ART + CRAFT WORKSHOPS
I love sharing the magic of making with creatives of all ages. Here are a few of the hands-on, family-friendly textile art and sewing workshops I've taught at Lillstreet Art Center in Chicago.
BLOCK-PRINTED TOTE BAGS
Participants in this workshop design a printing block and use it to design their own tote bags. They learn about using negative and positive space as well as pattern repeats and get creative with shape and color. After carving blocks out of easy-carve linoleum, participants hand-print canvas tote bags using fabric block printing inks. The inks can be heat-set with an iron once dry.
INTRO TO SILK PAINTING
Participants in this workshop learn how to use the Serti technique to create their own silk painting. They draw their own designs and then use gutta or a water-soluble resist to create outlines for each field of color. The painted silk can be heat-set with an iron after 24 hours.
HOW TO SEW A PLUSHIE
During this week-long workshop, participants learn how to create their own felt four-legged friends. They learn how to cut, pin, and sew a pattern using a sewing machine. Next, they stuff and hand-sew details onto their plushie. Finally, they create and paint an environment for their plushie to live in and write a short story about its adventures to share with the group.