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 Textile Evolution

Liz Kettle Artist, Author and Creator of the Stitch Meditation process

Confident students create enthusiastic customers who are excited to try new products as they build their stash of supplies.

Fabric Embellishing: The Basics and Beyond

In this one day class you will introduce your students to some great new concepts and revisit some favorite traditional techniques including creating a sample book for techniques, image transfer, weaving fabrics, silk cocoons and rods, hand stitching and many more. This class can easily be adapted to showcase the embellishment supplies you carry in your store. This class can be done with or without sewing machines and you may want to consider creating kits to entice students to play with embellishments they may be hesitant to invest in before they know how fun they are.

Bodacious Beading

From subtle to outrageous, beading is a fabulous way to embellish your work. You will learn the basic techniques that are the foundation of all beading on fabric. These stitches all start simply and can be added onto to create intricate bead effects. Using my book First Time Beading on Fabric we learn seed stitching, moss stitch, couching, backstitch, fringe, picot and peyote stitches as well as how to incorporate bugle beads. We will make a fun little reference book so you will always have all of your bead techniques close at hand.

Delectable Cloth and Papers

Discover the delights of creating your own unique fabrics with a combination of gelatin plate mono-printing and screen printing. Gelatin plate printing is a fun and easy method of mono-printing that results in surprises and delights. Create unique textures and patterns using found objects (aka-junk), stamps, stencils and resists or masks. Screen printing uses a fine mesh screen to create graphic images on fabric or paper. We will explore traditional screen printing as well as thermofax screen printing techniques. We use some of the same found objects, stencils and resists to create a one of a kind delectable cloth or to layer on top of our gelatin printed fabric.

Journals and Sketchbooks for the Fabric Artist

Mention journaling and sketching to most fiber artists and you may hear whining and groaning. “I don’t write! I can’t draw.” But, journaling can be beneficial to the creative process. I will introduce a new way to journal. First we will make a fabulous fabric cover for our journals. Then, we show fiber artists how to journal using their fabrics and threads as well as paints, stamps and paper. We will also try out collage techniques, stamps and paint. Journaling is about exploring not just writing! Before you know it, you’ll be journaling every day as part of your creative endeavors!

Layer it up!

Layering is the magical component that brings a collage to life, adds depth, emotion and allows it to tell our story. However, layering does not always come easily. In this class we will explore the concepts of layering: both visual layers and physical layers. We will have a crash course in collage design and composition with a focus on exactly what makes a great collage.

There are so many exciting techniques to use in mixed-media collages. We will learn and play with a few of my favorites while we create a small collage using your personal photo or one of mine.  Techniques will include but not necessarily be limited to, image transfer and direct printing to various substrates, ideas for transparent layers, incorporating paper, lutradur and metal in your work, and of course a little beading and hand stitching.

This class is textile based and will include a little stitching but artists in all mediums are welcome to play, explore and create with us. We will conquer any stitching fears you have.

Metal Explorations

Metal mesh and thin sheet metal are full of exciting possibilities in mixed media work. Metal can give a natural and organic feel to your work or exhibit a sophisticated modern aura. We will learn some easy methods to patina metal and work with images or personal symbols. Simple attachment techniques will help us layer our metal pieces with fabric and paper we will create unique pieces to adorn a journal.

Silk Dreams (3 hour)

Nothing compares to the lustrous color and feel of silk. In this class, we will create silk paper that is also a fabric! We use luscious hand dyed silk hankies, roving and rods.  A wet laminating process allows us to layer fibers to create beautiful ethereal fabrics for embellishment as well as thicker fabric suitable for substrates and vessels. You will have the option of making a small bowl. You will make 4-6 sheets of delicious silk fabric/paper for your fabric and mixed media art. Use these silk papers in collage, as embellishment, journal covers and vessels.

Voyage to India: An exploration of image transfer

India is an inspiring land of incredible beauty and color. With the colors and sights of this luscious country as our muse we will explore image transfer techniques while we create a gorgeous reference book to hold our experiments. We will learn 8 different methods for transferring photos and other imagery on to fabric, paper and metal.  Learn the ins and outs of ink jet printer inks and which products produce the results you are looking for.  Create collages on each page of your sample book using your transferred images, paper, fabric and embellishments. Technique notes can be stored in pockets to make this book a valuable reference tool. 

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