At Play in the Garden of Stitch: Paula Kovarik (SAQA SC/GA Region)

At Play in the Garden of Stitch: A SAQA GA/SC workshop with Paula Kovarik

Workshop dates: Thur-Sat January 19-21, 2023 (Snow dates Wed-Fri January 25-27)

Cost: $280.00 for three full days, 9am - 4pm with a lunch break.

Eligibility:  Now Open to All Current Members of SAQA. Workshop is limited to 15. If the workshop does not fill up, we will open it up to all SAQA members.

Participants are responsible for their own meals and lodging. We are planning to provide dinner together one night. Registrants will receive more detailed information closer to workshop time.

If you have questions, please contact Candy Shively, Regional Co-Rep. candy@davidshively.com or Diane Clapes at dianem.clapes@gmail.com

There are no refunds. If you are unable to attend, we will share contact information of those on the wait list who would like to take your place. You can work that out directly with them.

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION:
Paula Kovarik received her Bachelor of Arts in graphic design from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale. As the creative director and owner of Shades of Gray, Inc., a graphic design studio, she specialized in communications. Paula’s textile art has been recognized by several national venues. She has been profiled in American Craft, Fiber ArtNow and Art Quilting Studio magazines. Paula lives and works in Memphis, TN.

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For those of the class who have already taken one of my Follow the Thread workshops exercises will be modified and new exercises will be included.

Realign, redirect, and reconsider stitching as an element of design with fearless free-motion quilting. This class will approach stitching as meditation, communication, introspection, and play. Simple exercises will broaden the scope of how stitching can enhance and refine the cloth surface. Translating line to thread, we will develop techniques to accept the imperfect, accelerate ideas, and stitch from the imagination.

Learn to:

• First, make a mess. Approach each day with a curious mind willing to make a mess of expectations. No mistakes.
• Embrace the wonky. Make the most of whatever occurs by letting the thread lead. No regrets.
• Think in thread. Make careful observations of the world for an unlimited number of pathways to pursue. No limits.
• Chart a new path. Work out solutions by using composition, layering and experimentation. No dead ends.

Participants will build their stitching vocabulary and learn to trust the thread to tell a story.
Open to all skill levels, free-motion quilting experience a plus but not necessary.


MATERIALS LIST for participants

• Sewing machine with the ability to do free-motion quilting (double-check that you have a free-motion foot that works)

Fabric and batting
• Please pre-wash and cut into 14” x 14” squares:1.5 yards of Black Kona cotton fabric, 1.5 yards of Ivory or Bone or White Kona cotton fabric, 3 yards of backing fabric (your choice)
• 14” x 14” squares of batting for each pair of fabric squares (any kind is fine but you may want to experiment with several kinds.)

Thread
• Your favorite brand of quilting thread in black, white or natural and one spool of variegated black to white, (I prefer YLI brand 100% Long staple cotton ,TEX 40 or Aurafil Mako 40 wt cotton thread)
­• 3 bobbins pre-wound with black, white and variegated threads that match the thread you will use in your top stitch.
• I will be bringing a set of black, white and black-to-white thread for each participant to buy as an option.

Notions
• Needles for your machine, I use 90/14 or 100/16 needles with 40 wt threads. You can also try Topstitch needles.
• Chalk marker (rotary wheel type) – white and/or Hera Marker
• Utility Scissors for cutting threads
• Rotary cutter
• Office supplies: Journal, legal pad or diary to keep notes, One fine tip dry erase marker in black, 2 Pilot Precise V5 pens in black
• A way to capture images: digital camera, computer tablet, smartphone.
• Your ideas and patience.

Other:
• Power strip and extension cords (heavy-duty)
• Trash bag/ thread catcher to keep your area clean
• Any other items you like to have at a workshop. Covered beverage containers, please.