VICKI CONLEY
Design From Photo to Imagination
Creating Bold Graphic Landscape Quilts
Shipshewana, Indiana
Tuesday March 9 - Saturday March 13​
​​​
Learn how to transform your own photographs into bold, graphic landscape quilts using approachable design techniques and simplified construction methods—without needing advanced drawing skills or perfect precision. ​
​
In this class you will learn how to:
-
Combine multiple reference photos into one strong landscape composition
-
Simplify complex images into bold graphic shapes
-
Use tracing techniques with clear sheet protectors or tracing paper
-
Explore digital design options using the iPad app Procreate
-
Design an original quilt pattern from your own photographs
-
Understand value, color, and fabric selection for greater visual impact
-
Use Turned Edge Machine Piecing techniques
-
Create skies and blended areas using Fussy Piecing methods
-
Incorporate lettering into quilts using printing, stenciling, or appliqué techniques​
​​
​Students will:
-
Construct a simple rock study to practice the techniques
-
Enlarge and trace their finished design onto Floriani Stitch and Wash Fusible stabilizer (available from Vicki)
-
Begin creating their own original landscape quilt during class
-
Learn a construction method where the pieces are sewn directly to each other, rather than appliquéd, while the stabilizer remains inside the finished quilt​
​
​​Included Bonus:
-
A pre-class Zoom session with Vicki to help students select photos that will work best for these techniques
-
Students interested in learning Procreate before class can explore Vicki’s online course available through C&T Publishing
​
Perfect for students who:
-
Want to turn personal photographs into original art quilts
-
Feel intimidated by the design process
-
Love landscape imagery and expressive fabric choices
-
Enjoy sewing rather than fused applique
​​
No perfect points or advanced drawing skills required—just your photos, your imagination, and a willingness to experiment creatively with fabric .​
​
"My work is born from an ongoing exploration of the natural world...
always wondering at its beauty, complexities, and fragility."
Through a blend of abstract and representational approaches, I seek to express the intricate relationships between human experience and the environment.​ The landscapes, ecosystems, and scientific phenomena I encounter during my travels inspire my creative process, while my deep-rooted belief in the importance of protecting public lands guides the narrative threads in my art.​
​
By experimenting with different techniques, I create richly textured and colorful work that aims to draw in the viewer and evoke a sense of curiosity and exploration within each piece. Utilizing fabric and stitch I seek to bridge the gap between traditional and contemporary fiber art, creating a unique and captivating experience for the viewer. Through color, texture, and form, and the intersection of art, science, and conservation, I strive to contribute to the ongoing conversation about the critical importance of protecting our planet's wild places.
