Future Workshops

  • View Details
    Mar
    22
    2012

    Colour, Texture & Value Made EasyID #10019

    Potter's Farm Studio, Betchworth - £225

    Jo Lovelock - 8 spaces remaining
    UK

    Key Info

    KEY INFORMATION

    Tutor: Jo Lovelock
    Dates; Thursday 22nd to Saturday 24th March 2012
    Experience level; suitable for all levels.
    Venue; Potter’s Farm Studio, Station Road, Betchworth, RH3 7DF
    Class size; 10
    Fees: £225 including supplies and lunch every day.
    Registration: email Claire at cb@committedtocloth.com

    Description

    This 3-day workshop will explore simple and effective ways of achieving a palette of (almost) solid and textured fabrics – perfect for quilt-making or collage. Jo will provide examples, give demonstrations and explain recipes and process throughout the workshop and supporting handouts will be provided. The emphasis will be on practical, hands-on experience and students will engage with:

    • ‘family’ immersion dyeing to create a range of related colours and values
    • scrumpled and pleated resists in litter trays for textural effects
    • fold-and-clamp resist techniques for graphics and patterns

    Whilst some fabrics will be irresistible after one process, the workshop will encourage over-dyeing to achieve depth, richness and complexity of colour and value.

    Towards the end of the workshop, students will have the opportunity to begin exploring compositional ways forward with their resulting cloth, and Jo will share examples of her own work.

    About Jo
    Jo has a background in graphic design but now works full-time with textiles. She has a degree in printed textile design and is currently working as an artist in residence at the University for the Creative Arts in Farnham. This role includes giving one to one tutorials to the second and third year degree students, sharing ideas, inspiring, motivating and building confidence gain in their work.

    Jo creates her own art pieces for exhibitions and site responsive work exploring the relationships between people and buildings and the landscapes they are found within. She is particularly inspired by the patinas that are created on the internal and external fabric of a building as a result of the passage of time. She also produces a commercial range of hand dyed cloth and threads.

    Jo has always been fascinated with shibori and dyeing processes and uses a variety of resist techniques in her work including clamp, stitch and wax resist. She has an extensive knowledge of tray dyeing methods having been taught by the tray dyeing expert herself, Leslie Morgan.

    Requirements

    WHAT TO BRING

    Dyeing Supplies

    • Three kitten or cat litter trays (kitten litter trays are a little smaller then cat litter trays).
    • Three 10 litre buckets.
    • A dust mask for mixing dyes.
    • Rubber gloves (suggest 2 pairs in case one gets holed).
    • Ten medium zip-lock bags
    • An indelible, black marker pen (such as a Sharpie or laundry pen) for marking your fabrics.
    • Notebook and pen.
    • Camera.
    • Wear old clothes and comfortable shoes.

    Cloth
    You will need approximately 10 to 15 metres of PFD (Prepared for Dyeing) fabric and we recommend that you stick to one fibre type. as this will help you to understand how a particular cloth responds to the processes. What you choose will be dependent on personal preferences and how you utilize your fabrics. The C2C studio stocks a good selection of cloth and recommendations include:

    • Cotton sateen
    • Heavy Habotai silk
    • Silkco (a silk-cotton mix)

    If you’d like C2C to supply your cloth, please let Claire know one month before the class, at which time she will advise you on pricing and pre-order for you (email cb@committedtocloth.com).

    If you have queries about the class content, please email Jo direct on jo_lovelock@yahoo.co.uk. To find out more about Jo’s work, visit her websites:

    www.jolovelock.co.uk
    handdyedfabrics.co.uk

    Gallery

  • View Details
    Apr
    23
    2012

    Colour StudiesID #10020

    Potter's Farm Studio, Betchworth - £375

    Leslie Morgan - 1 spaces remaining
    UK

    Key Info

    Key Information

    Dates; Monday 23rd to Friday 27th April 2012
    Experience level; suitable for all levels, no previous experience needed.
    Class size; limited to 9 students.
    Venue; Potters Farm Studios, Betchworth, Surrey.
    Class fee: £375, includes supplies and lunch every day.

    Description

    CLASS DESCRIPTION
    Make friends with colour! Study colour from personal sources or simply experiment spontaneously with colour. Find out what you like and what you could learn to like. Use your colour sources to prompt a colour scheme to achieve through immersion dyeing and dye paints. The key aims of this workshop are to enable students to:

    • start a colour journal
    • understand Procion Mx Dye and how to use them to generate colour schemes to use in future work
    • develop a personal colour palette.

    On Friday, Leslie will also discuss different ways of using your cloth to create harmonies and/or create contrasting elements within a colour scheme.

    The studio will be open from 9am until 6.30pm. Teaching hours will run from 9.30am to 5.30pm with breaks.

    *Food
 *
    Lunch, teas, coffee, water, and biscuits/cake will be provided as part of the class fee. Please advise us if you have any specific dietary requirements, as we don’t wish you to go hungry!

    Supplies will include use of the following media and materials:

    • Mx Dyes; in a variety of colours
    • Various Chemicals; for making chemical water and print paste, and salt and soda ash
    • Tyvek, for labeling your samples
    • Tools: a selection of tools will be supplied for general class use including; foam and bristle brushes, scrapers, rollers (textured & plain), monoprinting plates, sponges, needle-nosed bottles, and mixing pots.

    Requirements

    WHAT TO BRING

    Cloth

    We have an excellent selection of PFD (prepare for dyeing) cloth available to buy during the class, but please feel free to bring your own. In total, you’ll need between 11 to 15 metres of natural fibre cloth (cotton, silk, linen, hemp, visocose or mixtures thereof). If it’s not PFD (prepared for Dyeing), please scour it in the washing machine at 60°C, with 2 tablespoons of soda ash and some laundry detergent. You’ll need to do this in 2 to 3 loads. The cloth will be used as follows:

    • immersion techniques: 8 to 10 metres.
    • dye paints: 3 to 5 metres. For dye paints we prefer 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 one length 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.
    • Create a soda vat large enough for your needs; the basic recipe is 3 tablespoons of soda ash to 1 litre 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) cloth in to the soda vat and leave for between 10 to 20 minutes (heavier weight cloth will need longer).
    • 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).

    **General Supplies & Tools
    
Whilst the supplies fee will include the use of media and various tools; you’ll still need to bring some stuff of your own:

    • Inspiration: choose a colour source with 4 or more major colours in it that excites you – monochromatic doesn’t work for this class. The source can be a photograph, postcard, a piece of fabric or object, items from a personal stash of ‘found’ objects, postcards, tear-outs from magazines, favourite books, cloth (or bits of cloth), threads etc.
    • Tools; you’ll see that a good supply of tools will be provided but if you have specific tools you wish to use, then bring them.
    • A 1.5 × 3m drop cloth of cotton drill, or something similarly sturdy. Please pre-wash it. We have dropcloth fabric available here at £5 per metre.
    • Rubber gloves (suggest 2 pairs), well fitting.
    • Cloth apron (or wear the equivalent of gardening/decorating clothes).
    • Comfortable, rubber-soled shoes (you’ll be standing a great deal).
    • Notebook; handouts on recipes and some process will be provided, but be ready to take notes on the order of process and media used for each piece of cloth.
    • A3 or A4 Spiral Sketch book with heavy cartridge paper for your Dye Diary.
    • A glue stick or double sided tape.
    • Pen and pencil.
    • An iPod if you like to work to music.
    • Your camera.

    If you have any questions about workshop content or the requirements list, please email Leslie direct: lm@committedtocloth.com

    Gallery

  • View Details
    May
    20
    2012

    Experiment, Focus, ResolveID #10021

    The Crow Timber Frame Barn, Ohio, U.S.A. - US$845 (including meal plan)

    Claire Benn & Leslie Morgan - 10 spaces remaining
    USA

    Key Info

    KEY INFORMATION

    Dates; 3pm Sunday 20th May to 5pm Friday 25th May 2012
    Experience level; suitable for any level.
    Venue; The Crow Timber Framed Barn, Baltimore, Ohio, USA
    Fees & Registration:
    Early payment (paid in full by December 1st 2011: Tuition ($580) & Meal Plan ($230): US$810
    Regular payment (paid in full by February 1st 2012): Tuition $615 & Meal Plan ($230): US$845
    Please go to www.nancycrow.com for full information on fees, meal plans and registration.

    Description

    CLASS DESCRIPTION
    This period at the Crow Barn will provide you with time out in paradise to experiment with a variety of mark-making tools, focus on one of them and resolve some of the pieces you produce. The class will be structured as follows:

    Experiment
    On Monday, Claire and Leslie will start by demonstrating a wide range of tools, showing how each can be manipulated to achieve different effects. Approaches will include:

    • scraping
    • writing, doodling, scribbling & sketching
    • mono printing
    • painting & dry-brushing
    • using found objects
    • silk screen (key approaches only)
    • brushes

    Each student will then work on samples to experiment and explore all of the approaches, using dye paints or discharge paste.

    Focus
    On Tuesday morning, the results from the first day will be rinsed out, ironed and pinned up on the design wall. Each student will be asked to choose a single approach to focus on for the remainder of Tuesday, and through Wednesday. Focusing on one approach will enable each student to:

    • explore the many different effects/marks a single tool can generate
    • use repetition to develop mastery of the tool
    • work up layers of single marks (in different values or colour combinations)

    Resolve
    On Thursday morning, Claire & Leslie will provide an inter-active lecture on how to review work-in-progress and give consideration as to how to resolve or move on individual pieces of cloth. Students will spend the rest of Thursday and Friday morning resolving up to three pieces.

    Generally…
    Leslie and Claire will circulate throughout the class to give guidance and advice, with emphasis on one-to-one discussions on Thursday afternoon and Friday morning. Clear-up will take place between 2-3pm on Friday afternoon, and the class will close with a group review between 3-5pm.

    How students use their resulting cloth is up to them, but options include:

    • compositional whole cloth
    • a palette for cutting up and restructuring/collage
    • garment or interiors yardage

    For more experienced students…
    Those who have studied with Claire and Leslie will know they are relaxed if more experienced students choose to work independently from the class format. If this is something you’d like to do, then go for it – but please let Claire & Leslie know in advance so they can plan accordingly!!

    CLASS HOURS
    Teaching hours will run from 8.30am to 5.30pm with breaks, although Leslie and Claire will be available from 8.00am to 9.30pm.

    SUPPLIES & SUPPLIES FEE
    Feedback from previous classes has indicated that many students would prefer to ship or transport less equipment. As such, in addition to supplying the media, we provide access to a selection of tools. The supplies fee of $40 will include use of the following media and materials:

    Procion Mx dyes;* Strongest Red, Mixing Red, Sun Yellow, Golden Yellow, Turquoise, Mixing Blue, Deep Black and Chocolate. Claire & Leslie will provide help and guidance on colour mixing. Participants are welcome to bring other colours for personal use.
    Discharge; * Formosul will be used as the discharging medium. It can be used in paste or liquid format.
    Fabric Paints: * Magenta, Scarlet, Acid Lemon, Golden Yellow, Turquoise, Royal/Mixing Blue, Black, White, Transparent Extender Base, metallic Gold, Silver and Chocolate.
    Resists;* Soy Wax, flour paste, cover film, freezer paper, masking tape (for resist work on cloth or on-screen).
    Chemicals;* Urea, Ludigol, Calgon, Sodium Alginate/ProThick SH (for making Chemical Water and Print Paste), Soda Ash, Salt and Formosol.
    Tools:* a selection of key tools will be provided, including:

    1. distressed bristle decorators’ brushes
    2. foam brushes
    3. a selection of bristle & synthetic artists’ brushes
    4. monoprinting plates (large & small)
    5. tjantings & other soy wax tools
    6. credit cards and scrapers
    7. rollers
    8. needle-nose bottles

    An ample supply of thickened and liquid (water-colour consistency) dye paints, discharge media, Chemical Water & Print Paste will be ready for use on the first day. Thereafter, a rota will be established where 3 to 4 different people per day will be responsible for keeping stocks topped up. Recipes will be posted to ensure consistency throughout the week. Other media will be available for use at any time.

    Requirements

    WHAT TO BRING

    General Advice on Cloth
    For dye paints, we prefer to work on soda-soaked cloth rather than putting soda ash into the dyes (the benefits of this approach will be explained). 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 litre 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) cloth in to the soda vat and leave for between 10 to 20 minutes (heavier weight cloth will need longer).
    • 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 label or make an identifying personal mark on all of your cloth.

    ‘Sampling’ Cloth
    For the first day, each student will need 20 sample-size pieces to experiment with different approaches. Whilst the size of sample pieces is personal, we recommend you don’t go too large as this will restrict your options as each piece will take longer! As such, we recommend you sample on individual pieces no larger than the equivalent of 12” x 12” – although the format can be individual, e.g. 6” x 24” if a long, thin format is preferred.

    ‘Focusing’ Cloth
    Bring an additional 6 to 8 yards of cloth to use from Tuesday to Friday. It may not all be used – this is dependent on individual working styles and remember, you’ll be re-working/layering some of your cloth several times.

    GENERAL SUPPLIES & TOOLS
    Whilst the supplies fee will include the use of media and various tools, you’ll still need to bring some stuff of your own:

    • Silkscreens: please bring 1 – even though the emphasis of the class isn’t on the use of silkscreens, you may need one to resolve your work-in-progress and move it forward. Screens can be purchased from Dharma Trading (www.dharmatrading.com) or Dick Blick (www.dickblick.com). Please do not buy screens that use cord to hold in the mesh as they aren’t as good as glued screens. 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 – this is important as otherwise, freezer paper stencils won’t stick to the mesh.
    • Squeegees; 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.
    • Tools; you’ll see that a good supply of tools will be provided but if you have specific tools you wish to use, then bring them.
    • Thermofax screens: again, thermofax use will not be the focus of the class, but it can be worth bringing up to three of your favourite thermofaxes in case they are needed to resolve pieces on Thursday and Friday. Note; we hope that someone will be able to bring a thermofax machine to the class. If this is the case, C2C will organise mesh and frames and provide at cost. Please advise us if you can provide a thermofax. Please note that if a thermofax service is available, you will need your imagery to be in laser print or photocopy format (not inkjet). India ink will also generate a thermofax, as will some pencils. You can photocopy in Pickerington or Lancaster.
    • Two drop cloths: made from cotton drill, denim or something similarly sturdy. Please pre-wash/shrink it and allow for a finished size of 4’x10’. Old bed sheets aren’t suitable as they’re too thin and avoid heavy muslin or canvas as it holds creases.
    • Rubber gloves (suggest 2 pairs).
    • A good-quality mask. This is important if you wish to undertake discharge work. A normal decorators mask will not be sufficient for this purpose. Discharge work will take place outside.
    • One box of ball-headed or T pins.
    • A small cutting mat.
    • Craft knife (preferably with a nice, pointy, sharp blade – such as an Exacto knife).
    • One small cat or kitten litter tray.
    • One black Sharpie or waterproof pen.
    • One pair of scissors, suitable for paper and fabric.
    • Cloth apron (or wear the equivalent of gardening/decorating clothes).
    • Comfortable, rubber-soled shoes (you’ll be standing a great deal).
    • Notebook; handouts on recipes and some process will be provided, but be ready to take notes of your own process.
    • Sketch book/white paper for on going design work, pen and pencil.
    • ipod if you like to work to music.

    NOTE: we would prefer a participant to supply the soy wax pot rather than tote our own over the Atlantic. Please advise us if this is something you can do.

    Please contact both of us (in case one of us is away) if you have any queries:

    Claire Benn: cb@committedtocloth.com
    Leslie Morgan: lm@committedtocloth.com

    Gallery

  • View Details
    May
    27
    2012

    Working with IntentID #10022

    The Crow Timber Frame Barn, Ohio, U.S.A. - US$845 including meal plan

    Claire Benn & Leslie Morgan - 6 spaces remaining
    USA

    Key Info

    KEY INFORMATION

    Dates; 2pm Sunday 27th May to 5pm Friday 1st June 2012
    Experience level; intermediate to advanced. Participants must be familiar with a reasonable number of surface design techniques, comfortable with using Mx dyes & wet processes and able to work with a level of independence.
    Class size; limited to 14 with one bench per participant guaranteed (as opposed to the normal workshop size of 20).
    Venue; The Crow Timber Framed Barn, Baltimore, Ohio, USA
    Fees & Registration:
    Early payment (paid in full by December 1st 2011: Tuition ($580) & Meal Plan ($230): US$810
    Regular payment (paid in full by February 1st 2012): Tuition $615 & Meal Plan ($230): US$845
    Please go to www.nancycrow.com for full information on fees, meal plans and registration.

    Description

    WORKSHOP DESCRIPTION

    After a successful independent study retreat in 2011, this retreat will be run in 2012 for those who’re seeking:

    • a large workbench of their own
    • a smaller group size
    • mentoring & guidance (rather than structured tuition)
    • discussion and debate on many aspects of surface design, composition, format, finishing and presentation.
    • a dedicated window of time to focus on their own work, take time out to contemplate and discuss ways forward, and create momentum.

    This retreat therefore seeks to help participants work with Intent, using surface design techniques and wet processes to either:

    • generate compositional whole cloth or a palette of cloth to a plan or vision
    • explore and push boundaries with wet processes and develop technique
    • explore personal imagery and mark-making.

    Leslie and Claire’s main focus will be to guide and mentor rather than instruct, for example:

    • discussing individual plans/intentions.
    • providing advice and guidance on the best choice of tools to generate the imagery sought and where appropriate, developing good technique.
    • providing advice and guidance on the order of processes.
    • input and demonstrations on technique and process as needed/ requested.
    • one-to-one and group discussions to help participants respond to their work as it evolves, and plan next steps.

    As such, whilst this is a hands-on retreat, the goal is not to teach specific processes. Instead, participants will be working to the beat of their own drum. The evaluation of work-in-progress and discussion of ideas, concepts, design and composition will be encouraged.

    Retreat Format & Hours
    To encourage the sense of retreat, the following format will be (roughly!) followed:

    Sunday 2pm arrival;* starting at 2pm on the Sunday will enable a fast start on Monday morning – effectively, an extra half-day. As such, participants should arrive at 2pm on the Sunday (having eaten lunch). Un-loading, set-up and studio familiarisation will take place from 1 to 3pm (please do not arrive before 2pm). Cars need to be moved up adjacent to the Yellow Barn once un-loaded.
    Sunday 3pm to 6pm;* to help Leslie and Claire understand individual goals, the group will meet between 3pm and 6pm. Each participant will be asked to talk for 10 minutes to outline their intention for the week. This talk can be supported with printed images, personal imagery, colour or value references or personal tools that might be planned for use.
    Sunday 6pm;* dinner.
    Monday to Thursday; * the Barn will be open from 7am to 10pm. Whilst formal ‘class time’ will be from 8.30am to 5.30pm, Claire & Leslie will be available to the group from 8am to 9.30pm Monday to Thursday. These extra hours are invaluable for one-to-one consultation and individual and/or group critiques and discussions.
    Friday (last day);* the Barn opens at 7am and class closes at 5pm. Clear-up between 2-3pm, closure session 3-5pm.

    The supplies fee will cover use of the media, although exactly what any student will use will be dependent on individual goals. The following supplies of wet media will be provided:

    Procion Mx dyes; * Strongest Red, Mixing Red, Sun Yellow, Golden Yellow, Turquoise, Mixing Blue, Deep Black and Chocolate. Claire & Leslie will provide help and guidance on colour mixing. Participants are welcome to bring other colours for personal use.
    Discharge;* Formosul will be used as the discharging medium. It can be used in paste or liquid format.
    Fabric Paints:* Magenta, Scarlet, Acid Lemon, Golden Yellow, Turquoise, Royal/Mixing Blue, Black, White, Transparent Extender Base, metallic Gold, Silver and Chocolate.
    Resists;* Soy Wax, Elmers’ Glue, flour paste, cover film, freezer paper, masking tape (for resist work on cloth or on-screen).
    Chemicals;* Urea, Ludigol, Calgon, Sodium Alginate/ProThick SH (for making Chemical Water and Print Paste), Soda Ash, Salt and Formosol.
    Tools:* a selection of key tools will be provided, including:

    1. distressed bristle decorators’ brushes and foam brushes in various widths
    2. a selection of bristle & synthetic artists’ brushes
    3. monoprinting plates (large & small)
    4. tjantings & other soy wax tools
    5. credit cards and scrapers
    6. rollers
    7. needle-nose bottles

    An ample supply of thickened and liquid (water-colour consistency) dye paints, discharge media, Chemical Water & Print Paste will be ready for use on the first day. Thereafter, a rota will be established where 3 different people per day will be responsible for keeping stocks topped up. Recipes will be posted to ensure consistency throughout the week. Other media such as fabric paints, matte medium, soy wax etc. will be available for use at any time.

    Requirements

    WHAT TO BRING

    The Intention
    Perhaps the most important element to bring with you. We are aware that some people like to work to a plan and some prefer to respond to the cloth as it evolves. Both approaches are valid and either way, we encourage you to take time before the workshop to consider:

    Specific purpose; * consider whether you’ll be working to a specific goal (compositional wholecloth or a palette of cloth); aiming to push processes or explore/develop technique or exploring personal imagery and mark-making (or a combination thereof).
    Key colour and value references;* having an idea of a colour palette can help you to focus, although the palette may (of course) change for any individual piece of cloth. You may wish to consider bringing a small range of references such as painted papers, tear-outs from magazines, paint chips, photographs and so forth. Some participants like to use references, others do not. If you do bring some, limit things to the really useful!
    Personal imagery;* undertaking design work to generate the marks, lines, shapes and texture you wish to see come alive in your cloth (see note on thermofaxes later).

    • Specific tools: **give thought to preparing or assembling specific tools in advance. This may include thermofax screens, cutting stamps, assembling favourite mark-making tools or making stencils for use with a silk screen.
      Journaling or other notes; any written work that may be important to the overall goal.

    Bring all of this with you.

    The Cloth
    Choose the fabric(s) you wish to work with and prepare it accordingly. Scouring – even with cloth that is sold as PFD – is recommended. Bring 15 to 20 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 dye paints, we prefer 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 pieces 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 litre 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) cloth in to the soda vat and leave for between 10 to 20 minutes (heavier weight cloth will need longer).
    • 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).

    Additional Media
    If you wish to use media outside of that specified in the class description, please bring it with you.

    Tools (please label everything you bring)
    It is hard to be specific as to what tools and supplies to bring, as each individual’s needs and preferences will vary. However, for direct surface work we recommend:

    • Silk screens; up to 3 in number, your choice of size (think small, medium & large). Please put your name on the frame and waterproof the wood by applying 3 layers of water-based wood varnish. When the final layer is dry, please pre-scour the mesh by scrubbing it with a cream cleanser and hot water.
    • Thermofax screens (if you have them). Note; we hope that someone will be able to bring a thermofax machine to the retreat. If this is the case, C2C will organise mesh and frames and provide at cost. Please advise us if this is something you can provide. Please note that if a thermofax service is available, you will need your imagery to be in laser print or photocopy format (not inkjet). India ink will also generate a thermofax, as will some pencils. You can photocopy in Pickerington or Lancaster.
    • ONE squeegee (we recommend the 9” Speedball squeegee – beige or maroon handle with brown rubber blade).
    • An old credit card or spreader to use as a squeegee with thermofaxes. Spreaders can be found in hardware stores or kitchen shops.
    • Mark-making tools of individual choice; a good selection of tools will be provided but if you have favourites, bring them.

    NOTE: we would prefer a participant to supply the soy wax pot rather than tote our own over the Atlantic. Please advise us if this is something you can do.

    General Supplies

    • Two dropcloths: please bring dropcloths that are sturdy, such as drill cotton or denim. Old sheets are too thin and avoid heavy-weight muslin or canvas as it tends to hold wrinkles. Please pre-wash and shrink your dropcloths to size; the largest benches measure 9’ x 4’ so if you allow for this size, you’ll be fine.
    • Rubber gloves (suggest 2 pairs).
    • A good-quality mask. This is important if you wish to undertake discharge work. A normal decorators mask will not be sufficient for this purpose. Discharge work will take place outside.
      ONE box of ball-headed or T pins.
    • A small cutting mat.
    • ONE small cat or kitten litter tray.
    • Craft knife (preferably with a nice, pointy, sharp blade – such as an Exacto knife).
    • ONE black Sharpie.
    • ONE pair of scissors, suitable for paper and fabric.
    • Notebook; 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.
    • Sketch book or white paper for on going design work.
    • 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).
    • an ipod and headphones if you like to work to music.

    Please contact us if you have any queries. In the meantime, we look forward to a week of focused work.

    Claire Benn: cb@committedtocloth.com
    Leslie Morgan: lm@committedtocloth.com

    Gallery

  • View Details
    Aug
    27
    2012

    Shibori for QuiltmakingID #10023

    Potter's Farm Studio - £400

    Jan Myers-Newbury - 2 spaces remaining
    UK

    Key Info

    KEY INFORMATION

    Tutor: Jan Myers-Newbury
    Dates; Monday 27th August to Friday 31st August 2012
    Experience level; suitable for all levels.
    Venue; Potter’s Farm Studio, Station Road, Betchworth, RH3 7DF
    Class size; 11
    Fees: £400, including supplies & lunch every day.
    Registration: email Claire at cb@committedtocloth.com

    Description

    CLASS DESCRIPTION

    Explore the incredible variety of marks and patterns on cloth that can be achieved with tied, clamped and stitched resist methods. The serendipity of the dye pot combines with knowledge to create fabulous results. The emphasis will be on producing richly patterned fabrics relatively quickly, multiple dyeings, and combining techniques. As the 5 days progress we will explore compositions with these fabrics – relationships that will guide further dyeing. You will leave the workshop with a wealth of samples, know-how, design ideas, and excitement.

    Please note that we will be working with Procion Mx dyes on COTTON fabric – NO SILK fabrics. Supplies will include Procion Mx dyes, salt, soda ash and detergent.

    About Jan Myers-Newbury
    Jan Myers-Newbury is known for her geometric, pieced quilts using hand-dyed fabrics, and more recently for works using shibori fabrics of her creation. She has exhibited and taught nationally and internationally, been included in fourteen Quilt National exhibitions (more than any other exhibiting artist) and in 1993 won the Best of Show award. Her work is in the permanent collections of the Museum of the American Quilters Society, the American Craft Museum, the Minneapolis Institute of the Arts, the Museum of the American Quilters Society, and the Minnesota Historical Society. 5 of her quilts are in the collection of the American Quilt Study Center in Lincoln, Nebraska. Nearly 200 of Jan’s quilts are included in corporate and private collections throughout the United States.

    In 1999 she was an artist presenter at the Third International Shibori Symposium in Santiago, Chile. Also in 1999, her quilt “Depth of Field: A Plane View” (made in 1986) was selected as one of the 20th Century’s 100 Best Quilts.

    Currently Jan is employed at home as a full-time mother and a not quite full-time artist. She is an active member of the Fiberarts Guild of Pittsburgh, sponsoring organisation of the biennial exhibition “Fiberart International”, and served on the board of directors of the Surface Design Association 1999 – 2005. At the present time her teaching is itinerant and confined to workshops in places where she really wants to teach!

    Requirements

    WHAT TO BRING

    Dyeing Supplies

    • If you already have dyeing supplies and are arriving by car, bring as many buckets as is convenient (up to 5).
    • A dust mask for mixing dyes.
    • Rubber gloves that come at least 10-12cm beyond your wrist (surgical-type short gloves are not good enough for this class).
    • At least three lengths of plastic PVC (plumbing) pipe for arashi shibori (pole-wrapping). This can be any diameter up to 10cm diameter. DO NOT BRING LENGTHS LONGER THAN 60cm. DO NOT BRING DIAMETER GREATER THAN 75mm.
    • Any clamping devices that you locate around the house, or that you wish to buy and bring (C-clamps, bulldog clips, large squeeze clamps…)
    • An assortment of “hard” shapes for clamping: jar lids, small blocks of wood, washers, chop sticks, Lego pieces, poker chips… use your imagination.
    • 1 metre of nylon braided or coiled rope of a substantial diameter (1cm or more).
    • Needle and hand-quilting thread for hand-sewing and stitch resist; thimble if you use one.
    • Small scissors and seam ripper.
    • Rubber bands (assorted sizes); bring about 200.
    • Cord and/or string; at least 250 meters. This could be crochet cotton, cotton weaving warp, string, various sizes are good – even preferred.
    • An INDELIBLE black fine point marker (Sharpie) for marking your fabrics.
    • One large Tyvek mailing envelope (can be a used one).
    • Stapler + extra staples.
    • 4 small yogurt or similar containers.
    • 4 plastic dry cleaner bags or other clear thin plastic.
    • Wear old clothes and comfortable shoes.

    Cloth
    Bring at least 20 meters of COTTON PFD (Prepared For Dyeing) fabric. I cannot stress enough that this MUST be PFD fabric. There are several possibilities: unbleached muslin (cheapest), bleached muslin, print cloth, Kona cotton, pima cotton. The C2C studio will have stock of the usual cotton sateen, and if you wish us to lay in 20 metres for you, please let us know 1 month ahead of the class.

    It is essential that you pre-scour the fabric you’ll be dyeing, even though it is PFD as this generates even better results. Jan generally cuts 2-metre lengths of fabric and washes about 10 metres at a time in a large wash load. Use the hottest water possible, longest cycle, and Synthrapol or Metapex detergent + 2 tablespoons soda ash. If you do not have Synthrapol or Metapex, use a liquid detergent that does not contain any whiteners or fabric softeners or bleach). DO NOT USE FABRIC SOFTENER IN THE WASH, OR IN THE DRYER. IT IS BEST IF YOU CAN HANG THE FABRIC TO DRY. DO NOT IRON IT.

    For Composition

    • If it is convenient for you to bring your sewing machine, do so. IT IS NOT NECESSARY. We WILL be doing cutting and composition. However, you can do composition on your design board and photograph the results if you do not wish to sew. Note: the studio has 3 sewing machines. If you wish to reserve one, please email cb@committedtocloth.com. Precedence will be given to those traveling by train or by air.
    • Cutting board (can be modest size), straight edge and rotary cutter.

    Gallery

  • View Details
    Sep
    20
    2012

    Making your MarkID #10024

    Masseria della Zingara, Puglia, Italy - £650

    Claire Benn - 10 spaces remaining
    IT

    Key Info

    KEY INFORMATION

    Dates: 20-25 September 2012
    Venue: Masseria della Zinagara, Puglia, Italy
    Experience Level: suitable for all levels.
    Class size: 10
    Fees & registration: please visit www.masseriadellazingara.com for information on fees and registration.
    Supplies fee: a supplies fee of £20 will be charged to each student to cover the cost and shipping of the media to be used.

    Description

    CLASS DESCRIPTION
    This period at the Masseria will provide you with time out in paradise to explore the personal marks you can make directly on to cloth. We’ll explore various processes including:

    • scraping
    • writing, doodling, scribbling & sketching
    • mono printing
    • using found objects
    • silk screen (e.g. breakdown printing & temporary on-screen designs)
    • brushes

    The cloth you make can be used for:

    • stitch or embroidery (you’ll produce great backgrounds)
    • compositional whole cloth for art pieces or whole cloth quilts
    • garments
    • soft furnishings (e.g. cushions)
    • cutting up and re-structuring (e.g. collage or pieced quilts)

    We’ll work with dye paints, discharge paste and fabric paints and Claire will demonstrate different techniques/processes throughout the class.

    At the mid-point, there will be a group review to consider work-in-progress and how it might be moved forward, and one-to-one discussions will take place on an on-going basis.

    HOURS
    Teaching will start at 9am and continue until 5.30pm, with a 1-hour break for lunch. Thereafter, whilst Claire will be available for consult, she may have had a glass or two of wine and be in a relaxed state! Participants can choose to start and finish at any time of their choosing – one of the joys of a residential class is the opportunity to come and go in the studio at leisure!

    SUPPLIES
    To minimise what you need to pack, certain supplies will be made available during the class, and a £20/Euro 20 fee will be payable. This can be paid along with your class fee. The following supplies and tools will be available:

    • Procion Mx dyes: in liquid and thickened paint format, and for immersion or tray dyeing
    • Fabric paints/screen inks; all colours, including 3 metallics
    • Discharge media; in liquid and paste form
    • Tools; one silkscreen each, bristle and foam brushes, needle-nose bottles, rollers, scrapers, a selection of textural thermoaxes, monoprinting plates, breakdown printing bits & pieces, mono-printing plates, found objects and other miscellaneous items.

    Requirements

    WHAT TO BRING

    Cloth
    This is the most important item to bring with you and it must be made from natural fibres: cotton, silk, mixes such as silk-cotton, bamboo, linen or hemp. Anticipate using between 8 to 10 metres. When thinking about what type of cloth to bring, consider what you’re going to be using it for.

    Please do not bring calico/muslin as whilst it will eventually generate good results, it required a great deal of effort to get there! Generally speaking, higher quality fabrics will generate faster and better results. Cloth suppliers include Whaleys of Bradford, Art van Go, Fibrecrafts, Zijdelings and PDPM; their contact details can be found on the Committed to Cloth website (www.committedtocloth.com).

    It’s important that any un-dyed cloth you bring is pre-washed to remove sizing, as sizing can often prevent the dyes and paints from penetrating the fibres. To scour cloth:

    • Load fabric into washing machine; you will need between 6 and 8 metres in total.
    • Add up to 4 tablespoons of pure soda ash/sodium carbonate (4 for a full load, 2 for a smaller load). Use soda ash, not household soda. If you don’t have soda ash, visit a swimming pool supply company to buy some or buy it mail order from suppliers listed on the C2C website: www.committedtocloth.com
    • Run the machine at 60ºC.
    • Line or tumble dry.

    Having scoured your cloth, please pre-soak two pieces in soda ash as follows:

    • Create a soda vat large enough for your needs; the basic recipe is 3 tablespoons of soda ash to 1 litre 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) cloth in to the soda vat and leave for between 10 to 20 minutes (heavier weight cloth will need longer).
    • 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).

    Other Supplies

    • 8 to 10 metres of pre-washed/scoured un-dyed natural cloth of your own (see previous notes), with 2 pieces pre-soaked in soda ash and dried.
    • 2.5 metres of cotton drill or something similarly sturdy to use as a drop cloth (not calico as it holds creases).
    • Cloth apron (or wear the equivalent of gardening/decorating clothes – or maybe a swimsuit!).
    • Rubber gloves (suggest 2 pairs in case you hole one/a pair).
    • If you already own thermofaxes you wish to use, bring up to 5.
    • If you feel you’re going to need more than one silk screen, then bring an additional one. However, the emphasis of the class is to explore many different tools, so don’t get too obsessed with screen printing as there are many other fantastic ways of making your mark on cloth. If you do bring an additional screen, please put your name on the frame.
    • One 9” Speedball squeegee (again, look on the C2C website for suppliers).
    • Notebook/sketchbook (for those who like to take notes)
    • Pen and pencil
    • One small box of ball-headed or T-pins.
    • ipod/MP3 player and headphones if you like to zone out and work to music.

    On past experience, we recommend using your checked-in bag for your supplies and your hand luggage for your clothes and personal items. This isn’t a fashion-conscious week, so you only need one ‘nice’ set of clothes for the evenings we eat out! But don’t forget your swimming costume!

    If you have any queries about the class or what to bring, then please email Claire direct at cb@committedtocloth.com

    Gallery

  • View Details
    Oct
    29
    2012

    Human MarksID #10025

    Potter's Farm Studio - £400

    Dorothy Caldwell
    UK

    Key Info

    KEY INFORMATION

    Tutor: Dorothy Caldwell
    Dates: Monday 29th October to Friday 2nd November 2012
    Experience Level: suitable for any level
    Venue: Potter’s Farm Studio, Station Road, Betchworth, Surrey RH3 7DF
    Class size: 11
    Fees: £400, including lunch every day.
    Supplies fee: to be advised – estimated between £30 to £40.
    Registration: email Claire at cb@committedtocloth.com

    Description

    Class Overview
    The marks we make record time and human energy. Working with paper and cloth this workshop will examine different kinds of marks including stitching, resist and batik, discharge, drawn and painted marks and more unconventional marks such as burning, piercing, and mending. Each of these will address a different aspect of physical movement and gesture that through time and repetition evolve into richly activated surfaces. Simple bookbinding techniques will be demonstrated for constructing book forms and participants will be able to expand on workshop experiments applying them to their own materials and imagery. Resource material will include slide talks, examples, and videos.

    Materials & Equipment Provided
    To ensure everyone has access to the right materials and equipment, C2C will organize the following supplies at cost for both venues. The supplies fee will be advised as soon as it is known – allow for between £30 – £40.

    • Black India ink
    • White/PVA glue
    • Candle, incense and matches
    • Masking tape
    • Nails
    • Soy wax
    • Wood scraps for making printing blocks
    • Charcoal fixative
    • Black printing ink
    • Wood to hammer on (to protect tables)
    • Dischargeable black cotton (we will organize Cotton Silesia, which discharges to fawn/white with chlorine bleach)
    • Cotton organdie
    • 1m lengths of dowel
    • Rubber bands
    • Chlorine Bleach
    • Soy wax
    • Large format paper
    • Rives lightweight cream paper or similar (19” x 26”)
    • Fabriano Cards
    • Lycra graphite crayons
    • Sakura Pigma Micron Pen
    • Sakura Pigma Brush
    • Tjantings and wax tools
    • Waxed thread for bookbinding
    • Felt printing pads

    About Dorothy
    Dorothy Caldwell is a Canadian textile artist working in Hastings, Ontario. Her work incorporates quilting and stitching traditions with resist and discharged dyeing techniques. Her travel and research in India, Japan, and Australia has influenced her work both as sources of dyeing and stitching practices and as places where textile artists share her beliefs in the integration of historical work in contemporary contexts.

    Dorothy represented Canada at the World’s Fair in Osaka in 1991 and returned to Japan in 1993 to participate in the International Shibori exhibition and conference. In 1997 she received a research grant for travel in India to study women’s co-ops and the revival of Kantha stitching. This research lead to workshops on “the stitch” and curating an exhibition entitled “Stitching Women’s lives: Sujuni and Khatwa from Bihar, India”.

    In 1998 she had a studio residency in Newfoundland which resulted in “Ground Cover” a solo exhibition which traveled in Canada and the United States. For the past several years, she has been teaching workshops in Australia, as part of the Fiber Forum Symposiums. A research grant enabled her to travel and research Aboriginal map imagery in painting and textile.

    Dorothy has been recognized by the Bronfman Award, given to one Canadian artist each year. In 2003 she was nominated for the Governor Generals Award. She has executed major architectural commissions, and her work is in many permanent collections including the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, The Museum of Civilization in Ottawa, and the Canadian consulate in Bangkok Thailand.

    Requirements

    WHAT TO BRING

    Please bring the following items with you.

    • A sponge.
    • A hammer.
    • Sewing kit with 6 sewing needles with eyes large enough to accommodate embroidery thread (Chenille needles work well).
    • One skein of black and 1 skein of white or off-white stranded embroidery thread and some in colours of your choice.
    • Rubber gloves.
    • Three pieces of black cotton 4 ½” x 13 ½” (doesn’t need to be dischargeable).
    • One piece of solid and brightly coloured cotton 4 ½” x 13 1/2”.
    • One piece of scrap cotton (any colour) approx. 4 “ x 36”
    • A small roll of hardware store string – not too thin as this will be glued to wood to make a printing block.
    • A few examples of your work (digital images, slides or printed photographs).
    • Please bring a personal collection of materials that might be used in the making of your book. These may include paper, drawings, fabrics you have stitched or dyed, dyes, markers, transparent fabrics, buttons or other objects, photos or photo images on fabric, bring a decent selection of stuff to have around even if you don’t end up using it.
    • Optional: bone folder for bookmaking, apron, tapestry needle with a blunt tip for book binding.

    If you have any queries or questions about supplies, please email Claire Benn; cb@committed to cloth.com

    Gallery

    Sorry, but this workshop is already fully booked!

    But don't panic, you can join the waiting list. We'll also offer you first refusal on our next Human Marks workshop.

  • View Details
    Nov
    05
    2012

    Human MarksID #10026

    Potter's Farm Studio - £400

    Dorothy Caldwell
    UK

    Key Info

    KEY INFORMATION

    Due to demand, Dorothy has kindly agreed to run a second Human Marks class:

    Tutor: Dorothy Caldwell
    Dates: Monday 5th November to Friday 9th November 2012
    Experience Level: suitable for any level
    Venue: Potter’s Farm Studio, Station Road, Betchworth, Surrey RH3 7DF
    Class size: 11
    Fees: £400, including lunch every day.
    Supplies fee: to be advised – estimated between £30 to £40.
    Registration: email Claire at cb@committedtocloth.com

    Description

    Class Overview
    The marks we make record time and human energy. Working with paper and cloth this workshop will examine different kinds of marks including stitching, resist and batik, discharge, drawn and painted marks and more unconventional marks such as burning, piercing, and mending. Each of these will address a different aspect of physical movement and gesture that through time and repetition evolve into richly activated surfaces. Simple bookbinding techniques will be demonstrated for constructing book forms and participants will be able to expand on workshop experiments applying them to their own materials and imagery. Resource material will include slide talks, examples, and videos.

    Materials & Equipment Provided
    To ensure everyone has access to the right materials and equipment, C2C will organize the following supplies at cost for both venues. The supplies fee will be advised as soon as it is known – allow for between £30 – £40.

    • Black India ink
    • White/PVA glue
    • Candle, incense and matches
    • Masking tape
    • Nails
    • Soy wax
    • Wood scraps for making printing blocks
    • Charcoal fixative
    • Black printing ink
    • Wood to hammer on (to protect tables)
    • Dischargeable black cotton (we will organize Cotton Silesia, which discharges to fawn/white with chlorine bleach)
    • Cotton organdie
    • 1m lengths of dowel
    • Rubber bands
    • Chlorine Bleach
    • Soy wax
    • Large format paper
    • Rives lightweight cream paper or similar (19” x 26”)
    • Fabriano Cards
    • Lycra graphite crayons
    • Sakura Pigma Micron Pen
    • Sakura Pigma Brush
    • Tjantings and wax tools
    • Waxed thread for bookbinding
    • Felt printing pads

    About Dorothy
    Dorothy Caldwell is a Canadian textile artist working in Hastings, Ontario. Her work incorporates quilting and stitching traditions with resist and discharged dyeing techniques. Her travel and research in India, Japan, and Australia has influenced her work both as sources of dyeing and stitching practices and as places where textile artists share her beliefs in the integration of historical work in contemporary contexts.

    Dorothy represented Canada at the World’s Fair in Osaka in 1991 and returned to Japan in 1993 to participate in the International Shibori exhibition and conference. In 1997 she received a research grant for travel in India to study women’s co-ops and the revival of Kantha stitching. This research lead to workshops on “the stitch” and curating an exhibition entitled “Stitching Women’s lives: Sujuni and Khatwa from Bihar, India”.

    In 1998 she had a studio residency in Newfoundland which resulted in “Ground Cover” a solo exhibition which traveled in Canada and the United States. For the past several years, she has been teaching workshops in Australia, as part of the Fiber Forum Symposiums. A research grant enabled her to travel and research Aboriginal map imagery in painting and textile.

    Dorothy has been recognized by the Bronfman Award, given to one Canadian artist each year. In 2003 she was nominated for the Governor Generals Award. She has executed major architectural commissions, and her work is in many permanent collections including the Museum of Arts and Design in New York, The Museum of Civilization in Ottawa, and the Canadian consulate in Bangkok Thailand.

    Requirements

    WHAT TO BRING

    Please bring the following items with you.

    • A sponge.
    • A hammer.
    • Sewing kit with 6 sewing needles with eyes large enough to accommodate embroidery thread (Chenille needles work well).
    • One skein of black and 1 skein of white or off-white stranded embroidery thread and some in colours of your choice.
    • Rubber gloves.
    • Three pieces of black cotton 4 ½” x 13 ½” (doesn’t need to be dischargeable).
    • One piece of solid and brightly coloured cotton 4 ½” x 13 1/2”.
    • One piece of scrap cotton (any colour) approx. 4 “ x 36”
    • A small roll of hardware store string – not too thin as this will be glued to wood to make a printing block.
    • A few examples of your work (digital images, slides or printed photographs).
    • Please bring a personal collection of materials that might be used in the making of your book. These may include paper, drawings, fabrics you have stitched or dyed, dyes, markers, transparent fabrics, buttons or other objects, photos or photo images on fabric, bring a decent selection of stuff to have around even if you don’t end up using it.
    • Optional: bone folder for bookmaking, apron, tapestry needle with a blunt tip for book binding.

    If you have any queries or questions about supplies, please email Claire Benn; cb@committed to cloth.com

    Gallery

    Sorry, but this workshop is already fully booked!

    But don't panic, you can join the waiting list. We'll also offer you first refusal on our next Human Marks workshop.

Previous Workshops

  • Oct2011

    Beyond Background

    Potter's Farm Studio, Betchworth - Leslie Morgan

  • Sep2011

    Thread: the Third Dimension

    Potter's Farm Studio UK - Bob Adams

  • Sep2011

    Explore, Experiment & Play

    Masseria della Zingara, Italy - Claire Benn

  • Sep2011

    Honourable Discharge

    Potter's Farm Studio UK - Bob Adams

  • Aug2011

    Mark-Making & Letterforms

    Potter's Farm, UK - Denise Lach

  • Jul2011

    Mark-Making & Letterforms

    Potter's Farm Studio UK - Denise Lach

  • Jun2011

    Beyond Background

    Potter's Farm Studio, Betchworth - Claire Benn

  • May2011

    Working with Intent

    The Crow Barn, Ohio - Claire Benn & Leslie Morgan

  • May2011

    Paper, Cloth, Stitch

    Potter's Farm Studio, UK - Sarah Welsby

  • May2011

    Beyond Background

    The Crow Barn, Ohio - Claire Benn & Leslie Morgan