Sunday, June 6, 2010

Quilt Surface Design Symposium


  I am newly returned from my classes at QSDS, and thought I would share a bit of the experience.
This symposium has been around now for 21 years and is going strong. It attracts people from all over the world. In their words, it is for anyone interested in working with fabric and ready to challenge the boundaries between what is considered craft and fine art.

 My first class was with book artist Pam Sussman. We had a choice between making 3 different books. For me, the best part was that we learned how to screen print! We used our own text and/or images and screened them to fabrics of our choosing. Then, the idea was to create a book in fabric using some of the material we had just created. I am hooked! Pam was an awesome teacher with infinite patience. I highly recommend her.
   Here is a picture of the book I chose to create. It is called a "concertina " book. I only used a small piece of the fabric I created.  You can almost see it on the second panel from the left. This book was not yet completed in this picture.


    The second class was with Rosalie Dace, who is from Durbin, South Africa. She was an amazing person and teacher, with so much to share in life experiences alone! The class was all about texture and the ways to create it.  Here is a picture of Rosalie working with my dear friend Vivian. ( Rosalie is on the right)


  Above is the work I have, still in process from this class. It has a lot of work left.

 QSDS is an amazing learning experience, but one must also recognize the fact that there are many friendships created and nurtured throughout the years at this event.  I am very grateful to have been able to attend. I was able to "catch up" with people I haven't seen in years, and also to share the time with special friends like Vivian.









5 comments:

  1. Thank you for introducing me to the QSDS--it looks like you learned much to take home and incorporate in your work! Will you post the concertina book when it's complete?

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  2. Wonderful post...I attended the very first QSDS and it was a miracle then...looks like you are going to have another chapter of experiences to challenge your sensibilities. Thank you for posting the wonderful photos ...so go now and create!!! Imagine and Live in Peace, Mary Helen Fernandez Stewart

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  3. Hannah and Mary Helen, thanks for stopping by. I will post a picture of the completed book as soon as I take it!

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  4. Great work, Susan! I just got back from QSDS last night. I took a 5 day class called "Quilt Jazz" from Rosalie Dace. It was fabulous. It's the 3rd time I've taken from her and she's the absolute best teacher I've ever had. I love your organic, textured work in progress. Can't wait to see the finished product!

    I finished 4 quilt tops in my class. Gotta get busy quilting and finishing for our show that opens the end of July. Maybe we'll see you next year at QSDS?

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  5. Susan, yes Rosalie is amazing!! Can't wait to see your finished pieces. It would be nice to see you before next year! I'd like to get to your upcoming show with Sue K and the Carols...

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