| 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
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Lectures: |
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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.

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Layered Curves
and Peaks
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| 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.
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 |
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| 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. |
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Workshops: |
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Let's
Make Waves! ~
NEW FOR 2009! |

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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
wild curves and dramatic points. Karen’s layered
topstitching technique is featured in Rodale’s
book “Innovative Piecing” and is soon to be the
topic of her new book "Layered Waves"
available in 2009. Learn
how to use your fabric in traditional or contemporary
designs, impressive borders, eye catching wearables,
and much, much more!
All
Levels ~ available as
 | Half
Day Workshop: hands-on introduction to the
technique (Book optional) |
 | 1
Day Workshop: students will be able to complete
an approximate half yard+ piece of Layered Waves
fabric to be used for a project of their
choosing. (Book highly recommended) |
 | 2
- 5 Day Workshop: really get into the flow
by creating mini projects each day. Warm
up to the idea with easy gentle waves then get
really wild at the end of the week as you create
amazing designs on your own. (Book required) |
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Accidental
Landscapes ™: Beaches
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|
Here
is an introduction to creating landscapes
"accidentally" using Karen's layered
topstitching technique. These little beach scenes are
quick and easy to make, no templates, not fuss - just
free form rotary cutting and topstitched edges. 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,
borders and start quilting - as an option students
may choose to use their new skills to create a
different landscape in the afternoon instead of
finishing their beach scene)
|
 | Fabric
Kits are available at $20 and may be reserved for workshop
participants by contacting me
by email or phone.
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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 |
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