Laura Wasilowski and Frieda Anderson, affectionately known as the Fusing Chicks, proposed a TV idea awhile ago on creating Art Quilts using the fusible collage concept. After seeing the quilts and a few of their unconventional steps, I knew their idea would be perfect for a Sewing With Nancy series. This week, Art Quilts—Fusible Collage Workshop, part 1 is the Sewing With Nancy‘s featured online streaming video.

Frieda and Laura take us through the steps of creating a fusible collage art quilt. Each lesson is mapped out in the accompanying workbook. Here’s a summary of what you’ll learn and see in part one of the 2-part series.

Fabrics and Fusing!

You’ll learn to work with hand-dyed fabrics or batik fabrics. Every inch of the fabric is backed with a paper-backed fusible web, such as Wonder Under, Soft Fuse, or Misty Fuse. I especially liked Laura and Frieda’s warning not to “over fuse.” You’ll have to watch the video to heed their warning!

Learn how to create a Strip-Fuse Collage

See how to trace out the design on the paper backing (release paper) from the fusible web to create the unique strip-fuse background. You can use the pattern in the workbook to make a design as shown, or create your own mini quilt pattern. (These quilts are a very manageable size, the images without the borders are 8-1/2″ x 11″—ideal for testing out a new skill.

See how a little creative cutting can go a long way

Since all the fabric has a fusible web applied to the wrong side, it’s easy to creatively cut, then press.

Weaving—what drama that makes!

Laura’s basket making tips were inspiring to me. What can you think of creating using this collage-making concept?

There’s a lot more!

As you can tell, this blog has very few words—the pictures tell the story. Yet, if you want to really see the details, just click and watch online!

There are many viewing options

Watch this episode on your local PBS station, online, or on your iPad, iPod Touch, or iPhone.  Have you downloaded the app?

I’m really fond of learning through doing!

Rather than just reading about making a fusible collage art quilt, Frieda, Laura, and I thought it best to create a workbook. Each of the techniques detailed in the 2-part series are organized in a workshop/workbook format. You too can create small quilts as you follow along with the step-by-step details.

In short, you can easily make several Art Quilts as you are learning the process in Art Quilts—Fusible Collage Workshop.

I know you’ll enjoy this series!

Bye for now,

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