Nancy Crow quiltmaking classes
Nancy Crow quiltmaking classes
Nancy Crow quiltmaking classes

Nancy Crow

Nancy has been teaching quiltmaking as an art form for over 30 years; she finds teaching both a very creative experience and uplifting. One of her goals is to help students find a path through roadblocks to a more flexible way of approaching composition. Composition is the focus of all of her 17 workshops in which she proceeds sequentially from beginning to very advanced composition while at the same time introducing many wonderful techniques which can be used in machine-piecing. Nancy promotes machine-piecing as one of the most important ways to work for a quiltmaker, paralleling it to oil painting. Nancy was selected for two national honors: Fellow of the American Craft Council and National Living Treasure by the Museum of World Cultures at the University of North Carolina. The National Living Treasure award honors Americans who work in traditional handicrafts. In addition, she has won many Individual Artist's Fellowships from The Ohio Arts Council. She leads art tours to Peru, Mexico, South Africa, France, and Guatemala, and is the author of seven books, including: Self-Portraits: Mono-Prints, Nancy Crow, Nancy Crow: Improvisational Quilts and Nancy Crow: Quilts and Influences.

• Note: Beginning in Fall 2016 and continuing through 2017 and 2018 Nancy will be teaching all 14 of her workshops in figure/ground composition in sequence starting from the beginning level classes.
Nancy’s classes:

  • • May 21-26, 2017 | Composition: Overall Figure/Ground

    Open or Close
    • 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.

    Composition: Overall Figure/Ground
    • Level: Advanced to very advanced
    • Prerequisite: Free-hand cutting skills/very good machine-sewing skills
    • Zig zag sewing machine:     Yes
    • Materials fee:     No
    Tuition & Meal plan per 5-day class:
    • $915 | paid in full as soon as possible | Tuition ($675) & Meal plan ($240)

    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 30+ 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.

  • • May 28-June 2, 2017 | Composition: Spare Figure/Ground

    Open or Close
    • 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.

    Composition: Spare Figure/Ground
    • Level: Advanced to very advanced
    • Prerequisite: Free-hand cutting skills/very good machine-sewing skills
    • Zig zag sewing machine:     Yes
    • Materials fee:     No
    Tuition & Meal plan per 5-day class:
    • $915 | paid in full as soon as possible | Tuition ($675) & Meal plan ($240)

    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 30+ 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.

  • • June 4-9, 2017 | Improvisational Exercises: Part I

    Open or Close
    • 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.

    IMPROVISATIONAL EXERCISES: Part I
     Level: Intermediate to Advanced
    • Prerequisite: Free-hand cutting skills/good machine-sewing skills
    • Zig zag sewing machine:     Yes
    • Materials fee:     No
    Tuition & Meal plan per 5-day class:
    • $915 | paid in full as soon as possible | Tuition ($675) & Meal plan ($240)

    • 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 30+ 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.

  • • June 11-16, 2017 | Improvisational Exercises: Part II

    Open or Close
    • 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.

    IMPROVISATIONAL EXERCISES: Part II
    • Level: Intermediate to Advanced
    • Prerequisite: Free-hand cutting skills/good machine-sewing skills
    • Zig zag sewing machine:     Yes
    • Materials fee:     No
    Tuition & Meal plan per 5-day class:
    • $915 | paid in full as soon as possible | Tuition ($675) & Meal plan ($240)

    • 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 30+ 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.

  • • Independent Study

    Open or Close
    • 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.

    Independent Study

    • Level: Intermediate to advanced
    • Zig zag sewing machine:     Yes
    • Materials fee:     No
    Tuition & Meal plan per 5-day class:
    • Regular: $915 | paid in full by February 1, 2017 | Tuition ($675) & Meal plan ($240)

    Due to frequent requests, Nancy is offering Independent Study during each week of the Spring 2017 workshops. Students must be self-driven and come with their own ideas. Each participant will have their own work table & work wall. Nancy will be available for one-on-ones, critiques, etc. 
    • Images of student work and classes at the Crow Timber Frame Barn

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