Let me introduce myself as a teacher!
As a Postcards teacher, I've been making and swapping fibre art cards with vigor for three years. I have made and swapped well over a hundred cards. I was the list owner for an online international swap group for 2 years, moderating the group and providing monthly swap themes. I've been teaching postcard classes since 2010.
I began 'Thread Painting' (also known as free-machine embroidery) out of my love for fibre art & postcard making. I can honestly say that I have done this type of threadwork on a daily basis for 3 years now. It really does get easy with practice. I am self taught and work creatively from my own photos without templates or printouts. My goal with teaching is to help you learn the technique and how to effectively use thread. I will not be teaching you to emulate my prairie art. The thread painting we will do in the first class will make use of bird and nature images generously provided by Canadian photographers (with their consent).
All classes are taught in Saskatoon, SK but can be brought to your group or event. Contact me at mysweetprairie@gmail.com to book or to find out when & where the next class is being held. Here are my list of classes:
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Creative Quilted Postcards Workshop
Duration: 1 class, 3 hrs.
Maximum 8 students.
fee: $25/person plus $5 kit fee*
*In the case of private bookings, $5 or a fabric donation will be made to the hostess and the hostess will not be charged the class fee.
In this class, you will learn how to properly construct a fabric postcard for trouble-free mailing. You will learn what materials work best. You will be given themes and lots of lovely fabrics and embellishments to spur your creativity. Monika will show you how to use your machine in more creative ways as you make your cards. A variety of finishing methods and backings options will be shown. Handouts and complimentary Lapel Stick fabric glue are included to take home. You bring nothing but your sewing machine and thread.
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Creative Postcards Workshop 2 - Creative
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| 'Use Real Leaves' fall swap at PostCard Cottage |
Duration: 1 class, 3 hrs.
Maximum 8 students.
fee: $25 / person plus $5 kit fee*
*In the case of private bookings, $5 or a fabric donation will be made to the hostess and the hostess will not be charged for the class fee.
This class is for people who have taken the Creative Quilted Postcards Workshop, or who already know how to construct 4x6 fabric postcards. Basic 'how-to' will not be covered in this class.
The goal of the first class was construction. The goal of this second class is creativity. You will have the opportunity to use non-traditional materials and learn some how-to with alternate sewing methods. There will be collage-work, couching, raw-edge applique, free motion, painting/coloring, and hand work as well. You can expect to complete at least 2 cards. Themes will be given, and all supplies will be included to spur your creativity. Again, you bring nothing but a sewing machine & thread. Swaps will be introduced along with fantastic ideas for collecting, storing, and displaying your postcard collection.
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Basic Threadpainting 101
Durations: 1 class, 2.5 hrs.
Maximum 5 students.
fee: $30 / person plus $10 kit fee*
* In the case of private bookings, $5 or fabric donation will be made to the hostess and the hostess will not be charged for the class fee.
The aim of this class is threefold:
- to learn how your sewing machine works in the free-motion setting.
- to learn basic technical information about tension, needles, thread, stabilizer, and speed.
- to gain confidence and learn to trust yourself during free motion detailed sewing.
This is a very practical class with a very easy method to set you on your way to detailed thread painting applications. You will practice on a photo-printed sheet of stabilizer supplied by Monika. You need not be an artist. This class focuses on very basic how-to. You will be surprised with how simple this is! Thread will be provided, however you are encouraged to bring your own supply, sewing machine, small scissors, extra bobbins, and extra needles. Quilting gloves and hoops are optional, but not necessary. Please ensure you have access to your sewing machine's manual.
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Threadwork - Advanced (Creative)
* * Under construction * *
Duration: 1 class, 2.5 hr
The purpose of this class is to learn to get the effects you want with machine, needle, and thread. You will learn interesting filling techniques and how to achieve creative free motion painting details. You will get to see the differences that different threads make. You will also learn to use the threads a little differently to get the effects you want. We will look at options for various elements such as backgrounds, sky, eyes, depth, and water.
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Youth Class - Doodle with Your Sewing Machine
Duration: 1 class, 2.5 hours
Fee: $25 + $5 kit fee*
* In the case of private bookings, all kit fees will be waived. Homeschoolers & Highschool Home Ec / Art classes welcome. I can come to you.
Like to doodle? Like to sew? I'll teach you how to do both! Youth should be familiar with using a sewing machine. I will help you begin your skills with free motion sewing. Bring a machine plus thread, and your imagination too. Ideal for children 9 + who know how to operate a basic sewing machine.
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Do-it-Yourself Dresdens
Duration: 1 class, 2 1/2 hrs.
Maximum 8 students.
fee: $25/person plus $5 kit fee*
*In the case of private bookings, $5 or a fabric donation will be made to the hostess and the hostess will not be charged the class fee.
In this class, you will learn to make your own Dresden templates to take home, based on any size or number of petals. We'll go through each step for perfect construction and talk about different applications for these folded applique flowers. You will need fabric scraps, marking pencils, small ruler, sewing machine, needles, thread, scissors, and possibly a calculator - but don't let the math scare you.
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