Imagine. Transform. Enjoy.
Quilting is a way of life for me. It offers endless possibilities for creating and preserving what’s important. But equally as satisfying to me is helping others discover the creativity within – growing a community of artists that thrive on the excitement of Creating. My goal is to take memories that are dear to me, IMAGINE them in this medium, TRANSFORM the various scraps of fabrics into a piece that I can ENJOY every day. There’s great excitement in the quilting arts and even more when important moments are transformed into a visual that takes you back to that person, time or place that brings warmth to your spirit.
Meet Barbara and 17 Summers
"For your whole life you have been drawn to make these things that are about wrapping the body in warmth and spirit."
This quote from a dear friend touches on the reasons I love this medium. I began quilting thirty-five years ago. I needed something for myself, a creative outlet as I juggled three small children and a husband who traveled.
Learning traditional, hand quilting came first and solidified my foundation in the art. I was amazed by the beauty AND the utility of these quilts. I was literally wrapping the bodies of those I loved in the warmth of my creations.
My curiosity always left me wondering what else might be possible. My work moved toward more modern designs, vibrant colors and intricacies that might be invisible to most but provided the texture and nuance I knew this medium could bring forward. I experimented mixing imagery with the fabric and composition I loved, and the results are the pictorial collage quilts that I create today. Each piece is one of a kind, capturing a special moment and that brings warmth to my spirit and to the spirit of those it touches.
17 Summers grew out of a comment I heard at church one day. The pastor said "I think I have about 17 more summers". Wow! That hit me hard! If I want to do things NOW is the time. I felt the urgency to quit talking about doing things and begin TO DO THEM!
I want to encourage you to join me in the DOING. The Creative Sisterhood is what I am calling this group of women who say YES - Now is the time! Come, we'll have such fun!
Barbara Gamble
Quilt Workshops
LET'S PLAY! Contact me to bring a quilting workshop to your community or grab some friends and join me in my home for a time of learning, fun, laughter and some pretty darn good music to sew by.
Art Quilts: Pictorial Collage
Just think of this as creating with stickers! You don’t need an artist eye, or previous experience with fabrics, just a willingness to give it a try. We will take a photograph of your choice and create a one of a kind fabric collage that you will be proud of. Subjects might include Portraits, Landscapes or Botanicals.
In the first session we will look at your photo possibilities and choose the one best suited for this technique. Then I will show you the prep work to be done before our workshop begins. We will discuss fabrics you might use and supplies you will need. Then during the actual workshop I will help you as you bring your picture to life. We will talk about borders, quilting, finishing and hanging your work.
New York Beauty
Learn the basics of paper piecing and curved piecing in this adaptation of the New York Beauty block. We will learn paper piecing of the arcs and spikes in one session. After some homework time, we will learn how to sew curves and finish up with a stunniing quilt.
Pineapple Quilt
This quilt uses the Pineapple Trim Tool Ruler and is absolutely wonderful and easy to work with. We will discuss color choices and placement and then use the ruler to make a perfect block EVERYTIME. The possiblities are endless!
My First Quilt
This is a wonderful place to start your quilting adventure. We will discuss color selection and placement. Then we will learn how to cut acurrately using a rotary cutter and ruler, how to sew an accurate 1/4 inch seam, and how to make triangle blocks without ever cuttiing a triangle. Learn to apply borders, how to "sandwich" your quilt and how to quilt it on your domestic machine. Then learn how to apply the binding and congratulate yourself on your first quilt. Everyone has to have their "first"!
Commissions
I would be happy to talk to you about making a quilt or a pillow of a special picture you have. Contact me and let's see what we can Imagine together.
Contact
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