Learning in a Pandemic

Learning in a Pandemic

I’ve been teaching Pet Portraits to quilters and non-quilters alike at in-person workshops since 2014 but when the Covid pandemic hit, everything changed. One of the positives that emerged was discovering that we don’t need to travel to take a class. Who knew that learning online is actually better in some ways than in-person learning? Yes, we can be in class while we’re still in our jammies! More importantly, we can learn at our own pace at convenient times without having to keep up with everyone else in the class. In short, Covid-19 made online learning more than OK and it’s officially blossomed as a way of learning and connecting with others.

Without further a-do, my Pet Portrait Fabric Collage classes are online! Learn from the comfort of your home at a time and pace that suits you.

Online Classes

There are 3 phases to making a fabric collage so I have created a course to match each phase. You can sign up for any or all of the Pet Portrait courses, depending on your needs.

… if you are beginning or have already tried making a pet portrait, start with From Picture to Pattern.

… if you started a pet portrait but need a nudge to finish, start with Fabric Collage.

… if you’ve finished a collage but don’t know how to quilt it, start with Quilting and Finishing.

Each course guides you step-by-step with photos, written instructions and videos. For individual coaching, enter your question in the lesson’s comments box and I’ll answer it as you work through the course. You’re welcome and encouraged to join our Facebook group for support and to see what other students are working on.

Once you register, the course is yours to access whenever you want and it doesn’t expire. You read that right! Life intervenes and changes our plans sometimes, so you will be able to work at your own pace.


From Picture to Pattern

In this course, you will learn how to make a pattern from a photo of your favourite pet or animal. This includes choosing a great photo, preparing your photo, enlarging and printing the full-size photos and how to see like an artist as you trace. You’ll learn what and how to trace as you discover your own style.

On completion, you will have your own unique pattern and a foundation with a placement guide for your pet portrait collage. As a bonus, you will also have a “photo sandwich” to use as your guide in choosing the ideal fabrics to build and assemble your collage.


Fabric Collage

In this course, you will learn how value, colour and texture play important roles in fabric collage. You’ll learn how to identify value in fabric using a value finder (free download included) and how to select fabrics for your portrait. You’ll see how to use Steam-a-Seam Lite to cut and fuse the fabric shapes and how to properly layer them to improve the sense of depth. And the eyes…oh, the eyes. Yes, you’ll learn how to make those beautiful eyes and noses in this course. You’ll be amazed when you see your pet’s eyes peeking back at you from your collage. Finally, you’ll see how to choose and construct a background to really make your portrait pop.


Quilting and Finishing

Are you hesitant to stitch through your collage after all the work you’ve put into it? Conquer your fear in this class. Anne will lead you through the process step-by-step so you can build your confidence to quilt your collage.

We’ll start by making a plan for quilting your portrait. Make all the changes you like at this stage. You’ll keep the final design close by the sewing machine for reference as you quilt the portrait.

Then we’ll explore different types of thread and how they affect the final appearance of your quilted collage. This will take care of the question: which thread will I use and where will I use it? Next, we’ll tackle the elephant in the room: how do I quilt it? You will conquer your fears by quilting on a small fabric collage sample with a selection of threads before you touch your actual fabric collage (…this makes a great set of mug rugs when you’re finished). With the quilting plans at your fingertips and some practice under your belt, you’ll be ready to quilt your collaged portrait.

The only thing remaining at this point is the finishing. You will see four ways to finish the edges of your quilt, including how to mount it on a stretched canvas. For a final touch, you’ll see how to add an internal border that really sets off your portrait.


I am available by email or text message to support you and answer any questions you have along the way. Or, post your comments or questions in the Comment box for that lesson and I will pick it up and answer you. Of course, you can email me at collagequilter@icloud.com.

I hope you’ll sign up and start creating a fabric collage of your favourite pet or animal today. If you’ve already started a collage, there’s no better time to get re-connected with it and finish it off with some expert guidance.

There’s more….a Facebook group for students who wish to share and enhance their experience with social media. I’ll be answering questions and posting updates there as well.


Lastly, when you subscribe to Ruffly Speaking, my newsletter, I’ll send you a free guide, 12+ Ways to Posterize a Photo.

I hope to see you soon.

p.s. I promise not to bombard your inbox with repetitive emails. This is all about encouraging and sharing the world of animal portraits in fabric collage with you.

Anne

9 thoughts on “Learning in a Pandemic

    1. Hi Dezi,

      Thanks for your interest in my online classes. To learn more about them, click on the buttons below each photo. Once the new tab opens, you’ll need to scroll down the page to see all the info. Prices are listed in the FAQ.

      Opening dates for registration and links:

      March 1: How to Make Your Own Pattern.
      March 29: Pet Portraits: Fabric Collage
      April 26: Pet Portraits: Quilting and Finishing

      I hope you’ll sign up. We are ‘live’ in course #1, How to Make Your Own Pattern and if you sign up for the others, I’ll let you know as soon as you can enroll in course #2, Fabric Collage and course #3, Quilting & Finishing.

      Anne

  1. Hello,

    I have signed up for the pet portraits class but I haven’t been able to access the second set of lessons or joint the facebook group. I’ve tried emailing but it keeps bouncing back. Please help as I am very excited to take your series of lessons.

    Thank you!

    1. Hi Nancy…thanks for joining me in the online class. I have set it up so you receive a set of lessons each week to give you time to source materials and to do the work between lessons. So. you’ll receive the second set 7 days after registering. Does that work for you? Let me know if you’d prefer the full course in one batch.

      Have you been emailing collagequilter@icloud.com and having these bounce back?

      1. Thank you! I haven’t received any emails at this point. But I will am watching for them. I have tried the above email and it wont send. Then I tried the email on this site, but haven’t seen a response so I tried here. I loved the first set of lessons and am excited to keep going! I signed up on March 7th so I panicked when no additional lessons had come yet. I really want to continue the whole course.

        Thank you again!

        Nancy

        1. Hi Again, I just realized that I signed up on March 11th so that is just one week ago. So sorry to be a trouble. I still would love to joint the FB group, but cannot connect. Is there anyway you could add me?

          Thank you, sorry for the trouble,

          Nancy

          1. OK, that’s good news. You’ll be receiving the next set of lessons later today. I’ll check the Facebook settings so you can join up and we can connect that way.
            The contact from the course itself should also work, so will have a look at that one too.

            Anne

    1. Hi Brenda,
      Nothing is booked at the moment, but I am gathering names of those who are interested in taking an in-person class. Would you like to be added to the list? Are you looking for a class in Victoria or elsewhere? Also, would you be interested if it were a 3 day class?
      Anne

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