Programs and Workshops
Deborah offers programs and workshops to quilt guilds all over the world— virtually or in person. See below for fees. Interested in hiring Deborah? Start with an email and we’ll discuss the details.
Virtual Events with Open Enrollment
Inspiring Ideas for Art Quilting Lecture with Creative Spark
Use simple materials and layering techniques in inspiring ways to create an original textile collage! In this lecture, Deborah explores engaging designs created with raw-edge fused appliqué, surface design techniques, free-motion quilting, and hand embroidery. She shares many of her own art quilt collages to show how to use fabric, paint, and stitch to create original art. Enroll now for $19.99
Developing Your Creative Voice with Creative Spark
Deborah uses a framework of head, heart, and hands to identify and structure areas for developing a unique, personal, creative voice. She shares examples from her own creative development, ideas from experts, and images of quilts by many inspiring artists. This interactive three-part lecture is full of exercises and actionable ideas to apply in your studio and creative practice. Enroll now for $19.99
France Retreat September 2025
We will spend a week creating small art quilt collages while staying at the magical Chateau Dumas and then on to Paris for flea markets, haberdasheries and sight-seeing. All the details and registration!
Programs for Guilds (or other groups)
Exploring Art Quilt Collage
Deborah shares her most recent art quilts and talks about developing her own personal style. Tons of examples of her favorite techniques, materials and themes. She’ll tell stories about exciting collaborations, surprising discoveries and finding inspiration in unexpected places.
All About Art Quilts
What exactly is an art quilt? What can you look for in the art quilt category at a quilt show? Deborah will share an overview of art quilting materials and techniques. This is a great program for guilds who want to get a taste of the art quilting world… even if they make mostly traditional quilts.
Captivating Compositions
A lively introduction to design and composition. Deborah introduces eight classic compositions and shares inspiring examples from traditional, modern and art quilting, plus examples from fine art! Learn how using these compositions can generate ideas for fabulous, original work.
Developing Your Creative Voice
Want to make quilts that are uniquely yours? Deborah shares ideas about fully utilizing your head, heart and hands to create original work. Lots of tips for generating ideas, developing a body of work and exploring themes. Get inspired and leave with action items to get to work in your own studio.
“Deborah expertly manages the virtual classroom, using its possibilities to expand the information and learning opportunities. She is friendly, lively, encouraging, and full of advice on students' work.” — Recent live online student
Workshops for Guilds and Special Events
Graphic Landscape Fabric Collage
Design an original landscape collage using graphic shapes. Learn composition tips and new ways to think about principles of design. Create detail and add texture with hand embroidery and machine stitching. Plus, we’ll look at lots of examples of how other artists have created unique landscapes.
One or two day workshop. Ideally, the workshop space includes a digital projector and screen. More info, supply lists and kits.
Art Quilt Collage Bouquets
Create an original art quilt collage with bold bouquet as the focal point. Experiment with surface design techniques to create original patterned cloth. Learn composition tips for effective design. Explore different ways to create detail and add texture including hand embroidery.
Appropriate for all levels. One or two day workshop. Kits recommended. Ideally, the workshop space includes a digital projector and screen. More info, supply lists and kits.
Captivating Compositions
Explore eight design guides that get the creative juices flowing. Look at examples of captivating compositions from fine art and the quilt world. Create a “sketch” for each of the design guides using fused fabrics. Learn to edit, audition and improvise using a super helpful design checklist. Consider adding details with machine and hand stitching. Your completed set of fabric sketches can be used for reference and inspiration for future art quilts.
Appropriate for all levels. One day workshop. Kits recommended. Workshop space must include a digital projector and screen. Short video workshop description. More details, supply lists, kit info.
Abstract Art Quilt Collage
Create an abstract art quilt collage using raw edge fused appliqué, embellished with original mark making, hand embroidery and machine stitching. Look at examples from the world of abstract art and learn how to apply ideas to your own original designs. Explore different ways to create details and add texture.
Appropriate for all levels. One or two day workshop. Kits available. Workshop space must include a digital projector and screen. More info, supply lists and kits.
Personal Symbols: Art Quilt Collage
What symbols and personal themes will you incorporate into your small art quilt collages? Houses, leaves, bowls, ladders? Deborah will guide you through exploring and creating shapes and symbols that have personal meaning. Create 5×7” fabric collages highlighting personal symbols using composition templates and inspiring fabrics. Embellish with machine and hand stitching. Learn simple finishing techniques and mount your art quilt collage on mats ready for framing.
Appropriate for all levels. One day workshop. Kits recommended. Short video workshop description. More info plus supply lists and kits.
Embroidered Fabric Collage
Hand stitching brings fabric collage to life! Combine fused appliqué with improvisational hand embroidery to create two unique, personal small art quilt collages. Learn several embroidery stitches and how to incorporate them into your design for maximum texture, interest and artistry. We’ll cover tips for fused appliqué and improvisational composition. Plus demos of Deborah’s favorite stitches, time for one-on-one suggestions and Q&A.
Appropriate for all levels. Three hour workshop. More info and supply list.
Original Art Quilt Collage
Create original art quilts by exploring a variety of ideas and techniques with layers of fabric, paint and stitch. Experiment with several methods of creating pattern and marks on fabric then begin composing using intuitive ideas. Students will learn ways to find inspiration, incorporate personal symbols, and create details with stitching by hand and by machine. Plus, explore new creative possibilities with quick exercises, sketches, list-making and mind-mapping.
Appropriate for all levels (with confident enthusiasm). One to four day workshop. More information and supply list here.
Head, Heart and Hands: Developing Your Creative Voice
Super fun interactive program full of creative exercises, conversation, and inspiring challenges. Think about how to fully utilize your head, heart and hands in your creative process as you develop your own unique and original creative voice. Not a project or technique workshop — just notes and exercises with pen and paper, plus lots of interaction, discussion and ideas.
Appropriate for all levels (especially those interested in the creative process). Three hour workshop. Workshop space must include a digital projector and screen. Short video workshop description.
Photo Inspired Art Quilt Collage
Use personal photos to create an original art quilt collage. (Rather than copying an image, learn to isolate color, pattern, shape and composition to use as inspiration.) We’ll use raw edge fused appliqué and explore a variety of techniques for creating pattern and marks on fabric using paint. Convert elements from your photos into stitched motifs. Abstract the layout of a photo into a dynamic composition. Deborah offers a set of steps with lots of freedom for creative expression within each step.
Appropriate for all levels (with confident enthusiasm). Two to five day workshop. Workshop space must include a digital projector and screen. More info and supply list.
Techniques with Paint and Patterns
Simple techniques and supplies, stupendous results! Cut freezer paper stencils, create foam stamps, print with found objects and make marks with pen and ink! We’ll talk about shapes, pattern, repetition, and color. Students will leave with a beautiful stash of original fabrics ready to be used in art quilts, collage or mixed media.
Appropriate for all levels. Half day or full one day workshop. More info and supply list.
Fees and Requirements
Programs 50 minute digital slide show, plus time for Q&A, $475 (in person or virtual)
Workshops
Six hours: $750 virtual, $850 in person
Three hours: $450 virtual, $550 in person
Email to discuss possibilities. I’m eager to arrange times, formats, fee structures and options that fit your group’s needs.
All programs and workshop are available virtually. In person events requiring travel must book at least three full days of programming. Travel and lodging provided by the organization.