In the summer sewing sessions I surprise the students. In addition to the basic sewing skills that are taught to new students in the summer, my annual students are always taught new surprise techniques.
I analyze their skill level, of which I know a lot, they have been with me for at least a year, and then decide what to teach them.
This year's summer class comprises students who have a relatively high level of sewing skills and they have been asking to learn how to do the wave landscape technique.
One of the techniques that they will be learning in the summer session is how to create a patchwork backpack with many pockets. So I decided to teach them how to create a wave landscape patchwork quilted piece of a finished size 20 - 25 cm which could be a panel on the bag or serve as one of the pockets.
They can keep it as an art piece as well. Once they have the skill they could also create another one in dfferent colors and sizes to incorporate into the backpack.
I told them that for their first learning sample they would have to do as I do. Choose fabrics from the scrap pile. Some were happy and some made faces. My philosophy is not new to them. Use what you have on hand when learning a new technique, and don't waste money.
I explain to them all the time, that an artist can create with anything if they put their minds to it. The art comes from within and we turn straw into gold.
I put the scrap box on the table and told them to choose. My usual rules apply, they choose and can bargain with each other for different colors. This time I threaded the sewing machines with a selection of different colored threads and told them that they could choose specific colors from the thread drawers.
I made a cup of coffee and watched them choosing and bargaining. Its always interesting to see their interactions. Some know exactly what they want, others have a vague idea and others take out a huge pile and go to a corner of the table and then choose. Before I even have a chance to say anything they are reprimanded by the group for being greedy.
One of them always chooses blues, He was the first one at the box and took out all the blues that he could find. He laid out some pieces, was satisfied and returned the rest to the scrap box. The sea
Another said that she wanted to create a beach I suggested that she pull out colors that remind her of sand and sea. The first piece that she chose was this, and she said that she wanted her beach to look like this, and there aren't enough fabrics in the box in the colors that she wants. So I asked her what colors she sees in the piece, and to choose colors similar to those from the box.
It is important to me that they learn 2 basic things, one, fabric is expensive and the second thing is to learn how to be creative with what one has on hand.
This is her beach
Another saw the dark orange, took it out, and then chose the other colors for summer.
He chose the 2 green pieces first and then the others.He likes flourescent green
My student who always chooses solids wanted something very neutral this time.
She pulled out the bright floral and the tans and then the others.
And this was the closest she could get to dark. She is into anything goth, and there were no blacks and dark greys in the box, so she asked everyone that if they saw dark pieces to please give them to her. She asked if I could thread one of the machines with a dark brown or even black thread so that she could darken the piece.
And as usual there is always that one student who couldn't care less about color choices. He just wants to learn as many techniques as possible. He pulls out a pile of strips and works with them. Somehow, though, his pieces always end up looking interesting. I wonder what color thread he will choose to sew and quilt with.
She calls this a cool garden and wants to quilt with pink thread. She is debating about the pink striped piece of fabric and said that she thinks that the pink quilting on top will pull it all together.
I hear myself when they speak. They do listen to me in class :)
She loves anything purple.
and this she calls twilight
They were each given a piece of batting and laid their colors out.
The batting is slightly larger than the template as it shrinks after the sewing of the strips and the quilting.
When my students create, what is important is to give them the technical ability and guidelines to create. The " how" of the work - how to sew the strips, how to iron them and how to cut them.
I don't interfere once they are working. I give them a few guidelines, and I give planning suggestions on the color placement and balance. I show them how I do it and show them examples of my color placement. I help them with the colors if they ask.
They could lay the pieces down randomly, some of them do that, but I ask them to think about the end result that they want to achieve when laying the pieces down, to take more time to plan their piece.
I suggest drawing and then coloring a pencil sketch of what they envision.
I show them how I do it
First my chosen fabrics
then the colored pencils
then the sketch - no matter how complicated or simple the idea, it helps to see the vision materialized into a sketch. That is the first step, then to play with colored pencils, then to sew the strips together, then to quilt.
I am waiting to see what rainbows they create.
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