What's Happening in the Studio?

Even though a lot of our posts lately have been about being out in the community at shops and exhibits, that doesn't mean we haven't also been working in the studio.  Here's a peak at some of the things we've been working on.

About a year and a half ago Sue took a class with Susan Carlson, learning her fabric collage technique.  The spiral was started in class, and is now finally layered with backing, batting, and tulle on top and ready for quilting.  You can see some photos from Susan's class and the start of the collage here.

Another on-going project is this one started in August in another class using the Denyse Schmidt pattern called "Free Wheeling Single Girl".  Three of four rings are completed, the fourth is started.  The plan is to make just 4 rings for a baby size quilt, or possibly use each one separately for preemie quilts which Sue's local guild makes and donates to Children's National Medical Center.

The local guild also tries to put together some quilts for Veteran's Day, and asked members to make and donate blocks.  We had a "midnight madness" sewing session on Friday and Sue got these 5 blocks cut and sewn.

Elizabeth has been busy with her Super Baby embroidery machine making these cute barrette covers.  Spiders, ghosts, owls, oh my!

She is ready for Halloween or Crazy Hair Day, or both!  These designs are from GG Designs Embroidery and are called "felties".  We would love to see pictures of what you are working on!

What Goes Around, Comes Around

Last Friday Sue was fortunate to be able to take a class with fabric collage artist Susan Carlson at the Quilters Unlimited show in Northern Virginia. Susan is a well-known award-winning national teacher; her most recent creation is a 22' X 6' alligator called Stevie which you can see here.

This class featured a spiral shape for learning her collage technique.

She had numerous wonderful examples, each more intriguing than the next. The one below was my favorite.

After some basic instruction we got started drawing our spirals and choosing our fabrics.

I got most of the orange section complete. The background section will be teal/turquoise.

Her technique uses glue to hold things in place on a muslin foundation until the quilting stage.

Here are a few of her other wonderful pieces.

This was a very low stress, zen-like class that Sue found to be "just what the doctor ordered" on that particular day.  She looks forward to completing the collage process on this piece.  If you ever have a chance to take a class with Susan, she highly recommends it.  Be sure to go to her website to see more of her fabulous creations!