Black Fabric Sketch

5 day class - All levels/comfortable with sewing machine

In my own work, I have used what I term a black fabric sketch as a way to visualize a composition. It is a simple and flexible method of viewing the basic structure of a composition. In this class, the emphasis is on variations. Each student will compose a minimum of two black fabric sketches.These will be the basis for an extensive series of studies, carrying each composition through systematic variations, and exploring a wide variety of fabrics, from solids, hand dyes/painted to commercially printed fabrics. Studies will be based on explorations for value relationships, pattern scale relationships, color, adding complexity in field and form, and construction techniques.The focus will be on:

• Exploring ways to visualize ideas, experimentation — explore your fabric stash
• Structure of composition, Freehand construction techniques, Problem solving approach to design and construction, encouraging each student’s individual style.

Taught by: Cynthia Corbin

Supplies Needed:

• Sewing Machine
• Power strip
• Sewing Kit—whatever YOU need to sew and work well and comfortably
• 4’ x8’ pieces of Fleece , flannel, or batting to pin to design surface
• Masking tape
• Large cutting mat—size 23"x17" is recommended, for this class, the bigger the better.
• Rotary Cutter
• Cutting Rulers:
  - straight edge, size: 24"x 6"
  - Large square, size: 12"-15"
  
• Fabric and Paper Scissors
• “Chalk type” pencils or fabric markers of some kind (optional)
• 10 or more sheets of black construction paper 11"x14"
• Sketch Pad, size: 11"x14"
• Sharpy Pens
• Pencil for sketching
• Glue stick or the like
• Pen for taking notes (don’t worry, they’ll be brief) and Note pad