Layered and Stitched: Explorations in Collage

Collages tell the wonderful stories of us. We take bits of our history, the minutia of our daily lives, snips of memories, moments in time and lay them out to tell our story. We will use fabric, images, paper, stitch and our hearts to tell our unique story.

In this class, you will create a standing accordion book or a fabric book. You are welcome to create a wall piece if you prefer. We will begin by learning some basic design and composition skills and discuss the use of symbols and imagery to help tell our personal story. I will share with you my tools for overcoming the worry of where to start. You will create 3 or 4 beautiful mixed media collages that make up your book…share your history…tell your story.

We will explore image transfer techniques (including one developed by Liz), learn how to combine fabric, paper and other textures into the luscious layers of an intricate collage. We will investigate different ways to attach the bits and pieces of our history.  Stitching and embellishments are important to telling our personal story and a whole lot of fun! I have a plethora of embellishing techniques to share with you to help make your story come alive.

Student supply list:

• Theme: The most critical starting point for your book is your theme. Your theme can be a person, place, thing or idea, emotion, color.
• Fabrics:  Bring a grocery bag full of any fabrics that speak to your theme. There are no rules on the type of fabric you should bring. Cotton, silk, satin, vinyl, drapery, polyester, upholstery, leather, denim, vintage clothing, organza, lace, lutradur…can all be considered! The more variety you have the better BUT do not bring more than will fit in a paper grocery bag.
• For the accordion book…If you want to use the same fabric as the base on every page you will need about ½ yard
• Thread: A small assortment of decorative and/or utility threads. They should go with your theme as well as your colors.
• Stabilizers: light weight tear away stabilizer like Stitch-N-Tear
• If you want to make an accordion book: 1 yard of a heavy duty stabilizer like Peltex 72 or Fast 2 fuse. (available for purchase)
• Basic Sewing Kit: scissors, rotary cutter, small cutting mat, (if you want your own) hand-sewing needles, thimble, whatever you rely on for general sewing tasks. We have machines for class use but if you want to bring yours, be sure it is in good working order with all of your feet and attachments. Bring an assortment of sewing machine needles. Be sure to include a size 90 embroidery needle.
• Images: We will be exploring image transfers. I will bring a wide variety of images to play with. Please bring images you want to use on your laptop computer or on a flash drive. If you are using original photos please scan them first if you can.

Optional Supplies:

Total embellishments should not be more than a grocery bag full:

• Embellishments: There are no rules on embellishing: ribbons, vintage spoons, tree branches, old keys, beads, buttons, silk flowers, rick-rack, feathers, metal washers, bottle caps, rulers, toys, leaves, small stones…you get the point. Choose anything that speaks to your theme or anything that just seems interesting. Consider yourself a magpie gathering up treasures for your nest.
• Paper: Ephemera, scrapbook papers, chocolate wrappers, tissue paper, art papers…same as with the fabrics bring what seems like it might go with your theme or simply says pick me!
• Rubber Stamps and stamp pads: Images that relate to your theme. The best stamps for using on fabrics are fairly simple in design and deeply etched

Instructor: Liz Kettle

Instructor Bio: Why I Sew:

I have been intrigued with stitching since I was a child. I have never lost the feeling that something magical happens when you combine fabric and stitch. There are just so many possibilities….will this fabric want to be a bag, a journal cover, or a skirt or become part of a special story in collage? Fabric is such a malleable material. It can be draped, sculpted, textured or smooth. Stitching is so incredibly satisfying….why would anyone not sew?