Nancy Crow | Quilt making workshops

• Strip-Piecing & Restructuring: Part I [beginning to intermediate]

STRIP-PIECING & RESTRUCTURING: Parts I & II

• Length: 5 days
• Level: Beginning to Intermediate
• Prerequisite: Good machine-sewing skills
• Sewing machine used

Note: These design exercises are not the same as those in Strip-Piecing & Restructuring: Part II.

DESCRIPTION
Strip-piecing is defined as a way of creating a “fabric vocabulary” out of existing fabrics that have been cut selvage to selvage. It is an invaluable way to learn more about color, value usage, proportions, line and shape in a very fluid manner.

• STRIP-PIECING: To start out, students will be given Design Exercises that outline how to create specific vocabularies known as strip-pieced fabrics. In creating these brand new fabrics (vocabulary), students will develop the muscle memory needed to cut free-hand a large variety of widths of colors quickly and fluidly. In addition, they will also become more efficient machine-piecers. The resulting strip-pieced fabrics will be used in exploring rudimentary figure/ground composition as outlined next.

• RESTRUCTURING: Next new Design Exercises will push students to cut improvisationally all sorts of SHAPES and LINES (ELEMENTS) out of their already strip-pieced fabrics. These elements will be used in restructuring which means combining shapes and lines into new figures or configurations. As a result, students will become more experienced in construction and engineering techniques and more comfortable with generating ideas that promote excellent figure/ground composition.

• Color - and the values of color from light to dark (5 steps in value) - will be emphasized in all exercises so a great selection of fabrics based on these values must be brought to this workshop. Students will be working in SOLID COLORS and graphic prints, plaids and stripes. Do not bring florals or other types of prints.

Students must read the fabric list and supply list and come prepared. These lists are accurate!!! Note regarding the fabric lists:

Concentrate on collecting DARKS and MEDIUM DARKS!
Concentrate on collecting LIGHTS and MEDIUM LIGHTS!
Concentrate on collecting BRIGHTS!
Concentrate on collecting FLATS and GLOWINGS!
Concentrate on collecting PLAIDS!
Concentrate on collecting STRIPES!
Concentrate on collecting GRAPHIC GEOMETRICS!

If students want to learn to work more effectively, more efficiently from “instincts” and “intuition” they must come with an open mind and no agendas, ready for growth and for risk-taking!

PRESENTATION

Optional but important: Each student should come prepared with a digital presentation/laptop or 3-6 actual quilts and be prepared to make a short (3-5 minutes maximum) but articulate presentation about their work including future goals. The Crow Timber Frame Barn provides use of a digital projector connected to a laptop. This helps me and all the other students to know where you are in your work at this time. Please bring new work since the last time I saw your work.

SUPPLIES

Sewing Machine
Needles/Bobbins
Digital Camera/Printer (Canon SELPHY printer recommended)/Paper
Scissors/Thread/Rulers
Swing Arm Lamp
24” x 36” Cutting Mat
7’ x 7’ Batting/Flannel (White) on which to pin work (optional)
Extra Large Rotary Cutter and Blades
Iron/Iron Cleaner (optional as Barn has irons)
Ball-Head Pins (very fine and regular size)
Small Water Spray Bottle for Ironing
Glue to Adhere Snapshots into Sketchbook
Multiple Outlet Power Strip/Adaptors/Heavy Duty Extension Cords
Sketchbook/Pens/Other Supplies You Want
Packing Tape if shipping boxes (plus return labels)

Optional Books:

CROSSROADS, 2007, Breckling Press (catalog from one of Nancy’s exhibitions) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, 2006, Breckling Press (book covering Nancy's work from 1989-2005) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, MONO-PRINTS: SELF-PORTRAITS: FOCUS, 2012 - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
COLOR IMPROVISATIONS 2 & CIRCULAR ABSTRACTIONS: BULL’S EYES QUILTS, 2016, (books from two exhibitions curated by Nancy) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

Unfortunately, the following titles are out of print, but your local library may have them or order on Amazon.com.

GRADATIONS: FROM THE STUDIO OF NANCY CROW, Quilt House Publishing
NANCY CROW: WORK IN TRANSITION, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: QUILTS AND INFLUENCES, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: IMPROVISATIONAL QUILTS, C&T Publishing

Fabrics:
6 yards or more each of:

SOLID BLACK and SOLID WHITE

2-3 yards each of:

BRIGHT COLORS - bright red, orange, acid yellow, lime, turquoise, blue, apple green, pink, lavender, etc. (very saturated bright colors … the brightest color that are never darker than medium value)

1 yard or more:

GRAPHIC PRINTS (graphic prints means very simple prints with patterns in rows or columns)
PLAIDS
STRIPES

I caution you not to bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including these 5 steps in value:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

2-3 yards each of: (bring 5 steps in value)

GRAYS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)

1 yard or more of each color:

SOLID OPAQUE COLORS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark values so you can be free to work) - reds, pinks, blues, teals, greens, limes, violets, browns, yellows, golds, oranges, purples, maroons, turquoises, rusts, etc.

TANS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)

OFF-WHITES (warm white, cold white, cream)

Bring BOTH the GLOWING and the FLAT versions of as many of these colors as possible.
Please wash and shrink all fabrics! No need to iron though if you fold at end of drying cycle!
We will use everything listed above so do not decide to leave anything out.
DO NOT BRING FAT QUARTERS.
Bring enough variety so you are not hamstrung!

NOTES REGARDING FABRIC SUPPLY LIST
Yes, the rumor is true!!! Yes, I do ask that each student bring lots of fabrics. My personal theory embraces the belief that one will be freer to be creative if one has many fabric choices available in class. After 35+ years of teaching, I consider each class I teach to be on a graduate level and therefore I expect students to arrive prepared with all necessary supplies. In that regard, I have outlined those fabrics we will use in this class. For some students, my fabric supply list will seem overwhelming in quantity and variety, while for other students, the selection they bring will never be good enough.

About solid colors - the more shades you have to work with, the more you will learn about how to work with color. Color is Joyous!!! Color does not cause pain!!! Take DELIGHT in color!!! Working in color does not mean only using BOLD colors or HOT colors; working in color means learning to be versatile in all types of colors.

I caution you to not bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including these 5 steps in value:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

Any color can be GLOWING or FLAT:
• GLOWING tones are any colors mixed with yellow and which have a glow coming off the surface.
• FLAT tones are those colors mixed with black and which emit a dullness, energy draining very subdued nature.

Many students arrive with their own hand-dyed solids or stacks they have purchased from other dyers. By all means, bring hand-dyed if you want but they need to be opaque and not have multiple values swimming across them ... meaning white or light splotches on dark colors.

However, flat solids (dyed commercially) are equally acceptable.

I usually work with flat colors or my own subtly dyed flat colors. My own palette includes approximately 500 shades.

I cannot specifically tell you to only bring 1 yard cuts of each color because I know we will be using at least a yard or more of some to many colors depending on each student’s color preferences. If you bring a yard of each – say 5 blues, 5 reds, 5 yellows, 5 greens, etc., but one each in light values, medium light values, medium values, medium dark values, & dark values, that would be better than not having enough. So bring 1 yard of as many colors as you can afford and shorter lengths for the rest.

• Strip-Piecing & Restructuring: Part II [beginning to intermediate]

STRIP-PIECING & RESTRUCTURING: Part II

• Length: 5 days
• Level: Beginning to Intermediate
• Prerequisite: Good machine-sewing skills
• Sewing machine used

Note: These design exercises are not the same as those in Strip-Piecing & Restructuring: Part I.

DESCRIPTION
Strip-piecing is defined as a way of creating a “fabric vocabulary” out of existing fabrics that have been cut selvage to selvage. It is an invaluable way to learn more about color, value usage, proportions, line and shape in a very fluid manner.

• STRIP-PIECING: To start out, in PART II, students will be given new design exercises that outline how to create specific and often more complex fabric vocabularies (known as strip-pieced fabrics). In creating these brand new fabric vocabularies, students will develop the muscle memory needed to cut free-hand quickly and fluidly a large variety of widths of colors.

• These New Design Exercises will encourage:

THE EXPLORATION OF LINE
THE EXPLORATION OF WIDER WIDTHS OF SHAPE
THE EXPLORATION OF A WIDER USE OF VALUE
THE EXPLORATION OF A WIDER USE OF FLAT COLORS

***As students become more efficient machine-piecers, they will use the resulting strip-pieced fabrics in restructuring to explore more advanced figure/ground composition.

• RESTRUCTURING: The next new design exercises will push students to cut across and restructure strip-pieced fabrics in an even more improvisational manner to create ever-more complex structures. Students will experiment with all sorts of cross-cuts that create new SHAPES and LINES (ELEMENTS) out of their already strip-pieced fabrics. These will be sewn together and then recut. These elements will be used in restructuring which means combining shapes and lines into new figures or configurations. Groups of configurations will be strung together or combined with other sewn structures to create increasingly complex compositions. As a result, students will become more experienced in construction and engineering techniques and more comfortable with generating ideas that promote excellent figure/ground composition.

• Color - and the values of color from light to dark (5 steps in value)—-will be emphasized in all exercises so a great selection of fabrics based on these values must be brought to this workshop. Students will be working in SOLID COLORS and graphic prints, plaids and stripes. Do not bring florals or other types of prints.

Students must read the fabric list and supply list and come prepared. These lists are accurate!!! Note regarding the fabric lists:

Concentrate on collecting DARKS and MEDIUM DARKS!
Concentrate on collecting LIGHTS and MEDIUM LIGHTS!
Concentrate on collecting BRIGHTS!
Concentrate on collecting FLATS and GLOWINGS!
Concentrate on collecting PLAIDS!
Concentrate on collecting STRIPES!
Concentrate on collecting GRAPHIC GEOMETRICS!

If students want to learn to work more effectively, more efficiently from “instincts” and “intuition” they must come with an open mind and no agendas, ready for growth and for risk-taking!

PRESENTATION

Optional but important: Each student should come prepared with a digital presentation/laptop or 3-6 actual quilts and be prepared to make a short (3-5 minutes maximum) but articulate presentation about their work including future goals. The Crow Timber Frame Barn provides use of a digital projector connected to a laptop. This helps me and all the other students to know where you are in your work at this time. Please bring new work since the last time I saw your work.

SUPPLIES

Sewing Machine
Needles/Bobbins
Digital Camera/Printer (Canon SELPHY printer recommended)/Paper
Scissors/Thread/Rulers
Swing Arm Lamp
24” x 36” Cutting Mat
7’ x 7’ Batting/Flannel (White) on which to pin work (optional)
Extra Large Rotary Cutter and Blades
Iron/Iron Cleaner (optional as Barn has irons)
Ball-Head Pins (very fine and regular size)
Small Water Spray Bottle for Ironing
Glue to Adhere Snapshots into Sketchbook
Multiple Outlet Power Strip/Adaptors/Heavy Duty Extension Cords
Sketchbook/Pens/Other Supplies You Want
Packing Tape if shipping boxes (plus return labels)

Optional Books:

CROSSROADS, 2007, Breckling Press (catalog from one of Nancy’s exhibitions) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, 2006, Breckling Press (book covering Nancy's work from 1989-2005) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, MONO-PRINTS: SELF-PORTRAITS: FOCUS, 2012 - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
COLOR IMPROVISATIONS 2 & CIRCULAR ABSTRACTIONS: BULL’S EYES QUILTS, 2016, (books from two exhibitions curated by Nancy) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

Unfortunately, the following titles are out of print, but your local library may have them or order on Amazon.com.

GRADATIONS: FROM THE STUDIO OF NANCY CROW, Quilt House Publishing
NANCY CROW: WORK IN TRANSITION, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: QUILTS AND INFLUENCES, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: IMPROVISATIONAL QUILTS, C&T Publishing

Fabrics:
6 yards or more each of:

SOLID BLACK and SOLID WHITE

2-3 yards each of:

BRIGHT COLORS - bright red, orange, acid yellow, lime, turquoise, blue, apple green, pink, lavender, etc. (very saturated bright colors … the brightest color that are never darker than medium value)

1 yard or more:

GRAPHIC PRINTS (graphic prints means very simple prints with patterns in rows or columns)
PLAIDS
STRIPES

I caution you not to bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including these 5 steps in value:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

2-3 yards each of: (bring 5 steps in value)

GRAYS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)

1 yard or more of each color:

SOLID OPAQUE COLORS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark values so you can be free to work) - reds, pinks, blues, teals, greens, limes, violets, browns, yellows, golds, oranges, purples, maroons, turquoises, rusts, etc.

TANS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)

OFF-WHITES (warm white, cold white, cream)

Bring BOTH the GLOWING and the FLAT versions of as many of these colors as possible.
Please wash and shrink all fabrics! No need to iron though if you fold at end of drying cycle!
We will use everything listed above so do not decide to leave anything out.
DO NOT BRING FAT QUARTERS.
Bring enough variety so you are not hamstrung!

NOTES REGARDING FABRIC SUPPLY LIST
Yes, the rumor is true!!! Yes, I do ask that each student bring lots of fabrics. My personal theory embraces the belief that one will be freer to be creative if one has many fabric choices available in class. After 35+ years of teaching, I consider each class I teach to be on a graduate level and therefore I expect students to arrive prepared with all necessary supplies. In that regard, I have outlined those fabrics we will use in this class. For some students, my fabric supply list will seem overwhelming in quantity and variety, while for other students, the selection they bring will never be good enough.

About solid colors - the more shades you have to work with, the more you will learn about how to work with color. Color is Joyous!!! Color does not cause pain!!! Take DELIGHT in color!!! Working in color does not mean only using BOLD colors or HOT colors; working in color means learning to be versatile in all types of colors.

I caution you to not bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including these 5 steps in value:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

Any color can be GLOWING or FLAT:
• GLOWING tones are any colors mixed with yellow and which have a glow coming off the surface.
• FLAT tones are those colors mixed with black and which emit a dullness, energy draining very subdued nature.

Many students arrive with their own hand-dyed solids or stacks they have purchased from other dyers. By all means, bring hand-dyed if you want but they need to be opaque and not have multiple values swimming across them ... meaning white or light splotches on dark colors.

However, flat solids (dyed commercially) are equally acceptable.

I usually work with flat colors or my own subtly dyed flat colors. My own palette includes approximately 500 shades.

I cannot specifically tell you to only bring 1 yard cuts of each color because I know we will be using at least a yard or more of some to many colors depending on each student’s color preferences. If you bring a yard of each – say 5 blues, 5 reds, 5 yellows, 5 greens, etc., but one each in light values, medium light values, medium values, medium dark values, & dark values, that would be better than not having enough. So bring 1 yard of as many colors as you can afford and shorter lengths for the rest.

• Sets and Variables I & II: Using a Simple Motif & a Compound Motif [intermediate to advanced]

SETS AND VARIABLES I & II: USING A SIMPLE MOTIF & A COMPOUND MOTIF

• Length: 5 days
• Level: Intermediate to Advanced
• Prerequisite: Free-hand cutting skills/very good machine-sewing skills
• Sewing machine used

• PLEASE NOTE: The design exercises in Sets and Variables I & II are different from those in Sets and Variables III. It is advised that students take both classes in sequence if possible.

DESCRIPTION
Sets and Variables I & II is based on exploring the use of a simple geometrical motif and its compound version in compositions. A MOTIF is defined as being a simple figure (a theme) that is repeated in some manner. COMPOUND MOTIF: The compound version of a simple motif is simply the opening up of spaces in the simple motif so the ground shows through in those spaces.

SetsVariablesIandIImotifs

It is the responsibility of each student to think about which shapes & combinations of shapes could become new fresh motifs, to draw up many, many ideas in their sketchbook, and then, to actually cut out and sew together as many black/white simple motifs as possible. After making samples of simple motifs, compound versions of each of the simple motifs should be made. Making both these simple and compound motifs out of fabric will enlighten the student as to which motifs are both visually effective and which are easy to sew together. The size of the motif samples can be approximately 8” x 8” up to 12” x 12”. Keep black figure on white ground on the first round; make the reverse of each also with white figure on black ground.

On the morning of the first day of class each student is to have all of their motif ideas pinned to their work wall, with simple and compound versions side-by-side. At some point, the student will be expected to choose one of their motif ideas and love this chosen motif enough to work with it throughout all given design exercises during the week. The chosen motif will become the set; then variables will be added as part of each timed exercise. Figure/ground composition, value and color usage will be emphasized at all times, so each student must come prepared with the very best assortment of values, in solids, (commercial or hand-dyed) in as many color families as possible. It is important that the range of values includes very light colors, medium lights, mediums, medium darks, and darks. This class requires very individual thinking and total concentration, and is meant to be challenging! The method of working will be a journey about discovery and will require an attitude of risk-taking! The design exercises will stimulate thinking and hopefully help to develop more individual work.
• Students must come prepared with motif ideas!

Note: All design exercises will be done in solid colored fabric using machine-piecing techniques. Each exercise will result in a composition. Keeping a sketchbook with excellent notations will be vitally important throughout the workshop; therefore, it is required that students bring a digital camera and a small digital printer (such as the Canon Selphy printer) to use as a tool for keeping track of works-in-progress. Since students will be pining work as it progresses onto the wall, they should bring at least 2 boxes of fine but short ball-head pins.

PRESENTATION

Optional but important: Each student should come prepared with a digital presentation/laptop or 3-6 actual quilts and be prepared to make a short (3-5 minutes maximum) but articulate presentation about their work including future goals. The Crow Timber Frame Barn provides use of a digital projector connected to a laptop.

SUPPLIES

Sewing Machine
Needles/Bobbins
Digital Camera/Printer (Canon SELPHY printer recommended)/Paper
Scissors/Thread/Rulers
Swing Arm Lamp
24” x 36” Cutting Mat
7’ x 7’ Batting/Flannel (White) on which to pin work (optional)
Extra Large Rotary Cutter and Blades
Iron/Iron Cleaner (optional as Barn has irons)
Ball-Head Pins (very fine and regular size)
Small Water Spray Bottle for Ironing
Glue to Adhere Snapshots into Sketchbook
Multiple Outlet Power Strip/Adaptors/Heavy Duty Extension Cords
Sketchbook/Pens/Other Supplies You Want
Packing Tape if shipping boxes (plus return labels)

Optional Books:

CROSSROADS, 2007, Breckling Press (catalog from one of Nancy’s exhibitions) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, 2006, Breckling Press (book covering Nancy's work from 1989-2005) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, MONO-PRINTS: SELF-PORTRAITS: FOCUS, 2012 - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
COLOR IMPROVISATIONS 2 & CIRCULAR ABSTRACTIONS: BULL’S EYES QUILTS, 2016, (books from two exhibitions curated by Nancy) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

Unfortunately, the following titles are out of print, but your local library may have them or order on Amazon.com.

GRADATIONS: FROM THE STUDIO OF NANCY CROW, Quilt House Publishing
NANCY CROW: WORK IN TRANSITION, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: QUILTS AND INFLUENCES, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: IMPROVISATIONAL QUILTS, C&T Publishing

Fabrics:
3 yards or more each of:

SOLID BLACK and SOLID WHITE
SOLID COLORS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark values) so you can be free to work – Reds, Pinks, Blues,Teals, Greens, Limes, Violets, Browns, Yellows, Golds, Oranges, Purples, Maroons, Turquoises, Rusts, etc.)
GRAYS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)
TANS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)
OFF-WHITES (warm white, cold white, cream)

BE SURE TO WASH AND SHRINK ALL FABRICS BEFORE CLASS IF POSSIBLE
We will use everything listed above so do not decide to leave anything out!
DO NOT BRING FAT QUARTERS.
Do not bring prints.
We will use a lot of solid colors so bring a good range that includes darks, medium and light values of Browns, Blues, Greens, Reds, Golds, Yellows, Oranges, Purples, Violets, etc.!

NOTES REGARDING FABRIC SUPPLY LIST
Yes, the rumor is true!!! Yes, I do ask that each student bring lots of fabrics. My personal theory embraces the belief that one will be freer to be creative if one has many fabric choices available in class. After 35+ years of teaching, I consider each class I teach to be on a graduate level and therefore I expect students to arrive prepared with all necessary supplies. In that regard, I have outlined those fabrics we will use in this class. For some students, my fabric supply list will seem overwhelming in quantity and variety, while for other students, the selection they bring will never be good enough.

About solid colors - the more shades you have to work with, the more you will learn about how to work with color. Color is Joyous!!! Color does not cause pain!!! Take DELIGHT in color!!!

Working in color does not mean only using BOLD colors or HOT colors; working in color means learning to be versatile in all types of colors.

I caution you to not bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

• Please bring the glowing version… AND… the dull/flat version of as many colors as possible.

• Remember that ANY COLOR… AND… ANY VALUE of ANY COLOR can be glowing or dull/flat.

Many students arrive with their own hand-dyed solids or stacks they have purchased from other dyers. By all means, bring hand-dyed if you want… but not splotchy with white splotches on all colors.

But solids (dyed commercially) are equally acceptable.

I usually work with my own subtly dyed solid colors. My own palette includes approximately 500+ shades.

Regarding fabrics: I recommend 2 yard cuts or larger because I feel happier with a minimum of 2 yard cuts. But please feel free to come with 1 yard cuts if this will facilitate having a much broader range of values. But please do not blame me if you run out of any color as I have no way of knowing which colors you will use up.

• Sets and Variables III: Using Linear Motifs [intermediate to advanced]

SETS AND VARIABLES III: USING A LINEAR MOTIF

• Length: 5 days
• Level: Intermediate to Advanced
• Prerequisite: Free-hand cutting skills/very good machine-sewing skills
• Sewing machine used

• PLEASE NOTE: The design exercises in Sets and Variables I & II are different from those in Sets and Variables III. It is advised that students take both classes in sequence if possible.

DESCRIPTION
Sets and Variables III is based on exploring the use of a LINEAR motif and its compound version in compositions. A MOTIF is defined as being a simple figure (a theme) that is repeated in some manner. COMPOUND MOTIF: The compound version of a simple motif is simply the opening up of spaces in the simple motif so the ground shows through in those spaces.

Pasted Graphic

It is the responsibility of each student to think about which lines & combinations of lines could become new fresh motifs, to draw up many, many ideas in their sketchbook, and then, to actually cut out and sew together as many black/white simple motifs as possible. After making samples of simple motifs, compound versions of each of the simple motifs should also be made. Making both these simple and compound motifs out of fabric will enlighten the student as to which motifs are both visually effective and which are easy to sew together. The size of the motif samples can be approximately 8” x 8” up to 12” x 12”. Keep black figure on white ground on the first round; make the reverse of each also with white figure on black ground.

On the morning of the first day of class each student is to have all of their motif ideas pinned to their work wall, with simple and compound versions side-by-side. At some point, the student will be expected to choose one of their motif ideas and love this chosen motif enough to work with it throughout all given design exercises during the week. The chosen motif will become the set; then variables will be added as part of each timed exercise. Figure/ground composition, value and color usage will be emphasized at all times, so each student must come prepared with the very best assortment of values, in solids, (commercial or hand-dyed) in as many color families as possible. It is important that the range of values includes very light colors, medium lights, mediums, medium darks, and darks. This class requires very individual thinking and total concentration, and is meant to be challenging! The method of working will be a journey about discovery and will require an attitude of risk-taking! The design exercises will stimulate thinking and hopefully help to develop more individual work.
• Students must come prepared with motif ideas!

Note: All design exercises will be done in solid colored fabric using machine-piecing techniques. Each exercise will result in a composition. Keeping a sketchbook with excellent notations will be vitally important throughout the workshop; therefore, it is required that students bring a digital camera and a small digital printer (such as the Canon Selphy printer) to use as a tool for keeping track of works-in-progress. Since students will be pining work as it progresses onto the wall, they should bring at least 2 boxes of fine but short ball-head pins.

PRESENTATION

Optional but important: Each student should come prepared with a digital presentation/laptop or 3-6 actual quilts and be prepared to make a short (3-5 minutes maximum) but articulate presentation about their work including future goals. The Crow Timber Frame Barn provides use of a digital projector connected to a laptop.

SUPPLIES

Sewing Machine
Needles/Bobbins
Digital Camera/Printer (Canon SELPHY printer recommended)/Paper
Scissors/Thread/Rulers
Swing Arm Lamp
24” x 36” Cutting Mat
7’ x 7’ Batting/Flannel (White) on which to pin work (optional)
Extra Large Rotary Cutter and Blades
Iron/Iron Cleaner (optional as Barn has irons)
Ball-Head Pins (very fine and regular size)
Small Water Spray Bottle for Ironing
Glue to Adhere Snapshots into Sketchbook
Multiple Outlet Power Strip/Adaptors/Heavy Duty Extension Cords
Sketchbook/Pens/Other Supplies You Want
Packing Tape if shipping boxes (plus return labels)

Optional Books:

CROSSROADS, 2007, Breckling Press (catalog from one of Nancy’s exhibitions) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, 2006, Breckling Press (book covering Nancy's work from 1989-2005) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, MONO-PRINTS: SELF-PORTRAITS: FOCUS, 2012 - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
COLOR IMPROVISATIONS 2 & CIRCULAR ABSTRACTIONS: BULL’S EYES QUILTS, 2016, (books from two exhibitions curated by Nancy) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

Unfortunately, the following titles are out of print, but your local library may have them or order on Amazon.com.

GRADATIONS: FROM THE STUDIO OF NANCY CROW, Quilt House Publishing
NANCY CROW: WORK IN TRANSITION, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: QUILTS AND INFLUENCES, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: IMPROVISATIONAL QUILTS, C&T Publishing

Fabrics:
3 yards or more each of:

SOLID BLACK and SOLID WHITE
SOLID COLORS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark values) so you can be free to work – Reds, Pinks, Blues,Teals, Greens, Limes, Violets, Browns, Yellows, Golds, Oranges, Purples, Maroons, Turquoises, Rusts, etc.)
GRAYS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)
TANS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)
OFF-WHITES (warm white, cold white, cream)

Bring BOTH the GLOWING and the FLAT versions of as many of these colors as possible.
We will use everything listed above so do not decide to leave anything out.
Please wash and shrink all fabrics! No need to iron though if you fold at end of drying cycle!

NOTES REGARDING FABRIC SUPPLY LIST
Yes, the rumor is true!!! Yes, I do ask that each student bring lots of fabrics. My personal theory embraces the belief that one will be freer to be creative if one has many fabric choices available in class. After 35+ years of teaching, I consider each class I teach to be on a graduate level and therefore I expect students to arrive prepared with all necessary supplies. In that regard, I have outlined those fabrics we will use in this class. For some students, my fabric supply list will seem overwhelming in quantity and variety, while for other students, the selection they bring will never be good enough.

About solid colors - the more shades you have to work with, the more you will learn about how to work with color. Color is Joyous!!! Color does not cause pain!!! Take DELIGHT in color!!!

Working in color does not mean only using BOLD colors or HOT colors; working in color means learning to be versatile in all types of colors.

I caution you to not bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

• Please bring the glowing version… AND… the dull/flat version of as many colors as possible.

• Remember that ANY COLOR… AND… ANY VALUE of ANY COLOR can be glowing or dull/flat.

Many students arrive with their own hand-dyed solids or stacks they have purchased from other dyers. By all means, bring hand-dyed if you want… but not splotchy with white splotches on all colors.

But solids (dyed commercially) are equally acceptable.

I usually work with my own subtly dyed solid colors. My own palette includes approximately 500+ shades.

Regarding fabrics: I recommend 2 yard cuts or larger because I feel happier with a minimum of 2 yard cuts. But please feel free to come with 1 yard cuts if this will facilitate having a much broader range of values. But please do not blame me if you run out of any color as I have no way of knowing which colors you will use up.

• Lines, Curves, Circles & Figure/Ground Composition: Part I [intermediate to advanced]

LINES, CURVES, CIRCLES & FIGURE-GROUND COMPOSITION: PART I - Machine piecing workshop

• Length: 5 days
• Level: Intermediate to Advanced (students must be practiced in free-hand cutting and construction and expert at machine-piecing)
• Sewing machine used

• PLEASE NOTE: The DESIGN EXERCISES given in this workshop are not the same as those given in LINES: PART II.

DESCRIPTION
This workshop begins with an intense study in the “creation of line(s) and their spatial relationships” when grouped together with other line(s). All lines will be cut freehand while sharpening one’s eye to stronger proportions. These initial exercises will be done in solid black and solid white. Many small sewn-together compositions will be created. It is hoped that participants will begin to see line as a very important element in quilt-making.

Afterwards, this workshop will begin to address other kinds of geometric shapes such as curves and circles in machine-pieced compositions while moving into color and more degrees of values. These new design exercises will investigate evermore sophisticated relationships within a composition.
All work will be done in direct machine-piecing using a broad range of solid colors (commercial or hand-dyed). NOTE: Marbled fabrics are not appropriate for this class nor are splotchy hand-dyed fabrics.

Students will be given timed exercises that explore classical design concerns such as COLOR, VALUE, PROPORTION, SHAPE, CURVES, CIRCLES, AND LINE RELATIONSHIPS. Lots of SEED IDEAS will be GENERATED.
• MAKE SURE YOU BRING A GOOD SKETCHBOOK (not a yellow lined pad of paper), DIGITAL CAMERA and SMALL PRINTER!!!
• Do not come with an agenda! Be open to experimentation and working quickly!

PRESENTATION

Optional but important: Each student should come prepared with a digital presentation/laptop or 3-6 actual quilts and be prepared to make a short (3-5 minutes maximum) but articulate presentation about their work including future goals. The Crow Timber Frame Barn provides use of a digital projector connected to a laptop.

SUPPLIES

Sewing Machine
Needles/Bobbins
Digital Camera/Printer (Canon SELPHY printer recommended)/Paper
Scissors/Thread/Rulers
Swing Arm Lamp
24” x 36” Cutting Mat
7’ x 7’ Batting/Flannel (White) on which to pin work (optional)
Extra Large Rotary Cutter and Blades
Iron/Iron Cleaner (optional as Barn has irons)
Ball-Head Pins (very fine and regular size)
Small Water Spray Bottle for Ironing
Glue to Adhere Snapshots into Sketchbook
Multiple Outlet Power Strip/Adaptors/Heavy Duty Extension Cords
Sketchbook/Pens/Other Supplies You Want
Packing Tape if shipping boxes (plus return labels)

Optional Books:

CROSSROADS, 2007, Breckling Press (catalog from one of Nancy’s exhibitions) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, 2006, Breckling Press (book covering Nancy's work from 1989-2005) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, MONO-PRINTS: SELF-PORTRAITS: FOCUS, 2012 - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
COLOR IMPROVISATIONS 2 & CIRCULAR ABSTRACTIONS: BULL’S EYES QUILTS, 2016, (books from two exhibitions curated by Nancy) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

Unfortunately, the following titles are out of print, but your local library may have them or order on Amazon.com.

GRADATIONS: FROM THE STUDIO OF NANCY CROW, Quilt House Publishing
NANCY CROW: WORK IN TRANSITION, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: QUILTS AND INFLUENCES, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: IMPROVISATIONAL QUILTS, C&T Publishing

Fabrics:
6 yards each of:

SOLID BLACK and SOLID WHITE

1 yard or more of:

SOLID COLORS (commercial or hand-dyed) in the widest range you can afford to bring & be sure to include both flat & glowing colors - 80 to 100 different colors. We will use a lot of solid colors so bring a good range that includes darks, medium and light values of Browns, Blues, Greens, Reds, Golds, Yellows, Oranges, Purples, Violets, Etc.

2 yards of:

BRIGHTS are essential for this workshop and they are defined as hot lime, hot pink, acid yellow, bright red, bright orange, bright turquoise, bright medium blue, bright lavender, bright medium purple, bright medium green

GRAYS light, medium light, medium, medium dark, and dark values

BE SURE TO WASH AND SHRINK ALL FABRICS BEFORE CLASS IF POSSIBLE
We will use everything listed above so do not decide to leave anything out!
DO NOT BRING FAT QUARTERS.
Do not bring prints.

NOTES REGARDING FABRIC SUPPLY LIST
Yes, the rumor is true!!! Yes, I do ask that each student bring lots of fabrics. My personal theory embraces the belief that one will be freer to be creative if one has many fabric choices available in class. After 35+ years of teaching, I consider each class I teach to be on a graduate level and therefore I expect students to arrive prepared with all necessary supplies. In that regard, I have outlined those fabrics we will use in this class. For some students, my fabric supply list will seem overwhelming in quantity and variety, while for other students, the selection they bring will never be good enough.

About solid colors - the more shades you have to work with, the more you will learn about how to work with color. Color is Joyous!!! Color does not cause pain!!! Take DELIGHT in color!!!

Working in color does not mean only using BOLD colors or HOT colors; working in color means learning to be versatile in all types of colors.

I caution you to not bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

• Please bring the glowing version… AND… the dull/flat version of as many colors as possible.

• Remember that ANY COLOR… AND… ANY VALUE of ANY COLOR can be glowing or dull/flat.

Many students arrive with their own hand-dyed solids or stacks they have purchased from other dyers. By all means, bring hand-dyed if you want… but not splotchy with white splotches on all colors.

But solids (dyed commercially) are equally acceptable.

I usually work with my own subtly dyed solid colors. My own palette includes approximately 500+ shades.

Regarding fabrics: I recommend 2 yard cuts or larger because I feel happier with a minimum of 2 yard cuts. But please feel free to come with 1 yard cuts if this will facilitate having a much broader range of values. But please do not blame me if you run out of any color as I have no way of knowing which colors you will use up.

• Lines, Curves, Shapes & Figure/Ground Composition: Part II [intermediate to advanced]

LINES, CURVES, SHAPES & FIGURE-GROUND COMPOSITION: PART II - Machine piecing workshop

• Length: 5 days
• Level: Intermediate to Advanced (students must be practiced in free-hand cutting and construction and expert at machine-piecing)
• Sewing machine used

• PLEASE NOTE: The DESIGN EXERCISES given in this workshop are not the same as those given in LINES: PART I.

DESCRIPTION
An energizing and thought-provoking (different from those in PART I) group of design exercises has been developed for this new workshop with the intention of strengthening one’s understanding and practice of figure/ground composition. Students will work freehand, cutting by eye all the parts of each compositional exercise while learning to better engineer the construction of a composition. Lines, shapes, and curves will be used to develop geometric configurations.

There will be a STRONG EMPHASIS on geometric LINE AND SHAPE CONFIGURATIONS…plus…the USE of FLAT & GLOWING COLORS/VALUES. In this workshop, a variety of sewn-together compositions will be created that will incorporate percentages of FLAT & GLOWING COLORS/VALUES making it very important that each student bring appropriate fabrics. Fabrics of choice will be a broad palette of hand-dyed or commercial solids and values. NOTE: Marbled fabrics are not appropriate for this class nor are splotchy hand-dyed fabrics. All sewing will be done in direct machine-piecing.

Students will be given TIMED EXERCISES that explore classical design concerns such as COLOR, VALUE, PROPORTION, SHAPE, CURVES and LINE RELATIONSHIPS. SEED IDEAS will be GENERATED that could be used for working-in-a-series. One-on-one and group critiques will be integrated into the class.
• MAKE SURE YOU BRING A GOOD SKETCHBOOK (not a yellow lined pad of paper), DIGITAL CAMERA and SMALL PRINTER!!!
• Do not come with an agenda! Be open to experimentation and working quickly!

PRESENTATION

Optional but important: Each student should come prepared with a digital presentation/laptop or 3-6 actual quilts and be prepared to make a short (3-5 minutes maximum) but articulate presentation about their work including future goals. The Crow Timber Frame Barn provides use of a digital projector connected to a laptop.

SUPPLIES

Sewing Machine
Needles/Bobbins
Digital Camera/Printer (Canon SELPHY printer recommended)/Paper
Scissors/Thread/Rulers
Swing Arm Lamp
24” x 36” Cutting Mat
7’ x 7’ Batting/Flannel (White) on which to pin work (optional)
Extra Large Rotary Cutter and Blades
Iron/Iron Cleaner (optional as Barn has irons)
Ball-Head Pins (very fine and regular size)
Small Water Spray Bottle for Ironing
Glue to Adhere Snapshots into Sketchbook
Multiple Outlet Power Strip/Adaptors/Heavy Duty Extension Cords
Sketchbook/Pens/Other Supplies You Want
Packing Tape if shipping boxes (plus return labels)

Optional Books:

CROSSROADS, 2007, Breckling Press (catalog from one of Nancy’s exhibitions) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, 2006, Breckling Press (book covering Nancy's work from 1989-2005) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, MONO-PRINTS: SELF-PORTRAITS: FOCUS, 2012 - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
COLOR IMPROVISATIONS 2 & CIRCULAR ABSTRACTIONS: BULL’S EYES QUILTS, 2016, (books from two exhibitions curated by Nancy) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

Unfortunately, the following titles are out of print, but your local library may have them or order on Amazon.com.

GRADATIONS: FROM THE STUDIO OF NANCY CROW, Quilt House Publishing
NANCY CROW: WORK IN TRANSITION, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: QUILTS AND INFLUENCES, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: IMPROVISATIONAL QUILTS, C&T Publishing

Fabrics:
6 yards each of:

SOLID BLACK and SOLID WHITE both flat & glowing colors

2 yards of:
• GRAYS light, medium light, medium, medium dark, and dark values

1 yard or more of:

OFF-WHITES tans, warm white, cool white, creams…and PASTELS both flat & glowing colors
SOLID COLORS (commercial or hand-dyed) in the widest range you can afford to bring & be sure to include both flat & glowing colors - 80 to 100 different colors. We will use a lot of solid colors so bring a good range that includes darks, medium and light values of Browns, Blues, Greens, Reds, Golds, Yellows, Oranges, Purples, Violets, Etc.

1 yard of:

BRIGHTS are essential for this workshop and they are defined as hot lime, hot pink, acid yellow, bright red, bright orange, bright turquoise, bright medium blue, bright lavender, bright medium purple, bright medium green

• Please wash and shrink all fabrics! No need to iron though if you fold at end of drying cycle.
• Please bring the glowing version … AND … the flat version of as many colors as possible.
• We will use everything listed above so do not decide to leave anything out!
• Bring enough variety so you are not hamstrung!
• Do not bring prints.

NOTES REGARDING FABRIC SUPPLY LIST
Yes, the rumor is true!!! Yes, I do ask that each student bring lots of fabrics. My personal theory embraces the belief that one will be freer to be creative if one has many fabric choices available in class. After 35+ years of teaching, I consider each class I teach to be on a graduate level and therefore I expect students to arrive prepared with all necessary supplies. In that regard, I have outlined those fabrics we will use in this class. For some students, my fabric supply list will seem overwhelming in quantity and variety, while for other students, the selection they bring will never be good enough.

About solid colors - the more shades you have to work with, the more you will learn about how to work with color. Color is Joyous!!! Color does not cause pain!!! Take DELIGHT in color!!!

Working in color does not mean only using BOLD colors or HOT colors; working in color means learning to be versatile in all types of colors.

I caution you to not bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

• Please bring the glowing version… AND… the dull/flat version of as many colors as possible.

• Remember that ANY COLOR … and … ANY VALUE of ANY COLOR can be GLOWING or FLAT.
GLOWING colors: Are colors that are mixed with yellow which creates a glowing effect radiating off the surface.
FLAT colors: Are colors that are mixed with black which increases the dullness, creating a subdued and flat sensibility to the surface. There is absolutely no glow radiating off the surface.

Many students arrive with their own hand-dyed solids or stacks they have purchased from other dyers. By all means, bring hand-dyed if you want… but not splotchy with white splotches on all colors.

But solids (dyed commercially) are equally acceptable.

I usually work with my own subtly dyed solid colors. My own palette includes approximately 500+ shades.

Regarding fabrics: I recommend 2 yard cuts or larger because I feel happier with a minimum of 2 yard cuts. But please feel free to come with 1 yard cuts if this will facilitate having a much broader range of values. But please do not blame me if you run out of any color as I have no way of knowing which colors you will use up.

• Improvisational Exercises: Part I [intermediate to advanced]

IMPROVISATIONAL EXERCISES: Part I

• Length: 5 days
• Level: Intermediate to Advanced
• Prerequisite: Free-hand cutting skills/good machine-sewing skills
• Sewing machine used

• PLEASE NOTE These Design Exercises are not the same as those used in IMPROVISATIONS: LET’S EXPERIMENT: PARTS I & II
This brand new 5-day class has been specifically developed for students desirous of being far more experimental using machine-piecing techniques. Students will be expected to work spontaneously and intuitively with nontraditional quilt-making techniques as they explore design exercises that promote improvisational approaches to composition without benefit of “pre-planning” and “intellectualizing.”

DESCRIPTION
This brand new 5-day class has been specifically developed for students desirous of being far more experimental using machine-piecing techniques. Students will be expected to work spontaneously and intuitively with nontraditional quilt-making techniques as they explore design exercises that promote improvisational approaches to composition without benefit of “pre-planning” and “intellectualizing.”

New Design Exercises will be used as a basis for flexing muscle memory in developing a more fluid approach to cutting improvisationally all sorts of SHAPES and LINES. Emphasis will be placed on forming NEW CONFIGURATIONS that could be used as the MOTIF or SUBJECT MATTER of a figure/ground composition. Students will learn construction and engineering techniques. Color, and the values of color, from light to dark, will be emphasized in all exercises so a great selection of fabrics must be brought to this workshop. Students will be working in SOLID COLORS the entire 5-days so there is no need to bring any printed or marbled fabrics, only solids whether commercial or hand-dyed.

PLEASE concentrate on bringing 5 value ranges in neutrals and in other solid colors. You must have these 5 value ranges in all of the grays and all of the browns. Those values are: LIGHT, MEDIUM LIGHT, MEDIUM, MEDIUM DARK, DARK.

If students want to learn to work more effectively, more efficiently from “instincts” and “intuition” they must come with an open mind and no agendas, ready for growth and for risk-taking!

PRESENTATION

Optional but important: Each student should come prepared with a digital presentation/laptop or 3-6 actual quilts and be prepared to make a short (3-5 minutes maximum) but articulate presentation about their work including future goals. The Crow Timber Frame Barn provides use of a digital projector connected to a laptop.

SUPPLIES

Sewing Machine
Needles/Bobbins
Digital Camera/Printer (Canon SELPHY printer recommended)/Paper
Scissors/Thread/Rulers
Swing Arm Lamp
24” x 36” Cutting Mat
7’ x 7’ Batting/Flannel (White) on which to pin work (optional)
Extra Large Rotary Cutter and Blades
Iron/Iron Cleaner (optional as Barn has irons)
Ball-Head Pins (very fine and regular size)
Small Water Spray Bottle for Ironing
Glue to Adhere Snapshots into Sketchbook
Multiple Outlet Power Strip/Adaptors/Heavy Duty Extension Cords
Sketchbook/Pens/Other Supplies You Want
Packing Tape if shipping boxes (plus return labels)

Optional Books:

COLOR IMPROVISATIONS 2 & CIRCULAR ABSTRACTIONS: BULL’S EYES QUILTS, 2016, (books from two exhibitions curated by Nancy) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

CROSSROADS, 2007, Breckling Press (catalog from one of Nancy’s exhibitions) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, 2006, Breckling Press (book covering Nancy's work from 1989-2005) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, MONO-PRINTS: SELF-PORTRAITS: FOCUS, 2012 - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

Unfortunately, the following titles are out of print, but your local library may have them or order on Amazon.com.

GRADATIONS: FROM THE STUDIO OF NANCY CROW, Quilt House Publishing
NANCY CROW: WORK IN TRANSITION, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: QUILTS AND INFLUENCES, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: IMPROVISATIONAL QUILTS, C&T Publishing

Fabrics:
6 yards each of:

SOLID BLACK and SOLID WHITE

2 yards each of:

BRIGHT COLORS - bright red, orange, acid yellow, lime, turquoise, blue, apple green, pink, lavender, etc. (very saturated bright colors … the brightest color that are never darker than medium value)
GRAYS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)

1 yard or more of each color:

SOLID OPAQUE COLORS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark values so you can be free to work) - reds, pinks, blues, teals, greens, limes, violets, browns, yellows, golds, oranges, purples, maroons, turquoises, rusts, etc.
TANS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)
OFF-WHITES ...warm white, cold white, cream

Bring BOTH the GLOWING and the FLAT versions of as many of these colors as possible.
Please wash and shrink all fabrics! No need to iron though if you fold at end of drying cycle.
We will use everything listed above so do not decide to leave anything out!
DO NOT BRING FAT QUARTERS.
Do not bring marbled fabrics.
Bring enough variety so you are not hamstrung!

NOTES REGARDING FABRIC SUPPLY LIST
Yes, the rumor is true!!! Yes, I do ask that each student bring lots of fabrics. My personal theory embraces the belief that one will be freer to be creative if one has many fabric choices available in class. After 35+ years of teaching, I consider each class I teach to be on a graduate level and therefore I expect students to arrive prepared with all necessary supplies. In that regard, I have outlined those fabrics we will use in this class. For some students, my fabric supply list will seem overwhelming in quantity and variety, while for other students, the selection they bring will never be good enough.

About solid colors - the more shades you have to work with, the more you will learn about how to work with color. Color is Joyous!!! Color does not cause pain!!! Take DELIGHT in color!!! Working in color does not mean only using BOLD colors or HOT colors; working in color means learning to be versatile in all types of colors.

Overall during the class, we will use many solid colors. When choosing solid colors to bring to class, be sure to bring both glowing and flat tones.

I caution you to not bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

Any color can be GLOWING or FLAT.

GLOWING tones: Any colors that are mixed with yellow and which have a glow coming off the surface.
FLAT tones: Any colors that are mixed with black and which have a dullness and subdued nature.

Many students arrive with their own hand-dyed solids or stacks they have purchased from other dyers. By all means, bring hand-dyed if you want but they need to be opaque and not have multiple values swimming across them ... meaning white or light splotches on dark colors.

But flat solids (dyed commercially) are equally acceptable.

I usually work with flat colors or my own subtly dyed flat colors. My own palette includes approximately 500 shades.

I cannot specifically tell you to only bring 1 yard cuts of each color because I know we will be using at least a yard of some to many colors depending on each student’s color preferences. If you bring a yard of each – say 5 blues, 5 reds, 5 yellows, 5 greens, etc., but one each in light values, medium light values, medium values, medium dark values, & dark values, that would be better than not having enough. So bring 1 yard of as many colors as you can afford and longer lengths for the rest.

Remember, DO NOT BRING FAT QUARTERS.

• Improvisational Exercises: Part II [intermediate to advanced]

IMPROVISATIONAL EXERCISES: Part II

• Length: 5 days
• Level: Intermediate to Advanced
• Prerequisite: Free-hand cutting skills/good machine-sewing skills
• Sewing machine used

• PLEASE NOTE that the EXERCISES in this 5-DAY CLASS are NOT THE SAME as those in PART I of IMPROVISATIONAL EXERCISES.

DESCRIPTION
A sewing machine and lots of fabric will be used in this fast-paced and intense workshop designed for students who no longer need "hand-holding" and who are desirous of being far more experimental using machine-piecing techniques. Students will be expected to work spontaneously and intuitively with nontraditional quilt making techniques as they explore design exercises that promote improvisational approaches to composition without benefit of "pre-planning" and "intellectualizing." Emphasis will be on the continuation of a stronger understanding of figure/ground composition and freeing up.

• Students will concentrate on three distinct compositions during this 5-day class:

1. The first will be done in black and white.

2. The second one will be done in a full range of neutrals including white, off-white, very light grey, light grey, medium light grey, medium grey, medium dark grey, dark grey and various shades of black. This exercise in composition will target the absolute importance of value in defining visual planes of depth.

3. The third one will be done in a full range of colors, as many as possible, in as many values as possible. Only solid colors will be used in this class. Color and the values of color, from light to dark, will be emphasized so a great selection of fabrics must be brought to this workshop.

At the end of this workshop, students will have completed three compositions in which they have learned a far wider use of value and color and very important technical construction techniques. As always, students will learn to work more effectively, more efficiently from "instincts" and "intuition" so come with an open mind and no agendas, ready for growth and for risk-taking!

PLEASE concentrate on bringing 5 value ranges in neutrals and in other solid colors. You must have these 5 value ranges in all of the grays and all of the browns. Those values are: LIGHT, MEDIUM LIGHT, MEDIUM, MEDIUM DARK, DARK.

Students will learn to work more effectively, more efficiently from "instincts" and "intuition" so come with an open mind and no agendas, ready for growth and for risk-taking!

PRESENTATION

Optional but important: Each student should come prepared with a digital presentation/laptop or 3-6 actual quilts and be prepared to make a short (3-5 minutes maximum) but articulate presentation about their work including future goals. The Crow Timber Frame Barn provides use of a digital projector connected to a laptop.

SUPPLIES

Sewing Machine
Needles/Bobbins
Digital Camera/Printer (Canon SELPHY printer recommended)/Paper
Scissors/Thread/Rulers
Swing Arm Lamp
24” x 36” Cutting Mat
7’ x 7’ Batting/Flannel (White) on which to pin work (optional)
Extra Large Rotary Cutter and Blades
Iron/Iron Cleaner (optional as Barn has irons)
Ball-Head Pins (very fine and regular size)
Small Water Spray Bottle for Ironing
Glue to Adhere Snapshots into Sketchbook
Multiple Outlet Power Strip/Adaptors/Heavy Duty Extension Cords
Sketchbook/Pens/Other Supplies You Want
Packing Tape if shipping boxes (plus return labels)

Optional Books:

COLOR IMPROVISATIONS 2 & CIRCULAR ABSTRACTIONS: BULL’S EYES QUILTS, 2016, (books from two exhibitions curated by Nancy) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

CROSSROADS, 2007, Breckling Press (catalog from one of Nancy’s exhibitions) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, 2006, Breckling Press (book covering Nancy's work from 1989-2005) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, MONO-PRINTS: SELF-PORTRAITS: FOCUS, 2012 - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

Unfortunately, the following titles are out of print, but your local library may have them or order on Amazon.com.

GRADATIONS: FROM THE STUDIO OF NANCY CROW, Quilt House Publishing
NANCY CROW: WORK IN TRANSITION, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: QUILTS AND INFLUENCES, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: IMPROVISATIONAL QUILTS, C&T Publishing

Fabrics:
8 yards each of:

SOLID BLACK and SOLID WHITE

3 yards each of:

GRAYS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)

1 yard or more of each color:

SOLID OPAQUE COLORS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark values so you can be free to work) - reds, pinks, blues, teals, greens, limes, violets, browns, yellows, golds, oranges, purples, maroons, turquoises, rusts, etc.
BRIGHT COLORS - bright red, orange, acid yellow, lime, turquoise, blue, apple green, pink, lavender, etc. (very saturated bright colors … the brightest color that are never darker than medium value)
TANS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)
OFF-WHITES ...warm white, cold white, cream

Bring BOTH the GLOWING and the FLAT versions of as many of these colors as possible.
Please wash and shrink all fabrics! No need to iron though if you fold at end of drying cycle.
We will use everything listed above so do not decide to leave anything out!
DO NOT BRING FAT QUARTERS.
Do not bring marbled fabrics.
Bring enough variety so you are not hamstrung!

NOTES REGARDING FABRIC SUPPLY LIST
Yes, the rumor is true!!! Yes, I do ask that each student bring lots of fabrics. My personal theory embraces the belief that one will be freer to be creative if one has many fabric choices available in class. After 35+ years of teaching, I consider each class I teach to be on a graduate level and therefore I expect students to arrive prepared with all necessary supplies. In that regard, I have outlined those fabrics we will use in this class. For some students, my fabric supply list will seem overwhelming in quantity and variety, while for other students, the selection they bring will never be good enough.

About solid colors - the more shades you have to work with, the more you will learn about how to work with color. Color is Joyous!!! Color does not cause pain!!! Take DELIGHT in color!!!

Working in color does not mean only using BOLD colors or HOT colors; working in color means learning to be versatile in all types of colors.

I caution you to not bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

• Please bring the glowing version… AND… the dull/flat version of as many colors as possible.

• Remember that ANY COLOR… AND… ANY VALUE of ANY COLOR can be glowing or dull/flat.

Many students arrive with their own hand-dyed solids or stacks they have purchased from other dyers. By all means, bring hand-dyed if you want… but not splotchy with white splotches on all colors.

But solids (dyed commercially) are equally acceptable.

I usually work with my own subtly dyed solid colors. My own palette includes approximately 500+ shades.

Regarding fabrics: I recommend 2 yard cuts or larger because I feel happier with a minimum of 2 yard cuts. But please feel free to come with 1 yard cuts if this will facilitate having a much broader range of values. But please do not blame me if you run out of any color as I have no way of knowing which colors you will use up.

• Improvisational Exercises: Parts III & IV [advanced]

IMPROVISATIONAL EXERCISES: Parts III & IV

• Length: 10 days
• Level: Advanced
• Prerequisite: IMPROVISATIONAL EXERCISES: PARTS I & II workshops & free-hand cutting skills/good machine-sewing skills
• Sewing machine used

• PLEASE NOTE These design exercises are not the same as those used in Part I or Part II of IMPROVISATIONAL EXERCISES.

DESCRIPTION
This brand new 10-day class has been specifically developed to give students a more in-depth opportunity to experiment with IDEAS=CONFIGURATIONS THEY MAY HAVE CREATED in IMPROVISATIONAL EXERCISES: Parts I & II. In this new class, students will be working independently with their own previously created configurations or with new configurations while stretching to be far more experimental. On the first day of class, students will be given a number of OPTIONS, most of which will be self-defining. Students can choose to work with a selected OPTION or OPTIONS each week or throughout both weeks.

Color, and the values of color, from light to dark, will be emphasized in all exercises so a great selection of SOLID COLOR fabrics must be brought to this workshop.

If students want to learn to work more effectively, more efficiently from “instincts” and “intuition” they must come with an open mind and no agendas, ready for growth and for risk-taking!

PRESENTATION

Optional but important: Each student should come prepared with a digital presentation/laptop or 3-6 actual quilts and be prepared to make a short (3-5 minutes maximum) but articulate presentation about their work including future goals. The Crow Timber Frame Barn provides use of a digital projector connected to a laptop.

SUPPLIES

Sewing Machine
Needles/Bobbins
Digital Camera/Printer (Canon SELPHY printer recommended)/Paper
Scissors/Thread/Rulers
Swing Arm Lamp
24” x 36” Cutting Mat
7’ x 7’ Batting/Flannel (White) on which to pin work (optional)
Extra Large Rotary Cutter and Blades
Iron/Iron Cleaner (optional as Barn has irons)
Ball-Head Pins (very fine and regular size)
Small Water Spray Bottle for Ironing
Glue to Adhere Snapshots into Sketchbook
Multiple Outlet Power Strip/Adaptors/Heavy Duty Extension Cords
Sketchbook/Pens/Other Supplies You Want
Packing Tape if shipping boxes (plus return labels)

Optional Books:

COLOR IMPROVISATIONS 2 & CIRCULAR ABSTRACTIONS: BULL’S EYES QUILTS, 2016, (books from two exhibitions curated by Nancy) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

CROSSROADS, 2007, Breckling Press (catalog from one of Nancy’s exhibitions) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, 2006, Breckling Press (book covering Nancy's work from 1989-2005) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, MONO-PRINTS: SELF-PORTRAITS: FOCUS, 2012 - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

Unfortunately, the following titles are out of print, but your local library may have them or order on Amazon.com.

GRADATIONS: FROM THE STUDIO OF NANCY CROW, Quilt House Publishing
NANCY CROW: WORK IN TRANSITION, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: QUILTS AND INFLUENCES, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: IMPROVISATIONAL QUILTS, C&T Publishing

Fabrics:
6 yards or more each of:

SOLID BLACK and SOLID WHITE

2-3 yards each of:

BRIGHT COLORS - bright red, orange, acid yellow, lime, turquoise, blue, apple green, pink, lavender, etc. (very saturated bright colors … the brightest color that are never darker than medium value)

3 yards each of: (bring 5 steps in value)

GRAYS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)

1 yard or more of each color:

SOLID OPAQUE COLORS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark values so you can be free to work) - reds, pinks, blues, teals, greens, limes, violets, browns, yellows, golds, oranges, purples, maroons, turquoises, rusts, etc.

TANS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)

OFF-WHITES (warm white, cold white, cream)

Bring BOTH the GLOWING and the FLAT versions of as many of these colors as possible.
Please wash and shrink all fabrics! No need to iron though if you fold at end of drying cycle!
We will use everything listed above so do not decide to leave anything out.
DO NOT BRING FAT QUARTERS.
Bring enough variety so you are not hamstrung!

NOTES REGARDING FABRIC SUPPLY LIST
Yes, the rumor is true!!! Yes, I do ask that each student bring lots of fabrics. My personal theory embraces the belief that one will be freer to be creative if one has many fabric choices available in class. After 35+ years of teaching, I consider each class I teach to be on a graduate level and therefore I expect students to arrive prepared with all necessary supplies. In that regard, I have outlined those fabrics we will use in this class. For some students, my fabric supply list will seem overwhelming in quantity and variety, while for other students, the selection they bring will never be good enough.

About solid colors - the more shades you have to work with, the more you will learn about how to work with color. Color is Joyous!!! Color does not cause pain!!! Take DELIGHT in color!!! Working in color does not mean only using BOLD colors or HOT colors; working in color means learning to be versatile in all types of colors.

I caution you to not bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including these 5 steps in value:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

Any color can be GLOWING or FLAT:
• GLOWING tones are any colors mixed with yellow and which have a glow coming off the surface.
• FLAT tones are those colors mixed with black and which emit a dullness, energy draining very subdued nature.

Many students arrive with their own hand-dyed solids or stacks they have purchased from other dyers. By all means, bring hand-dyed if you want but they need to be opaque and not have multiple values swimming across them ... meaning white or light splotches on dark colors.

However, flat solids (dyed commercially) are equally acceptable.

I usually work with flat colors or my own subtly dyed flat colors. My own palette includes approximately 500 shades.

I cannot specifically tell you to only bring 1 yard cuts of each color because I know we will be using at least a yard or more of some to many colors depending on each student’s color preferences. If you bring a yard of each – say 5 blues, 5 reds, 5 yellows, 5 greens, etc., but one each in light values, medium light values, medium values, medium dark values, & dark values, that would be better than not having enough. So bring 1 yard of as many colors as you can afford and shorter lengths for the rest.

• Compositional Exercises [advanced]

COMPOSITIONAL EXERCISES

• Length: 5 days
• Level: Advanced
• Prerequisite: Must be a good machine-piecer and skilled at cutting improvisationally
• Sewing machine used

• PLEASE NOTE: The design exercises are new to this class.

DESCRIPTION
Students will begin by developing CONFIGURATIONS. A CONFIGURATION is defined as an arrangement of connected lines and shapes that create a figure on a ground. Students will develop their configurations by first cutting the parts out, using only solid black & solid white fabric, and then pinning these parts to their work wall. Next they will learn the mechanics of engineering the sewing together of this type of pieced construction. These CONFIGURATIONS will be used in assigned compositional exercises.

The FOCUS of this class will be on creating strong compositions, intuitively and improvisationally, and to push one’s imagination into being more playful and flexible. Students will learn to work effectively from instincts as they make use of LINE, SHAPE, FIGURES,CONFIGURATIONS. Figure/ground composition, value and color usage will be emphasized at all times. It will be valuable and important that students come to class prepared with a sophisticated range of shades and values in solids (commercial or hand-dyed) in as many color families as possible. It is important that the range of values includes very light colors, medium lights, mediums, medium darks, and darks.
***Bring BOTH the GLOWING and the FLAT versions of as many of these colors as possible. All parts of each composition will be pinned to wall as it progresses so students must bring at least 2 boxes of good quality short, fine Clover ball-head pins.

This class requires very individual thinking and total concentration, and is meant to be challenging! The method of working will be a journey about discovery and will require an attitude of risk-taking! The design exercises will stimulate thinking and hopefully help to develop more individual work.

Note: All design exercises will be done in solid colored fabric using machine-piecing techniques. Each exercise will result in a composition. Keeping a sketchbook with excellent notations will be vitally important throughout the workshop; therefore, it is required that students bring a digital camera and a small digital printer (such as the Canon Selphy printer) to use as a tool for keeping track of works-in-progress.

All exercises will be done by direct machine-piecing. Come with an open mind and no agendas, ready for growth and for risk-taking!

PRESENTATION

Optional but important: Each student should come prepared with a digital presentation/laptop or 3-6 actual quilts and be prepared to make a short (3-5 minutes maximum) but articulate presentation about their work including future goals. The Crow Timber Frame Barn provides use of a digital projector connected to a laptop.

SUPPLIES

Sewing Machine
Needles/Bobbins
Digital Camera/Printer (Canon SELPHY printer recommended)/Paper
Scissors/Thread/Rulers
Swing Arm Lamp
24” x 36” Cutting Mat
7’ x 7’ Batting/Flannel (White) on which to pin work (optional)
Extra Large Rotary Cutter and Blades
Iron/Iron Cleaner (optional as Barn has irons)
Ball-Head Pins (very fine and regular size)
Small Water Spray Bottle for Ironing
Glue to Adhere Snapshots into Sketchbook
Multiple Outlet Power Strip/Adaptors/Heavy Duty Extension Cords
Sketchbook/Pens/Other Supplies You Want
Packing Tape if shipping boxes (plus return labels)

Optional Books:

CROSSROADS, 2007, Breckling Press (catalog from one of Nancy’s exhibitions) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, 2006, Breckling Press (book covering Nancy's work from 1989-2005) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, MONO-PRINTS: SELF-PORTRAITS: FOCUS, 2012 - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
COLOR IMPROVISATIONS 2 & CIRCULAR ABSTRACTIONS: BULL’S EYES QUILTS, 2016, (books from two exhibitions curated by Nancy) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

Unfortunately, the following titles are out of print, but your local library may have them or order on Amazon.com.

GRADATIONS: FROM THE STUDIO OF NANCY CROW, Quilt House Publishing
NANCY CROW: WORK IN TRANSITION, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: QUILTS AND INFLUENCES, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: IMPROVISATIONAL QUILTS, C&T Publishing

Fabrics:
5 yards or more each of:

SOLID BLACK and SOLID WHITE
SOLID COLORS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark values) so you can be free to work – Reds, Pinks, Blues,Teals, Greens, Limes, Violets, Browns, Yellows, Golds, Oranges, Purples, Maroons, Turquoises, Rusts, etc.)
GRAYS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)
TANS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)
OFF-WHITES (warm white, cold white, cream)

Bring BOTH the GLOWING and the FLAT versions of as many of these colors as possible.
We will use everything listed above so do not decide to leave anything out.
Please wash and shrink all fabrics! No need to iron though if you fold at end of drying cycle!

NOTES REGARDING FABRIC SUPPLY LIST
Yes, the rumor is true!!! Yes, I do ask that each student bring lots of fabrics. My personal theory embraces the belief that one will be freer to be creative if one has many fabric choices available in class. After 35+ years of teaching, I consider each class I teach to be on a graduate level and therefore I expect students to arrive prepared with all necessary supplies. In that regard, I have outlined those fabrics we will use in this class. For some students, my fabric supply list will seem overwhelming in quantity and variety, while for other students, the selection they bring will never be good enough.

About solid colors - the more shades you have to work with, the more you will learn about how to work with color. Color is Joyous!!! Color does not cause pain!!! Take DELIGHT in color!!!

Working in color does not mean only using BOLD colors or HOT colors; working in color means learning to be versatile in all types of colors.

I caution you to not bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

• Please bring the glowing version… AND… the dull/flat version of as many colors as possible.

• Remember that ANY COLOR… AND… ANY VALUE of ANY COLOR can be glowing or dull/flat.

Many students arrive with their own hand-dyed solids or stacks they have purchased from other dyers. By all means, bring hand-dyed if you want… but not splotchy with white splotches on all colors.

But solids (dyed commercially) are equally acceptable.

I usually work with my own subtly dyed solid colors. My own palette includes approximately 500+ shades.

Regarding fabrics: I recommend 2 yard cuts or larger because I feel happier with a minimum of 2 yard cuts. But please feel free to come with 1 yard cuts if this will facilitate having a much broader range of values. But please do not blame me if you run out of any color as I have no way of knowing which colors you will use up.

• Creative Stretches in Figure/Ground [advanced]

CREATIVE STRETCHES in FIGURE/GROUND

• Length: 5 days
• Level: Advanced
• Prerequisite: Free-hand cutting skills/good machine-sewing skills
• Sewing machine used

DESCRIPTION
Be prepared to jog your thinking! Push away mental roadblocks! Step-out! STRETCH! Embrace possibilities! Embrace NEW possibilities! Gather ideas for creating fresher, more viable compositions! This brand new 5-day class has been specifically developed for students desirous of being far more experimental on an advanced level using machine-piecing techniques. Students will be encouraged to work spontaneously and intuitively with the outcome of their homework preparation which is outlined next.

• HOMEWORK PREPARATION before coming to class: Participants must collect together ideas as starting points. Look for photos, postcards, magazine pages, art book pages, copies of works by ethnic artists, outsider artists, any artists or painters. Start by creating a notebook or notebooks by category. File ideas into categories such as: VERTICALS, HORIZONTALS, PATTERNS, REPEAT PATTERNS, GEOMETRIC SHAPES, COLORS, DOORWAYS, ARCHITECTURE, TEXTURES, CIRCLES, CURVES, LINES, ETC.

• HOMEWORK PREPARATION next before coming to class: Participants must go to Kinko’s or a similar venue or use their own copier to make “blow-ups” of these collected images or parts of images. Make copies in various sizes - only in BLACK AND WHITE - double the size or even much larger. Next, participants need to create their own new compositions ( collages ) by cutting up and putting back together parts to reconfigure and create new structures, new ideas, new configurations. Glue these onto a heavier card stock and bring them to class ready to use. The more that can be created the better as these will be very important “IDEA” generating collages. Please do not come to class unprepared! Not acceptable!

• HOMEWORK will not be done in class but must be ready to go. Students must come prepared as we will move immediately into fabric as soon as the first Design Exercise is assigned. Design Exercises will be introduced that will rely on the “STRUCTURES” found in the collected ideas/collages. No matter the results, new compositional experiences will build confidence, better technical skills, and expand ability to handle color and values. If students want to learn to work more effectively, more efficiently from “instincts” and “intuition” they must come with an open mind and no agendas, ready for growth and for risk-taking! Please examine your agendas!

PRESENTATION

Optional but important: Each student should come prepared with a digital presentation/laptop or 3-6 actual quilts and be prepared to make a short (3-5 minutes maximum) but articulate presentation about their work including future goals. The Crow Timber Frame Barn provides use of a digital projector connected to a laptop.

SUPPLIES

Sewing Machine
Needles/Bobbins
Digital Camera/Printer (Canon SELPHY printer recommended)/Paper
Scissors/Thread/Rulers
Swing Arm Lamp
24” x 36” Cutting Mat
7’ x 7’ Batting/Flannel (White) on which to pin work (optional)
Extra Large Rotary Cutter and Blades
Iron/Iron Cleaner (optional as Barn has irons)
Ball-Head Pins (very fine and regular size)
Small Water Spray Bottle for Ironing
Glue to Adhere Snapshots into Sketchbook
Multiple Outlet Power Strip/Adaptors/Heavy Duty Extension Cords
Sketchbook/Pens/Other Supplies You Want
Packing Tape if shipping boxes (plus return labels)

Optional Books:

CROSSROADS, 2007, Breckling Press (catalog from one of Nancy’s exhibitions) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, 2006, Breckling Press (book covering Nancy's work from 1989-2005) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, MONO-PRINTS: SELF-PORTRAITS: FOCUS, 2012 - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
COLOR IMPROVISATIONS 2 & CIRCULAR ABSTRACTIONS: BULL’S EYES QUILTS, 2016, (books from two exhibitions curated by Nancy) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

Unfortunately, the following titles are out of print, but your local library may have them or order on Amazon.com.

GRADATIONS: FROM THE STUDIO OF NANCY CROW, Quilt House Publishing
NANCY CROW: WORK IN TRANSITION, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: QUILTS AND INFLUENCES, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: IMPROVISATIONAL QUILTS, C&T Publishing

Fabrics:
6 yards or more each of:

SOLID BLACK and SOLID WHITE

2-3 yards each of:

BRIGHT COLORS - bright red, orange, acid yellow, lime, turquoise, blue, apple green, pink, lavender, etc. (very saturated bright colors … the brightest color that are never darker than medium value)

2-3 yards each of: (bring 5 steps in value)

GRAYS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)

1 yard or more of each color:

SOLID OPAQUE COLORS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark values so you can be free to work) - reds, pinks, blues, teals, greens, limes, violets, browns, yellows, golds, oranges, purples, maroons, turquoises, rusts, etc.

TANS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)

OFF-WHITES (warm white, cold white, cream)

Bring BOTH the GLOWING and the FLAT versions of as many of these colors as possible.
Please wash and shrink all fabrics! No need to iron though if you fold at end of drying cycle!
We will use everything listed above so do not decide to leave anything out.
DO NOT BRING FAT QUARTERS.
Bring enough variety so you are not hamstrung!

NOTES REGARDING FABRIC SUPPLY LIST
Yes, the rumor is true!!! Yes, I do ask that each student bring lots of fabrics. My personal theory embraces the belief that one will be freer to be creative if one has many fabric choices available in class. After 35+ years of teaching, I consider each class I teach to be on a graduate level and therefore I expect students to arrive prepared with all necessary supplies. In that regard, I have outlined those fabrics we will use in this class. For some students, my fabric supply list will seem overwhelming in quantity and variety, while for other students, the selection they bring will never be good enough.

About solid colors - the more shades you have to work with, the more you will learn about how to work with color. Color is Joyous!!! Color does not cause pain!!! Take DELIGHT in color!!! Working in color does not mean only using BOLD colors or HOT colors; working in color means learning to be versatile in all types of colors.

I caution you to not bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including these 5 steps in value:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

Any color can be GLOWING or FLAT:
• GLOWING tones are any colors mixed with yellow and which have a glow coming off the surface.
• FLAT tones are those colors mixed with black and which emit a dullness, energy draining very subdued nature.

Many students arrive with their own hand-dyed solids or stacks they have purchased from other dyers. By all means, bring hand-dyed if you want but they need to be opaque and not have multiple values swimming across them ... meaning white or light splotches on dark colors.

However, flat solids (dyed commercially) are equally acceptable.

I usually work with flat colors or my own subtly dyed flat colors. My own palette includes approximately 500 shades.

I cannot specifically tell you to only bring 1 yard cuts of each color because I know we will be using at least a yard or more of some to many colors depending on each student’s color preferences. If you bring a yard of each – say 5 blues, 5 reds, 5 yellows, 5 greens, etc., but one each in light values, medium light values, medium values, medium dark values, & dark values, that would be better than not having enough. So bring 1 yard of as many colors as you can afford and shorter lengths for the rest.

• Potpourri: Part I: A Challenging Variety of Compositional Exercises [advanced]

POTPOURRI I: A CHALLENGING VARIETY OF COMPOSITIONAL EXERCISES

• Length: 5 days
• Level: Advanced
• Prerequisite: Free-hand cutting skills/good machine-sewing skills
• Sewing machine used

• PLEASE NOTE: These design exercises are not the same as those given in POTPOURRI II or III or IV.

DESCRIPTION
This brand new 5-day class has been specifically developed for students desirous of being far more experimental on an advanced level using machine-piecing techniques. Students will be encouraged to work spontaneously and intuitively as they explore design exercises that promote improvisational approaches to composition without benefit of “pre-planning” and “intellectualizing.”

Design Exercises will be used as a basis for flexing muscle memory in developing a more fluid approach to cutting improvisationally all sorts of SHAPES and LINES (ELEMENTS). These Exercises will emphasize the formation of NEW CONFIGURATIONS that could be used as the MOTIF or SUBJECT MATTER or STARTING IDEA for a figure/ground composition. As a result, students will not only become more experienced in construction and engineering techniques but more comfortable with generating ideas that promote excellent figure/ground composition.

Color - and the values of color from light to dark (5 steps in value) - will be emphasized in all exercises so a great selection of fabrics based on these values must be brought to this workshop. Students will be working in SOLID COLORS the entire 5-days so there is no need to bring any printed or marbled fabrics, only solids whether commercial or hand-dyed. ***Concentrate on collecting DARKS and MEDIUM DARKS!

If students want to learn to work more effectively, more efficiently from “instincts” and “intuition” they must come with an open mind and no agendas, ready for growth and for risk-taking!

PRESENTATION

Optional but important: Each student should come prepared with a digital presentation/laptop or 3-6 actual quilts and be prepared to make a short (3-5 minutes maximum) but articulate presentation about their work including future goals. The Crow Timber Frame Barn provides use of a digital projector connected to a laptop. This helps me and all the other students to know where you are in your work at this time. Please bring new work since the last time I saw your work.

SUPPLIES

Sewing Machine
Needles/Bobbins
Digital Camera/Printer (Canon SELPHY printer recommended)/Paper
Scissors/Thread/Rulers
Swing Arm Lamp
24” x 36” Cutting Mat
7’ x 7’ Batting/Flannel (White) on which to pin work (optional)
Extra Large Rotary Cutter and Blades
Iron/Iron Cleaner (optional as Barn has irons)
Ball-Head Pins (very fine and regular size)
Small Water Spray Bottle for Ironing
Glue to Adhere Snapshots into Sketchbook
Multiple Outlet Power Strip/Adaptors/Heavy Duty Extension Cords
Sketchbook/Pens/Other Supplies You Want
Packing Tape if shipping boxes (plus return labels)

Optional Books:

CROSSROADS, 2007, Breckling Press (catalog from one of Nancy’s exhibitions) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, 2006, Breckling Press (book covering Nancy's work from 1989-2005) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, MONO-PRINTS: SELF-PORTRAITS: FOCUS, 2012 - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
COLOR IMPROVISATIONS 2 & CIRCULAR ABSTRACTIONS: BULL’S EYES QUILTS, 2016, (books from two exhibitions curated by Nancy) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

Unfortunately, the following titles are out of print, but your local library may have them or order on Amazon.com.

GRADATIONS: FROM THE STUDIO OF NANCY CROW, Quilt House Publishing
NANCY CROW: WORK IN TRANSITION, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: QUILTS AND INFLUENCES, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: IMPROVISATIONAL QUILTS, C&T Publishing

Fabrics:
6 yards or more each of:

SOLID BLACK and SOLID WHITE

2-3 yards each of:

BRIGHT COLORS - bright red, orange, acid yellow, lime, turquoise, blue, apple green, pink, lavender, etc. (very saturated bright colors … the brightest color that are never darker than medium value)

2-3 yards each of: (bring 5 steps in value)

GRAYS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)

1 yard or more of each color:

SOLID OPAQUE COLORS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark values so you can be free to work) - reds, pinks, blues, teals, greens, limes, violets, browns, yellows, golds, oranges, purples, maroons, turquoises, rusts, etc.

TANS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)

OFF-WHITES (warm white, cold white, cream)

Bring BOTH the GLOWING and the FLAT versions of as many of these colors as possible.
Please wash and shrink all fabrics! No need to iron though if you fold at end of drying cycle!
We will use everything listed above so do not decide to leave anything out.
DO NOT BRING FAT QUARTERS.
Bring enough variety so you are not hamstrung!

NOTES REGARDING FABRIC SUPPLY LIST
Yes, the rumor is true!!! Yes, I do ask that each student bring lots of fabrics. My personal theory embraces the belief that one will be freer to be creative if one has many fabric choices available in class. After 35+ years of teaching, I consider each class I teach to be on a graduate level and therefore I expect students to arrive prepared with all necessary supplies. In that regard, I have outlined those fabrics we will use in this class. For some students, my fabric supply list will seem overwhelming in quantity and variety, while for other students, the selection they bring will never be good enough.

About solid colors - the more shades you have to work with, the more you will learn about how to work with color. Color is Joyous!!! Color does not cause pain!!! Take DELIGHT in color!!! Working in color does not mean only using BOLD colors or HOT colors; working in color means learning to be versatile in all types of colors.

I caution you to not bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including these 5 steps in value:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

Any color can be GLOWING or FLAT:
• GLOWING tones are any colors mixed with yellow and which have a glow coming off the surface.
• FLAT tones are those colors mixed with black and which emit a dullness, energy draining very subdued nature.

Many students arrive with their own hand-dyed solids or stacks they have purchased from other dyers. By all means, bring hand-dyed if you want but they need to be opaque and not have multiple values swimming across them ... meaning white or light splotches on dark colors.

However, flat solids (dyed commercially) are equally acceptable.

I usually work with flat colors or my own subtly dyed flat colors. My own palette includes approximately 500 shades.

I cannot specifically tell you to only bring 1 yard cuts of each color because I know we will be using at least a yard or more of some to many colors depending on each student’s color preferences. If you bring a yard of each – say 5 blues, 5 reds, 5 yellows, 5 greens, etc., but one each in light values, medium light values, medium values, medium dark values, & dark values, that would be better than not having enough. So bring 1 yard of as many colors as you can afford and shorter lengths for the rest.

• Potpourri: Part II: A Challenging Variety of Compositional Exercises [advanced]

POTPOURRI II: A CHALLENGING VARIETY OF COMPOSITIONAL EXERCISES

• Length: 5 days
• Level: Advanced
• Prerequisite: Free-hand cutting skills/good machine-sewing skills
• Sewing machine used

• PLEASE NOTE: These design exercises are not the same as those given in POTPOURRI I or III or IV.

DESCRIPTION
This brand new 5-day class has been specifically developed for students desirous of being far more experimental on an advanced level using machine-piecing techniques. Students will be encouraged to work spontaneously and intuitively as they explore design exercises that promote improvisational approaches to composition without benefit of “pre-planning” and “intellectualizing.”

Design Exercises will be used as a basis for flexing muscle memory in developing a more fluid approach to cutting improvisationally all sorts of SHAPES and LINES (ELEMENTS). These Exercises will emphasize the formation of NEW CONFIGURATIONS that could be used as the MOTIF or SUBJECT MATTER or STARTING IDEA for a figure/ground composition. As a result, students will not only become more experienced in construction and engineering techniques but more comfortable with generating ideas that promote excellent figure/ground composition.

Color - and the values of color from light to dark (5 steps in value) - will be emphasized in all exercises so a great selection of fabrics based on these values must be brought to this workshop. Students will be working in SOLID COLORS the entire 5-days so there is no need to bring any printed or marbled fabrics, only solids whether commercial or hand-dyed. ***Concentrate on collecting DARKS and MEDIUM DARKS!

If students want to learn to work more effectively, more efficiently from “instincts” and “intuition” they must come with an open mind and no agendas, ready for growth and for risk-taking!

PRESENTATION

Optional but important: Each student should come prepared with a digital presentation/laptop or 3-6 actual quilts and be prepared to make a short (3-5 minutes maximum) but articulate presentation about their work including future goals. The Crow Timber Frame Barn provides use of a digital projector connected to a laptop. This helps me and all the other students to know where you are in your work at this time. Please bring new work since the last time I saw your work.

SUPPLIES

Sewing Machine
Needles/Bobbins
Digital Camera/Printer (Canon SELPHY printer recommended)/Paper
Scissors/Thread/Rulers
Swing Arm Lamp
24” x 36” Cutting Mat
7’ x 7’ Batting/Flannel (White) on which to pin work (optional)
Extra Large Rotary Cutter and Blades
Iron/Iron Cleaner (optional as Barn has irons)
Ball-Head Pins (very fine and regular size)
Small Water Spray Bottle for Ironing
Glue to Adhere Snapshots into Sketchbook
Multiple Outlet Power Strip/Adaptors/Heavy Duty Extension Cords
Sketchbook/Pens/Other Supplies You Want
Packing Tape if shipping boxes (plus return labels)

Optional Books:

CROSSROADS, 2007, Breckling Press (catalog from one of Nancy’s exhibitions) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, 2006, Breckling Press (book covering Nancy's work from 1989-2005) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, MONO-PRINTS: SELF-PORTRAITS: FOCUS, 2012 - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
COLOR IMPROVISATIONS 2 & CIRCULAR ABSTRACTIONS: BULL’S EYES QUILTS, 2016, (books from two exhibitions curated by Nancy) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

Unfortunately, the following titles are out of print, but your local library may have them or order on Amazon.com.

GRADATIONS: FROM THE STUDIO OF NANCY CROW, Quilt House Publishing
NANCY CROW: WORK IN TRANSITION, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: QUILTS AND INFLUENCES, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: IMPROVISATIONAL QUILTS, C&T Publishing

Fabrics:
6 yards or more each of:

SOLID BLACK and SOLID WHITE

2-3 yards each of:

BRIGHT COLORS - bright red, orange, acid yellow, lime, turquoise, blue, apple green, pink, lavender, etc. (very saturated bright colors … the brightest color that are never darker than medium value)

2-3 yards each of: (bring 5 steps in value)

GRAYS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)

1 yard or more of each color:

SOLID OPAQUE COLORS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark values so you can be free to work) - reds, pinks, blues, teals, greens, limes, violets, browns, yellows, golds, oranges, purples, maroons, turquoises, rusts, etc.

TANS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)

OFF-WHITES (warm white, cold white, cream)

Bring BOTH the GLOWING and the FLAT versions of as many of these colors as possible.
Please wash and shrink all fabrics! No need to iron though if you fold at end of drying cycle!
We will use everything listed above so do not decide to leave anything out.
DO NOT BRING FAT QUARTERS.
Bring enough variety so you are not hamstrung!

NOTES REGARDING FABRIC SUPPLY LIST
Yes, the rumor is true!!! Yes, I do ask that each student bring lots of fabrics. My personal theory embraces the belief that one will be freer to be creative if one has many fabric choices available in class. After 35+ years of teaching, I consider each class I teach to be on a graduate level and therefore I expect students to arrive prepared with all necessary supplies. In that regard, I have outlined those fabrics we will use in this class. For some students, my fabric supply list will seem overwhelming in quantity and variety, while for other students, the selection they bring will never be good enough.

About solid colors - the more shades you have to work with, the more you will learn about how to work with color. Color is Joyous!!! Color does not cause pain!!! Take DELIGHT in color!!! Working in color does not mean only using BOLD colors or HOT colors; working in color means learning to be versatile in all types of colors.

I caution you to not bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including these 5 steps in value:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

Any color can be GLOWING or FLAT:
• GLOWING tones are any colors mixed with yellow and which have a glow coming off the surface.
• FLAT tones are those colors mixed with black and which emit a dullness, energy draining very subdued nature.

Many students arrive with their own hand-dyed solids or stacks they have purchased from other dyers. By all means, bring hand-dyed if you want but they need to be opaque and not have multiple values swimming across them ... meaning white or light splotches on dark colors.

However, flat solids (dyed commercially) are equally acceptable.

I usually work with flat colors or my own subtly dyed flat colors. My own palette includes approximately 500 shades.

I cannot specifically tell you to only bring 1 yard cuts of each color because I know we will be using at least a yard or more of some to many colors depending on each student’s color preferences. If you bring a yard of each – say 5 blues, 5 reds, 5 yellows, 5 greens, etc., but one each in light values, medium light values, medium values, medium dark values, & dark values, that would be better than not having enough. So bring 1 yard of as many colors as you can afford and shorter lengths for the rest.

• Potpourri: Part III: A Challenging Variety of Compositional Exercises [advanced]

POTPOURRI III: A CHALLENGING VARIETY OF COMPOSITIONAL EXERCISES

• Length: 5 days
• Level: Advanced
• Prerequisite: Must be a good machine-piecer and skilled at cutting improvisationally. Need to have studied with Nancy on an advanced level and understand the mechanics of piecing together asymmetrical compositions.
• Sewing machine used

• PLEASE NOTE: The design exercises in POTPOURRI: PART III are different from those in POTPOURRI: PARTS I & II & IV. It is advised that students take classes in sequence if possible.

DESCRIPTION
Although POTPOURRI: PART III has essentially the same description as PARTS I & II, the design exercise in PART III is different and perhaps a bit harder than that given in PARTS I & II. This class will explore the use of more complex geometrical motifs (called configurations) in compositions. A MOTIF is defined as being a simple figure (a theme) on a ground that is repeated in some manner. A CONFIGURATION is defined as an arrangement of connected lines and shapes that create a figure on a ground.

It is the responsibility of each student to think about which lines & shapes & combinations of these could become new fresh motifs, to draw up many, many ideas in their sketchbook, and then, to actually cut out and sew together as many black/white motifs as possible. Making these motifs out of fabric will enlighten the student as to which motifs are both visually effective and which are easy to sew together. The size of the motif samples can be approximately 8” x 8” up to 12” x 12”. Keep black figure on white ground on the first round; make the reverse of each also with white figure on black ground. On the morning of the first day of class each student is to have all of their motif ideas pinned to their work wall. Students will be expected to work with more than one of their motif ideas depending on the design exercises given during the week.

***It will help if students think about how their motifs from the above homework can be combined into strong and useable configurations.

The FOCUS of this class will be on creating one large composition, intuitively and improvisationally, and to push one’s imagination into being more playful and flexible. Students will continue to work more effectively from instincts as they make use of LINE, SHAPE, FIGURES, CONFIGURATIONS. As the title POTPOURRI suggests, the design exercise may represent many manners of compositional approaches so students need to be practiced in engineering any type of pieced construction. Figure/ground composition, value and color usage will be emphasized at all times, so each student must come prepared with a sophisticated range of shades and values in solids (commercial or hand-dyed) in as many color families as possible. It is important that the range of values includes very light colors, medium lights, mediums, medium darks, and darks. All parts of each composition will be pinned to wall as it progresses so students must bring at least 2 boxes of good quality short, fine Clover ball-head pins.

This class requires very individual thinking and total concentration, and is meant to be challenging! The method of working will be a journey about discovery and will require an attitude of risk-taking! The design exercises will stimulate thinking and hopefully help to develop more individual work.

***Students must come prepared with motif ideas!
Note: All design exercises will be done in solid colored fabric using machine-piecing techniques. Each exercise will result in a composition. Keeping a sketchbook with excellent notations will be vitally important throughout the workshop; therefore, it is required that students bring a digital camera and a small digital printer (such as the Canon Selphy printer) to use as a tool for keeping track of works-in-progress.

PRESENTATION

Optional but important: Each student should come prepared with a digital presentation/laptop or 3-6 actual quilts and be prepared to make a short (3-5 minutes maximum) but articulate presentation about their work including future goals. The Crow Timber Frame Barn provides use of a digital projector connected to a laptop. This helps me and all the other students to know where you are in your work at this time. Please bring new work since the last time I saw your work.

SUPPLIES

Sewing Machine
Needles/Bobbins
Digital Camera/Printer (Canon SELPHY printer recommended)/Paper
Scissors/Thread/Rulers
Swing Arm Lamp
24” x 36” Cutting Mat
7’ x 7’ Batting/Flannel (White) on which to pin work (optional)
Extra Large Rotary Cutter and Blades
Iron/Iron Cleaner (optional as Barn has irons)
Ball-Head Pins (very fine and regular size)
Small Water Spray Bottle for Ironing
Glue to Adhere Snapshots into Sketchbook
Multiple Outlet Power Strip/Adaptors/Heavy Duty Extension Cords
Sketchbook/Pens/Other Supplies You Want
Packing Tape if shipping boxes (plus return labels)

Optional Books:

CROSSROADS, 2007, Breckling Press (catalog from one of Nancy’s exhibitions) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, 2006, Breckling Press (book covering Nancy's work from 1989-2005) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, MONO-PRINTS: SELF-PORTRAITS: FOCUS, 2012 - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
COLOR IMPROVISATIONS 2 & CIRCULAR ABSTRACTIONS: BULL’S EYES QUILTS, 2016, (books from two exhibitions curated by Nancy) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

Unfortunately, the following titles are out of print, but your local library may have them or order on Amazon.com.

GRADATIONS: FROM THE STUDIO OF NANCY CROW, Quilt House Publishing
NANCY CROW: WORK IN TRANSITION, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: QUILTS AND INFLUENCES, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: IMPROVISATIONAL QUILTS, C&T Publishing

Fabrics:
6 yards or more each of:

SOLID BLACK and SOLID WHITE

1-2 yards or more each of:

SOLID COLORS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark values) so you can be free to work – Reds, Pinks, Blues,Teals, Greens, Limes, Violets, Browns, Yellows, Golds, Oranges, Purples, Maroons, Turquoises, Rusts, Etc.)
BRIGHTS
BROWNS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)
GRAYS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)
TANS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)
OFF-WHITES (warm white, cold white, cream)

Bring BOTH the GLOWING and the FLAT versions of as many of these colors as possible.
We will use everything listed above so do not decide to leave anything out.
Please wash and shrink all fabrics! No need to iron though if you fold at end of drying cycle!

NOTES REGARDING FABRIC SUPPLY LIST
Yes, the rumor is true!!! Yes, I do ask that each student bring lots of fabrics. My personal theory embraces the belief that one will be freer to be creative if one has many fabric choices available in class. After 35+ years of teaching, I consider each class I teach to be on a graduate level and therefore I expect students to arrive prepared with all necessary supplies. In that regard, I have outlined those fabrics we will use in this class. For some students, my fabric supply list will seem overwhelming in quantity and variety, while for other students, the selection they bring will never be good enough.

About solid colors - the more shades you have to work with, the more you will learn about how to work with color. Color is Joyous!!! Color does not cause pain!!! Take DELIGHT in color!!!

Working in color does not mean only using BOLD colors or HOT colors; working in color means learning to be versatile in all types of colors.

I caution you to not bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

• Please bring the glowing version… AND… the dull/flat version of as many colors as possible.

• Remember that ANY COLOR… AND… ANY VALUE of ANY COLOR can be glowing or dull/flat.

Many students arrive with their own hand-dyed solids or stacks they have purchased from other dyers. By all means, bring hand-dyed if you want… but not splotchy with white splotches on all colors.

But solids (dyed commercially) are equally acceptable.

I usually work with my own subtly dyed solid colors. My own palette includes approximately 500+ shades.

Regarding fabrics: I recommend 2 yard cuts or larger because I feel happier with a minimum of 2 yard cuts. But please feel free to come with 1 yard cuts if this will facilitate having a much broader range of values. But please do not blame me if you run out of any color as I have no way of knowing which colors you will use up.

• Potpourri: Part IV: A Challenging Variety of Compositional Exercises [advanced]

POTPOURRI IV: A CHALLENGING VARIETY OF COMPOSITIONAL EXERCISES

• Length: 5 days
• Level: Advanced
• Prerequisite: Must be a good machine-piecer and skilled at cutting improvisationally. Need to have studied with Nancy on an advanced level and understand the mechanics of piecing together asymmetrical compositions.
• Sewing machine used

• PLEASE NOTE: The design exercises in POTPOURRI: PART IV are different from those in POTPOURRI: PARTS I, II, & III. It is advised that students take classes in sequence if possible.

DESCRIPTION
Although POTPOURRI: PART IV has essentially the same description as PARTS I, II, & III, the design exercise in PART IV is different and perhaps a bit harder than that given in PARTS I, II, & III. This class will explore the use of more complex geometrical motifs (called configurations) in compositions. A MOTIF is defined as being a simple figure (a theme) on a ground that is repeated in some manner. A CONFIGURATION is defined as an arrangement of connected lines and shapes that create a figure on a ground.

It is the responsibility of each student to think about which lines & shapes & combinations of these could become new fresh motifs, to draw up many, many ideas in their sketchbook, and then, to actually cut out and sew together as many black/white motifs as possible. Making these motifs out of fabric will enlighten the student as to which motifs are both visually effective and which are easy to sew together. The size of the motif samples can be approximately 8” x 8” up to 12” x 12”. Keep black figure on white ground on the first round; make the reverse of each also with white figure on black ground. On the morning of the first day of class each student is to have all of their motif ideas pinned to their work wall. Students will be expected to work with more than one of their motif ideas depending on the design exercises given during the week.

***It will help if students think about how their motifs from the above homework can be combined into strong and useable configurations.

The FOCUS of this class will be on creating one large composition, intuitively and improvisationally, and to push one’s imagination into being more playful and flexible. Students will continue to work more effectively from instincts as they make use of LINE, SHAPE, FIGURES, CONFIGURATIONS. As the title POTPOURRI suggests, the design exercise may represent many manners of compositional approaches so students need to be practiced in engineering any type of pieced construction. Figure/ground composition, value and color usage will be emphasized at all times, so each student must come prepared with a sophisticated range of shades and values in solids (commercial or hand-dyed) in as many color families as possible. It is important that the range of values includes very light colors, medium lights, mediums, medium darks, and darks. All parts of each composition will be pinned to wall as it progresses so students must bring at least 2 boxes of good quality short, fine Clover ball-head pins.

This class requires very individual thinking and total concentration, and is meant to be challenging! The method of working will be a journey about discovery and will require an attitude of risk-taking! The design exercises will stimulate thinking and hopefully help to develop more individual work.

***Students must come prepared with motif ideas!
Note: All design exercises will be done in solid colored fabric using machine-piecing techniques. Each exercise will result in a composition. Keeping a sketchbook with excellent notations will be vitally important throughout the workshop; therefore, it is required that students bring a digital camera and a small digital printer (such as the Canon Selphy printer) to use as a tool for keeping track of works-in-progress.

PRESENTATION

Optional but important: Each student should come prepared with a digital presentation/laptop or 3-6 actual quilts and be prepared to make a short (3-5 minutes maximum) but articulate presentation about their work including future goals. The Crow Timber Frame Barn provides use of a digital projector connected to a laptop. This helps me and all the other students to know where you are in your work at this time. Please bring new work since the last time I saw your work.

SUPPLIES

Sewing Machine
Needles/Bobbins
Digital Camera/Printer (Canon SELPHY printer recommended)/Paper
Scissors/Thread/Rulers
Swing Arm Lamp
24” x 36” Cutting Mat
7’ x 7’ Batting/Flannel (White) on which to pin work (optional)
Extra Large Rotary Cutter and Blades
Iron/Iron Cleaner (optional as Barn has irons)
Ball-Head Pins (very fine and regular size)
Small Water Spray Bottle for Ironing
Glue to Adhere Snapshots into Sketchbook
Multiple Outlet Power Strip/Adaptors/Heavy Duty Extension Cords
Sketchbook/Pens/Other Supplies You Want
Packing Tape if shipping boxes (plus return labels)

Optional Books:

CROSSROADS, 2007, Breckling Press (catalog from one of Nancy’s exhibitions) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, 2006, Breckling Press (book covering Nancy's work from 1989-2005) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, MONO-PRINTS: SELF-PORTRAITS: FOCUS, 2012 - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
COLOR IMPROVISATIONS 2 & CIRCULAR ABSTRACTIONS: BULL’S EYES QUILTS, 2016, (books from two exhibitions curated by Nancy) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

Unfortunately, the following titles are out of print, but your local library may have them or order on Amazon.com.

GRADATIONS: FROM THE STUDIO OF NANCY CROW, Quilt House Publishing
NANCY CROW: WORK IN TRANSITION, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: QUILTS AND INFLUENCES, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: IMPROVISATIONAL QUILTS, C&T Publishing

Fabrics:
6 yards or more each of:

SOLID BLACK and SOLID WHITE

1-2 yards or more each of:

SOLID COLORS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark values) so you can be free to work – Reds, Pinks, Blues,Teals, Greens, Limes, Violets, Browns, Yellows, Golds, Oranges, Purples, Maroons, Turquoises, Rusts, Etc.)
BRIGHTS
BROWNS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)
GRAYS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)
TANS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)
OFF-WHITES (warm white, cold white, cream)

Bring BOTH the GLOWING and the FLAT versions of as many of these colors as possible.
We will use everything listed above so do not decide to leave anything out.
Please wash and shrink all fabrics! No need to iron though if you fold at end of drying cycle!

NOTES REGARDING FABRIC SUPPLY LIST
Yes, the rumor is true!!! Yes, I do ask that each student bring lots of fabrics. My personal theory embraces the belief that one will be freer to be creative if one has many fabric choices available in class. After 35+ years of teaching, I consider each class I teach to be on a graduate level and therefore I expect students to arrive prepared with all necessary supplies. In that regard, I have outlined those fabrics we will use in this class. For some students, my fabric supply list will seem overwhelming in quantity and variety, while for other students, the selection they bring will never be good enough.

About solid colors - the more shades you have to work with, the more you will learn about how to work with color. Color is Joyous!!! Color does not cause pain!!! Take DELIGHT in color!!!

Working in color does not mean only using BOLD colors or HOT colors; working in color means learning to be versatile in all types of colors.

I caution you to not bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

• Please bring the glowing version… AND… the dull/flat version of as many colors as possible.

• Remember that ANY COLOR… AND… ANY VALUE of ANY COLOR can be glowing or dull/flat.

Many students arrive with their own hand-dyed solids or stacks they have purchased from other dyers. By all means, bring hand-dyed if you want… but not splotchy with white splotches on all colors.

But solids (dyed commercially) are equally acceptable.

I usually work with my own subtly dyed solid colors. My own palette includes approximately 500+ shades.

Regarding fabrics: I recommend 2 yard cuts or larger because I feel happier with a minimum of 2 yard cuts. But please feel free to come with 1 yard cuts if this will facilitate having a much broader range of values. But please do not blame me if you run out of any color as I have no way of knowing which colors you will use up.

• Composition: Overall Figure/Ground [advanced to very advanced]

COMPOSITION: OVERALL FIGURE/GROUND

• Length: 5 days
• Level: Advanced to very advanced
• Prerequisite: Must be a good machine-piecer, skilled at cutting improvisationally and understand the engineering of improvisational compositions.
• Sewing machine used

DESCRIPTION
The focus of this class will be on CUTTING LINE and SHAPE INDIVIDUALLY and then combining them together as PART or PARTS of NEW CONFIGURATIONS in NEW COMPOSITIONS that emphasize the quality and quantity of exposed grounds/backgrounds. Varying levels of depth will be explored in both the figures and the grounds. Students will come to understand what is meant by creating OVER-ALL COMPOSITIONS as distinct from other types of compositions. Once again, students will learn to work more effectively from instincts and intuition as they sharpen their eye on great figure/ground spacing and tension.

All exercises will be done only in solid colors, commercial or hand-dyed, so it will be very important that participants bring a sophisticated range of shades and values, flat and glowing, in as many color families as possible. Students will learn more about value and color usage as they cut directly into their fabrics using either a large rotary cutter or scissors. All parts of each composition will be pinned to wall as it progresses so students must please bring 2-3 boxes of good ball-head pins (both very fine and regular size CLOVER pins if possible).

All exercises will be done by direct machine-piecing. Come with an open mind and no agendas, ready for growth and for risk-taking!

PRESENTATION

Optional but important: Each student should come prepared with a digital presentation/laptop or 3-6 actual quilts and be prepared to make a short (3-5 minutes maximum) but articulate presentation about their work including future goals. The Crow Timber Frame Barn provides use of a digital projector connected to a laptop.

SUPPLIES

Sewing Machine
Needles/Bobbins
Digital Camera/Printer (Canon SELPHY printer recommended)/Paper
Scissors/Thread/Rulers
Swing Arm Lamp
24” x 36” Cutting Mat
7’ x 7’ Batting/Flannel (White) on which to pin work (optional)
Extra Large Rotary Cutter and Blades
Iron/Iron Cleaner (optional as Barn has irons)
Ball-Head Pins (very fine and regular size)
Small Water Spray Bottle for Ironing
Glue to Adhere Snapshots into Sketchbook
Multiple Outlet Power Strip/Adaptors/Heavy Duty Extension Cords
Sketchbook/Pens/Other Supplies You Want
Packing Tape if shipping boxes (plus return labels)

Optional Books:

CROSSROADS, 2007, Breckling Press (catalog from one of Nancy’s exhibitions) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, 2006, Breckling Press (book covering Nancy's work from 1989-2005) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, MONO-PRINTS: SELF-PORTRAITS: FOCUS, 2012 - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
COLOR IMPROVISATIONS 2 & CIRCULAR ABSTRACTIONS: BULL’S EYES QUILTS, 2016, (books from two exhibitions curated by Nancy) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

Unfortunately, the following titles are out of print, but your local library may have them or order on Amazon.com.

GRADATIONS: FROM THE STUDIO OF NANCY CROW, Quilt House Publishing
NANCY CROW: WORK IN TRANSITION, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: QUILTS AND INFLUENCES, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: IMPROVISATIONAL QUILTS, C&T Publishing

Fabrics:
6 yards or more each of:

SOLID BLACK and SOLID WHITE

At least 1 yard of each color:

SOLID COLORS (commercial or hand-dyed) the widest range you can afford to bring & be sure to include both flat & glowing colors - 80 to 100 different colors (1 yard or more of each color)
BRIGHTS are essential for this workshop and they are defined as bright lime, acid yellow, red, orange, turquoise, hot pink, blue, apple green (bring 2 yards of each)
OFF-WHITES tans, warm white, cool white, creams (1 yard or more of each color)
GRAYS 5 to 9 in light, medium, and dark (1 yard or more of each color)

BE SURE TO WASH AND SHRINK ALL FABRICS BEFORE CLASS IF POSSIBLE

We will use everything listed above so do not decide to leave anything out!

Do NOT bring fat quarters. We will work selvage to selvage most of the time.

Do NOT bring prints.

We will use a lot of solid colors so bring a good range that includes darks, medium and light values of Browns, Blues, Greens, Reds, Golds, Yellows, Oranges, Purples, Violets, etc.

NOTES REGARDING FABRIC SUPPLY LIST
Yes, the rumor is true!!! Yes, I do ask that each student bring lots of fabrics. My personal theory embraces the belief that one will be freer to be creative if one has many fabric choices available in class. After 35+ years of teaching, I consider each class I teach to be on a graduate level and therefore I expect students to arrive prepared with all necessary supplies. In that regard, I have outlined those fabrics we will use in this class. For some students, my fabric supply list will seem overwhelming in quantity and variety, while for other students, the selection they bring will never be good enough.

About solid colors - the more shades you have to work with, the more you will learn about how to work with color. Color is Joyous!!! Color does not cause pain!!! Take DELIGHT in color!!!

Working in color does not mean only using BOLD colors or HOT colors; working in color means learning to be versatile in all types of colors.

I caution you to not bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

• Please bring the glowing version… AND… the dull/flat version of as many colors as possible.

• Remember that ANY COLOR… AND… ANY VALUE of ANY COLOR can be glowing or dull/flat.

Many students arrive with their own hand-dyed solids or stacks they have purchased from other dyers. By all means, bring hand-dyed if you want… but not splotchy with white splotches on all colors.

But solids (dyed commercially) are equally acceptable.

I usually work with my own subtly dyed solid colors. My own palette includes approximately 500+ shades.

Regarding fabrics: I recommend 2 yard cuts or larger because I feel happier with a minimum of 2 yard cuts. But please feel free to come with 1 yard cuts if this will facilitate having a much broader range of values. But please do not blame me if you run out of any color as I have no way of knowing which colors you will use up.

• Composition: Spare Figure/Ground [advanced to very advanced]

COMPOSITION: SPARE FIGURE/GROUND

• Length: 5 days
• Level: Advanced to very advanced
• Prerequisite: Must be excellent machine piecer, must be practiced at cutting freehand, must know how to engineer complex structure using machine-piecing, must be ready for intense study.
• Sewing machine used

DESCRIPTION
This workshop will concentrate on LARGER BACKGROUNDS & MULTIPLE GROUNDS with a much sparer use of FIGURES, both primary and secondary. Students will become more sensitive to the placement of figures on such grounds. The INTENT is to strengthen one’s eye to evermore beautiful spacing which is that “allusive tension” that makes any composition so much stronger. Composition will be explored using the principles of figure/ground. Figure/ground is loosely defined as positive/negative or the relationship of figure or motif or subject matter or configuration(s) on a background or ground.

All compositions will be done using solid colors (commercial or hand-dyed), direct freehand cutting, and machine-piecing. It will be vitally important that each student come prepared with an excellent choice of colors and values (light to dark of those colors and flat and glowing) as most exercises will be dependent on value usage.

IMPORTANT:
• Please bring LOTS of IDEAS FOR FIGURES AND CONFIGURATIONS. These may be in the form of your drawings, sewn-together black and white configurations or POSTCARDS / PHOTOS / MAGAZINE PAGES of MOTIFS / PATTERNING / PAINTINGS ... any SUBJECT MATTER that EXPRESSES WHAT YOU LOVE and CARE ABOUT IN YOUR WORK. *** Some compositions may reference to these ideas that you bring along!
• Students need to bring (2 if possible) the LARGEST OLFA CUTTING MAT (24” x 36”)
• It will be assumed that anyone taking this class will be ready to abide by “time constraints” imposed on individual design exercises and that each will do their best to keep up with the work. Since the parts of each composition will be pinned to work walls, it is essential that students bring multiple boxes of excellent pins (namely CLOVER BRAND BALL-HEAD PINS - silk pins and regular ball-head pins).

PRESENTATION

Optional but important: Each student should come prepared with a digital presentation/laptop or 3-6 actual quilts and be prepared to make a short (3-5 minutes maximum) but articulate presentation about their work including future goals. The Crow Timber Frame Barn provides use of a digital projector connected to a laptop.

SUPPLIES

Sewing Machine
Needles/Bobbins
Digital Camera/Printer (Canon SELPHY printer recommended)/Paper
Scissors/Thread/Rulers
Swing Arm Lamp
24” x 36” Cutting Mat
7’ x 7’ Batting/Flannel (White) on which to pin work (optional)
Extra Large Rotary Cutter and Blades
Iron/Iron Cleaner (optional as Barn has irons)
Ball-Head Pins (very fine and regular size)
Small Water Spray Bottle for Ironing
Glue to Adhere Snapshots into Sketchbook
Multiple Outlet Power Strip/Adaptors/Heavy Duty Extension Cords
Sketchbook/Pens/Other Supplies You Want
Packing Tape if shipping boxes (plus return labels)

Optional Books:

CROSSROADS, 2007, Breckling Press (catalog from one of Nancy’s exhibitions) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, 2006, Breckling Press (book covering Nancy's work from 1989-2005) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
NANCY CROW, MONO-PRINTS: SELF-PORTRAITS: FOCUS, 2012 - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn
COLOR IMPROVISATIONS 2 & CIRCULAR ABSTRACTIONS: BULL’S EYES QUILTS, 2016, (books from two exhibitions curated by Nancy) - signed/dated editions available at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

Unfortunately, the following titles are out of print, but your local library may have them or order on Amazon.com.

GRADATIONS: FROM THE STUDIO OF NANCY CROW, Quilt House Publishing
NANCY CROW: WORK IN TRANSITION, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: QUILTS AND INFLUENCES, American Quilters’ Society
NANCY CROW: IMPROVISATIONAL QUILTS, C&T Publishing

Fabrics:
6 yards or more each of:

SOLID BLACK and SOLID WHITE

At least 1 yard of each color:

SOLID COLORS (commercial or hand-dyed) the widest range you can afford to bring & be sure to include both flat & glowing colors - 80 to 100 different colors (1 yard or more of each color)
BRIGHTS are essential for this workshop and they are defined as bright lime, acid yellow, red, orange, turquoise, hot pink, blue, apple green (bring 2 yards of each)
OFF-WHITES tans, warm white, cool white, creams (1 yard or more of each color)
GRAYS 5 to 9 in light, medium, and dark (1 yard or more of each color)

BE SURE TO WASH AND SHRINK ALL FABRICS BEFORE CLASS IF POSSIBLE

We will use everything listed above so do not decide to leave anything out!

Do NOT bring fat quarters. We will work selvage to selvage most of the time.

Do NOT bring prints.

We will use a lot of solid colors so bring a good range that includes darks, medium and light values of Browns, Blues, Greens, Reds, Golds, Yellows, Oranges, Purples, Violets, etc.

NOTES REGARDING FABRIC SUPPLY LIST
Yes, the rumor is true!!! Yes, I do ask that each student bring lots of fabrics. My personal theory embraces the belief that one will be freer to be creative if one has many fabric choices available in class. After 35+ years of teaching, I consider each class I teach to be on a graduate level and therefore I expect students to arrive prepared with all necessary supplies. In that regard, I have outlined those fabrics we will use in this class. For some students, my fabric supply list will seem overwhelming in quantity and variety, while for other students, the selection they bring will never be good enough.

About solid colors - the more shades you have to work with, the more you will learn about how to work with color. Color is Joyous!!! Color does not cause pain!!! Take DELIGHT in color!!!

Working in color does not mean only using BOLD colors or HOT colors; working in color means learning to be versatile in all types of colors.

I caution you to not bring mostly middle value solids, rather bring a wide variety, including:

Light values
Medium light values
Medium values
Medium dark values
Dark values

• Please bring the glowing version… AND… the dull/flat version of as many colors as possible.

• Remember that ANY COLOR… AND… ANY VALUE of ANY COLOR can be glowing or dull/flat.

Many students arrive with their own hand-dyed solids or stacks they have purchased from other dyers. By all means, bring hand-dyed if you want… but not splotchy with white splotches on all colors.

But solids (dyed commercially) are equally acceptable.

I usually work with my own subtly dyed solid colors. My own palette includes approximately 500+ shades.

Regarding fabrics: I recommend 2 yard cuts or larger because I feel happier with a minimum of 2 yard cuts. But please feel free to come with 1 yard cuts if this will facilitate having a much broader range of values. But please do not blame me if you run out of any color as I have no way of knowing which colors you will use up.

• Master Composition: Finding your Voice [very advanced]

MASTER COMPOSITION: FINDING YOUR VOICE

• Length: 10 days
• Level: Very advanced / Post graduate
• Prerequisite: Artists/students who have previously studied with Nancy Crow a minimum of 7 times and who will have prepared a brand new body of work before class begins.
• Sewing machine used

DESCRIPTION
Note: Master Composition is designed only for those artists who have studied with Nancy at least 7 times but who are establishing their own voice or who have already established their own voice….and whose work is not derivative of Nancy Crow’s work! Each participant must be prepared to work self-directed and independently during the two weeks of class; each artist must come with brand new work finished within the past two years showing their progress; each must come with the designated professional presentations on both their own development and the specified topic for the two weeks. Group critique will be offered Friday of each week but individual help/critique will be offered everyday as desired.
A longer description will be sent to each person enrolled in this class when it is offered.
This workshop may be offered only every two - three years.

This workshop is intended for students who:
• are disciplined about their work and are practicing
• have ideas and who INTENTIONALLY GATHER IDEAS for their work
• are wanting to be more rigorous in their approach to their work
• are looking for honest critiques
• are self-directed
• will not be producing any work derivative of my own work...I will not encourage nor support nor tolerate work derivative of my own body of work because it means that you are not working hard enough to find your own voice.