Cheers! The New Year is coming up fast—like it always seems to do—but my teaching schedule for the year is almost complete. Included on the schedule are live online classes, open studio hours, Patreon Show and Shares, and in-person classes. As you look ahead to 2026 I hope some of you are planning to hone your skills in fabric collage, or maybe jump in scissors-first to try something new. My 2026 teaching schedule below, gives you a few options.
In the first couple months of the New Year, Tom and I plan to add more Thursday Night events, such as Fly on the Wall series, and maybe a couple three-day weekend classes of specific projects based on designs you can see on my patterns page—what do you think about a “Gorgeous Gecko” class? Let us know in the comments what may be of interest to you for live online events or classes—we’re open to new New Year’s goals.
Update: Our February 2026 “Glorious Gecko Follow Along” has begun, and will be available through the month of February to attend live or view later. See Glorious Gecko Fabric Collage Follow Along Begins! for more information.
2026 Live Online Classes
I’m excited to announce my 2026 Live Online Class Schedule. Looking for a quilt retreat-style experience while staying at home? Without the issues of travel including: how much of your fabric stash to pack, do your scissors qualify as “carry-on,” who takes care of the pets and waters the plants? By working together and providing online teaching since 2020, Tom and I have been eliminating those questions and making the 5-Day Live Online Fabric Collage classroom experience easy and productive.
5-Day Live Online Classes via Zoom
March 2-6, 2026
REGISTER HERE
July 13-17, 2026
REGISTER HERE
Membership in the Fabric Collage Master Class is a prerequisite if not already owned ($169, after a $30 student discount).
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
Every morning of class begins with any questions the day’s recording may have generated. The bulk of the day is taken up with one-on-one feedback. I use Zoom to view and annotate students’ progress photos that are sent 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.
MARCH 2-6, 2026
REGISTER HERE
JULY 13-17, 2026
REGISTER HERE
8 students limit
Price: $995
Membership in the Fabric Collage Master Class is a prerequisite if not already owned ($169, after a $30 student discount).
Open Studio Hours: Weekly Fabric Collage Coaching Continues in 2026
Open Studio Hours are a sort of drop-in fabric collage consulting. For a few months, I’ve been reserving a few Tuesday afternoons for 1/2 hour time slots between the hours of 1pm-4pm Eastern Time. I’m available for anyone who needs fabric collage help, encouragement, or guidance. This could be to continue working on an in-progress collage, or to begin a new project—whatever is desired. It’s been gaining in popularity as time goes on, so we’re setting up new dates for the New Year.
Sign-up for Open Studio Hours can be for one day or multiple days—every week, every two weeks, once a month or once only. These sessions will be recorded and emailed to you, just as regular one-on-one coaching sessions are, so they can be referred to as needed.
Four consecutive Tuesdays in January and February:
January 6, 13, 20, 27
February 3, 10, 17, 24
Time Slots:
1:00-1:30 EASTERN TIME
1:45-2:15 EASTERN TIME
2:30-3:00 EASTERN TIME
3:15-3:45 EASTERN TIME
4:00-4:30 EASTERN TIME
Each time slot is $65 for a half hour of feedback plus a recording of your session to review. During the hours of each Open Studio, if you are signed up for that day, you can drop in to visit at any time during those hopurs, but your feedback will happen during your chosen time slot.
We have included the link below to sign up. Simply type your name into the slot(s) you would like to reserve. Once you are signed up Tom will send you a PayPal request for payment. You may also pay by check.
I can’t recommend enough this new format. I’ve met with Susan three times since our class (once a week) and each session has been inspiring, motivating, and very helpful in terms of defining my path forward (and also creating some accountability relative to that path…). Before each session, I think about what areas I would like to focus on and send off a photo with my questions. In this way, I get from Susan exactly the support I need, plus a video recording to remember it. Meanwhile, preparing for my session helps me make my project a priority so I see ongoing progress, which is gratifying.
Honestly, this was the format I was hoping for. I told Susan I wanted to write a testimonial about it because I was so happy she was offering it. So, if you’re like me and a periodic check-in keeps you learning, growing, and doing your best work, sign up for coaching. Maybe I’ll see you there (you get to listen in on other sessions during the open studio you attend). —LeahGrace Kayler
Free Patreon Show and Share Zoom Meeting—You’re Invited!
Please join us for the Show and Share on January 13, 2026, 7:00 p.m. Eastern Time
Register Here
One of the easiest—and most interesting—ways that my fabric collage followers can participate in our community is by joining Patreon. Patreon is a service that allows followers to make ongoing contributions in support of the effort and expense of putting out this weekly blog—for ten years now!
Our Patreon page allows followers to contribute whatever works for them. The rewards they receive are dependent on their levels of giving. All levels receive early notification of classes and other events. Other perks include free digital wallpapers. But by far the most popular and interesting reward is our monthly Patreon Show and Share for $5 per month or more.
Patreon Show and Share usually takes place on the second Tuesday of the month via Zoom. Subscribers at $10 per month or more are invited to send in images of an in progress or finished fabric collage quilt. They can request feedback or simply share their work with the other attendees.
Occasionally we open these meetings up so the public can participate by attending as a viewer. Everyone is invited to make comments and compliments using Zoom’s Chat feature as I and our week’s panelists discuss the submitted collages.
For more information on becoming a Patron visit my Patreon site.
Upcoming Patreon Show and Share for Members:
Tuesdays, February 10 and March 10
In-Person Classes
I have five weeks of in-person teaching scheduled in 2026. Join me and classmates for an inspiring week of fabric collage and creativity in locations such as: Santa Fe, New Mexico; Woodland Ridge Retreat in Wisconsin (for 2 weeks!); Bar Harbor, Maine; and Città della Pieve in Italy. These classes are appropriate for all levels of fabric collage enthusiasts.
Susan Carlson Fabric Images in Santa Fe, New Mexico
March 23, 2026 – March 27, 2026
Santa Fe, New Mexico
FOR MORE INFORMATION (5 spots open)
For my 2022 Santa Fe Class blog post write-ups—Part 1 here and Part 2 here
For my 2025 Santa Fe Class blog post write-ups—Part 1 here and Part 2 here
Susan Carlson Fabric Collage Immersion: A 10 Day Workshop at Woodland Ridge Retreat
April 21, 2026 – May 2, 2026
Menomonie, WI
FOR MORE INFORMATION (1 spot open)
Once a year I pick a location for a Two-Week Fabric Collage Immersion which follows a format of five work days, two days off, then another 5 work days. Out-of-class activities are planned according to the location—such as field trips to interesting local and possibly fabric oriented attractions.
Click here for my Woodland Ridge Retreat blog post write-ups (take your pick!)
Susan Carlson Fabric Collage in Bar Harbor, Maine 2026
September 14, 2026 – September 18, 2026
Bar Harbor, Maine
FOR MORE INFORMATION (6 spots open)
The Atlantic Oceanside Resort has panoramic ocean views and waterfront access to gorgeous Frenchman Bay. It is just one mile from the shops and restaurants of Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park.
For my 2024 Bar Harbor Class blog post write-ups—Part 1 here and Part 2 here
For my 2025 Bar Harbor Class blog post write-ups—Part 1 here and Part 2 here
Serendipitous Fabric Collage: Fantastical Fish of Tuscany—Pesci Fantastici di Toscana
October 19-24, 2026
Città della Pieve, Italy
FOR MORE INFORMATION
Let Serendipity step in and “cut loose” with creating Pesci Fantastici (Fantastical Fish) surrounded by the colors and magic of the Tuscan hills. The fantastical fish of this class will be inspired by the species, Salmo trutta fario, a wildly spotted ancient fish that owes its longevity to its ability to diversify in form and thrive in a variety of environments—a perfect subject to explore in the Medieval surroundings of Città della Pieve with our diverse fabrics and our vivid imaginations.
For my 2025 Serendipitous Fabric Collage: Tuscan Bel Sole Class blog post write-ups—Student Fabric Collage Work here and Class Activities and Outings here.
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