Upcoming Live & On-Demand Virtual Workshops
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“Sheila is an inspiring teacher with a big give. She has presented a comprehensive, fun, challenging and surprisingly addictive process of painting with fabrics. I was first impressed with Sheila’s quilts and wondered how they were built. I tried to teach myself modern quilt making by watching Youtube videos. I did do some experimenting with some of the tips I picked up, but nothing stuck, that is until I found Sheila’s workshop. First I took the fabric dyeing online workshop. Here she also breaks with tradition in presenting an unorthodox original technique for dyeing cotton. Her methods are simple and easy to bring into your studio practice. I am indebted to Sheila for her generous hands-on-approach to teaching and inspiring her students to leap into the unknown—souring thru fabrics into their own magical world of slice and stitch.” Robin M Jordan
To view more student work and testimonials, click here.
Upcoming In-Person Workshops
Coming soon!
Book me for a Workshop!
Independent Study
(All levels, 3-5 days)
Have your started a new quilt top but don’t know where to go next? Do you feel stuck, and need help putting everything together? Do you enjoy being part of a group where students inspire each other? If so, this workshop is for you!
This is a workshop designed to assist you in the completion of a “pieced” quilt in progress. You may also choose to start something new. This course is for those that are enjoy improvising and would like guidance on everything from color choices to how to construct your quilt top as well as the actual quilting.
Each student works on their own project, and while there won’t be any formal instruction from me, I will be there to guide you every step of the way. I will demonstrate techniques upon request and students may choose to join in or continue working on their piece.
At the end of each day, I will critique each student’s work, and together we’ll decide on next steps.
Each student will be contacted just ahead of the workshop. At that time, you can share with me what you’d like to work on and I will be better equipped to support you.
Lines and Curves
(All Levels, 2-5 days)
Students will combine thick and thin lines with curved pieces and assemble the quilt top in rows. There are infinite possibilities. Sheila will demonstrate construction techniques for sewing curved seams and discuss some of the challenges you may run into with spontaneous design and piecing.
Quiet with a Pop
(All Levels, 5 days)
Using predominately neutral, quiet colors as the background, students will create a focal point with bold color and extend that color through the piece in a balanced manner. Sheila will demonstrate construction techniques for sewing curved seams and discuss some of the challenges you may run into with spontaneous design and piecing.
Improv Blocks
(All Levels, 2-5 days)
Students will create improv blocks to be used in a small or large piece. The blocks may vary in size and shape and can be very complex or quite simple. This is a great class for becoming comfortable with the process of creating without an initial plan, while at the same time, retaining a little structure. Sheila will demonstrate construction techniques for sewing curved seams and discuss some of the challenges you may run into with spontaneous design and piecing.
Creating from a Nucleus
(Master Class - Adventurous beginners welcome, 5 days)
Explore the mystery and excitement of creating a pieced abstract quilt with little or no plan. Students will learn to start from the center and create a quilt top in a very organic way. We will discuss basic design and composition, color and value, quilting, and most importantly trusting your instincts. Sheila will demonstrate construction techniques for sewing curved seams and discuss some of the challenges you may run into with spontaneous design and piecing. This is a Master Class, but confident beginners are absolutely welcome.
Express Your True Self: One Piece at a Time
(Confident beginners-advanced, 5 days)
Explore the mystery and excitement of creating a pieced abstract quilt with little or no plan. Students will be given several options in which to compose their design, and choose whatever feels right for them. We will discuss basic design and composition, color and value, quilting, and most importantly trusting your instincts. Sheila will demonstrate construction techniques for sewing curved seams and discuss some of the challenges you may run into with spontaneous design and piecing. This can be a Master Class, or beginner, and every level in between. Wherever you are is where we will start from. Each student receives ample one-on-one time in this workshop.
Appliqué + Piecing = New Possibilities
(All Levels, 5 days)
In this workshop, students will compose a design, create a full-scale pattern on freezer paper, and assemble the forms using a technique called Appli-piecing, originally developed by Caryl Bryer Fallert-Gentry.
By using this technique, you can bring almost any complex abstract idea into quilt form. You will retain a clean, graphic look and when complete, you will have a quilt top pieced together with a 1/4” seam allowance.
As I guide students in creating a simple or complex design, I will encourage that the process is undertaken with openness and ease. Students will play with shape, scale and movement. We will also discuss creating a value study, and then choosing your palette.
Students will be provided with small compositions to assemble and become comfortable with the technique before they start designing. In addition, I will present a slideshow that illustrates the steps in the process.
It is my desire to bring something fresh and new into this world, and encourage my students to do the same. While this technique requires planning and a pattern, you can be very free with your drawing and have fun while doing it!