Fabric Collage and Mixed Media Creations Workshop

Instructor: Jill Cope
Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm
2 days: April 26 to April 27
Location: In-person Williams Building room 357
$240 (supplies not included)
Prerequisite: None

In this hands-on and action-packed workshop, students will dive into the amazing world of fabric collage and mixed media. There is no end to what you can create with the treasure trove of items in your fabric and embellishment stash. Let’s bring them all together, learn and practice some new techniques, and at the end, you’ll walk out with your own fabric creations. No experience needed—just your sewing machine, your stash, and a sense of adventure!

We will do a few practice pieces to try out the techniques, and then students will have time to make their final project (please have an idea/rough sketch/photo of which theme you want to make so you can bring the appropriate materials to class; choose a simple subject you love: your pet, your house, birds, flowers, seascape, etc.

Syllabus

  • What is fabric collage and fabric mixed media
  • Colour and composition theories review
  • Fabric collage and mixed media warm-up exercises
  • Work on and complete final project of student’s choice
  • Techniques covered in class:
    • collaging
    • layering
    • beading
    • embellishing
    • simple embroidery stitches

Supplies

This Materials/Equipment list looks like a lot, but students are not required to bring it all; students may choose what they wish to play and create with.

Materials:

  • White cotton, fat quarters and miscellaneous fabric scraps (variety of colours)
  • Stabilizer/fusible web (light to medium weight)
  • Quilting batting/ commercial felt
  • Optional:
    • velvet
    • upholstery samples
    • tulle
    • organza
    • cheesecloth
    • brocade
    • denim
    • canvas
    • chenille
    • flannel
    • burlap
    • sheets/blankets/tablecloths (thrifted/repurposed)

Embellishments:

  • beads/buttons
  • embroidery thread and needle
  • lace/ribbon
  • wool/novelty yarn
  • Optional:
    • variegated or metallic threads
    • charms/sequins
    • rickrack/trim/sari silk

Equipment:

  • sewing machine (with extension cord)
  • variety of machine needles--regular and jean needles
  • sewing machine feet (applique foot, free motion foot if you want to do that type of sewing)
  • hand sewing/darning/beading needles
  • craft scissors
  • fabric scissors
  • self healing cutting mat/rotary cutter/ruler
  • pins
  • masking tape/painter’s tape
  • fabric glue stick/ ModgePodge
  • notebook
  • pen

Optional unconventional items:

  • feathers
  • cords/wires/washers
  • ephemera--candy wrappers, postage stamps, book pages, sheet music, ticket stubs, etc.
  • recycled jewellery
  • other knickknacks, doodads, and any other shiny things you have around the house

 

Note: Fabric may be sourced from your own stash, or at any of our local quilt/fabric stores. Recommended sources for fabric/embellishments: Nefelibata or thrift stores such as Value Village.