Use a work or art as inspiration for an abstract quilt design. It can be a painting you admire, a photograph, a graphic design, or anything else you find inspiring.

We will be using the source as inspiration only for color and shape—not representing the work itself. Through lectures, demos, and individual discussions we will study our inspirations and how to translate them into fabric.

Because we start with different inspiration pieces, all the work will be different. My examples include work inspired by the painter Paul Klee, a photograph of flowers, and a graphic clothing design.

For more information, read my blog posts about teaching this class in person at https://cindygrisdela.com/2024/03/17/so-much-fun-with-abstracting-from-art/ and https://cindygrisdela.com/2026/05/11/abstracting-from-art-at-empty-spools-2026/

We’ll talk about color and design to create the composition as well as the techniques needed.

Basic sewing skills and a sewing machine in good working order are necessary.

Class is limited to 15 students.

Session 1: Tuesday October 27, 2026 from 1-4 PM EST

Session 2: Tuesday November 3, 2026 from 1-4 PM EST

Session 3: Tuesday November 10, 2026 from 1-4 PM EST

The first session will cover ideas about color and the techniques I use to take my inspiration photo from realistic to abstracted. We will also share our inspiration photos and I’ll give ideas for working with them.

In the second session, we’ll talk about design ideas and I’ll do a live demo of various ways to put your composition together into an exciting original design. There will be time for sewing in each of these sessions, so you can practice the techniques and ask questions while I’m on camera with you.

The third session is a feedback session. Send me your blocks or your finished design and I will put them into a presentation to share so I can give you positive, constructive feedback on finishing your composition. We’ll also have a more general discussion about composition in this session too.

The live sessions will be recorded and available to students for two months after class is over.

Zoom links will be sent out one week before the first class.

If you are outside the US, please contact me at [email protected] to register. The form on the website currently doesn’t support international orders.

Cost for 9 hours: $120