I often work in a collage method when constructing my quilts. Cutting shapes, assembling them into something pleasing and then fixing them to the background. It’s a satisfying way of working. It’s also flexible, forgiving and can be easily combined with other techniques.
This is how the Merriam-Webster dictionary defines collage:
: an artistic composition made of various materials (such as paper, cloth, or wood) glued on a surface
: a creative work that resembles such a composition in incorporating various materials or elements
: HODGEPODGE
Hodgepodge?! Hopefully not! But definitely a composition glued onto a surface, and often incorporating various elements.
I work in the cut and glue way, otherwise known as raw-edge applique, because it gives me the freedom to create intricate shapes. My artistic voice leans towards the figurative, and this is easier to achieve if I’m not trying to machine piece fiddly bits of fabrics or turn under edges of complex shapes. But another big reason I work this way is that it gives me the freedom to listen to my work as it grows and move elements around the ‘canvas’ until I hit that sweet spot where the design feels right to me.
I can audition and rearrange and change my mind till my heart is content. It’s almost like a sketchbook, I can work out my textile design on my design wall in real size instead of in the pages of a sketchbook. But don’t get me wrong – sketchbooks are great and have an important role too!
I also work in my sketchbook with paper collage. Paper is cheaper than fabric and you can find so many pretty colours just by opening up discarded gardening or interior design magazines. Cutting shapes from paper is very freeing – do you remember your primary school cut and paste sessions? It’s also great for people who say, “I can’t draw!” They don’t have to! Just grab some scissors and glue and play!
I did a lot of paper cutting and collage back in 2017 when I did a 100 days project, which I named ‘100 days of Scissors’. I made a composition every day for 100 days, some figurative, some abstract, and I managed to fill two whole sketchbooks, which I still refer to regularly for inspiration. Often, the negative shapes left behind from cutting were what sparked the next day’s idea.
I take all those ideas from working with paper back to my textile work. Everything influences everything else; creation is a fluid process.
Here are some of my favourite quilts that were made using mainly collage, but with some other techniques thrown in for good measure:
Do you want to spend some time experimenting with collage? I’m excited to be teaching my workshop called ‘Creative Collage’ for Queensland Quilters on the 10th May 2024. We will start with paper collage and work through some exercises to get your creative juices flowing before moving to fusible web and fabric. We’ll experiment with positive and negative shapes, abstract and figurative work, layering and mirroring, and personal shapes/symbols. We’ll discuss effective design choices, learning some never-fail tips and tricks for compositional magic along the way. Most of all, we’ll have fun!
You can head to Queensland Quilters website for further details, they even have an earlybird sign up special if you register now. I’ll also be teaching ‘Level Up Your FMQ (free-motion quilting)’ and ‘Misty Woodland,’ a two day paint and silk organza class. I hope to see you there.