was her creator, with my thoughts, feelings and, of course, my fabric selection. Thank you Susan for being my inspiration.
Delilah is a fish in love, she is getting ready to meet her fish boyfriend at a dance so she is putting on her best. Delilah is putting on her red lipstick and darkening her birthmark to look her best. She is leaping out of the water in joy and going to have fun.
Nancy Hutchison
From Nancy Hutchison of Acworth, GA:
I was fortunate to participate in the workshop at the National Quilt Museum in August, 2024. I based my fantasy fish on Susan’s Spiny Lionfish. I experimented with a lovely iridescent silk tie fabric that appeared on my guild “freebie table”. The texture of the silk is beautiful, I hope this use will showcase the user friendly opportunities for repurposed fabrics.
Sharon Millspaugh
From Sharon Millspaugh of Kuna, Idaho:
I learned of Susan’s style through an instructor that had seen Susan’s work. I fell in love with it and have been following Susan ever since. I follow her on the FB blog and I have both books, Serenity Quilts and Free-style Quilts. I have the Master Class Manual and the Sea Turtle eWorkshop plus I’ve signed up for several FOTW classes. My troubles are the messy scary part, I have several UFO’s because I can’t get past it. My goal is to break through that messy scary stage and complete my UFO’s.
The title “One That Got Away” literally did get away before I even got a picture of the finished Quilt. I worked late on finishing him so my husband could take him as a gift to the owner of The Guide Shop in Orifino, Idaho. He took the quilt and was gone before I snapped any photos of it. Here’s the one and only not so good photo I have of my first Susan inspired quilt.
Interested in attending a 2025 Fabric Collage class with Susan? Both in-person and online classes are scheduled and open for registration. Click the link below for more information, including dates, fees, and descriptions.
2025 Live Online and In-Person Fabric Collage Classes
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Special Notice: One space has opened in the May 28-June 1, 2025 Woodland Ridge Retreat, Downsville, WI—please click on link above or call Chris at 715.664.8220, for more information!
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Further Susan Carlson Learning Resources include: Facial Features eWorkshop, website, Serendipity Quilts, patterns, blog (in general), YouTube videos, Spiral eWorkshop, Sea Turtle eWorkshop, Fabric Collage Online Master Class, Patreon. , and our February Fantastical Fish and Summertime’s Fascinating Bugs and Butterfly Work-Alongs