Crow Timber Frame Barn Art Retreats

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.

Registration form

Nancy’s classes:

• May 20-25 & May 27-June 1, 2018 | Improvisational Exercises: Part I & Part II
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Improvisational Exercises: Part I & Part II
• Level: Intermediate to advanced
• Prerequisite: Free-hand cutting skills/good machine-sewing skills
• Zig zag sewing machine: Yes
• Materials fee: No

• SORRY, class is full To be placed on waiting list, please send in registration & deposit ($500). If space does not become available, a full refund will be issued.

Tuition & Meal plan:
• Both weeks (10-day class) of this special workshop with Nancy are to be taken back-to-back. No registrations accepted for only one week.
• $945 x 2 weeks | paid in full as soon as possible | Tuition ($695 per week) & Meal plan ($250 per week)
• PLEASE NOTE These Design Exercises are not the same as those used in IMPROVISATIONS: LET’S EXPERIMENT: PARTS I & II

DESCRIPTION for Part I
This brand new 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.

DESCRIPTION for Part II
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 for Part I:
8 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) *** Nancy will have these bright colors in the shop
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
FABRICS for Part II:
6 yards each of:
- SOLID BLACK and SOLID WHITE
Note about fabrics for Part II: It is essential that you pay attention to the values I am asking for and the number of yards. You must have colors then that match these 7 neutral values:
- White
- Light value
- Medium light
- Medium value
- Medium dark value
- Dark value
- Black
• Please note that I recommend these colors of GRAYS below (in blue) to match the above values. Also, please note that I have completely restocked my shop so I will have back-ups of all of the GRAYS, the complete line of BRIGHTS and a great selection of DARKS.
3 yards each of:
- Kona WHITE (glowing) & Kona PFD BLEACH WHITE #1287(flat)
- LIGHT GRAY (Kona SHADOW #457)
- MEDIUM LIGHT GRAY (Kona MEDIUM GRAY #1223)
- MEDIUM GRAY (Kona COAL #1080)
- MEDIUM DARK GRAY (Kona CHARCOAL #1071)
- DARK GRAY (Kona PEPPER #359)
- Kona BLACK (glowing) & Pimatex BLACK (flat)
2 yards each of: (these may be same yardage left from Part I)
- 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) *** Nancy will have these bright colors in the shop
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 3-8 & 10-15, 2018 | Sets & Variables I & II: Using a Simple Motif & a Compound Motif / Sets & Variables III: Using Linear Motifs
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Sets & Variables I & II: Using a Simple Motif & a Compound Motif / Sets & Variables III: Using Linear Motifs
• Level: Advanced
• Prerequisite: Free-hand cutting skills/good machine-sewing skills
• Zig zag sewing machine: Yes
• Materials fee: No

• SORRY, class is full To be placed on waiting list, please send in registration & deposit ($500). If space does not become available, a full refund will be issued.

Tuition & Meal plan:
• Both weeks (10-day class) of this special workshop with Nancy are to be taken back-to-back. No registrations accepted for only one week.
• $945 x 2 weeks | paid in full as soon as possible | Tuition ($695 per week) & Meal plan ($250 per week)
• PLEASE NOTE: The design exercises in Sets and Variables I & II are different from those in Sets and Variables III.

DESCRIPTION for Sets & Variables I & II: Using a Simple Motif & a Compound Motif
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.

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.

DESCRIPTION for Sets & Variables III: Using Linear Motifs
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.

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
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 - 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) *** Nancy will have these bright colors in the shop
- GRAYS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)
- TANS (wide range in light, medium light, medium, medium dark, dark)
- OFF-WHITES (glowing white, flat 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 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.