Landscape Art Quilting

WHO SHOULD ATTEND? This class is recommended for everyone! It’s designed for beginners, quilters, couples, or anyone wanting to learn a new technique and create personal art.

HOW DO I CREATE A FABRIC QUILT? Students will select their own favorite photo and use fabric to transform it into a beautiful art quilt. The process is simple!
Select your favorite photo, enlarge it into poster size (with free options on multiple websites), make a pattern from the poster, and learn a new fabric fusing process. Details will be added to each quilt with limited use of media.

WHAT WILL I LEARN IN EACH CLASS? The course includes six sessions of instruction, inspiration, skill building, practice, and encouragement. We will lay the foundation with pattern making, fabric fusing and selective media. We’ll complete the project by exploring thread painting, free motion quilting, and binding for display. My goal is for every student to create their own unique work of art, and to learn skills to explore textile art with confidence. Join us! We will have a fabulous time together!



CLASS 1 - GATHERING SUPPLIES AND INSPIRATION
Welcome to Landscape Art Quilts. We will explore fabric art and review the work
of international quilt artists and their methods. Come with a notebook and your
favorite photo (digital and an 8 x10 print). We’ll learn how to create patterns,
consider fabric and media choices and refine the essentials in our supply list. We’ll
review a variety of past student works. The “before and after” comparison is
impressive. Class members will have hands on experience in the basic process and
be ready to create. You’ll have a week before the next class to assemble your
artist’s station.

CLASS 2 - BUILDING YOUR ART QUILT & SUCCESSFUL FUSING
Let’s begin to use our new fusing process with success. We’ll explore tools, how to
build drama in your art, key elements in value and color, color shading, media
details, and employing the color wheel. Empower your critical eye to accomplish
trees, rocks, water, leaves, figures, skies, grasses, flowers and all elements in
nature.

CLASS 3 - THE ROLE OF MEDIA
Where and how do I use media in my quilt? We’ll discuss how to use artist grade
pencils, oil pastels and ink options for the greatest effect. What media should I
avoid? Your quilt will be 95% fabric but media will make an impressive
difference.

CLASS 4 - DEPICTING NATURE WITH A CRITICAL EYE
Let’s review how other landscape quilt artists have depicted nature. What made
their quilts so impressive? How do landscapes differ from still life subjects?
Together we will view a series of art quilt examples. Now it’s time to make the
final prep before quilting. I’ll review proper methods to heat set. We will discuss
blocking and making a quilt sandwich without pins. The proper finish work will
make an impactful difference in your art.

CLASS 5 - QUILTING AND FINISHING YOUR ART
Sewing machines are recommended but optional. Quilting is the final step in
creating your art. What media do we use before and after quilting? We will review
quilting techniques, successful free motion on standard machines, threads and
needles, thread painting, and finish media. Art quilts have a unique binding method
and we’ll finish with the proper quilt sleeves for show and display.

CLASS 6 – CELEBRATING OUR ART!
Sewing machines are recommended but optional. We will continue to work on
fusing, quilting and finish work during the first 2 hours of class. I will be available
for collaboration on completing the work. The final products will be displayed and
we will celebrate every accomplishment! What’s next to discover? Let’s look
beyond landscapes to still life in perspective, live subjects and concept quilts. The
goal is to complete our study with a desire to create more art!
Landscape art quilts are an exciting new way to create and experiment with
fabric. My goal is for every student to apply their experience as a quilter to
explore new tools, materials, and techniques and refresh their journey as a fabric artist.

• A digital and printed 8 x 10 of the picture you have selected for your quilt
• Ceramic Knife – (wait for class to see preferred options)
• “Misty Fuse” – A light bonding agent, available on Amazon (two students can easily share one package – wait for class)
• Selected saturated batiks with texture. Choose colors & value that are represented in your picture. You’ll want to collect about 30 fabrics. 
• Go through your stash and include any appropriate scraps. Purchase additional fabrics in ¼ yard or fat quarter amounts.
• Freezer paper
• Parchment paper
• A collection of mixed media for finishing touches including colored pencils, pastels and ink. (wait for class to see preferred options)
• Batting in silk or wool. (Wait for class. The batting depth depends on the subject matter. Animal subjects use a different batting than landscapes. Again, students can easily share a batting purchase.)
• Fabric backing for your quilt. Purchase enough to back your quilt plus 4” in length & width. Add an additional 2/3 yard of the same fabric for binding and a sleeve. I’ll make recommendations depending on quilt size.
• A variety of thread colors for quilting to complement your landscape fabrics. I use primarily embroidery threads because of the fine quality and array of colors. Thickness doesn’t matter.
  

• Sewing Machine, foot pedal and power cord - (Please be familiar with your sewing machine, we can possibly offer suggestions but we do not know the details of how all the different brands of sewing machines operate)
  
• 1/4” foot or 1/4” guide
• Coordinating Thread
• Microtex 80/12 Sewing Machine Needles
• Measuring Gauge - The Quilter's Lodge Throwing Star
• Seam Ripper
• 45mm Rotary Cutter or 60mm Rotary Cutter
• Scissors
• Wool Mat
• Small Iron
• Applique scissors and applique prongs or your favorite tweezers
  
  

Shared Cutting Mats, 6 1/2" x 24 1/2" Rulers with Handles, Irons,
Ironing Boards and Design Walls are supplied by The Quilter's Lodge

Melanie Squires has extensive sewing and fabric art experience including fashion design, quilt piecing, home textiles, free motion quilting and thread painting.  She studied landscape oil painting for five years with Anne Rhinehart and most recently studied fabric landscapes with Gloria Loughman and Sandra Mollon. Melanie earned BS degrees in Piano Performance and Pedagogy from University of Utah.  She taught classical piano in her private studio and at the university level.  Her experience as a musician, teacher and landscape artist brings a broad perspective to an exciting new textile adventure.  Bring your favorite photo and create a beautiful art quilt!