Art Quilt Tahoe 2008    

COMPOSITION QUARTET: Four Techniques For Fused Quilts

Instructor: Sue Benner

- an inspiration for curvilinear design, photo or other image, e.g. Georgia O'Keeffe flower painting.

- 20-35 yards (or more) of Pellon Wonder-Under (the faster you work, the more you bring). Wonder-Under is made of a nylon called polyamide. If you cannot find this brand look for another product that is a paper backed polyamide web. (HINT: Watch for sales on Wonder-Under. I have bought it for half price at JoAnn's. Walmart and Hobby Lobby also carry it at a discount.) Do not bring Heat n' Bond. It is a different type of product;

- one 1/4” wide roll or partial roll of Stitch Witchery, this is also made of polyamide;

- FABRIC!!!! Bring an assortment of fabrics for the top of your quilted constructions. Remember that you can fuse fabrics that you can't piece, so be creative. The fabrics should be a variety of solids, near solids, small prints, large prints, plaids, etc., with a wide range of VALUE and color . Have fun with this! Keep in mind that you will be making a landscape if you want to use realistic colors. Please include some or all of the following:

• silk of all kinds, cotton, rayon, polyester, hand-painted or dyed fabrics
• a few sheers such as tulle, net, organza (poly or silk), chiffon (poly or silk)
• fun, fun fabrics, possibly recycled from thrift store clothes
• you can bring fabric that you have already fused for other quilts, or
• if you like to get a head start, fuse 7-10 fabrics, an area about 17” x 12” (do not pull off paper, transport flat or rolled

Pre-washing is not required, but I usually do, especially the recycled clothing and anything that I think is prone to bleed.

- 2 yards or more cotton backing fabric, darker fabrics a bit better;

- one full/queen-size cotton batting ( or six 24” x 24” scrap pieces of batting). To insure consistent results only bring 100% cotton batting such as Quilter's Dream Cotton or Fairfield Soft Touch. Some batts contain polyester or a scrim that can cause problems, like dimpling or warping (Warm ‘N Natural has such a scrim. If it is all you can get, we can deal with it.);

- press cloth of 100% cotton long staple cotton (like pima), pre-washed, approximately 18” x 18,” white color best. If you don't have any pima, don't go out and buy any, just bring another pre-washed white cotton instead; Teflon press sheet;

- pencil and paper, masking tape;

- steam iron;

- old 100% cotton sheet or 1 yard of 100% cotton fabric in a solid color, preferably white (this is a “junker” fabric, just an ironing surface). Part of the cotton batting and this cotton sheet or fabric will be used to create an ironing/design surface on your work table;

- sharp scissors (one large, one small), cutting mat, rotary cutter (a large and very small, 18mm, would be ideal), and gridded straight edge (actually, any gridded squares and rulers you like to rotary cut with);

- extension cord and outlet strip, unless furnished by class.

OPTIONAL, but HELPFUL SUPPLIES:

- reducing glass or other type of reducing viewer;

- slides of your work, digital images, actual quilts, or portfolio;

- digital camera, highly suggested;

- about 5 manila folders or gallon plastic bags for storing fused scraps;

- old blouses or other clothing to add to class stash, silks best, but other interesting fabrics welcome;

- tacking or sealing iron (brand name, Hobbico); and tube of iron cleaner (for a fusing slip-up);

- portable sewing light;

- X-acto knife (helpful to cut intricate designs);

- a sewing machine is not required, but please bring it if you have the room. If you do bring your machine, the following supplies are suggested:

• basic sewing machine and hand sewing supplies, darning or free-motion quilting foot, even-feed (walking) foot, couching foot if you have one, machine needles for quilting (e.g., Schmetz Stepp-Nadel Quilting Needles, Microtex or Jeans needles, Organ titanium coated needles are good, too);

• 10-20 colors of cotton, rayon, polyester, and metallic threads (do not buy new thread for this class, just bring what you can and appropriate needles, topstitch or metallic); embroidery floss and needles for hand sewing are optional;

SUPPLIES I WILL HAVE ON HAND: digital camera, a limited amount of Wonder-Under and Stitch Witchery, and interesting fabric scraps.

Please email or call if you have any questions about the supply list!

CLASS FEE: none