Susan Carlson Quilts

Choosing Fabric for Fabric Collage (Updated with Video)

March 25, 2017

I received the following comment on my Facebook page the other day:

“Question: Do you use Batiks exclusively or regular cotton fabric as well? Many of these pieces have so much detail in the fabric that I’m guessing you would have to be shopping for fabric all the time in order to find the best fit for your piece.”

This along with my recent experience in my classes, convinced me that I hadn’t given enough guidance on how to choose fabric for fabric collage. It’s doesn’t happen all the time, but too often my students arrive in class without the right fabric for their subject, despite having read my original blog post “Choosing Fabric for Fabric Collage” (see below). Choosing fabric to bring to class continues to be a challenge.

Susan Carlson 2018 Teaching Schedule, Part 1

March 24, 2017

Many people have contacted me to ask when I was going to announce my 2018 teaching schedule. Well, here it is, in part. I say in part because I am … Read More

On the Road Teaching: Empty Spools 2017, Session 2

March 18, 2017

I arrived back home to Maine from this teaching trip just in time for a good old Nor’Easter (that’s a blizzard for you non-New England folks). A foot or more—hard … Read More

On the Road: Empty Spools 2017, Session 1

March 11, 2017

UPDATE Here’s a walkaround video of my first classroom at Empty Spools 2017. When making my teaching schedule each year, I make sure a keep two weeks open in the … Read More

Marilyn and Joel Davidson: Collaborators in Life and Art

March 4, 2017

Over the course of a year I teach many students. Some of them return for follow up classes. And there are those I could count on a hand or two that … Read More

Sign Up to Fill Openings for May Retreat! CLASS FULL

February 25, 2017

Sign Up Now for Last Minute Openings at My Spring Maine Retreat SORRY CLASS IS NOW FULL! Susan Carlson Spring Quilt Retreat Dates: May 15-19, 2017 Place: Hyatt Old Port-Portland, … Read More

The Finish Line: Completed Student Work Volume 5

February 25, 2017

This edition of “The Finish Line”—completed versions of student work along with in-progress shots from class—has a little more rhyme and reason to it than usual. Recently I received finished photos … Read More

Making a Pattern for Fabric Collage Update

February 18, 2017

As promised, I’m selecting some of the most popular posts from my blog and updating them with video—something that elaborates on or shows more detail in the fabric collage technique. Starting … Read More

Quilt Story: “Peace, Love, Tie-Dye, Save the Whales”

February 11, 2017

It’s time for another Quilt Story. For those who haven’t been following the blog for long, this is a series of posts where I talk about the quilts I have made—their origins, … Read More

On the Road: MISA at Tanque Verde, Tucson, AZ

February 4, 2017

When cold weather strikes, MISA moves to warmer climes, following the snow birds to the Southwest. They call the retreat MISA-West, gathering just outside of Tucson, AZ, at the Tanque Verde Ranch Resort. That’s where I spent the third week of January, teaching fabric collage to a group of 19 students.