A couple weeks ago, I introduced you to the first collection of student collage projects from February’s Glorious Gecko Follow Along Zoom class. Today you are invited to gush over the next installment from that month-long class.
This follow along class—and others like it in the past, here and here, for example—has been popular with both experienced fabric collage artists and those who may be trying the technique for the first time. For those with experience, these simple subjects—fish, bugs, geckos—give them a chance to relax and just play with their fabrics. The stakes are low and the rewards are high.
For beginners, these classes are a great introduction to the concepts of fabric collage I like to emphasize to my students: the use of color, value, contrast, and pattern in the fabrics they choose. Again, the simple subject makes the project (relatively) stress free and most importantly fun.
Congratulations to all who dove into this exploration of creativity. We’ll have submissions for at least one more post covering this gecko project, so please keep sending in photos of your progress and stories of your own Glorious Gecko—no need to have it finished for this series of posts—show us your progress! 🙂
Email Tom with photos and stories:
[email protected]
Mary McKay
From Emily (via Mary):
Hi World, my name is Emily Gecko. I am an uncommon gecko and live on the lush island of St. Bart’s. I am searching for my forever soulmate. I enjoy entomology, sunsets, and lush gardens. In addition to tropical showers, I adore spending evenings hunting for tiny freshwater ponds while the birds are cooing and readying themselves for night. If you are an unattached, binary uncommon gecko who enjoys bird music, insects, and lush gardens, send me a vocalization and I will get back to you. Hope to hear from you soon!
Grace Crocker
From Grace:
This is Lizzardo, a chameleon. He was named after Mary McKay’s Brazilian rain forest guide. I thought he was finished until Susan spied him, during a coaching session on another project. To quote Susan, “His tail is in the wrong place.” Blame it on AI. That’s the image I copied. I’ve learned my lesson, be very careful of AI images.
Lizzardo is now in for repairs, thus the pins and my search for one piece of fabric that I know I have… but don’t know where it is.
Brenda Carter
From Brenda:
‘Rango’ is definitely a first draft. Size: about 15”x24” so far…. There are a couple pieces of fabric from [a class with Susan in] Bar Harbor. The aboriginal fabric on Rango is my 2nd attempt for the subject. The 1st attempt I used the fabric currently on his eyes… So much playing here. Rango is some pretty funky eyes right now. I think my 3rd attempt I will probably use African fabrics so Rambo will stand out more. When creating the boot, I initially tried using the leopard material. I then found the decorative dark tulle that changed the boot dramatically. I left one part of boot with no embellishment so people can see what a difference those little extras bring to my work. Right now, my boot seems to be the main character. It wasn’t my intention, but what a really cool boot! I will be focusing on Rango going forward. I have a few thoughts about my theme for this little creature… western, desert, nautical??? Ideas are limitless! Stay tuned!
Tina Paris
Susan’s Fabric Collage Class Schedule
July 2026: 5-Day Live Online Fabric Collage Class via Zoom!
REGISTER HERE and attend from your own home
July 13-17, 2026
More about my 5-Day Online Fabric Collage Classes
From past online student, Sylvie Aguilar:
When the on-line classes started, I hesitated before signing up. Not being a very tech savvy person, it scared me. I also thought it would be a very long zoom day. After procrastinating for a couple weeks, thinking I didn’t know enough about collage, with my daughter’s encouragement I signed up. That was the best decision I made! What a fantastic class. I learned so much more than anticipated. Susan and her husband Tom, are a great team, and so generous with their time and knowledge. From day one, they made us feel at home. It was like we were all part of a collage artist family. It was so comforting to feel part of a community of fabric artists that understood you and got excited about the same things you did.
September 2026: Susan Carlson Fabric Collage in Bar Harbor, Maine 2026
A week-long class on the doorstep of the breathtaking Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine
September 14, 2026 – September 18, 2026
FOR MORE INFORMATION