A Note From Nanette:
Below is a list of prepared LECTURES and WORKSHOPS that I teach live using video conferencing technology (Zoom). My presentations are suitable for beginners, but also include tips and tricks that should pique the interest of more advanced textile artists.
~~~ My role as an instructor is not just to show you how-to, but also inspire you to go further. ~~~
During my virtual workshops, I include short prerecorded “how-to” videos which provide each participant with an up-close view of my artwork and processes. This provides more time for interactive attention, and high quality instruction with fewer possibilities for equipment glitches. My workshops can also be presented as lectures.
For more information about classes please contact me at:
classinfo@nanettesewz.com or Join my newsletter to hear about upcoming classes.
☙ Check out my online classes — Now open for individual enrollment!
Lectures/Trunk Shows
Unless otherwise noted, lectures are 1 hour presentations which includes time for questions & answers.
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☙ NATURESCAPES
Nanette’s art is greatly inspired by nature. She frequently refers to this artistic style as naturescapes. With nature-inspired textile art, the challenge is that there is never just one way to create a tree or leaf or animal. In this lecture, Nanette shares the diverse possibilities for creating nature-themed artwork. She will also introduce you to a variety of techniques to help you produce representational renditions of your own favorite naturescape.
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☙ STABILIZE THAT STITCH! –
The key to successful machine embroidery is keeping the textiles stable while you stitch. In this lecture, Nanette will discuss a variety of interfacings and stabilizers available in most fabric and craft stores. She will share how each can be used in your own thread painting or machine embroidery practice. From creating framed artwork, to embellished design work, to thread-painted patches, the creative possibilities are inspiring!
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☙ COLOR YOUR APPLIQUE –
Nanette has worked with a variety of mixed-media tools to create her art quilt nature scenes. During her creative journey, she developed techniques to add realistic looking details and shadows to her fusible applique designs. In this lecture, Nanette demonstrates how she uses colored pencils and crayons on fabric and shares the pros and cons of each variety of coloring utensil. With her tips, you too can achieve painterly looking textile art using colored pencils!
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☙ CREATIVE JOURNEY – FINDING YOUR ARTISTIC VOICE
From a young age, Nanette was driven by the desire to create, but her life was also filled with plot twists and challenges. It wasn’t until she embraced her creative spirit that the magic happened and the artistic journey came full-circle. In this lecture, Nanette shares motivational techniques to feed your inner creative and find confidence to develop your own artistic style.
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☙ PAINT WITH THREAD
From supplies to techniques, this a shorter version of Nanette’s course “Paint with Thread.” This lecture will familiarize with the basics of how to paint with thread with plenty of examples of Nanette’s nature-inspired art. Includes, videos demonstrating the techniques.
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☙ THE ART OF MINDFUL CREATIVITY
During the pandemic shutdowns of 2020, many people turned to creative outlets to get through this emotionally challenging time. This is understandable when you consider documented evidence that having an art practice is beneficial to improving overall mood and feelings of well-being. In this lecture, Nanette will share her creative journey and discuss ways to embrace art as a mindful practice.
☙ WORKSHOP LECTURES — Any workshop (listed below) can be adapted and presented as an 1-hour lecture.
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Workshops
Note: workshops can also be presented as lectures
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☙ PAINT WITH THREAD – 3 or 6 hours
Thread painting, frequently referred to as free‐motion embroidery, adds color and texture to an art quilt. This workshop teaches basic techniques needed to color with thread using a sewing machine. In a hands‐on process, Nanette will show students how to successfully use fabrics, stabilizers, threads in their thread painting projects. Students will learn techniques to layer and blend thread colors. Tips will be presented to help students develop their own style and use their newly found free-motion embroidery skills in their quilting projects. (note: more advanced techniques will be presented in the 6 hour version)
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☙ 3-DIMENSIONAL THREAD-PAINTED APPLIQUE – 6 hours
Sometimes we need a little relief in our textile art.
In this workshop, Nanette will show students how to make their artwork “pop” off the surface. Several techniques using free-motion machine stitching will be explored to create 3-dimensonal applique & thread-painted elements that can be attached to a textile design (e.g., quilt, garment, totebags, etc). Students will learn how to work with a variety of stabilizers, including water-soluble products. This is an intermediate/advanced-level workshop: students should have a basic understanding of how to use their sewing machine and are encouraged (although not required) to have some prior experience with thread painting, free-motion machine embroidery or machine quilting experience.
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☙ PHOTO TO APPLIQUE – 6 hours
This workshop demonstrates how to turn a photograph into an appliqué art quilt. Using a simple photograph, Nanette will show you how to create an original paper pattern, then use it to create fusible appliqué elements. She’ll walk you through the steps of assembling the pieces to create the fabric design. Through the process, Nanette will share tips and tricks to successfully design applique patterns from photographs to create your own original art quilts. A variety of simple designs are available for students to choose from to make their own applique pattern.
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☙ Shibori Indigo-dyed Scarf – 4 hours
In-Person: designed for small group instruction.
The rich blue we love so much in our blue jeans is called indigo. The dye is made from the leaves of the indigo plant and has been used for dyeing cloth throughout human history. “Shibori” is an indigo dyeing technique originated in Japan. Shibori uses methods of tying, binding, stitching, clamping and folding fabrics to create beautiful patterns in dyed cloth. In this “in-person” workshop, participants will be introduced to a variety of Shibori techniques and guided through the dyeing process. With playful exploration, participants will discover their favorite techniques and use them to create their own Shibori-dyed scarf.
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☙ THREAD PAINTED APPLIQUE BEE – 6 hours
Take thread painting skills to a new level with thread painted appliqué. In this workshop, Nanette will show you how to use free motion stitches to add color and texture to a bumble bee image printed on fabric. Instruction will include techniques to make more realistic effects by blending thread colors. The finished thread painted design will be appliquéd to a background and ready for quilting. The workshop also includes bonus instruction on creating the wings of a bumble bee wings or other flying insect. (This course requires each student to pay a nominal kit-fee for the bee applique fabric.)
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