WORKSHOPS OFFERED

PRISMATIC FLOWERS Workshop Description: Playing with color, texture, depth and shading, students will manifest a small flower piece filled with light and energy. Choosing from one of Barbara's flower drawings eliminates the drafting and allows students to go right to designing with fabric

The ingredients needed to create a flower filled with light and energy are:

1.  A playful spirit.
2.  A wonderful variety of multi colored shaded fabrics. Batiks, hand dyed, painted or marbled fabric and some novelty flowered fabrics. Solids or calicos do not work.  

This is only a beginning.  Creating these textual prismatic flowers involves lots of thread and is addictive.

Length:  1 to 2 days (2days is best to develop a more complete design)

Levels:  All levels

Tools & Supplies:
 

	Sewing Machine with zigzag capabilities
	Invisible Thread
	Bobbin Thread in neutral color
	Straight Pins
	Small Sharp Pointed Fabric Scissors
	Design Wall  At least 20"x20"
	1 Yard Sulky Totally Stable
	Fusible Web 1/4 yard - Steam a seam 2 regular - light weight works best
	Black Permanent Ink Felt Tip Pen  Sharpie extra fine point is best
	Re-Positionable or Re-StickableGlue Stick
	Optional:  A low-wattage wand mini iron
	$2.00 Lab Fee

 Fabric:  Choose a color that you like best for your flower and bring 15 fabrics pieces and/or scraps which are multi colored fabric containing this color. You only need small pieces for the petals (1/4 yard or smaller pieces) Give yourself many choices.

i.e.; Red Flower  Fabric requirements - Red fabric with yellow areas, Red with pink areas, Red with green or blue areas, Pink with fuchsia areas, any multi colored fabric containing red.
 

	3/4 yard background fabric - options will be discussed in first class
	1 yard fusible batting
	3/4 yard backing fabric

BEGIN AT THE END Workshop Description: This workshop is for the innovative quilter whose quilt borders are often an after thought.  Students will create a totally integrated small art piece, beginning with a foundation pieced border full of curves and some geometric shapes. Then its on to the main body of the quilt composed of geometric shapes and some curves. Machine appliqué piecing and foundation piecing techniques will also be used.

Length:  1 day or 2 day.  A 2 day workshop allows students to enhance composition and complete their quilt top.

Level: All levels (Basic sewing skills required) 

Techniques: Innovative Design, Foundation piecing and Machine Appliqué

Class Size:  20 Students (or a maximum of 25 if class room space allows)

Tools & Supplies:
 

	Sewing Machine  Machine must be in proper adjustment and have zigzag capabilities. Students must be familiar with machine.
	Extension Cord
	Basic Sewing Supplies
	Small Sharp Pointed Scissors
	Needles  80/12 Embroidery &  80/12 Jeans Stitch
	Thread  Invisible thread and regular neutral colored thread Optional  Lingerie/Bobbin for bobbin - used in machine appliqué.
	Design Wall  At least 42” X 42”  flannel or fleece
	Rotary Cutter, Mat and Ruler
	3 yards Sulky Totally Stable White at least 18” Wide or comparable foundation that is transparent enough that a drawing underneath can be seen and traced.
	Black Permanent Ink Felt Tip Pen  Sharpie extra fine point is best
	Re-Stickable or Re-Positionable Glue Stick  Clover or Scotch brand by 3M are best (glue stick is available at office supply stores)
	Sketch Book and Pencil
	$3.00 Lab Fee

Fabric:  Students should bring 20 or more 1/4 yard or larger pieces in a wide variety of fabrics such as batik, hand dyed, hand painted, colorful prints, and stripes. They will want to have a range of dark, medium and light tones.  Many choices of pleasing combinations of color and texture work best. Smaller fabric swatches or scraps also add to the variety of choices.

A two day workshop will include a foundation pieced, machine appliquéd organic spirals block. 

Length: 1 Day or 2 Days 

Level: All levels (Basic sewing skills and rotary cutting experience) 

Techniques: Foundation Piecing and Machine Appliqué

Tools & Supplies:
 

	Sewing Machine  Machine must be in proper adjustment and have zigzag capabilities. Students must be familiar with machine.
	Extension Cord
	Basic Sewing Supplies
	Needles 90/14 Embroidery & Jeans Stitch 80/12
	Thread Invisible nylon thread - smoke
	Regular Sewing Thread - white and neutral color
	Bobbin for bobbin - neutral
	Design Wall At least 42"x42" flannel or fleece
	Rotarty Cutter, mat and ruler
	Foundation Material  1&1/4 Yards Sulky Totally Stable at least 18” wide or comparable foundation that is transparent enough that a drawing underneath can be seen and traced.
	Black Permanent Ink Felt Tip Pen  Sharpie extra fine point is best or similar permanent marking pen.
	Glue Stick - Must be Re-Stickable or Re-Positionable  Clover or Scotch brand by 3M are best (glue stick is available at office supply stores)
	Optional:  Add a 1/4" Ruler

Fabric:
 

	1/2  Yard Each of pre-washed black and white, good quality, 100% cotton fabric
	1/2 Yard of a Multi-Colored Cosmic Background Fabric (Fabric that surrounds the two blocks).
	Choose 5 different colors for fabrics  5 fabrics in each color 1/8 yard or larger pieces, grading from dark to medium to light for a total of 25 different fabrics or even more graduations per color if you wish.  A variety of fabrics such as batiks or interesting small or medium prints,  in a pleasing combination of colors and textures

2 DAY WORKSHOP: Add 1/2 yard Sulky Totally Stable & change white fabric to 3/4 yard.

INTUITIVE IMAGES Making The Connection Workshop Description: Students will use different techniques such as relaxation and music to tap into innate design abilities.  Experimenting with freehand drawing and different ways of creating (centered or chaotic; intimate or engaging; implied or literal etc.) helps each student to understand their natural creative style and translate their drawing into a powerful art quilt.  Drawings will be developed into full scale design and students will be working on the wall with fabric, color and texture.  As designs progress, the instructor will work with each student to assist with problem solving and appropriate construction techniques for their composition. Quilting and embellishing will be discussed.

Length: Minimum 2 days
Best if 3 or 4 days workshop for more in-depth treatment of designs.

Level: For students that have taken different technique and design classes and are now interested in developing there own unique style, or for the artist exploring fiber as a medium. Also for the adventuresome beginner interested in going directly to original design and is self motivated.

Tools & Supplies:  5 Day Supply List
 

	Sewing Machine  Machine must be in proper adjustment and have zigzag capabilities. Students must be familiar with machine.
	Extension Cord
	Basic Sewing Supplies
	Small Sharp Pointed Scissors
	Needles 90/14 Embroidery & Jeans Stitch 70/10
	Invisible Thread
	Regular Sewing Thread  neutral color such as gray or off-white
	Optional Thread: lingerie/bobbin for bobbin
	Design Wall  At least 42” X 42”  or fusible fleece or fusible batting
	Rotary cutter, mat and ruler
	Template Material  3 yards Sulky Totally Stable at least 18” wide or comparable product that is transparent enough that a drawing underneath can be seen and traced and one side of the product can be ironed to fabric. Freezer paper will not work unless it is transparent.
	1 Yard of Fusible Web  Seam a Seam 2 works well
	Black Permanent Ink Felt Tip Pen  Sharpie extra fine point is best or similar permanent marking pen.
	Glue Stick -  Note: must be restickable or repositional  Clover Glue Stick or Scotch brand by 3M is best and available at most office supply stores.
	A Variety of Decorative Threads
	Sketchbook and Mechanical Pencil
	Optional:  A low-wattage wand mini-iron

Fabric:  Students should bring 30 or more 1/4 yard or larger pieces in a wide variety of fabrics such as batik, hand dyed, hand painted, colorful prints, and stripes. Have a range of dark, medium and light tones. Many choices of pleasing combinations of color and texture work best. Smaller fabric swatches or scraps also add to the variety of choices. 

	1 Yard backing fabric (Your design will become the batting in you piece)
	Bring items from nature  rocks, leaves, shells, feathers, etc.
	$3.00 Lab Fee

Length: 1 Day 

Level: All levels (Basic sewing skills required) 

Techniques: Fusing - Machine Appliqué

Tools & Supplies:
 

	Straight Pins
	Small Sharp-Pointed Fabric Scissors
	Paper Scissors
	Design Wall  At least 36” X 36” - flannel or batting
	Rotary Cutter, mat and ruler
	Fusible Web - 1 1/2 yards - Steam a Seam 2 regular or light weight works best
	Black Permanent Ink Felt Tip Pen  Sharpie extra fine point is best
	Sketch Pad & Pencil
	Optional: A low-wattage wand mini-iron
	Favorite Pictures or Drawings of Clastles
	$3.00 Lab Fee

Fabric:
 

	1 Yard Black Fabric
	20 or More 1/4 yard or larger pieces in a wide variety of fabrics such as batik, hand dyed, hand painted, colorful prints, novelty prints and stripes. Have a range of dark, medium and light tones.  Many choices of pleasing combinations of color and texture work best.
	For more variety of choices bring some of your small fabric pieces or scraps. Students may want to share fabrics.
	Examples:  Emerald City-bring mostly green and some interesting contrasts and geometric fabric

It is hard to go wrong if you bring lots of fabrics in many colors and varieties.

Length: 2 Days -  Option:  1 day - students create a small design and begin machine quilting.

Level: All levels (Basic sewing skills are required)

Techniques: Learn Innovative surface design. Machine embroidery, and intuitive quilting.

Tools & Supplies:
 

	Sewing Machine  Machine must be in proper adjustment and have zigzag capabilities. Students must be familiar with machine.
	Sewing machine must have a darning or free motion foot, and the feed dog must have lowering capabilities or a plate that covers it.
	Open-Toed Embroidery Foot is helpful
	Basic Sewing Supplies
	Needles  80/12 Embroidery &  70/10 Jeans Stitch
	Thread  Invisible and Regular neutral colored thread; a variety of colors of decorative thread for embellishment - metallic, silver, variegated satins, etc.
	Bobbin Thread for Bobbin  Bottom Line or YLI Bobbin Thread
	Design Wall/Batting  At least 42” X 42” of fusible batting
	Rotary Cutter, mat and ruler
	Two Yards Iron-On Tear-Away Stabilizer
	Sketch Pad and mechanical pencil (#2 - 0.7mm)
	Fabric Marking Pens washout or fade out
	1/2 Yard Fusible Web  Steam a Seam 2 works well
	Optional:  Several pictures of nature (leaves, trees, rocks, etc.)
	Optional:  A low wattage wand mini iron

Fabric:  Students should bring a 1/2 yard or larger piece of hand dyed multi colored fabric with interesting lines and colors.  Batiks will work but a unique hand dyed is better.  Also bring 4 coordinating 1/4 yd pieces and  a 1 yard piece of fabric for backing.  

	PHOTO INSPIRATION Workshop Description: Design a unique vacation memory quilt. One moment frozen in time by the camera can be brought to life with cloth, texture and color. Using a photograph as an inspiration students will do a small line drawing. Drawings will be an
interpretation  of the image not an exact replication. Drawing will be developed in fabric. Construction methods is machine applique.

Length:  1 Day

Level: All levels (Basic sewing skills are required)

Techniques:  Fused stained glass effect
 

Fabric:
 

	1 Yard Black Fabric
	20 or More 1/4 yard or larger pieces in a wide variety of fabrics such as batik, hand dyed, hand painted, colorful prints. Have a range of dark, medium and light tones.
	Many choices of pleasing combinations of colors in your photograph.
	For more variety of choices bring some of your small fabric pieces or scraps. Students may want to share fabrics.
	Examples: Glaciers; Brings whites, blues, light pinks, yellows and teals.

It is hard to go wrong if you bring lots of fabrics in many colors and varieties.

NEW WORKSHOP
JUMP START YOUR CREATIVITY

 

Workshop Description:  This technique is for the quilter that is ready to break out of the box and experience a playful way of creating. Too much thinking or fear often stops quilters from trying new designs and fabrics. A simple flower pattern is the first ingredient, a wide array of wild, powerful & playful novelty fabrics (polka dots, geometrics, floral's, etc.) and few solid fabrics is the second ingredient and willing spirit is the third ingredient. (A pattern will be provided) 1 day workshop.

NEW WORKSHOP
PLAYING WITH THREAD

Workshop Description:

Most often the quilting plays a supporting roll in a quilt. With free hand quilting designs and an array of beautiful threads the quilting takes top billing. This class will give students the opportunity develop quilt designs and experience stitching the designs with different types and weights of threads. This small project will increase machine quilting and free hand quilting design skills. One day workshop.

NEW WORKSHOP
HOW QUILT LIKE LEONARDO DEVINCI
...If Leonardo Quilted

 

Workshop Description:  The book “How to Think Like Leonardo De Vinici” by Michael Gibb, will guide us in developing wonderful unique fiber images. Exercises based on Leonardo genesis and vision will challenge our creative spirit and take us to an elevated artistic level. Drawing, journaling, fabric and thread will be our creative tools. Three to five day workshop.

STUDIO: EXPLORING YOUR CREATIVITY

Studio Description:

Studio is for the quilter/quilt artist who has taken all the classes they want to for a while, but want to be in the retreat environment with other quilters, have a recognized instructor available to them and an abundance of vendors. For the person who wants to explore a new idea for a quilt or continue working on an existing quilt. Barbara would be in the studio available for help with problem solving and techniques. You determine your own goals, Barbara offers a supportive environment with suggestions, challenges and motivation if requested. This is an uninterrupted time to focus and create your own personal quilts.

Length: 2 Days, 3 Days or 4 Days 

Level: All levels

Student Limit: 15 Students (Maximum 20 if class room space allows)

LECTURES

“QUILTING A LIFE”
A Creative Journey 

Lecture Description: Barbara takes listeners on a wonderful journey through quilting and creativity to purpose. She shares her evolution from quilter to quilt artist and shows many of her award-winning quilts. More importantly, she discusses the tools, which helped her understand her life’s purpose. These invaluable tools help listeners expand their creativity, and develop their natural talents, in whatever area they may be. What is my purpose? Seems to be the question that is on everyone’s mind today. This is an important lecture for anyone wanting to expand their creativity and to begin to know their life’s purpose.

“DESIGNING OUTSIDE THE LINES”
Expressing Unique Creativity

Lecture Description: Each person came into the world with an innate way of creating. How to find and understand that unique way of creating is the topic of this lecture. Great artists bring their full energy and uniqueness to each piece. Creating with joy and purpose manifests wonderful quilts. The frame work that quilting offers is a good place to begin the process, then to go beyond the boundaries and design outside the lines. 

Length: One hour 

Instructor Fee: $275.00 or $225.00 (In conjunction with a 2 to 4 day workshop)

Physical Requirements For Lecture:
PowerPoint Projector
Microphone if large space
Podium
Wall space or quilt rack behind podium to hang one quilt
Table for quilts

Physical Requirements For Classroom:

4’ X 8’ wall space per student
Table space sufficient for sewing machine, mat and elbow room for each student.
One or two students per table 
2-3 irons and ironing boards

Preferred Classroom Setting

Student Limit: 20 Students (Maximum 25 if class room space allows)

 2007 FEE INFORMATION

WORKSHOP FEES: 

$650.00 (1 day  workshop)
$1200.00 (2 day workshop) 


WORKSHOP SIZE: 

A class of 20 students is preferred, with a maximum of 25 students, provided classroom size allows.  An additional fee of $25 for each student in excess of 20 will be charged.


LECTURE FEES

$275.00 (1 hour lecture)
$250.00 (In conjunction with 2 to 4 day workshop) 


EXPENSE TO BE PAID BY CLIENT 

All travel costs including air coach, parking and ground transportation in transit or destination city. If appropriate, travel by auto will be charged at .35 per mile. All food and lodging, with hotel or motel accommodations preferred. All arrangements must be approved in advance.

Letter of Agreement for Workshops & Lectures by Barbara Olson
Barbara Olson's Workshop Schedule
List of Resources
Contact Barbara Olson