BEYOND THE GRID:
PERSONAL EXPRESSION WITH INNOVATIVE TECHNIQUES
by Caryl Bryer Fallert

three, four, or five days  -   intermediate to advanced design class

Supply List - Classroom Requirements
PDF Format printable version

The goal in this studio class will be for each participant to design and create a full size original art quilt, that goes beyond the traditional grid format. You may come with a design idea in mind, or you can plan to develop a new idea in the class. The focus will be on techniques for developing original designs. Design exercises will be geared toward finding your personal visual vocabulary, and then effectively translating your inner vision into concrete viewable form. A number of machine sewing techniques for creating freeform designs will be demonstrated as vehicles for greater freedom of expression.

See what we did in this workshop in Kauai, 2001

Supplies Needed for Class at the Bryerpatch Studio Workshop Center:

* FABRIC: 
~ Both graduated and multicolored fabric will be available for sale during the workshop in the Bryerpatch Studio Shop. To preview: see Caryl's internet store ~ Caryl will have a basket of her left-over fabric available for you to work with.
~ You will also want to bring some of your own fabrics. Look for a wide range of colors and values, including solids, prints, and stripes. Ugly, wild, or gaudy fabrics are all welcome. If you dye your own fabric, or have access to fabrics dyed in color or value (light to dark) gradations, these may be useful. How much you need to bring will depend on how fast you work, how much variety you need to express yourself, how large you work, the capacity of your suitcase, and/or your mode of transportation. Large amounts of any one fabric will not be necessary. 1/4 yard to 1 yard cuts are recommended. Be sure your fabric collection includes some very light and very dark values, including black, as well as some "muddy" colors

* SEWING MACHINE: One that is friendly and well adjusted.   Must have zig-zag and free motion capability. You must know how to operate your sewing machine. If you already have the following feet, please bring them along: (a) Walking foot, (b) Open toed embroidery foot, (c) darning foot (open toed if you have both) (d) Couching foot, (e) Edge foot.

* JUICE: There will be good, color balanced lighting in the ceiling over each block of 4 tables. Overhead extension cords with three outlets will be available at each block of 4 tables. You may want to bring a small tap strip or surge protector if you will need more than one outlet, if you are bringing an extra light, or if you are using a computerized machine.

* Basic Sewing Kit for hand and machine sewing.

* Iron: (We will provide irons)

* Table Top Ironing Pad ( We will have large ironing tables available in the room)

* Scissors (paper and fabric)

* Scotch Brand Magic Tape

* Glue Stick

* Rotary Cutting Board and Ruler (We will have large cutting tables and rulers available in the classroom)

* Drawing Tools:
~ pen, pencil, ruler, eraser
~ black, fine point and ultra fine point, indelible markers
~ Colored Pencils
~ compass (one will be available in the class)
~ flexible curve (Available in the BPS shop)

* PAPER
~ Pad of Tracing Paper (thin, see-through paper)
~ 30-40 sheets of plain white 8½" x 11" (We will have extra copier paper in the classroom)
~ Freezer paper (We will have freezer paper in the classroom

* VISUAL REFERENCE MATERIALS:
~ 5-10 Magazines or Books with colored pictures, preferably nature or science (ie. National Geographic, Scientific American, Smithsonian, etc.) (We will have some books and magazines in the classroom, but you can't cut them up.)
~ Your own photographs of things that inspire you.

OPTIONAL
* Fleece, Cotton Batting, or flannel 1-2 yards (for pinning up your design)
* Small Portable Light Box (We will have two in the classroom)
* Overhead projector (We will have four in the classroom)
* Tear Away Stabilizer 1-2 yards heavy weight (Available in the BPS shop)
* "Wonder Under" or other paper-backed fusible web 1-2 yards (Available in the BPS shop)