Wendy Butler Berns

Art Quilting 101: Design Basics

Wendy Butler Berns
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  • In-depth Instruction; over 351 mins
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Meet your instructor, Wendy Butler Berns, as she introduces you to the fascinating world of creating art quilts with a combination of originality, spontaneity and inspiration.
Art quilts are about playing, combining colors, shapes and textures. Wendy will walk you through what you need to create your masterpiece, from selecting the background materials to applying fusible webbing to your design pieces. Then arrange, re-arrange and learn to play again on your quilt.
It's time to doodle; not just on paper, but also with thread and yarn. You will be introduced to free-motion quilting, the process of moving around your quilt with colorful and unique thread to bring out your creativity.
Beware: This session will cause addiction to thread! Learn the best sewing thread to use to attach the design elements to your quilt. Then see the vast array of threads to add color, shine, design and texture to your artwork. Wendy also talks about bobbins, needles and general troubleshooting while quilting.
Now it is time to add texture and depth to your quilt pieces. Go beyond standard thread designs with yarn couching and bobbin drawing to make your pieces pop. Create a collage to add interest and definition to a section of the quilt.
Wendy reviews some of the principles of artistic design to help you incorporate drama and interest into your art quilts. She reviews the aspects of balance, unity and variety, and shows examples of how these are used in other artists' work.
Wendy gives you guidelines on whether to add a border, binding or other finishing technique. Then follow her step-by-step methods for adding a border, such as auditioning materials and squaring up the quilt.
After deciding on the batting and backing, learn techniques to machine quilt all the layers together. Learn how to prepare and attach the binding to your quilt and a rod pocket hanger for a wall quilt. Finalize your masterpiece by adding a quilt label.
You are not limited to a fabric binding for your quilt. Learn some novelty finishing techniques, such as yarn bindings and zigzag edging, while creating quilted postcards. You can even mail them to your friends to show off your artistic talents.
 
 
9 Lessons
5  hrs 51  mins

Description

Explore the world of art quilting with artist Wendy Butler Berns and learn to design without using a pattern. You’ll discover how to see your world through the eyes of an artist and communicate your vision through fiber. Walk through the process of selecting background materials and arranging your design pieces. Next, you’ll use free-motion quilting to doodle with an unbelievable variety of thread options and create textural elements with yarn couching and bobbin drawing. Then, discover when to add a border and embellish with novelty finishing touches. Learn dozens of practical techniques, creative ideas and troubleshooting tips you can use in any quilting project!

Wendy Butler Berns

Wendy is an award-winning teacher, quilter and the author of Photo Album Quilts. Her quilts have appeared in regional, national and international juried shows, including the International Quilt Show in Houston and the American Quilter's Society show in Paducah, KY. She received the Jewel Pearce Patterson scholarship for quilting teachers in 2009, and her articles have appeared in Quilting Arts, Quilters Newsletter and other publications. She teaches and lectures about the art of quilting at conferences, guilds and retreats across the country.

Wendy Butler Berns

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