Donna Weber – “Architectural Quilting ~ Turning Buildings, Bridges and Other Structures into Quilts”

Although I officially came to art after getting my MBA at Ramapo College of New Jersey, I’ve always enjoyed some form of art throughout my life.  I started sewing as a child, learning from my Grandmother and Mother who both sewed clothes for themselves and their families.

Neither were quilters, so I used the skills they had imparted in me to teach myself.  I eagerly read anything I could find on quilting ~ books, magazines and internet articles.

When I began my art degree I used the other mediums I was taught to further enhance my quilts.  Classes in color theory, photography, drawing, print making, and other areas added to my design process, making me the fabric artist I am today.  My love of learning makes me eager to explore new techniques and mediums always with an eye on how I can enhance my work in fiber arts.

After years of making other designers patterns, I started to create my own. One of my original designs is currently traveling in the Cherrywood Wicked Challenge, and more of my work is available for purchase through my etsy shop ~ DWQuilts. 

         –Donna Weber        https://www.donnaweberdesigns.com/

Supply List:  

• Photos of buildings, bridges, arches or any other architectural structures to choose final
  image from. It will be helpful to have both a color copy and a black and white copy of each
  image. Reducing the image to black and white will assure there is enough contrast to work
  with the limited color pallet you will be using, and a color copy will be used as a guide for
  fabric placement. You will only need a print-out of the design you decide to use. You can
  view your options on your tablet, phone, etc if you wish as long as you are able to print out
  your final choice.*
• Black and white enlargement of chosen image to finished size ~no larger than 19” x 24” ~ I
  use Staples blueprint 18” x 24” enlargement. It is inexpensive and works great but we can
  use any local copy shop as long as they can do enlargements. If there is a printer available,
  we can print the enlargements in class. If not, we will need to go to a local shop.
• Money to cover the cost of the enlargement
• 1 or 2 9H pencils ~ I use Kimberly brand
• 19” x 24” tracing paper ~ You will need 3-4 sheets
• Scotch tape
• Light box/light source for tracing finished size design
• Fabrics to match original photo. I recommend hand dyes, fabrics that read solid, tone on
  tone prints, etc… ANY natural fiber fabric will work ~ linen, hemp, silk, bamboo and any
  combination/mixture of these. Dharma has an extensive selection to choose from and their
  Fiber Reactive Procion Dyes work on all natural fibers.
• Approximately a fat quarter to half a yard of fabric for backing. Here you can chose
  something that relates to the front ~ city prints, grids, graphic designs, etc. The busier the
  better!
• Threads to match the colors on the front and bobbin thread to match the backing. I use
  Sulky Rayon 40wt Threads on the front and Aurifil 50wt Cotton Thread in the bobbins.
• Odif 505 Temporary Adhesive Spray for fabric.
• Quilters Dream cotton batting ~ you will only need a piece approximately 25” x 30”. If you
  don’t have scraps in that size, a few people could buy a pre-packaged piece and share it.
• Sewing machine in GOOD working order with a packet of new 80/20 needles and the
  manual. 70/10 can also be used if your machine likes them better. My Pfaff does not. A built
  in walking foot is helpful, but not necessary. All power cords, foot pedals, and attachments
  needed for straight stitch sewing. I use an open toe appliqué foot, but a standard presser
  foot will work too.
• Bohin mechanical chalk pencils with white and yellow refill packs. Blue or Green can also be
  used if your design has a lot of light colors..
• Scissors ~ fabric
• Sharp straight pins.
• Large eye sharp needle to bury thread tails
• Cutting mat & rotary cutter with a new blade
• Rulers: 6” x 24”, 3” x 18”, 6” x 12”
• Ironing station ~ either central for the whole class or if students want to bring their own and
  share, one station for every 2 to 3 students. Enough power strips/outlets/extension cords to
  accommodate both the machines and irons
• Other helpful supplies: Seam ripper, magnifying glasses, paper scissors, white plastic art
  eraser (Pentel, Staedtler and Tamaki are common brands)
• Notes/Misc. Items:
  * To save time, students can send me their photo choices ahead of time and I will work with them to
  decide which photos will work. That way they can have all of the print-outs and enlargements
  done before they come to class.