Student Level: Alll levels
Type of Workshop: Project
Prerequisite: None
Workshop Category: Book-making, Color Theory, Composition, Fabric Collage

Images and photographs, text as design, as line. They hook and reel us into art, to books, to life. This class is a no-sew, fabric based exploration of fabric, image and text as it applies to book page design and bookmaking. Explore direct application and transferring image and text onto fabric along with altering and distressing images with TAP Transfer Artist Paper. Using your newly created fabric text and images, you will build a series of fabric collages from fabric and perhaps paper fragments, combining texture, text and textile. The charm and appeal of Fragments comes from the spontaneous way they are created - there is no measuring, no cutting mistakes and no messy glue.

Textiles old and new come in an almost endless variety of color and pattern to choose from and can spark ideas and lead you to discover a whole new way of looking at fabric. If you don't have a large fabric stash, the beauty of making Fragments is that you only need little scraps or fragments of even the most expensive cloth. Dressmakers or upholsterer's cutting floors and your own old clothes and linens are goldmines. Plan to share and mine the instructor's stash for treasure. Consider working in one color family (with accents of course!), or gathering fabrics with similar muted or bright tones. Limiting your choices before class leads to an easier time in class. And don't ignore the beauty of fine paper. Many papers and fabric are blood relatives, each sharing a heritage of cellulose fibers from cotton to flax. They work and marry well together.

By the end of day, your Fragments will be collated and combined into an easy to create book structure, a sensuous, one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted compendium of color, image, texture and text.

Individual attention will be given to each student with an emphasis on combining techniques to create eye-catching design and stunning works of art. This class welcomes artists from different backgrounds who want to learn how to work with fabric, text and image. No sewing experience required. Some art or design background is helpful, but not required. Beginners are welcome and encouraged in all of my classes. Please contact me with any questions prior to signing up (see below).

Kit/Materials Fee (payable to instructor at class time):

• $8.00

Instructor Provided (for use in-class, and to share):

• images and text to transfer
• fabric for TAP transfers
• assorted paper & fabric scraps to use in your pages collages
• binding material
• safety pins
• fusible

Student should bring:

• Used hardback book approximately 4"x6" to 6"x8". Select a book that has a cover/color that mirrors your vision for this project. We will only be using the cover but do not remove the pages before class. (Sample shown is 5.25"x 8")
• Fabric – 12-15 pieces approximately the size of your book cover for page backgrounds
• Additional fabric scraps (paper too!) for page collages
• Two matching pieces of fabric or decorative paper for inside covers
• A 12" or 18" cutting mat and rotary cutter . Also bring your paper cutter like this ONLY if you already have one - (Click here)
• A 12" ruler
• Lots of straight pins
• Scissors for fabric
• 6-10 clothespins
• Misc. fibers, papers, photos, etc. for page collage and optional cover collage.