Crow Barn Art Retreats | Jan Myers-Newbury & Claire Benn

Jan Myers-Newbury

Jan Myers-Newbury is known for her pieced quilts using fabrics hand-dyed with various shibori techniques. She has exhibited and taught nationally and internationally, having been included in thirteen QUILT NATIONAL exhibits. Her work is in the permanent collections of the Museum of Arts and Design, the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts, the Museum of the American Quilters Society and the American Quilt Study Center; nearly 200 quilts are included in corporate and private collections. Her quilt “Depth of Field: A Plane View” was selected as one of the 20th Century’s 100 Best Quilts. She has lived in Pittsburgh since 1987.

What I have always loved about dye applied to cloth is the evocative and sumptuous nature of the resultant fabrics. Color is IN the fabric, not on it. Design is a process of finding relationships among fabrics. I rarely have a preconceived notion of how a finished work will look. And while I feel that I have a certain amount of control over what goes on in the dye bath, there are always surprises, and that is what I love about it. This is, I hope, the philosophy that I carry into teaching.

Jan’s web site

Claire Benn

Claire stitched a bit at college, dropped out, stopped stitching and started working … finally re-engaging with textiles after seeing a Mennonite quilt in 1994. What can be done to a piece of cloth still amazes her.

In 2001 she teamed up with Leslie Morgan to form ‘Committed to Cloth’ which became one of the foremost textile teaching practices in the U.K., with seven great books published during the partnership. In 2014 Claire retired from the partnership (but not completely from teaching) in order to focus more on her own work. Working with students in a community of like-minded people is a continued joy as teaching provides such a positive feedback loop; everyone learns. Her focus as a tutor is to enable; she presents clear demonstrations and instruction, believes in straight-talking, offers guidance, pulling and encouragement.

Her own work is currently focused on two streams; intensive hand stitching of naturally dyed linen and mixed media (earth pigments, acrylic and thread) on heavy cotton. Her work is abstract, reductive and meditative.

• For more information about Claire and her work, visit her website
• For more information about Committed to Cloth, visit their website

Registration form

Claire & Jan’s class

• October 1-6, 2017 | Linear Thinking: Shibori, Surface & Stitch
Open or Close

Linear Thinking: Shibori, Surface & Stitch
• Level: Intermediate to advanced
• Zig zag sewing machine: No
• Materials fee: $30 (if Thermofax screens are made, these will be charged separately, at cost)
• Dye facility usage fee: $30

• SORRY, class is full To be placed on waiting list, please send in registration & deposit. If space does not become available, a full refund will be issued.

Tuition & Meal plan per 5-day class:
• $915 - Tuition ($675) & Meal plan ($240)

DESCRIPTION
Combining different processes can be a challenge, so this workshop brings together a ‘dream team’ of two tutors, both experts in their field. Claire and Jan are interested in facilitating dialogue within the techniques that we individually and collectively know so well. We are intrigued by the possibilities of combining the embedded color of the immersion dye bath with various surface applications of color to fabric. As such, this workshop will enable students to explore how to develop surface designed cloth by combining it with the Shibori process … and vice versa. We will also look at how the resulting pieces can be developed through hand stitch, or used for construction and piecing purposes.

The approach will encompass:
• Shibori dyeing using pole wrapping (Arashi) to achieve linear patterning.
• Surface design with thickened dyes and discharge media, using methods such as printing (block, screen, Thermofax and mono), scraping, rollers and line work.
• Exploring ways forward with hand stitch and/or cutting and restructuring.

ON-SITE SUPPLIES & SUPPLIES FEE
The supplies fee of $30 will cover the use of:
• Mx dyes
• Chemicals: everything needed for dye work.
• Thiox: for surface (not vat) discharge work.
• Tools: a selection of key tools will be provided.

For surface design work, an ample supply of thickened dye paints, Chemical Water & Print Paste will be ready for use on the first day. As getting experience at mixing dyes is an important part of the learning process, a rota will be established where a team of people will be responsible for keeping stocks topped up on any given day. Recipes will be posted to ensure consistency throughout the week. The dye vats for the Shibori processes will be established and mixed as we progress.

WHAT TO BRING
The Cloth – Cellulose Fibers ONLY please (so no silk)
We prefer not to mix fibers in this workshop as silk tends to ‘steal’ from other cellulose fibers in the dye bath.You will need 10 yards but will need to consider how you’ll use your cloth:
• For cutting & restructuring: a cotton you’re familiar with and happy to use for piecing.
• For hand stitch: avoid a tight weave (e.g., high thread count) as this tends to make hand stitching a chore rather then a pleasure, and go for a medium-weight rather than flimsy or very heavy.

Suggestions for specific fabrics will be sent out 2 to 3 months in advance of the workshop. Meanwhile, you might want to try sampling various cellulose fibers with the techniques you’re familiar with. We’ve purchased various linens, hemp and rayon-cotton and rayon/linen blends at Jo Ann and Dharma, all with good results. Work on small pieces and machine zig-zag the edges before scouring as the linen, hemp and blends tend to fray with impunity!

Prepare the cloth in advance
Scouring – even with cloth that is sold as PFD (Prepared for Dyeing) - is recommended. Bring up to 10 yards in total and label each piece in a corner. It may not all be used – this is dependent on individual working styles and pace. Racing is to be avoided, whereas thoughtful consideration will be encouraged.

For surface design using dye paints, Claire prefers to work on soda-soaked cloth rather than putting soda ash into the dyes (the benefits of this approach will be explained). As such, please ensure you have two yards (or 8 fat quarters) of scoured, soda-soaked and dried cloth ready for use on the first day; don’t iron it or fold it once soda-soaked – just stuff it into a bag once dry. A soda vat will be available for on-going soda soaking throughout the workshop.
To soda soak scoured cloth:
• Pre-scour it, then dry it or spin-dry it.
• Create a soda vat large enough for your needs; the basic recipe is 3 tablespoons of soda ash to 1 quart of water. Dissolve sufficient soda ash for your needs in warm (not cold or hot) water and top up with the appropriate amount of cold water.
• Place the scoured, dry (or spun-dried, but NOT wet) cloth in to the soda vat and leave for 15 minutes.
• Dry by drip-drying or spin the soda-soaked cloth before line drying (if you have a spin dryer, recycle the run off back into the soda vat). DO NOT TUMBLE DRY.
• Once dry, stuff it into a bag (don’t fold or iron).

Please note that for the vat-dyeing shibori processes, the fabric should be scoured but NOT soda-soaked. Prepare 2 yards (or 8 fat quarters) only with the soda-soak process.

General Supplies
• One dropcloth: please bring dropcloth of a neutral color that is sturdy. Drill (denim) cotton or something similar such as a 7oz cotton canvas; these are sturdy enough to flip over and use both sides before washing is needed. Old sheets are too thin and avoid heavy-weight muslin or canvas as it tends to hold wrinkles. Please also avoid the plastic-backed decorators’ cloths. Your dropcloth needs to measure 5’ x 8’, once scoured and shrunk as this is the average size of the work tables.
• Rubber gloves: they need to come at least 4-5” beyond your wrist for the dye baths, but if you wish to bring surgical gloves for surface design, then bring them too.
• A dust mask for mixing dyes.
• Pins: one box of ball-headed or T pins (please DO NOT bring the heavy, thick upholstery T Pins as they destroy the design walls).
• One fine black Sharpie for marking your fabrics, or bring small pieces of Tyvek and a stapler.
• Notebook/sketchbook: handouts on recipes and some process will be provided, but it can be useful to record your order of process on individual pieces, or make notes during general discussions.
• Pen and pencil.
• Cloth apron (or wear the equivalent of gardening/decorating clothes).
• Comfortable, rubber-soled shoes (you’ll be standing a great deal and the floor is concrete).
• A camera as it’s useful to record work-in-progress.
• An iPod and headphones if you like to work to music.

Surface Design Supplies
• Silkscreen: please bring 1 – even though the emphasis of the class isn’t on the use of silkscreens, you may need one. Don’t bring anything larger than 18”x12” - smaller will be fine and one will be enough!! Screens can be purchased from Dharma Trading (www.dharmatrading.com) or Dick Blick (www.dickblick.com). Please try to avoid buying screens that use cord to hold in the mesh as they aren’t as good as glued screens, but if that’s all you can find, so be it. Please label your screens and waterproof the wood by applying 3 layers of water-based wood varnish. Once dry, pre-scour the mesh by scrubbing it with hot water and a cream cleanser (e.g., SoftScrub) – this is important as otherwise, freezer paper stencils won’t stick to the mesh.
• Squeegees & Scrapers: one Speedball 9” squeegee with a cream or maroon plastic handle and a rubber blade. One grouting tool/spreader (look in hardware stores and kitchen shops) or a credit card squeegee to use with Thermofax screens or as a general scraper.
• Thermofax screens: some of you will be familiar with Thermofaxes (small, imaged silk screens), some will not. A Thermofax machine is available at the barn and Claire will organize supplies of mesh and frames should students wish to create Thermofaxes for use during the class. These supplies are NOT included in the supplies fee and will be charged at cost and in cash please, at the end of the workshop. Please note that your imagery will need to be in laser print or photocopy format – not inkjet. India ink will also generate a Thermofax, as will some pencils. Photocopying services are available in Pickerington or Lancaster and there’s a Staples near the main hotels just off the I-70.

Shibori Supplies
• If you already have dyeing supplies and are arriving by car, bring as many buckets as is convenient (up to 3).
• At least three lengths of plastic PVC (plumbing) pipe for arashi shibori (pole-wrapping)*. These can be from 1” to 3” in diameter. DO NOT BRING LENGTHS LONGER THAN 24”. DO NOT BRING DIAMETER GREATER THAN 3”.
• Rubber bands (heavy are best; veggie bands work well). Bring about 20-30.
• Cord and/or string - at least 200 yards. This could be crochet cotton, cotton weaving warp, string, various sizes are good - even preferred.
• 4 plastic dry cleaner bags or other clear thin plastic.

• Please note: Jan will be bringing MANY pieces of PVC pipe; if you are traveling by air, you do NOT need to bring PVC – there will be plenty.

Stitching Supplies
• Thread for hand stitch: you’ll have an inkling as to what kind of color range you’ll prefer to work in, so bring up to 10 colors of natural fiber thread to play with (make sure you have a black and a gray in this assortment). Remember that during the workshop, you’ll be exploring rather than finishing a masterpiece, so please don’t bring your entire thread collection.
• Small scissors and a seam ripper.
• A good selection of needles, appropriate for the threads you’ll be hand stitching with.
• A thimble if you like to use one.
• A small cutting mat, rule and rotary cutter if you’re going to explore cutting and re-structuring. You’ll be exploring composition and there is no need to bring a sewing machine. Should you develop something you’re pleased with, you can machine piece once home.

• Please contact Claire and Jan if you have any queries about the class content or supplies. Be sure to email both of us to make sure we both understand any queries.

Images of Jan Myers-Newbury and Claire Benn, student work and classes at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

Jan Myers-Newbury

Claire Benn

Claire & Jan’s class

• October 1-6, 2017 | Linear Thinking: Shibori, Surface & Stitch

Linear Thinking: Shibori, Surface & Stitch

DESCRIPTION

ON-SITE SUPPLIES & SUPPLIES FEE

WHAT TO BRING

Prepare the cloth in advance

General Supplies

Surface Design Supplies

Shibori Supplies

Stitching Supplies