Denise Roberts art workshop quilt
Denise Roberts art workshop quilt
Denise Roberts art workshop quilt
Denise Roberts art workshop quilt

Denise Roberts

The path leading to Denise Roberts’ art was not a meandering one like the winding West Virginia roads that influence her and which became a part of her shape vocabulary. Once she found her direction, she imbued her construction of fiber works with fresh ideas and customized tools including devising tables, cutting boards, and other special means to bring her unique ideas to life. The technical aspects of her constructions cannot be underestimated. On the other hand, the value of her work does not depend on that ubiquitous question: ”how did she do that?" As with any serious artistic journey, Denise put in the ten thousand plus hours doggedly pursuing everything that made her a master of her craft. She brought the same focused devotion to dyeing her own fabrics developing colors she longed to explore. In gaining control of all these parameters, Denise began creating the magnificently pieced textile constructions for which she is known. Even though her work has its roots in quilt making traditions, her current compositions transcend the limitations of the genre to become sophisticated works of art.

Denise began her art education in earnest in 2005 after seventeen years as a traditional quilt maker when she studied with Nancy Crow at the Crow Timber Frame Barn in Baltimore, Ohio. She honed her skills taking workshops for over ten years with leaders in the fields of improvisational quilt making, composition and design, fabric dyeing and textile surface design. Starting in 2016, her work began to earn much deserved attention. The path to a firmly established professional art career continued. Denise’s work went on to garner many awards, including the ‘Quilt Japan Prize” at Quilt National 2017. She has recently developed original courses for teaching improvisational piecing techniques, machine-quilting, and finishing techniques.

Denise’s web site
New classes created for the Crow Barn Timber Frame Barn!
Denise has developed two exciting classes for the Crow Barn Art Retreats. Both offer an outstanding opportunity for a student to have an immersive experience into quilt making as a machine-piecer. The two weeks will cover all the solid mechanical foundations needed to proceed on to studying composition with Nancy Crow.
• Students may take either week or both weeks in-sequence


Are you an advanced student who has a strong interest in becoming more expert in machine piecing techniques and construction?
Independent Study Opportunities are now available in both of Denise Roberts’ 5-day workshops. Denise will help guide any intermediate/advanced student through more intricate machine piecing techniques. Construction can be hard to manage in a composition as it becomes more complex. So Denise will cover steps you must take to machine piece a composition once it is cut out and pinned to the work wall in the classroom. In addition, she will also guide students through all the very important finishing steps needed to professionally present a quilted composition in any exhibition.

  • • September 5-10, 2021 | From Traditional to Improvisation or Independent Study

    Open or Close
    From Traditional to Improvisation
    • Level: Beginner to advanced
    • Zig zag sewing machine: Yes
    • Materials fee:     No

    Independent Study
    • Level: Intermediate to advanced
    • Zig zag sewing machine:     Yes

    Tuition & Meal plan per 5-day class with Denise:
    • $1090 | 5-day Tuition ($825) & Meal plan ($265)
    Stacks Image 29959
    DESCRIPTION
    This workshop, created to work with a variety of skill levels within the same class, will introduce both the fundamental basics of machine-piecing and the building of a strong foundation for excellent craftsmanship.

    Students will learn an assortment of improvisational cutting and piecing techniques while working with solid color fabrics through given design exercises. Many units and small compositions will be created during the week.

    • Stay on for week two and learn all of the finishing techniques!


    SUPPLIES
    (Please label your own supplies)
    • Sewing machine (bring your owner’s manual)
    • Needles - 80 Universal and/or 80 Microtex if working with hand-dyed fabric
    • Sharp scissors (small & large)
    • Thread - 50wt cotton (I use Aurifil)
    • Rulers - 12” x 12” and 6” x 24”
    • 24” x 36” cutting mat
    • Extra large rotary cutter (If purchasing get the straight handle one) and blades
    • Swing arm lamp
    • 5’ x 5’ batting or flannel (white) on which to pin work to wall (optional)
    • Ball head pins (very fine, i.e., Clover silk pins boxed and regular size)
    • Iron / iron cleaner (If traveling by car)
    • Small water spray bottle for ironing
    • Sketchbook/Pens/Other supplies you want
    • Multiple outlet power strip/Heavy duty extension cord
    • Packing tape if shipping boxes (plus return shipping labels)
    • Fabrics (Please     wash all of your fabrics):
    • Solid color fabrics including grays and browns in as many values as you can. The more fabric you bring the more choices you will have to work with.
    • 3 yards of black fabric
    • 3 yards of white fabric


    For Independent Study participants
    Please bring any supplies that you will need to work independently.


    If you have any questions about the materials list or the course in general, please     contact Denise

  • • September 12-17, 2021 | Machine Quilting and Finishing Techniques or Independent Study

    Open or Close
    Machine Quilting and Finishing Techniques
    • Level: Beginner to advanced
    • Zig zag sewing machine: Yes
    • Materials fee:     No

    Independent Study
    • Level: Intermediate to advanced
    • Zig zag sewing machine:     Yes

    Tuition & Meal plan per 5-day class with Denise:
    • $1090 | 5-day Tuition ($825) & Meal plan ($265)
    Stacks Image 29924
    DESCRIPTION
    Machine quilting and finishing techniques will be the focus of this workshop. For those of you who attend the first week, you will be learning to quilt your machine-pieced tops created in that class. If you did not attend the first week, you will need to bring one or more quilt tops to machine quilt in this class.

    Finishing techniques will include: squaring up your quilt after the quilting is finished, making and attaching facings, hanging sleeve construction and labels.

    So much time and effort go into our quilts. This class will help you learn the craftsmanship to present your quilts professionally.


    SUPPLIES
    (Please label your own supplies)
    • Sewing machine (bring your owner’s manual)
    • Walking foot for your machine - A must have!
    • Size 75 and 90 quilting needles
    • Rulers - 12” x 12” and 20.5” x 20.5” (optional)
    • Extra large rotary cutter (if purchasing get the straight handle one) and blades
    • 24” x 36” cutting mat
    • Scissors
    • Thread - 40 wt and/or 50 wt cotton (I use 50wt Aurifil)
    • Quilters Dream Cotton Select (low-loft) batting - Crib size
    • Iron and iron cleaner (If traveling by car)
    • Small water spray bottle for ironing
    • Ball head pins (very fine, i.e., Clover silk pins boxed - and regular)
    • Curved basting pins (comes in 3 sizes, I like the smallest)
    • White Chaco liner pen style
    • Blue painters tape
    • Swing arm lamp
    • Multiple outlet power strip/Heavy duty extension cord
    • Sketchbook/Pens/Other supplies you want
    • Packing tape if shipping boxes (plus return shipping labels)
    • Cotton fabric for backing, bindings/facings, and hanging sleeve - 2 1/2 yards.
    • Please bring a quilt top that is approximately 36” x 36”, not much bigger so we can move on after quilting to the finishing techniques. The second quilt top mentioned is for those of you who might work at a faster pace.
    • Please wash your fabrics.


    For Independent Study participants
    Please bring any supplies that you will need to work independently.


    If you have any questions about the materials list or the course in general, please     contact Denise
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    Stacks Image 29997
  • • 2021 Summer Art Retreats | Tuition and Meal Plan
    Tuition & Meal plan for 2-week classes with Nancy Crow:
    Both weeks (10-day class) of these special workshops are to be taken back-to-back. No registrations accepted for only one week.
    • $2180 | 10-day Tuition ($1650) & Meal plan ($530)

    Tuition & Meal plan for 1-week classes with Denise Roberts:
    • Sign up for one or both weeks of Denise’s workshops.
    • $1090 | 5-day Tuition ($825) & Meal plan ($265)



    Meal plan
    During the art retreats, Margaret Wolf, will prepare fabulous gourmet lunches and dinners plus a coffee/snack break daily during each week of class. The meal plan is provided so participants may concentrate fully on their work without being bothered by the interruption and inconvenience of cooking for themselves. The break times present a great opportunity to get to know your fellow students, share ideas, and just relax together in this wonderful environment.

    The meal plan includes an opening night welcome dinner, five lunches, five afternoon coffee/pastry breaks, and four more dinners during the duration of the workshop. Coffee, tea and water will be served during these break times. Participants are responsible for any other beverage choices, such as soda pop, beer, wine, milk or bottled water.

    Please keep in mind that if anyone chooses not to participate in the meal plan, they are solely responsible for all of their meals, snacks, coffee, tea, and other beverages. The kitchen facilities are reserved for the resident chef. There is a microwave and a refrigerator in the wet studio for student use. Most restaurants are at least a 20 minute drive away from the barn.

    Please note: Due to facility limitations, meal plans are available only for workshop participants.
  • • Accommodations
    Recommended accommodations & offering special rates:

    Hampton Inn, Pickerington, Ohio (15-20 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn)
    This clean, comfortable hotel is offering reduced rates. Please ask for "Nancy Crow Workshop" special rate (includes breakfast) using the local phone number 614-864-8383 or book online

    Best Western, Pickerington, Ohio (15-20 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn)
    All suites hotel with separate living area and bedroom. Offers complimentary full hot breakfast, free wifi, heated indoor pool, exercise room, & business center. Call 614-860-9804 to book and ask for “Nancy Crow Workshop” special rate.

    Holiday Inn Express & Suites, Reynoldsburg (15-20 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn)
    Please ask for "Crow Barn Workshop" special rate (includes breakfast) using the local phone number 614-861-8888 or Email the manager
    If booking online, please use the corporate ID code: 786931270

    The Morgan Theater Home, Baltimore, Ohio (5 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn, mention Crow Barn)
    Former silent movie theater converted into a private residence. Three rooms for rent include free cable TV & free high speed internet access. Kitchen/refrigerator/stove & all "kitchen stuff" available. Phone: 740-862-4765 or Email

    Rosabella B & B, Millersport, Ohio (10 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn; mention Crow Barn)
    Beautifully restored 1850s Italianate farmhouse is surrounded by farm fields. Breakfast included. The grounds include a wrap-around porch, hammock, patio, pool, hot tub, and fire pit. Phone: 740-467-3580

    Other accommodations, please negotiate your own weekly rates:

    AirBnB options in the area near the Crow Timber Frame Barn

    City of Lancaster, Ohio (15-20 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn)
    • Hampton Inn, 740-654-2999, clean and quiet
    City of Reynoldsburg, Ohio (15-20 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn)
    • Fairfield Inn, 614-864-4555

    Campgrounds near the Crow Timber Frame Barn
    Rippling Stream Campground, Baltimore, OH, 740-862-6065, (5 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn)
    KOA Campground, Buckeye Lake, OH, 740-928-0706, (15-20 minute drive to the Crow Timber Frame Barn)
  • • Miscellaneous information
    Roommate
    • Please let us know if you would like a roommate. We will try to match you with another participant to share accommodations.

    Travel to and from the Crow Timber Frame Barn
    • The Barn is located near Baltimore, Ohio (southeast of Columbus, Ohio)
    • Please keep in mind that there is not a shuttle service to and from the motels to the farm, therefore please arrange a rental car or carpool with another participant.
    • John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH) in Columbus, Ohio, is the major airport serving the area (30 minute drive to the Barn)

    Rental sewing machines, cutting mats & lamps
    • Bernina sewing machines are available for $75 per 5-day class or $150 per 10-day class.
    • Cutting mats are available for $15 per 5-day class or $30 per 10-day class.
    • Lamps are available for $15 per 5-day class or $30 per 10-day class.

    Formal class hours
    • Monday-Friday: 9-12 and 2-5 daily
    (Classrooms are open 7 am-9 pm Monday-Thursday, 7 am-5 pm Friday)

    Professional facilities
    Each student is provided with a large work table, an 8’ x 8’ work wall, and a comfortable chair. Classrooms are well illuminated and are open from early morning until late in the evening, plus the classrooms have air conditioning & heating. The surface design/dye studio at the Crow Timber Frame Barn includes large padded tables, lots of light (natural and color-corrected bulbs), 3 commercial stainless steel sinks, & washer/dryer. All facilities are non-smoking.

    Mailing list
    If you would like to be placed on a mailing list for information about upcoming art retreats, please send your contact info.

    Questions? Email

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