What to expect...

I have mustered all the courage I have and sent off emails to a lot of people telling them that I am interested in teaching at their guild/retreat/shop... actually anywhere that people (if any) are ready to come and learn from me!!!

So, I thought it would be good to write a post about what you can expect if you invite me to teach.

I do teach a number of classes locally (in India), but for the international ones, I have chosen two that I feel reflect my best works! 

So first up, ABSTRACT Expressions

This quilt is inspired by the work of the Canadian artist Martina Shapiro. The process of making this quilt was just so much fun that I had to share it with others!

The plus point

This is a GREAT workshop for beginners!!! If you can sew a straight line, you can do it!
You DO NOT need to be an artist!!! No sketching/drawing/painting experience necessary!!!

I conduct this workshops in two formats.

First is the TWO day format. Here is how it goes :

This workshop is divided into four quarters. In the first quarter, we will be talking about basics of Expressionism and Fauvism. We will also discuss the basics of portraiture and the effects of light on the faces. 

We will then spend some time getting acquainted with the process of portraits by Martina Shapiro. Playing with acrylic paints comes next before lunch time!

By the end of the first quarter the students will have made an abstract portrait in paint.

This is the time when people start having a little confidence in themselves (and me). 

In the second quarter, we will begin working with fabric. And by the end of the first day, we will be done creating the outline of the face the students will make into a quilt.

On the second day, students start working on the colors of the face. This is the most interesting process, as they think about colors and the way they blend. It is absolutely fascinating to see how faces and their expressions evolve! And this part of the workshop gives me pure joy!!! 

At the end of the two days, the class  leaves with  completed portrait quilts. Each quilt is unique and I find that more often than not, you can find a glimpse of the maker in their quilt! By this time, the fears of making a 'portrait' are all gone and people are already wondering what their next portrait will look like.

I also have a shorter version of this class that I conduct. I do prefer the TWO day format though. It makes it fun for the beginners as well as the experienced quilters!

In the ONE day class, We skip the painting part. The students just sketch the portraits in their notebooks and get started on the fabric portrait. Also, we discuss the details about Expressionism and Fauvism while the students work on their portraits instead of keeping dedicated time for it.

This class might feel a little rushed for some people, but they can always get in touch with me via email if they have any doubts.

In both the classes, I have also (now) prepared handouts that I give to the students for them to understand the process better.

Click here to download the supply list for this class.

Now we come to my second class ABOUT face

This class is based on the REVERSE Applique technique that I teach in my eBook ABOUT face.

It is my claim that this is the fastest method one can use to make a portrait quilt. You DO NOT have to be an artist. You DO NOT need to know how to draw.

How fast, you want to know - It took me 3 months of working 3-4 hours of work everyday (it amounts to about 270 hours) to make the portrait of Dada Ajoba. But the iQuilt, which has 3 shades, took me just 7 days with 1-2 hours of work everyday (about 10-14 hours) and the Alex Veronelli quilt, with 5 shades, took me 3 weeks with 5-6 hours every WEEK (15-18 hours). Can you make a portrait quilt faster than that?

If you know how to do 'follow the lines' Free Motion Quilting, and you wish to make a portrait quilt. This is definitely the class for you. 

The first quarter will be all about taking/ selecting  photographs, editing and printing them. By the end of the first quarter we will finish copying the image onto the base fabric.

In the second quarter, we will be stitching the design and we will start cutting away unwanted fabric, revealing the design underneath.

This is a class where the students are much more busy than I am!!! As they cut away layer(s) of fabric, they are simply overjoyed to see their portraits taking shape! By the end of the third quarter the design will be all cut away!!! And the quilt top will be ready!

In the last quarter, the students will learn how to quilt the face so that they can enhance their work even further.

At the end of the TWO day workshop, the students will leave with a finished portrait quilt of about 24" x 30" in 2-3 colors.

I guarantee that you will finish the quilt if you make it in 2 colors. But if you want to make a  quilt  in 3 colors, you might have to go home with just the quilt top (finished) and you can continue doing the FMQ at home.

Click here to download the supply list for this workshop.

If you need any more information about my workshops, please feel free to email me.

Workshop announcement

Its a pleasure to announce details of my upcoming workshop. This will be the first workshop post my Austin trip and I want my fellow quilters to partake my enthusiasm and learn from my Quiltcon trip.

Details:

Venue: 1075/5, Agarwal Residence, Gokhale Cross Road, Near Om Super Market, Model Colony, Pune 411016

Dates; 25th  and 26th April'15

Time; 0900 hrs to 18:00 hrs

The workshop is in two independent parts and you can choose to attend either one or both of them as per your need and convenience.

Day1(25th April): Improvised Modern Quilts

 

 

On this day you will learn the liberating technique of making stunning modern quilts without measuring when you cut. This method frees your mind and let's your creativity guide you. Everyone uses the same fabric but the results are dramatically different. 

At the end of the day you will complete a mini-quilt or a table runner TOP.

Day2:(26th April): Fun with Free Motion Quilting

On this day, I will teach you how to plan and execute stunning FMQ designs. I will teach you how to compose designs that complement the quilt design. I will teach you how to quilt so that you decide what you want to focus on rather than just doing a single extensive FMQ design.

At the end of the day you will learn 8 basic FMQ designs that you will apply when designing the quilting of your quilt top.

Hoping I will see you at one of the workshops!
Drop me a line for details!

Cheers!!!

Excitement, unlimited....

There are some things in life that are wonderful, some fabulous and some others that you cannot find words to describe in any language!

I just had one such experience!!!

Bernina India had organized a quilting workshop by the very talented INDIAN quilter, Paramjeet Bawa... I signed up even before I gave it a thought...

But what I did not expect was that I would be totally blown off by what I see and experience!!!

On the first day, we learnt how to make Confetti Quilts & Metal Works!!!
What awesome and versatile techniques!!!

Here are a few pictures from the first day!!!

First - Confetti Quilt!!!

We had a great time chopping away fabric!!!

It would be a great thing to do when you're angry with someone!

These are the beauties that we all created - Can you guess which one's mine???

Its the top right one!

Here it is hanging in my living room!!!

Next was Metal Works

It was a bit complex and scary at first, but gradually we got the hang of it!

I dont know how far I'll be using it on actual quilts, but who knows!!!

Paramjeet is an excellent teacher! She not only taught us the techniques, but also helped us work out what works for us the best!!!

Here's my metal works sample!

On the second day, we learnt the technique she has used to make her award winning quilt : The Dust Storm
Stress Free Curves

This was a new to me technique that uses Freezer Paper for (sort of) needle turned appli-piecing!

 

It took a while for us to get the hang of it, but when we did it, there was just no looking back!

 

Paramjeet was patient while we asked her all our stupid doubts and took us through the complex and the simple steps with an ease!!!

In the end everything worked out fine!!!

Here's the piece I made at the workshop!!!

I can see a lot of possibilities for this technique... My head has been buzzing non-stop since Saturday and I have a whole list of projects lined up in my head!!!

The happy class after the workshop!!!

Bernina India did an awesoem job of organizing the event... Not only did they provide us with all the material we needed - sewing machines, thread, cutting mats, rulers etc, but also with some delicious home made food!!! I can still feel the taste of the Moong Halwa made my the lovely Mrs Gupta (wife of Mr Ajay Gupta of Bernina India). It was a fantastic experience!!!

This was the first quilting class that I took, and now I know why it is important that you learn from an expert. It does make a difference. Looking at Paramjeet's work made me realize I have to take mine up a few notches to make that quality of work! I need to work harder, I need to finish my projects better and most of all - add labels and sleeves to everything I make!!!

Thank you Paramjeet, for being my mentor. I will try my best to make you proud!!!