Workshops ~ Lectures         

Quotes:	Click picture for Student Gallery
"At long last, landscape patterns suitable for the rank beginner with little experience and no self-confidence! (Said with tongue firmly planted in cheek) .... you'll be hooked on this easy, no-template, surface-stitched technique"     Karen Reed / PA "... it (Layered Curves) has added a new dimension to my work as a fine art quilter. The Accidental Landscape is a practical new skill. It is both fast and marketable as fine art. It promotes creative self expression for artists using fabric for their medium."  Joan / Massachusetts "... your method allows for much tighter curves in the design and also gives an interesting texture with the topstitching."    Ionne / British Columbia
Lectures:
Happy Villages and Accidental Landscapes
New for 2008 Two totally different techniques with the same fun results!  Karen shares her two favorite approaches to playing with fabrics: Fabric collage (Happy Villages) and layered/topstitching (Accidental Landscapes). This lighthearted and informative power point presentation will show you how the techniques evolved and will inspire you to try fabric collage or layered/topstitching in your own creations.
Layered Curves and Peaks
One hour slide presentation and trunk show:  An overview of how to create curves and angles using Karen's "Layered Curves and Peaks" and how they are used in her Accidental Landscapes™ series.  Inspired by the textures, lines and colors found in nature,  Karen shares her love of curved piecing and collage, and how it  led to the creation of her  layering/topstitching technique.
Collaged Creations    One hour slide presentation and trunk show:  From whimsical lizards to contemplative landscapes, Karen leads you step by step through several approaches to fabric collage. She will show you how to cut fabrics to get the look of precision piecing or even to give your piece a soft painterly glow.
Workshops:
Accidental Landscapes™: Inspired  by a Fabric  ~  NEW FOR 2008!
	This is my favorite approach to making an Accidental Landscape. Choose a multi-color print fabric as your inspiration and use it as a starting point in choosing the color palette for your imaginary landscape. This is an adventure you don't want to miss! (additional book fee $21.95) Please note that the quilt and fabrics pictured at left  show an example of a landscape inspired by a multi-color fabric. You will not be making this particular scene in class.    All Levels ~ available as  Half Day Workshop - your scene will be topstitched with borders. Full Day Workshop - you will have time to quilt your scene(s).  Two Day - After a full day of creating imaginary scenes, you now have the base to create scenes inspired by real-life photos and/or incorporate photo transfers into your scene.
Accidental Landscapes ™: Beaches
	Layers of gently curved strips are combined with a dramatic sky to create an easy beach scene. Personalize your beach by adding collage details like a dune fence, beach grass, shells, sailboats, beach chairs, umbrellas, lighthouses, photo transfers, etc. See Accidental Landscapes Gallery for variations. Beach scene measures approximately 8" x 12" (without borders). (Additional pattern fee $ 7) All Levels ~ available as  Half Day Workshop (the basic Beach scene is created; collage details will be discussed) 1  Day Workshop (students will have time to add collage details and Layered Curves borders)   Fabric Kits are available at $20 and may be reserved for workshop participants  by contacting me by email or phone.
Collage Workshop "Happy Villages"
	Explore the freedom of fabric collage! No seams to piece or match, no lines to trace ... Just free form cutting of step and window shapes. Step by step your little village will magically come to life. Finished size 16 1/2 inch square.  (Additional book fee $ 16.95) Technique:  Fabric Collage  All Levels ~ available as  Half Day Workshop (leave your sewing machine at home for this introduction to fabric collage. Projects can be completed at home either by machine or by hand)  1  Day Workshop (A layer of tulle and machine stitching will complete your fabric collage project) See more Happy Villages made using this collage method

Layered Curves and Ribbon Borders

This technique workshop is an introduction to working with Layered Curves and Peaks. Students will learn how easy it is to create a textured fabric with dramatic curves. Karen’s Layered Curves are featured in Rodale’s book “Innovative Piecing”. Use your fabric as an abstract quilt top or cut it up to be used as borders, elements in a landscape design, or clothing.   All Levels ~ available only as   Half Day Workshop ONLY (hands-on introduction to the technique)

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