MARGARET M SHEEHAN
FIBER ARTIST
Looking for a teacher? Choose from my art quilt , surface design and doll classes below or contact me to create a special class for you or your guild.
Take one or both of my retreat workshops offered in 2022 in partnership with Michele O'Neil Kincaid at the StrongHouse Inn, Vergennes, VT.
I teach locally at Craftstudies.org.
Call or email them to set up private classes.
I am fully vaccinated for Covid-19 including the booster.
"After all, we cannot know what we are going to express. What is really creative is bound to be a surprise because it is something we couldn't have thought of. This is the thing that we resist the most. We want to know where we are going, why we are doing it, and what it is going to give to us. We want to know it all. To be creative means becoming more familiar with being a little lost. If we are always full of what we want to do, there is no room for the new."- Michell Cassou
QUILTING WORKSHOPS
Make an Abstract Art Quilt
Basic sewing skills and an openness to play is all that is required. Learn a variety of techniques to create your own art quilt.
(Five 2 hour classes)
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Printmaking, Stamping, Masks and Stencils
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Ironing, Cutting, Sewing, Design and Decisions
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More Cutting, Sewing, Redesign and Decisions
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Fabric Manipulation and Topical Artistic Embellishments
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Quilting/Finishing.
Art Quilts: Methods to the Madness I
This workshop covers several methods art quilters use to create their own one of a kind quilts. Methods include; Reverse applique, Satin Stitch, Couching yarns, Using stablizers & fusibles creatively, and a demo on bobbin drawing with thick metallic threads. This is a six hour workshop. Each participant must have a sewing machine in good working order. Intermediate sewing level
Art Quilts: Methods to the Madness II
This is a continuation of Methods to the Madness I. After you get through the first class, we ask "Now what do I do?" We will slice up our previous work and explore what comes up through that process. We will use Methods I techniques to further enhance what was started. Small scale surface design techniques and interesting embellishment, quilting & binding ideas will be discussed to enhance what you're doing as you progress to completion.
This class has morning structure, then naturally progresses to open studio to experiment with your own personal methods. Instructor will offer individual counsel throughout the afternoon. Let the fun begin!
Intermediate/Advanced sewing level
Art Quilts without Patterns
Not interested in traditional sewing methods? Learn to make interesting geometric art quilts without using patterns, templates or paper piecing. Straight stitching and straight cutting is all that is required. Bright colored fabrics and easy techniques will get you started down a confident path toward quilting paradise. This class will produce a wall hanging - lap size pieced top.
Beginner sewing level.
SURFACE DESIGN WORKSHOPS
Mono-Printing: Making your Personal Mark
In this class we will use ProFab Textile paints on plastic, manipulate the paint and transfer the mark to fabric. We will use several different tools to create a variety of marking styles. Finding your unique mark is part of the exploration. After experimenting with marks, we will move on to masks and stencils to ensure a crisp edge to your designs. Creativity and experimentation is encouraged. This class can be a one, two or three day workshop because once you've started and set up, it's hard to stop!
The Art Doll
Using a simple doll pattern as a starting point, you will use fabric enhancement techniques, embroidery and funky yarns, buttons and beads to create your own unique art doll. This is a 3 - 4 hour workshop. Can be broken up by a three quarter hour lunch or a break time for surface design drying purposes. Individual Sewing machines not required, only one or two for sewing needed.
LECTURE
Heading Toward Abstraction
This power-point lecture includes a hands-on trunk show of my work. I cover the progress of 25 + years, starting from contemporary traditional piecing to evolving into making one of a kind abstract art quilts. I include artists who influenced me and some of my sketchbooks.
