Tools of the Trade Tuesday: Embroidery Floss

How do you keep your embroidery fibers? Are they organized on rings like these winders? Do you prefer a jumble of skeins and balls, thinking that it encourages inspiration when colors tangle themselves up into unexpected pairings? Add some fabric and a few needles, and you are ready for Rosalie Dace’s “Handstitching for Texture and Touch” class, June 6-10 at QSDS. Ir’s guaranteed to be five days of  low-stress, enjoyable learning and stitching. Rosalie will provide lots of inspiration from around the world. I’ll bet you have everything you need for this wonderful class right in your sewing room. Check out the full class description and images here:

http://www.qsds.com/classesbysession2016.html

Tools of the Trade Tuesday: Beads!

Who doesn’t love beads? They come in so many colors, textures and shapes. And you can find them–-bins and bins of them---in Becky Hancock’s weekend class at QSDS, June 2-4. Becky is on a mission to “Beadify the Universe” and she wants us all to come along for the amazing, colorful ride. Make earrings, necklaces, her famous bead kabob bracelet, or try embellishing felt balls. Becky brings everything you might possibly want, including the beads, tools, wire and other findings. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced beader, Becky will have you looping wires, opening jump rings and designing  fabulous accessories. So come spend the weekend with Becky and the rest of us at QSDS. You’ll love it! Check out the classes here: http://www.qsds.com/classesbysession2016.html

Who can Resist Shibori?

QSDS is the perfect place to take surface design workshops; an in-depth exploration time without messing up your own house!

 Is learning the ancient Japanese art of Shibori on your bucket list? Why not spend June 6-10 with Sue Cavanaugh?

 Meditative sessions of hand stitching alternate with the excitement of undoing the dyed fabrics to discover how the patterns have turned out. Look at what one of Sue’s students created in her weekend class last year. Just think what you can learn and accomplish in five days! Check it out here: 
http://www.qsds.com/classesbysession2016.html

Got paints? Katie Pasquini Masopust does!

Got Paints??

I’ll bet you do! Bring your stash of acrylics to Katie Pasquini Masopust’s five day “stitched Paintings” class during Session 1 of QSDS. Here’s one of Katie’s photos that shows what you do during the first day of class: beautiful paintings on canvas, the start of painted, fused and stitched compositions.  

Stitched Paintings with Katie Pasquini Masopust

Katie Pasquini Masopust

Wouldn’t you love to spend five days with  one of the shining stars of the art quilt world? Katie Pasquini Masopust is coming to QSDS to teach her “Stitched Paintings” which is class #5 during Week I. This is a great chance to try a new way of combining washes of paint on canvas with fabrics and machine stitching. It’s a way of working that could go in either an abstract or more realistic direction. And let me tell you—Katie is a really fun and energetic teacher! Come on, you know you’d really like to be in this class, so check it out here: http://www.qsds.com/classesbysession2016.html

Think outside the box

Try something totally new to you!

There’s way more than the usual piecing, applique and quilting going on at QSDS. So why not try something that’s completely new to you?

 Remember how much fun it was to melt crayons when you were a kid? Check out the photo here. The grown-up art of encaustics, combines wax with all sorts of great collage elements. Clare Murray Adams is a master of this medium.

 Do you have an applique idea that is too elaborately detailed to cut out by hand?

 Betty Busby will show you how to program an electric cutting machine to make your design possible.  And when else will you get a chance to paint, cut and stitch non-woven interfacing? Think of the possibilities!

 But that’s not all...there is also an amazing beading class with Becky Hancock, another class that will teach you to hand stitch new textures into your work and one where you get to try shibori-style dyeing without messing up your own house!

 These are just a few of the other out-of-the-box choices at QSDS this coming spring. Come join us! 

Check out all our instructors and classes at qsds.com

Sue Benner - Mastering the Independent Study at QSDS

Declare your independence with Sue Benner.

Not everyone comes to QSDS to take a guided class. Perhaps you’ve taken plenty of classes already and want to focus on what you’ve already learned. Maybe you are on a roll, in the midst of a series or happily working in a particular style. On the other hand, maybe you are a little bit stuck. Then spending Session 1 & 2 with Sue Benner could be just the thing for you!  Seven days of independent study is a chance to be productive in the company of fellow fiber artists----and no need to do the dishes or clean the house. Sue is a great mentor, leading art-focused discussions and individual critiques. This class also has the added bonus of extra work space.  Each student gets two tables and two design boards. 

Plus, QSDS is fun! You’ll be productive, make friends and share in all the activities such as the mini bazaar and the bus trip to regional galleries. Trust me, it’s a wonderful way to spend a week.  Check out Sue’s upcoming class here:

http://www.qsds.com/classesbysession2016.html