In Person or Virtual
A collage of eight abstract fabric patterns with green, yellow, white, and black colors, featuring plant motifs, geometric shapes, and textured designs.

Captivating Compositions

Create eight 6x6” fabric sketches inspired by eight design guides. Suitable for all levels.

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About this workshop

A lively introduction to design and composition

Explore eight design guides that get the creative juices flowing. Look at examples of captivating compositions from fine art and the quilt world. Create a “sketch” for each of the design guides using fused fabrics. Learn to edit, audition and improvise using a super helpful design checklist. Consider adding details with machine and hand stitching. Your completed set of fabric sketches can be used for reference and inspiration for future art quilts.

Workshop at a Glance

  • Focus: fused appliqué, composition, stitch as a design element, hand embroidery, design review

  • Duration — 1 day

  • Skill Level — All levels welcome

  • Project — eight 6x6” fabric sketches

  • Format — In person or virtual

  • Fees — $750 virtual · $850 in person

In the workshop

What the Workshop Looks Like

From finished samples to works in progress, here's a look at the creative process we explore together.

What to bring

Supply List

Required

  • five pieces of pre-fused fabrics approximately 12x13”
    Consider picking a focus fabric and building the other four fabrics around that with small tone on tone prints or solids. At least one fabric should be dark and one should be light. Fabrics don’t need to be measured exactly. Large scale multi-color pints can be tricky for this project. Apply fusible web to the back of your fabrics before the workshop.

  • eight 6.5 x 6.5ish inch pieces of batting or felt any color

  • card stock window
    Using an 8.5 ×11” piece of card stock paper, mark a 6x6” square and cut it out, leaving an opening to help with design decisions.

  • iron and ironing surface

  • parchment paper

  • embroidery floss and/or perle cotton
    A sandwich size plastic bag full of floss will give you lots of options. Choose darks and lights in a variety of colors. If you don’t have embroidery floss in your stash, I suggest bringing 3 to 5 skeins in a variety of colors.

  • embroidery needle

  • thimble, needle threader and stitching glasses if you use them regularly

  • scissors, large and small

  • rotary cutter, ruler (6x12 is great), small rotary mat

  • sketchbook, pen and pencil

Optional

Tip: Watch these Videos

Watch this video for a short workshop description.

Watch this video to help you choose fabric and prepare your supplies.

Follow the instructions in this video for fusing your fabrics ahead of time.

A woman with shoulder-length gray hair, glasses, and earrings is smiling and taking a selfie while sitting on a dark blue couch. She is wearing a green, short-sleeved, buttoned blouse and dark jeans. Behind her, there are shelves filled with colorful yarn and yarn balls.

About Deborah

Deborah is an artist, author, and teacher whose art quilt collages are known for their bold use of color, layered texture, and personal storytelling. She has taught workshops for guilds and groups across the country for over two decades.

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