Subsequent yr in October 2025, I’ll be educating in Italy! I invite you to come back be a part of me.
For a number of years now, Tom and I’ve tossed across the thought of a vacation spot workshop—someplace unique—however the logistics of organizing my very own class in a distant nation have been formidable.
Due to Pamela Haack and Strada Toscana, all these kinds of plans and group have been masterfully taken care of. I’ve been invited to show my cloth collage at their stunning venue in central Italy—and benefit from the week to come back with as much as 15 beautiful college students. I made a decision that my solar and moon portraits could be simply the workshop to show amid the rolling hills of the Tuscan countryside.
Serendipitious Cloth Collage in Italy with Susan Carlson: Bel Sole (Stunning Solar)
At Strada Toscana—October 19 – 24, 2025
To Register and For Extra Data
USE THIS LINK
The classroom objective of the week is to “let go and play” with cloth whereas studying the fundamentals of portraiture. All facets of the material collage course of will likely be mentioned, with class time targeted on the material collage piecing approach. The general objective of our week collectively on this stunning medieval location is to completely benefit from the collage course of whereas within the firm of different travel-loving cloth lovers.
That is will likely be my first time educating in Europe and my first go to to Italy. This journey to the foothills of Tuscany will take us to the little village of Città della Pieve and the Resort Vannucci—a former villa with its personal historical past relationship again lots of of years. Pamela will likely be guiding us on native excursions to expertise the historical past, museums and artwork, tradition and eating of the world. The anticipation is already constructing.
Along with classes in creating facial options, we’ll deal with creating the rounded type of our topics—understanding the way to create the phantasm of type and depth in cloth collage.
For our cloth collage topics we’ll use my Solar or Moon Portrait patterns. A solar design may simply be interpreted as a ravishing full moon—Bella Luna—as effectively. These designs are additionally tasks (photographs above and beneath) from my e book Serendipity Quilts. I’ve lengthy discovered celestial portraits to be an incredible introduction to the fundamentals of cloth collage portraiture with out the added concern of making the likeness of a specific individual.
For unbelievable celestial portrait examples of the work of my artistic college students, please try this assortment—Cloth Collage End Line: Solstice Version.
Our Tuscany locale’s sun-kissed popularity will likely be inspiration as we work on our photo voltaic collages. In truth, early within the week, we now have the prospect to expertise a bonus workshop—dying cloth with regionally grown saffron. Having the ability to then use these materials in our collages will likely be a particular addition to this class.
Saffron crocus fields and saffron harvesting are an October sight of this area of Italy—one among our facet journeys will likely be to be taught concerning the historical past of this stunning plant and the way to dye cloth into a ravishing vary of yellow coloration. On that day, we’ll dine on saffron risotto for dinner. Discuss an immersive expertise!
Serendipitious Cloth Collage in Italy with Susan Carlson: Bel Sole (Stunning Solar)
To Register and for Extra Data
USE THIS LINK
Every scholar will likely be working with a assorted cloth palette, so every solar or moon will develop their very own persona because the week progresses. Very similar to a portray emerges from a canvas, our photos will seemingly emerge from our basis designs as we layer dabs of cloth.
I’ll be offering pre-enlarged solar and moon patterns to be used in school so every scholar can select the dimensions they really feel notably impressed to work with.
A month or so earlier than the October 2025 class dates, I’ll schedule Zoom conferences to assist college students put together for and reply questions relating to the category. In these pre-class Zoom classes, I’ll focus on and exhibit cloth choice targeted on shade, values, and printed designs, in addition to the way to put together a cloth palette.
Membership within the Cloth Collage Grasp Class is a pre-requisite for this workshop. This on-line studying useful resource will present step-by-step reminders and reference of your complete course of earlier than, throughout, and after class. Buy (if scholar doesn’t already personal the Grasp Class) will be made any time after class registration.
Quilting will likely be accomplished at residence (no machines required for sophistication).
To Register for Serendipitious Cloth Collage in Italy with Susan Carlson
and for Extra Data
Towards the top of the week, we’ll focus on the way to transfer ahead on our fanciful photo voltaic portraits—contemplating the place and the way to add extra particulars utilizing sheer materials, discovered lace or different supplies, or no matter speaks to us. These additions put the ending touches on the tasks and reminiscences of our week of Serendipitous Cloth Collage in Italy.