Susan Carlson Fabric Collage: Looking Forward to 2026

Last week I took a look back at 2025, focusing on the new subjects and ideas introduced last year in this weekly blog, such as Top Tips.

Now that the new year has officially started I’m taking a moment to look ahead to 2026. Or I should say look forward to it, as I am looking forward with anticipation to the events we have scheduled in the coming year. Djinni Cat (above) is all eyes and ears when it comes to what I’m planning next.

To start, I’m staying right here at home in our part of Maine—where it’s cold outside, cozy inside, and snowy (so far).

Click on any smaller photos to view them larger and to scroll through each gallery.

Shorter days of the season mean I don’t have to get up too early to see a pretty sunrise, and when snow comes I can enjoy the beauty of it since the commute to my studio is pretty darn short.

Winter weather surprises are always fun—going to bed with a wintery mix of 3 inches forecast, waking up to a lot more than that—surprise! But in this case, we did get a white Christmas out of it, though Tom (as the self-appointed snow-shoveler) was a bit grumbly on the morning of Christmas Eve.

Today, on New Year’s weekend, the snow is still with us and it’s really cold, but I have a great space to be warm and creative in. With no teaching travel for two and a half months, I feel ready to be home and get some work done from my studio.

Lots of folks this time of year make resolutions, I prefer the word intention, not only does it sound more flexible, forgiving, and kinder to yourself—it sounds more like a direction to follow and see where it leads.

I have a few intentions in mind for my creative journey in 2026:

Take a Fresh Look at Some UFO’s (Un-Finished Objects)

I’m taking a look at the variety of projects I have in-progress, reassess them, figure out what they need, and start to move them along. That will feel good.

When our son Sam, came by for dinner and to watch Wallace & Gromit movies on New Year’s Eve, I asked what he had planned for New Year’s Day. He said he liked to “get things done” on January 1st—to set a good precedent for the rest of the year. On New Year’s morning, that’s what I did for myself as well—I went into my studio with my cuppa, pulled out a small project, and completed a first draft by bedtime.

Not like there wasn’t a ton of other “things to get done,” but immersing myself for hours into my art was not only a good precedent for the year, but also one of my intentions—I just had to prioritize it to get it done.

Below, Djinni kept me company as she often does as I pulled out and delved into containers of scraps, returning to a gecko sample begun years ago.

Provide a Variety of Ways for Others to Learn Fabric Collage

As I get myself going on a creative journey this new year, my next intent is to do the same for others. I absolutely know how therapeutic and soul-satisfying fabric collage can be, and in the coming year, I’m making sure I have the continued opportunities to share what I can with others.

Not all students learn the same way. Some work best in a concentrated, continuous multi-day class. Others like to work and receive feedback a little at a time. Some want to dive deep into a challenging piece while others prefer to choose a lighthearted and low-stress subject to ease into the fabric collage technique. Some can make time for a week-long class, while others are lucky to clear an hour once a week.

I’ve scheduled a wide variety of classes in 2026: five-day classes (both in-person and live online); weekly Open Studio Hours and coaching sessions; and so far one Follow Along four-week series in February. (See the list below for descriptions, dates and times). I’ve tried to make classes available with a time commitment and price for just about everyone.

A new offering is working one-on-one with students in weekly Open Studio Hours—2026 dates and hours begin next week on January 6th. Time slots are available each Tuesday afternoon in January and February. This is a weekly Zoom meeting where up to five people join me to get feedback on their collage projects—just beginning or in-progress. Participants sign up for half-hour time slots, but all participants signed up for that afternoon are encouraged to log in at any time to learn from and encourage each other—creating a very supportive atmosphere.

Have Fun

Just this afternoon I heard a portion of a radio program about New Year’s resolutions. The woman being interviewed stressed the point to keep goals short and fun. She used her own example of wanting to get more exercise (a pretty common goal). She enjoys listening to audio books and she likes to walk with her dog. By adding audio books to her walks, she takes longer walks and gets more exercise at the same time. Fun and simple.

That radio interview reminded me of how I’ve mentioned before that listening to an audio book (usually fiction) as I work on a collage, keeps me better focused and more likely to hit the “flow state.” Following characters and a plot with my mind, disengages the overthink that can happen if I start questioning (for instance) my fabric choices. When listening to a story, I’m more apt to create my collage more instinctually and leave the analyzing for later.

As I got back to working on this gecko, which will be a new sample for my upcoming Glorious Gecko Follow Along in February, I was also listening to the last few hours of an audio book. So for 2026, I should add “listen to a book” when my intent is to immerse myself into a collage, I know I’ll stay more focused and less distracted with internal debate, which means I’ll be better able to let go and have fun.

This colorful creature was a great way to warm up for the Follow Along next month (more info below), and for an inspirational year to come.

Those are a few of my intentions for 2026. How about you?

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Class Announcements and Reminders

This will be my 32nd year teaching fabric collage—my intent is to get better at it every year. With that much experience, I’d like to think I’ve seen it all at least once. But there’s always room to develop new strategies for helping my students.

This earlier post covered the details of most of my 2026 classes—descriptions and registration info. But since then we’ve set up a couple new offerings, so I’ll start with those.

For January, February, and early March, I’ve scheduled stay-at-home classes and coaching for both myself and for others.

Glorious Gecko Follow Along for February 2026

If you’re looking for a fresh and creative start to the New Year, here’s a step-by-step low-stress way to learn the fabric collage technique. Each Thursday for the 4 weeks in February, I’ll be playing with fabric using a playful subject—a gecko. Geckos come in all sizes, colors, and patterns, which means anything goes. If you’ve been wanting to “cut loose and let go,” here’s your chance.

Susan Carlson Glorious Gecko Follow Along
February 5, 12, 19, and 26—7:00 p.m. EASTERN TIME
Cost: $95
REGISTER HERE

Typically each evening presentation (7 pm Eastern Time) runs about an hour and half. 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.

Each week via Zoom, I’ll be giving a live demo with Q&A as I gradually take you from beginning to end of a Glorious Gecko collage. You are invited to “follow along” if you wish, or you may simply want to watch as my piece progresses. I start off with a slide show to get you caught up on the progress I’ve made the previous week, I then work live as I progress to the next step, talking through my thought process and creative decisions while demonstrating the technique.

As a registrant you will receive a free pattern (sent via email) to follow along as you play with your own fabric stash—but you are welcome of course to use your own gecko design, or just “go with the flow” of your fabric. In between the Thursday sessions, you can apply the steps covered to your own gecko collage.

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Open Studio Hours

Open Studio Hours are a sort of drop-in fabric collage consulting via Zoom. I reserve 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.

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.

Five half-hour time slots are available each week. Send me pics of your quilt in advance and I’ll give you feedback using Zoom’s advanced annotation tools. Your half hour is recorded and emailed to you for viewing later.

PICK YOUR TIME SLOT HERE

Open Studio Hours

Four consecutive Tuesdays in January and February:

Tuesdays, January 6, 13, 20, 27

Tuesdays, 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.

Cost: $65 per half-hour
PICK YOUR TIME SLOT HERE
Tom will bill you and send you the Zoom link prior to your coaching.

You may choose to combine the Glorious Gecko Follow Along with Open Studio Hours.

Work on your gecko after the Thursday night demonstration, then get individual feedback on Tuesday!

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Five Day Live Online Classes

Classes held via Zoom. For more information on any of these offerings CLICK HERE.

March 2-6, 2026
REGISTER HERE

July 13-17, 2026
REGISTER HERE

Cost: $995

Limited to 8 students

Ask about our Introductory Special:
If you have never taken a Live Online Class with me before, email Tom for a coupon code for $100 off the price.

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.

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.

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FREE Patreon Show and Share Zoom Meeting—You’re Invited!

Please join us for this Free 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

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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 (3 spots open)

Susan Carlson Fabric Collage Immersion: A 10 Day Workshop at Woodland Ridge Retreat
April 21, 2026 – May 2, 2026
Menomonie, WI
FOR MORE INFORMATION (Only 2 spots open)

I’m really looking forward to my two-week immersion class in Downsville, Wisconsin at Woodland Ridge Retreat. With two weeks of class, and the weekend in-between, we’ll be able to experience our time together in a different way with field trips to fabric stores, experiencing local sights and restaurants, and walking the trails through the restored prarie behind the retreat center.

Susan Carlson Fabric Collage in Bar Harbor, Maine 2026
September 14, 2026 – September 18, 2026
Bar Harbor, Maine
FOR MORE INFORMATION (3 spots open)

Serendipitous Fabric Collage: Fantastical Fish of Tuscany—Pesci Fantastici di Toscana
October 19-24, 2026
Città della Pieve, Italy
FOR MORE INFORMATION

I’m also excited to be returning to Citta della Pieve, Italy. This past October I went for the first time and it was wonderful. The collage work my students achieved! Our surroundings! The buildings! The landscape! The food!