Modern Transparency

TUTOR: SHARON NICHOLLS-THOMSON

In this technique and skill building class you will discover and explore how to create the exciting illusion of transparency in quilt making, a technique used often in Modern Quilts.

The key concepts will be conveyed through a series of playful visual exercises and studying others’ successful works. Important knowledge about colour; saturation value, shades and tints as well as definable styles of transparency will be covered.

Students will have the opportunity to cement the theory by making blocks that Sharon has designed for class. Advanced students will have the opportunity to design their own transparency blocks. On completion of class you’ll have made a number of sample blocks demonstrating various aspects of transparency. These could be made into minis, cushions or extended into larger works after class.

Skill level: Class will suit a confident beginner keen to expand their knowledge as well as advanced makers wanting to extend their skills.

Scroll down for Class Requirements

CLASS REQUIREMENTS

Modern Transparency with Sharon Nicholls-Thomson

Two-day Class: Thursday and Friday, April 10 and 11.
Class times:  10am to 5pm

Students need to bring: $10 for each kit (Optional – at least two kits for two different exercises will be required.). Please have the exact amount in cash in an envelope with your name on it. See notes on kits below.

Class Requirements:

Your usual machine sewing equipment: Acrylic ruler, rotary cutter with sharp blade, cutting mat, fabric scissors, pins, neutral cotton piecing thread. Fresh 80/12 Universal or Microtex machine needle and spare needles.

 *Extra Items:

  • A fabric marking pen/pencil such as Sewline Duo erasable marker or a Clover Water Soluble pencil (something that will show up and mark smoothly on your chosen fabric).
  • A pencil to sketch with: Ordinary HB will be fine. You might also like to bring an eraser, sharpener and ruler.

*Fabric for the first exercise: Bring if not buying a kit.

  • 1 x fat quarter or 20cm of light value printed/patterned  fabric
  • 1 x fat quarter or 20cm of medium value printed/patterned fabric
  • 1 x fat quarter or 20cm of dark value printed/patterned fabric

*Fabric for the second exercise: Bring one (or two) of these options if not buying kit/s. Only very fast workers will complete both tasks here

  • Bring four or five value steps of one particular colour solid fabric (eg no prints) and some white. You only need fat quarters or fat 1/8ths of each for the exercise.

OR

  • Choose five colours on the colour wheel that are next to each other and the middle colours are made by mixing.
    • eg Red, Orange Yellow Green Blue  OR
    • Blue Purple Red Orange Yellow
    • (The bold colour here is made by mixing)
  • Bring at least a fat 1/8th of each.

At home to turn the samples into minis or cushions you could purchase more kits to make multiple blocks.

*Notes on Kits:

Kits are entirely optional but will make preparing for class much easier. Some of these colours will be hard to locate and finding a 5 value step in a single colour is more difficult than it seems. We will do two exercises that require fabric and Sharon will have a kit for each. Fast workers may complete three exercises. Multiple kits will be available for each class member if they are fast workers. If you bring no fabrics at all you will need to spend $20 or $30 on kits.

Exercise One: All Students will require fabric as listed above or purchase Kit No 1. which contains light medium and dark printed fabric for the first exercise.

For Exercise Two: Students have a choice here as indicated above and will need Kit No 2. OR Kit No 3.  Kit No 2 contains a 5-step tonal gradation to make a layered square block- pictured. Kit No 3 will be for an organic colour mixed block. Fast workers may want both. Please contact Sharon if you have any questions sharon@berryquiltandco.com.au

Sewing machines for use in class will be provided, and will need a 1/4 inch foot, preferably without a metal guide on the side.