Spring Retreat, 2010
May 21-23, 2010

Who:  Jane Sassaman, Rita Hutchens,
& Linda Halpin

Teacher: Jane Sassaman
Website: www.janesassaman.com

Jane A. Sassaman is a contemporary quilt artist, fabric designer, author and teacher whose critically acclaimed work inspires creative confidence in aspiring artists of all backgrounds. Her internationally known quilts are known for their bold designs, celebrating the energy and miraculous beauty of garden flowers and plants (and the occasional skeleton!).

Jane's quilts are shown worldwide and can be found in many private and corporate art collections. Her quilt Willow was named one of the best 100 American Quilts of the Century. She was awarded the Quilts Japan Award for her work in Quilt National 1999. She also received "The Fairfield Master Award for Contemporary Artistry" at the International Quilt Festival in 1996.

Jane is also an accomplished teacher of design and quilting for guilds and conferences around the world. She travels internationally, teaching groups and individuals how to nurture creativity, sharpen powers of observation and overcome creative obstacles.

Teacher:  Rita Hutchens
Website:  www.ritahutchens.com

In my life and in my creativeness there is a desire to be distinctive. With that desire comes the willingness to take risks and with that willingness comes the ability to accept mistakes. The best ideas and concepts are often developed through mistakes, which I like to think of as intuitive decisions. It is through quilting that I have been able to let go and truly enjoy the process.

I was drawn to the graphic and visual possibilities of pieced fabric during the making of my first quilt in 1981. With little exposure to contemporary or traditional quilt making, I had no pre-conceived ideas regarding the right or wrong of how to make quilts. I liked the idea of putting little things together to make bigger things and devising new formulas and making up rules for myself as I go. I am constantly playing the what if game and will spend days exploring the many possibilities of one idea or concept, when all of sudden a completely new concept will pop up for me to explore and I will go off on another tangent.

Working intuitively with lots of experimentation and mistakes I discovered a style and process of working that was all of my own and developed a unique method of strip piecing. I have explored this technique in depth designing and producing innovative contemporary quilts and award winning garments. I am enthusiastic about sharing this template and paper free technique.

Teacher:  Linda Halpin
Website:  www.lindahalpin.com

I was fortunate to grow up with a mom who does all kinds of needle arts. I began sewing doll clothes at the age of 6, graduating later to making all of of my own clothing. By the time I discovered quilting years later, I had a healthy supply of scraps just waiting to become quilts. Combining that with my love of puzzles made quilting a natural.

Actively teaching quiltmaking across the United States and Canada for over 30 years, I have enjoyed being on the faculty of several distinguished conferences nationwide (including the AQS show in Paducah), as well as working with guilds of memberships ranging from 25 to 400.

I am a graduate of the Embroiderers' Guild of America's Teacher Certification Program. The intensive two year examination program tests not only the candidates' stitching skills but also their knowledge of color and design, history of their chosen field, and classroom abilities. I am one of only nine instructors nationwide who have been certified by the Embroiderer's Guild of America (EGA) as an Instructor in Quiltmaking.

In addition to teaching, I also enjoy writing. My seven quiltmaking books range from quilt history, three dimensional appliqué, and quilted clothing, to scrap quilts, and patterns inspired by the Little House on the Prairie books. I have also served as Chairman of both EGA's National Master Craftsman Program for Quiltmaking and Teacher Certification Programs. I have curated numerous quilt exhibits, as well as been involved as a judge at regional exhibits, and participated in an Exhibit Judging Forum which established guidelines now used nationwide.

     Where:  Covenant Harbor
                    Lake Geneva, WI

Directions to Retreat

Registration Form

         TENTATIVE RETREAT SCHEDULE

CHECK IN TIME IS 4:00 P.M.
CHECK OUT TIME IS 10:00 A.M.

BREAKFAST IS SERVED ON FRIDAY AT 9:00 A.M.
BREAKFAST WILL BE SERVED ON SATURDAY AND SUNDAY AT 8:30 A.M.

LUNCH WILL BE SERVED ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY AT 12:30 P.M.

DINNER WILL BE SERVED AT 5:30 P.M. ON FRIDAY AND SATURDAY.

PLEASE NOTE THAT THE CLASS/SEWING ROOMS ARE AVAILABLE ANYTIME AFTER DINNER

FRIDAY SCHEDULE 

10:00 Class begins
12:30 PM  Lunch
1:30 P.M. Class resumes
5:00  P.M.  Class Ends
5:30 P.M. Dinner
6:00 P.M. TO 7:30 P.M.  Free Time
7:30 P.M.  Show and Tell

SATURDAY SCHEDULE

9:00 A.M.  Class begins
12:30 P.M.  Lunch
1:30 p.m. Class resumes
4:00 P.M.  Class Ends.
4:00 to 5:30 P.M.  Free Time
5:30 P.M.  Dinner
6:00 P.M. to ???? Free time

SUNDAY SCHEDULE

8:30 AM.  Class begins
11:30 A.M.  Class Ends--quick trips through the classrooms and studio to see  “works in progress”
12:00 P.M. Goodbyes

WORKSHOPS

ABSTRACTING FROM NATURE
JANE SASSAMAN

LEVEL - Beginning to advanced
                Sewing machine needed

WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION -

Nature is an endless source of inspiration.  In this class we will examine a wide variety of artists interpretations of nature before beginning to manipulate natural forms ourselves.  Through a series of exercises we will experiment with abstraction and exaggeration to capture the essence and energy of your favorite flora and achieve dramatic visual effects.  We will then translate these ideas into fabric in the 2 to 5 day workshop.

Drawing skills are not needed but participants should have a strong interest in developing their own design language and unique visual symbols.

This class is especially beneficial for the drawing impaired and the tragically literal .

Sassaman Class Supply List

Totally Tubular: Mirror Image Magic
Rita Hutchins

Level: Intermediate-Advanced
Class Length: 2 to 5 Days

Learn this Totally Tubular and totally fun strip-piecing technique to easily piece intricate mirror image designs without the use of templates or paper. Sew fabric strips into tubes. Cut these tubes into more strips and Rita will guide you through her Totally Tubular process for sewing them back together, to create interesting geometric patterns and how to make them in mirror image. It is easier than it looks. Working in mirror image opens a completely new range of options for quilts, borders, kaleidoscopes and garments. There is a wonderful element of surprise making it very fun and rewarding. Techniques learned can be used to make traditional or contemporary patterns.

Note: If you would like a project oriented class this class can be geared to make the projects Lightning, and Irish Chain on Safari (see Gallery 3), from my book Totally Tubular Quilts. [Book required]

In Gallery 1, see Northern Lights, Fall, Irish Chain on the Homestead, Pineapple Plantation and in Gallery 3, see Blooming Flower and Lightning.

Friday:  VICTORIAN PINCH BOX

In the spirit of the elegant ladies of the Victorian era, join in the making of a delightful whimsy, a Victorian PINCH BOX*.    Embellished with crazy quilt embroidery, self-made cording and tassel, this hand-dyed silk and cotton confection is a treasure straight out of history and into your heart.   

*Pinch Box:  this is a 3-dimensional unit into which treasures may be tucked.  When you grasp it on the ends between your thumb and index finger, and pinch your fingers together, the box magically opens, making it a perfect place to store your  thimble or other special keepsake.  

Finished size: approximately 1 " x 3" 

Class is ideal for All Levels of stitching experience.

Class length:  Friday full day workshop: 6 hours 

Class size is limited to 20 students

Kit fee is $10 per student.  Pay instructor in class.

Kit includes:  fabrics, ribbon, window template, needle, finishing supplies, directions:  stitch diagrams, construction and finishing techniques,             *color choice will be available*

Pinch Box Supply List

Saturday:  MYSTERY QUILT

(There is, of course, no picture for this, otherwise, it would spoil the surprise!!

Class is ideal for All Levels of stitching experience. 

Class length:  Saturday full day workshop: 6 hours 

Class size is limited to 20 students 

Built on the two-for-one idea of Linda's Scrap Bonanza books, students will use rotary cutting and sewing techniques to begin one scrap quilt, using the leftovers to create a second quilt that is totally different from the first.  What makes this  class so much fun is that the class will be divided into two groups, with each group working on a different set of quilts.  Participants will not know just which quilt they are working on until the very end.  All quilts done in the Mystery Workshop are new to Linda's class offering, and not found in either of her Scrap Bonanza books. 

Class Project: Begin a scrap quilt PLUS a bonus quilt from the cut-aways.....  Students receive directions for 4 quilts. (2 main quilts and 2 bonus quilts from the cut-aways)

Proficiency:  All levels.  Student should be comfortable with sewing machine and rotary tools.

Class Handout Fee $5 per student:  pay instructor in class

Mystery Quilt Supply List

Back to our Meeting Calendar.