We attend quilt lessons to encompass ourselves with different like-minded fabric-enthusiasts who get all excited when somebody begins speaking about their “stash” and the way they “retailer” it. Now, taken out-of-context in blended firm, these phrases may elevate some eyebrows. However you understand what I imply—it’s enjoyable speaking material, isn’t it?
Today we’ve choices as to how we attend quilt lessons, how we meet material people, how we share our time and concepts. Each on-line and in-person lessons are nice methods of studying that we now have entry to—every good for their very own causes and I discover it an attention-grabbing stability that I get pleasure from educating lessons each methods. However this 12 months, 2024, the borders between on-line and in-person began to blur.
In January, three of my college students—self-named “Susan’s Angels”—determined to attend my Tucson class after assembly and changing into good mates by means of my on-line lessons. The whole Tucson class was nice, however seeing how these three deepened their friendship throughout that week was beautiful. In photographs above and under are: my Angels (left to proper in group picture)—Mary McKay, Grace Crocker, me, and Brenda Carter; completed quilts for show-and-share that had been all begun and completed on-line; Brenda’s husband Cal; and Grace’s daughter, Bonnie. Appeared like I knew all of them fairly properly earlier than ever giving them a hug.
One other group, under, who had met in a web based class and have become mates—the “Zookeepers”—continued weekly Zoom conferences lengthy after the category with me had ended. Final month in September, they acquired collectively at one among their properties for a multi-day in-person reunion—in out of doors picture under, left to proper; Catriona Sterling (touring from Scotland), LeahGrace Kayler, Ros Pettit, and Sylvie Aguilar. I used to be capable of spend a day visiting with Catriona myself, and final 12 months Catriona gave a tour of Edinburgh (together with a go to to see my “Tickled Pink” rhino in an exhibit) to my Angel Mary and her husband Frank (all of us in selfies under).
There are increasingly more connections being made on this world of material collage—as we collect a technique or one other (or each) to be taught and revel in one another’s firm. It’s all good. Hope you possibly can be a part of me subsequent 12 months in a category, or two.
Reside On-line Lessons
For my on-line lessons, my husband Tom Allen, works with me all through every day (although separate rooms and computer systems) as he facilitates my skill to flow into from one particular person to the subsequent, taking a look at and discussing their progress by means of photographs despatched to Tom, for me to then view and annotate in every session. 2025 would be the fifth 12 months we’ve been providing these 5 (consecutive) day lessons and, we’ve been advised, we’re fairly darn good at it.
See this weblog put up for particulars of 2024’s Reside On-line Lessons and hyperlinks to Reside On-line Lessons. Peruse extra “NOT on the Highway” on-line class posts right here.
January 20-24, 2025
Reside On-line Class—All Ranges, Animals Solely
REGISTER HERE
Most Class Dimension: 12
Value: $995
March 10-14, 2025
Reside On-line Class—Intermediate-Superior
Most Class Dimension: 8
Value: $1,495
To Register: This class is for knowledgeable college students on the intermediate or superior stage. It is best to have a grasp of the basics of material collage earlier than beginning this class, ideally by means of taking a previous class with Susan, or having labored by means of the Grasp Class or different eWorkshop. Please submit your request to register to Tom ([email protected]) and he’ll ship you the hyperlink to register or ask for additional data. Thanks.
June 23-27, 2025
Reside On-line Class—All Ranges, Animals Solely
REGISTER HERE
Most Class Dimension: 12
Value: $995
November 17-21, 2025
Reside On-line Class—Intermediate-Superior
Most Class Dimension: 8
Value: $1,495
To Register: This class is for knowledgeable college students on the intermediate or superior stage. It is best to have a grasp of the basics of material collage earlier than beginning this class, ideally by means of taking a previous class with Susan, or having labored by means of the Grasp Class or different eWorkshop. Please submit your request to register to Tom ([email protected]) and he’ll ship you the hyperlink to register or ask for additional data. Thanks.
Please notice: Pre-requisite of any 5-day class: possession of Susan Carlson’s On-line Grasp Class—a reference handbook for the beginning-to-end material collage method. Particularly helpful with each pre-class and post-class data. Scholar low cost of $30 off full worth of $199. Possession is “without end,” any and all updates included. Please contact Susan’s husband Tom at [email protected] you probably have questions, and to get your low cost code.
What’s Included in a 5-Day Reside On-line Class:
Tom and I try to make the Reside On-line Cloth Collage expertise particular and completely different in its personal means. Along with the benefit (and value financial savings) of attending from the consolation of your personal residence—no journey concerned and entry to your material stash—we’ve added the next menu of perks.
By way of our on-line lessons every pupil receives:
Pre-Class Teaching
Particular person teaching classes stay with Susan to get you higher ready for sophistication and to familiarize you with the Zoom platform.
Each day Class Movies
Pre-recorded movies of day by day class demonstrations on the method of material collage are yours to maintain and assessment each earlier than and lengthy after our week collectively has ended.
One-on-One Suggestions
The majority of the day is taken up with one-on-one suggestions. I exploit Zoom to annotate photographs that you simply ship to Tom all through the day.
A Cloth Pack for Cloth Collage
I’ve been curating particular 10-fabric collections—mailed to each Reside On-line pupil for the reason that week-long lessons started in 2021—colourful and useful designs which will come in useful throughout the week, or to horde for a later venture if not.
Pre-Class Meet and Greet
Meet your classmates in a pre-class Sunday night social. This assembly additionally serves to additional familiarize everybody with our Zoom classroom format.
Mid-Week After Class Social Hour and Present and Share
On a selected night after class, we sit back with beverage and meals to loosen up and get to know our classmates higher. Normally everybody sends us further photographs to share a few of their previous work in material.
Each day Walkthrough of Scholar Progress
On the finish of every class day we return and go to the start and ending photographs of everybody’s topics—oohing and aahing on the nice progress and classes realized as we labored collectively.
Return of Observe-Alongside Lessons!
These easy-going, cut-loose Zoom lessons happen over 4 consecutive Thursday nights. Observe-along as I lead you thru the creation of a Fantastical Fish in February and a Fascinating Bug or Butterfly in the summertime. Try the information under and test your calendars to see in the event you can be a part of us. By the way in which, Thursday evening shows are at all times recorded, and video hyperlinks are despatched to all registrants to discuss with at any time when desired.
These material collage initiatives which can be designed and paced to get you began in your murals. I choose material that, as Tom says, are gateway medicine into the material collage course of—versatile and low-stress designs to emphasise the playfulness of this method.
Every presentation begins with a slide present to get you going or to catch you up with the earlier week’s progress on the collage I’m engaged on, after which proceed with a stay demonstration. There might be alternatives to ask questions all through the session. I encourage people to observe, hear, and ask questions throughout our time collectively. Then I give “homework” for many who want to proceed engaged on their very own bug venture.
Included in every Observe-Alongside Class:
• 4 stay shows of demonstration and instruction
• Query and reply intervals
• Free fish, bug, or butterfly sample to decide on and work from (relying on which class you join)
• Recordings of all classes—yours to maintain to discuss with at any time
• Supplies record to get you going straight away
February 6, 13, 20, 27, 2025 — 7 pm, Japanese Time
Fantastical Cloth Collage Fish Zoom Observe-Alongside
REGISTER HERE
Value: $78
For Extra Info: Fantastical Fish Cloth Collage—February Outcomes! Half 1 (consists of hyperlinks to Elements 2 by means of 4)
Should you’re on the lookout for a recent and inventive begin to the New 12 months, right here’s a step-by-step method to play with the material collage method. This Thursday Evening sequence scheduled for February might be a break in routine to simply play with material utilizing a topic I’ve been keen on for many years—fish—they arrive in all shapes, sizes, and colours, which implies something goes. Should you’ve been desirous to “lower unfastened and let go,” right here’s your likelihood. Every week I’ll be giving a stay demo with Q&A as I take you from starting to finish of a fantastical fish collage—utilizing your personal prized material stash.
In between the Thursday classes, you possibly can apply the steps lined to your personal fishy material creation. As a registrant you’ll obtain a code for a free fish sample from my on-line store to observe alongside as you play with your personal material stash—however you might be welcome in fact to make use of your personal fish design, or simply “glide” of your material.
July 24, 31, August 7, 14, 2025 — 7 pm, Japanese Time
Fascinating Cloth Collage Bugs and Butterflies Zoom Observe-Alongside
REGISTER HERE
Value: $78
For Extra Info: Fascinating Cloth Collage Bugs and Butterflies Zoom Observe-Alongside—Has Begun! and Fascinating Bugs and Butterflies Observe-Alongside Outcomes: Scholar Cloth Collage Outcomes 3! (with hyperlinks to Elements 1 and a pair of)
I might be taking a “lower unfastened” method in my shows—identical as with the fish class—this time making a collage gentle, ethereal, and pleasing as butterflies and bugs are themselves. On the finish of every session, I end with “homework” that may be labored on right here and there throughout the coming week.
As with all our Thursday Evening classes, a recording hyperlink might be emailed the subsequent night to all registrants to assessment or watch later in the event you can’t be a part of us stay.
In-Individual Lessons
Registration for these lessons are open—EXCEPT for the September, 2025, two week Bar Harbor, Maine class (coming quickly!)
Please notice: Pre-requisite of any 5-day class: possession of Susan Carlson’s On-line Grasp Class—a reference handbook for the beginning-to-end material collage method. Particularly helpful with each pre-class and post-class data. Scholar low cost of $30 off full worth of $199. Possession is “without end,” any and all updates included. Please contact Susan’s husband Tom at [email protected] you probably have questions, and to get your low cost code.
Cloth Collage Photos with MISA in Santa Fe, New Mexico
March 31-April 4, 2025
All Ranges
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION
For my 2022 Santa Fe Class weblog put up write-ups—Half 1 right here and Half 2 right here
Woodland Ridge Retreat
Could 28-June 1, 2025
Mixture Intermediate/Superior and All-Ranges Class
Class is full however click on right here to be added to the waitlist
Click on right here for my Woodland Ridge Retreat weblog put up write-ups (take your choose!)
Cloth Collage Immersion with MISA—a 10-Day Class in Bar Harbor, Maine
September 8-19, 2025—All Ranges
REGISTRATION PAGE WILL BE AVAILABLE NEXT WEEK!
Till then, e mail your “Expression of Curiosity” on this class to: [email protected]
For my 2024 Bar Harbor Class weblog put up write-ups—Half 1 right here and Half 2 right here
Every week is rarely sufficient. That’s what I hear repeatedly on the finish of one among my 5-day lessons, college students need extra. And now, they can get extra—extra class days in the identical location, extra class days with out extra journey, extra class days with a 2-day break in-between the 2 weeks of sophistication time—day without work to discover the realm and re-charge.
Whereas offering “extra” material collage, this format may even enable college students to work at their very own tempo. For some, 5 days feels rushed and so they’d relatively unfold the work out over extra days. Others might have a purpose to get farther alongside within the course of. Regardless, everybody could have the ten days of my assist and steerage to fulfill their material collage targets for his or her venture.
Week 1: Getting began and making good progress on key parts or options of every particular person’s chosen topic—studying increasingly more day by day, on the right way to work with my material collage method.
Week 2: Immersing and enjoyable into the collage course of whereas taking topics farther—experimenting with and deciding on background prospects, studying the place extra particulars could possibly be added in second or third drafts, having the time to play with additions equivalent to sheer materials to govern the sunshine and darkish values discovered within the collage topic.
Susan Carlson Cloth Collage Travels to Italy: Underneath the Tuscan Solar(portrait)
October 19-24, 2025
Tuscany, Italy: Serendipitous Cloth Collage with Susan Carlson
All-Ranges, 6 spots remaining
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER OR FOR MORE INFORMATION
Click on right here for my 2025 Tuscan Solar weblog put up!
