Schedule
2014
Uncommon Threads Quilt Guild
Memphis, TN
retreat Nov. 7-9, 2014
Desert Quilters of Nevada
Henderson, NV
program Oct. 16, 2014: The Artist in You
workshop Oct. 17, 2014: November Leaves
workshop Oct. 18, 2014: TBA
Durham-Orange Quilters
Chapel Hill, NC
program Sept. 15, 2014 (PENDING)
Village Quilters
Loudon, TN
Sept. 11-13, 2014 (PENDING)
Old Church Gallery Quilters Guild
Floyd, VA
May 5-6, 2014 (PENDING)
Capital Quilters
Raleigh, NC
April 17-19, 2014
Forsyth Piecers & Quilters
Winston-Salem, NC
April 14-15, 2014
Charlotte Quilters’ Guild
Charlotte, NC
program April 3, 2014
workshop April 5, 2014
workshop April 6, 2014
Cutting Edge Quilt Group
Reedville, VA
three-day workshop March 11-13, 2014
Narragansett Bay Quilters
Narragansett Bay, RI
Feb. 20-21, 2014
Port St. Lucie Crazy Quilters
Port St. Lucie, FL
Feb. 6-8, 2014
Quilters Guild of Plano
Plano, TX
program Jan. 9
workshop Jan. 10
workshop Jan. 11
2013
Once in a Blue Moon Fiber Art Retreat
Blowing Rock, NC
Nov. 13: Free-style Embroidery Apron
Nov. 14: Wholecloth Painting: Botanicals
Nov. 15: Thread Sketching: Snowflakes
PRO Chemical & Dye
Fall River, MA
3-day workshop Sept. 25-27, 2013:
Wholecloth Painted Quilts: Realistic Subjects
Brandywine Valley Quilters
Thornton, PA
program Sept. 10: Point, Click, Quilt!
Calico Cutters Quilt Guild
West Chester, PA
workshop Sept.10, 2013
program Sept. 11, 2013
Ladybug Quilt Guild
Newark, DE
program Sept.9, 2013 (PENDING)
Frisco Quilt Guild
Dallas, TX
August 23-25, 2013 (PENDING)
Lake Norman Quilters
Featured Artist, Quilt Show
Mooresville, NC
August 16-17, 2013
Taupo Symposium 2013
Taupo, New Zealand
July 18-23, 2013
July 19: Wholecloth Painting: Botanicals
July 20: Thead Sketching: Dragonfly
July 21: Surface Design Madness
July 22: Start With a Photo: Round Red Barn
July 23: Needleturn Applique
Beach Cities Quilters Guild
Mission Viejo, CA
program June 13, 2013
workshop June 14, 2013: details TBA
workshop June 15, 2013: details TBA
Orange County Quilters
Orange County, CA
program June 11, 2013: Point, Click, Quilt!
workshop June 12, 2013: Start With a Photo
Quilting Adventures
Deep Woods Retreat, Smithville, TX
June 3-6, 2013
Wholecloth Painting and Thread Sketching
NC Quilt Symposium 2013
Fayetteville, NC
May 24: Paint & Stitch: Peacock Feather
May 25 (am lecture): Point, Click, Quilt!
May 25 (pm) and May 26 (am): Wholecloth Painting: Botanicals
Australasian Quilt Convention
Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
April 18-21, 2013
April 18: Wholecloth Painting: Botanicals
April 19: Thread Sketching: Cripps Pink Apple
April 20: Wholecloth Painting: Still Life
April 21: Thread Sketching: Dragonfly
Champlain Valley Quilt Guild
Burlington, VT
program April 2, 2013: The Artist in You
workshop April 3: Wholecloth Painting: Botanicals
workshop April 4: details TBA
Sandhill Quilters Guild
Pinehurst, NC
program: March 19: The Artist in You
workshop: March 20: Thread Sketching: Dragonfly
Peninsula Piecemakers
Newport News, VA
program: March 8
workshop: March 9: Thread Sketching: Dragonfly
workshop: March 11: Start With a Photo
program: March 12: The Artist in You
Friendship Knot Quilters’ Guild
Sarasota, FL
program Feb. 18, 2013: Point, Click, Quilt!
workshop Feb. 18: Paint & Stitch: Peacock Feather
workshop Feb. 19: November Leaves
Honeybees Quilt Retreat
Jacksonville, FL
Feb. 7: Peacock Feather
Feb. 8: November Leaves
Feb. 9: Round Red Barn
Feb. 10: Cripps Pink Apple
Venice Area Quilters’ Guild
Venice, FL
January 22-23
2012
Hudson River Valley
Fiber Art Workshops
Greenville Arms 1889 Inn
Upstate NY
December 9–15, 2012
Five day workshop
York County Quilters
Rock Hill, SC
program Nov. 19: Thread Sketch It!
Lincoln Quilters Guild
Lincolnton, NC
program Nov. 15: Point, Click, Quilt!
Palmetto Quilt Guild
Hilton Head Island, SC
program October 18, 2012
workshop October 19, 2012
Once in a Blue Moon
Fiber Art Retreat
Black Mountain, NC
October 4-7, 2012
West Michigan Quilter’s Guild
Grand Rapids, MI
program Sept. 25: The Artist in You
workshop Sept. 25: Thread Sketching
workshop Sept. 26: Wholecoth Painting: Botanicals
Charlottesville Area Quilters Guild
Charlottesville, VA
program Sept. 14, 2012: The Artist in You
workshop Sept. 14, 2012: Wholecloth Painting: Botanicals
workshop Sept. 15, 2012: Start With A Photo
Randolph Quilters Guild
Asheboro, NC
Sept. 6-7, 2012: details TBA
International Quilt Convention – Africa
Johannesburg, South Africa
workshop July 27: Thread Sketching: Dragonfly
workshop July 28: Start with a Photo: Round Red Barn)
workshop July 29: Thread Sketching: Let it Snow!
Quilt Guild of Greater Houston
Houston, TX
program July 17, 2012: Thread Sketch It!
workshop July 18: Thread Sketching: Dragonfly
Lakeview Quilters
Webster, TX
workshop July 15: Thread Sketching: Let it Snow!
workshop July 16: Thread Sketching: Dragonfly
program July 16: Thread Sketch it!
Vermont Quilt Festival
Colchester, VT
June 28, 2012: Machine Quilting 101 (all day)
June 29: Start With a Photo (all day)
June 30: Thread Sketching: Dragonfly (all day)
July 1: Surface Design Madness (half day)
Western NC Quilters Guild
Hendersonville, NC
program June 21: The Artist in You
workshop June 22: Needleturn Applique
The Netherlands
March 22 - April 6, 2012
workshops scheduled March 24, 25, 26, 28, 31
and April 1 at Cordi-atelier, Groningen;
and April 2 and 3 in Bunschoten.
Naples Quilters Guild
Naples, FL
program March 15: The Artist in You
workshop March 16: TBA
workshop March 17: TBA
Foothills Quilters Guild
Shelby, NC
presentation Feb. 16: Point, Click, Quilt!
workshop Feb. 18: Start With a Photo
Cabarrus Quilters Guild
Concord, NC
program Feb. 13: Thread Sketch It!
workshop Feb. 14: Thread Sketching: Dragonfly
Palmer Divide Quilt Guild
Palmer Divide, CO
program Feb. 2: The Artist In You
workshop Feb. 3: Thread Sketching: Dragonfly
private workshop Feb. 4: Wholecloth Painting
Burke Quilters Guild
Morganton, NC
program Jan. 23: Yes, You Can Do Needleturn Appliqué!
workshop Jan. 24: Thread Sketching: Cripps Pink Apple
Mooresville Centerpiece
Quilters Guild
Mooresville, NC
program Jan. 9: Point, Click, Quilt!
workshop Jan. 30: Surface Design Madness
Comments on guild presentations and classes
“This year, I finally decided I’d give appliqué another shot (after years of saying I can’t do needleturn, my hands don’t work that way). Well… THANKS TO YOU, I now have another obsession! I have spent every evening sitting and stitching! And it’s all your fault! Seriously though, the overlay method and changing the needle size, as well as ‘grabbing’ the fabric and not swishing it have made all the difference!”
— Judy Whitehead,
Lake Norman Quilters, Mooresville, NC
“The guild gave you wonderful reviews for both the lecture and the class. I heard comments like, ‘That was the best class we ever had’ and “Wow, we need to have Susan back again.’ It certainly was the best response to a class that I ever heard!”
— Betsy Rutledge, Program Chair,
Quilters of Kershaw County, SC
“I and the rest of the MCQG members thank you for your terrific program. It was entertaining, educational, inspirational and, in general, a real knockout. All comments have been positive plus. Your whole talk was interesting in how it covered your beginnings and progress, and you were especially generous in showing how you actually make the various components of your quilts. I can’t think of anything to change about your talk, and I think the whole group could have listened to and questioned you for a longer time. It is too bad we had all that quilt show business to spend time on, for I would love to have been able to pick your brain some more. Thank you again, and I will spread the word to other guild program chairmen about one of our very best programs.”
— Amy Barnhardt, Program Chair,
Mooresville Centerpiece Quilters Guild, NC
“Thank you so much for the program you gave last night to the Forsyth Piecers & Quilters Guild. Even though I’m one of those who feels I don’t have ‘an artist within,’ I thoroughly enjoyed the program and yes — I’m inspired! Thanks for coming to Winston– Salem.”
— Carolyn Bailey, Forsyth Piecers & Quilters Guild, Winston-Salem, NC
“It seems that after every workshop, there is always a comment that if everyone just knew what they were missing, more would sign up! I believe that is true and especially in this case. So many people will be pea green with envy after they hear about the workshop. Thanks again.”
— Wynnell Shows, Program Chair,
York County Quilters, Rock Hll, SC
“Last night I attended a terrific guild meeting. Susan Brubaker Knapp showed slides of her work and lectured about art quilts. It was really an amazing presentation, and if you’re looking for someone in NC to come
and speak, she’s definitely worth having.… this is what I loved about Susan’s lecture and slides - she does both [traditional quilts and art quilts]! … Susan Brubaker Knapp gave me a lot to think about. Thanks Susan!”
— Leah Day, Day Style Designs Quilting,
Foothills Quilters Guild, Shelby, NC
“Just wanted to thank you for coming to our guild. I’ve had lots of comments about the presentation and how great they thought it was. I also know the class members enjoyed your instructions and tips. I’m sure some of them will have their quilts done by the August meeting for show and tell! I’ll be talking to people about bringing you back for the surface design class. It really sounds like fun!”
— Sharon Clayton, Program Chair,
The Village Quilters, Loudon, TN
For details, please e-mail me at: susan@bluemoonriver.com
PRESENTATIONS
Point, Click, Quilt!
A one-hour digital slide show and trunk show based on my book, Point, Click, Quilt! This lecture focuses on tips for taking better photographs, and then turning them into art quilts. This is an inspirational and detailed look at my process: tracing the photo; enlarging the line drawing; using it to trace the fused applique pieces for the quilt; creating a positioning overlay; and then cutting, positioning and fusing the pieces before thread sketching and quilting. A trunk show of pieces from the slideshow and additional work follows, and questions are welcome.
The Artist in You
A one-hour digital slide show and trunk show. I describe my personal journey from that of a traditional quilter to an artist who makes both traditional quilts and art quilts. I start with a digital slideshow, which shows my work and some of the techniques I use. Then I do a trunk show and a question-and-answer session. The focus is on ways for traditional quilters to become more creative by embracing their own “inner artist.” It is my goal to inspire and encourage quilters to try making an art quilt for several reasons: to challenge themselves, to unleash their innate creativity, to learn new techniques, to discover things about themselves through art, and to share their view of the world with others.
Thread Sketch it!
A one-hour digital slide show and trunk show. I cover what thread sketching is (and isn’t!), preparing your piece for thread sketching, stabilizers, types of threads and thread weights, sewing machine considerations, great tools, and how to add wonderful detail to your piece with thread, including color, line, pattern, texture, dimension and movement. I’ll also address getting over your fear of trying free-motion stitching. This presentation covers much of what I wrote about in my series of six articles for Quilting Arts magazine in 2010, and in the two Quilting Arts Workshop DVDs on the subject I produced in 2009 and 2010.
Yes, You Can do Needleturn Appliqué!
A one-hour digital slide show and trunk show. I walk you through my method of doing needleturn appliqué. I cover all the basics: fabric choice and preparation; several ways of making templates (or, better yet, working without templates at all!); creating positioning overlays; doing reverse applique; and stitching precise concave and convex points, curves, beautiful circles and bias vines. You’ll learn about the little details and tools that make all the difference: knots (starting and stopping), threads, needles, pins, sand boards, and marking devices. I finish with a trunk show and question-and-answer session. My love and enthusiasm for needleturn applique is infectious…Those in your group who admire needleturn appliqué but are terrified to try may just decide to jump in!
I am completely booked for 2013.
2014 presentation is $475
2015 presentation is $500
WORKSHOPS
In my workshops, I strive to provide professional instruction in a supportive, friendly atmosphere. I encourage students to push themselves beyond their comfort zones to learn new things and improve their skills, and to have fun doing it.
I am completely booked for 2013.
2014 workshops: 3-hour workshop is $450; 6-hour workshop is $650
2015 workshops: 3-hour workshop is $500; 6-hour workshop is $750
For engagements requiring more than four hours of travel, I require a minimum booking of one lecture and two six-hour workshops. For details on additional fees (mileage, travel, acccommodations, etc.), please contact me, or click on the “Download my contract” blue boxes in the upper right.
Need to accommodate more than 20 students? Depending on the class and venue, I am sometimes able to do this for an additional charge per student. Just ask!
Thread Sketching: Snowflakes
Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! Whip up your very own flurry in this class, using thread, fabric and a tiny bit of paint. $3 kit fee includes interfacing, pattern and paint. You’ll learn the basics of how to thread sketch, using my patterns for gorgeous, realistic looking snowflakes. We will cover:
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: All
TIME: 6 hours or 3 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Several ironing boards, several light boards/boxes, access to outlets for sewing machines, table space for each student.
Thread Sketching: Cripps Pink Apple
Learn how to add highlights and shadows, and blend colors using thread sketching to create a realistic apple. $5 kit fee covers interfacing, pattern and fusible adhesive. This is the most basic of my thread sketching classes. Using a simple apple pattern, students learn how to:
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Intermediate
TIME: 3 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Table space for each student. Access to power outlets for sewing machines. Two ironing boards and irons.
Thread Sketching: Crayons
In this class, students will create thread-sketched crayons on white fabric. This is a good class for those seeking greater control in their free-motion stitching. $2 kit fee covers interfacing and pattern. Students learn how to:
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Intermediate
TIME: 6 hours or 3 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Table space for each student. Access to power outlets for sewing machines. Two ironing boards and irons.
Thread Sketching: Dragonfly
A workshop for those who already have basic machine quilting experience who want to expand their skills to create color and texture with thread. Using a line drawing of a dragonfly, students learn how to:
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Intermediate
TIME: 6 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Table space for each student. Access to power outlets. Several light boards/boxes. Two ironing boards and irons.
Paint and Stitch: Peacock Feather
Learn the basics of painting on fabric using my peacock feather design, then stitch the details with black thread. This design was featured on the cover of Quilting Arts magazine in 2010. $10 kit fee includes paint, PDF fabric and paintbrush.
We will cover:
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: All
TIME: 6 hours or 3 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Access to outlets for sewing machines, table space for each student. Access to water for paint cleanup. Floors that can get messy (and clean up with water).Two ironing boards. Table space for each student.
Wholecloth Painting: Botanicals
Students will learn the basics of creating wholecloth painted quilts based on photos. I will provide most of the materials for a $10 fee payable at the start of class (0r $25 for a paint kit). Students can choose from the four projects shown above, and will work from line drawings and my photos to recreate the image using acrylic textile paints. We will cover:
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: All
TIME: 6 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Access to water for paint cleanup. Table space for each student. Adequate lighting. Floors that can get messy, and can clean up with water.
Wholecloth Painting: Still Life
Students will learn the basics of creating wholecloth painted quilts based on photos. This project is featured in my 2011 Quilting Arts DVD “Dynamic Quilt Design: Paint Meets Stitch.” I will provide most of the materials for a $10 fee payable at the start of class. Students will work from a line drawing and my photo to recreate the image using acrylic textile paints. We will cover:
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: All
TIME: 6 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Access to water for paint cleanup. Table space for each student. Adequate lighting. Floors that can get messy, and can clean up with water.
Freestyle Embroidery
Turn a small piece of spectacular fabric – a special hand-dye, a batik, or a shibori piece from your stash – into an intricate freestyle embroidered masterpiece. You’ll learn how to transform the surface of the fabric with simple embroidery stitches, while letting the beauty of the fabric shine.
We will cover:
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: All
TIME: 6 hours or 3 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Good lighting (or individual table lights). Table space for each student.
Tyvek: Paint, Melt, Stitch
Learn how to create fascinating texture and pattern while you create a small art quilt with pieces of melted Tyvek and stitched designs. $10 kit fee includes paint, Tyvek and foam brush. We will cover:
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: All
TIME: 6 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Access to outside space and power outlets when heating Tyvek. Extension cord for outside access. Access to water for paint cleanup. Floors that can get messy (and clean up with water).Two ironing boards. Table space for each student.
November Leaves
This class teaches the technique of stitching through Tyvek pieces, then heating the Tyvek so that it disintegrates in places to show the background fabric. $10 kit fee includes paint, Tyvek, and foam brush. Topics covered include
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: All
TIME: 6 hours or 3 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Access to outside space and power outlets when heating Tyvek. Extension cord for outside access. Access to water for paint cleanup. Floors that can get messy (and clean up with water).Two ironing boards. Two or more light boxes. Table space for each student.
Start With a Photo: Round Red Barn
This workshop is designed to help you learn the skills you need to go home, take your favorite photo, and interpret it in fabric using fusible appliqué. In the workshop, we will all be working on the same photo, a close-up shot I took of a wonderful round barn at the Shelburne Museum in Vermont. You’ll learn how to:
MAX CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Intermediate
TIME: 6 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Several ironing boards, several light boards/boxes, access to outlets for sewing machines, table space for each student.
Surface Design Madness
Come and experiment with some of the exciting new materials
you can use in (or on) your quilts to create texture and color. I provide all the materials for a $10 fee payable at the start of class. This is a fun, low stress way to try some new things. The only thing you need to bring is a quarter yard of white fabric, a quarter yard of black fabric, and a creative spirit! We will work with:
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: All
TIME: 3 hours or 6 hours (3-hour workshops may cover fewer materials than are listed above due to time constraints)
REQUIREMENTS: Access to outside space and power outlets when heating and burning materials. Access to water for paint cleanup.
Two ironing boards. Table space for each student.
Needleturn Appliqué
Learn the fine art of needleturn applique step by step. If you’ve never done needleturn applique and are intimidated and afraid to try, this workshop is for you. Using my “Spring Valentine” pattern, which has all the shapes and techniques beginner appliquers need to learn, we will cover:
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Beginner to intermediate
TIME: 6 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Good lighting or individual lights brought
by students. Table space for each student.
Machine Quilting 101
Many beginner quilters have a bunch of quilt tops sitting in their sewing room that they are afraid to quilt. In this class, students learn the basics and gain confidence to go home, practice, and take on those quilt tops. In this class, students learn about:
MAXIMUM CLASS SIZE: 20
EXPERIENCE LEVEL: Beginner to intermediate
TIME: 3 hours or 6 hours
REQUIREMENTS: Access to power outlets. One iron and one ironing board. Each student must bring a machine able to drop feed dogs, and with a free-motion foot.