Discover the “artist within” as you play with the fabrics of your choice to create a small (2’ by 3’) or smaller landscape collage wall quilt. Expect this to be a fun, creative, interactive and successful experience. Each student will start with a photo of a place that inspires them (possibly a scene from Emandal) and create a freehand collage quilt which can be sewn together in or out of class by hand or with a sewing machine. There are no patterns or rules in this class…it’s a chance to play and explore your unique artistic eye with the support of both the instructor and your classmates.
Additional Supplies Participants Must Bring to the Workshop: Please read this carefully and bring as much stuff as you possibly can! You will have more fun if you come set up with all the materials you need.
a photo (or several photos) of some subject that pleases you- this will be your inspiration for your project
cotton backing fabric for a 2’ x 3’ (maximum size) quilt- you can work smaller if you like
a piece of low loft quilt batting (cotton or bamboo), the same size as your backing
several 2’ x 3’ pieces of tulle ( the lightweight kind also known as “illusion”… NOT coarse netting)- bring several different colors so you can try them out over your collage and choose the one you like best. Dark colors or black generally work best, unless you want a foggy or washed-out look
lots of fabric– scraps are fine, but be sure to bring 6 or 8 fabrics in each color you think you might want to use. Include darks and lights and all kinds of prints/baiks. Remember… this is a collage!
embellishments– any kind of threads, strings, ribbons, lace, yarn, sequins, buttons
fabric scissors (rotary cutters are not necessary for this “freehand” style)
dark chocolate to share
lots of straight pins– the thin, glass-headed ones are best
your sewing machine
a machine quilting or darning or stippling foot to do freehand quilting around the curving edges of your design elements
quilting thread– I like to use the Sulky variegated rayon thread, but anything will do that blends with your fabric choices, except for metallic (too hard to use on a first project!)
bobbin thread that will work with your backing fabric
Workshop Reviews
“Laura Fogg is such an inspiration – it gives me goosebumps seeing the beautiful Art Quilts she creates. Under her guidance, the Art Quilts I have made at Emandal Art Stays are not just “okay” – each one is something extra special. Laura gently says “what about a little color here or not too much there” and WOW – her suggestions make all the difference in our quilt designs! I work full time and Art Stays is an opportunity to let the creative me, I love, have some fun, learn, share ideas and just shine. I want to take all the classes offered at Art Stays, but after taking just two of Laura Fogg’s classes she has me totally hooked on art quilt and design.” – Bobbie Yokum
“Emandal’s Art Stay…. Spending nearly a week quilting is always a luxury for me. It is such a rewarding experience to have the opportunity to work on an art quilt at Emandal, where everywhere you glance you see another beautiful scene that potentially can become part of an art piece. Laura Fogg is our instructor, our guide. She is an inspirational fiber artist and teacher. Her calm, supportive, and encouraging manner create an affirming and enjoyable quilting time for all.” – Su Burnley
About the Instructor
I have been an art quilter for twenty years. My work is shown regularly in major quilt shows across the country, including Visions and Quilt National, and many pieces have won cash awards. Articles and photos of my work have been published in most of the quilting magazines in the US, as well as in a number of national and international books and calendars on art quilting.
I have also been interviewed in two documentary films and was the featured artist on The Quilt Show with Alex Anderson and Ricky Tims in 2017.
I am the recipient of two art-related awards in Mendocino County- the Women’s Art: Women’s Vision award in 2008 and the Art Champion award in 2012.
I have lived all of my adult life in Mendocino County, where I worked for 30 years as a teacher of the visually impaired. In that capacity I won the Schoolmaster of the Year award in 2011. I am now retired.
I was an art history major at UC Berkeley, with a minor in art, and I have a Masters in Education from CA State University-San Francisco. I am mostly a self-taught quilter, though I studied briefly under Natasha Kempers-Kullen many years ago. I currently lecture and teach art quilting classes and retreats throughout northern California.
About the Instructor