How in the world did that happen? By taking all of my artistic experience and applying it to textiles and BELIEVING and TRUSTING in my intuition. It isn’t important how I arrived because the journey IS the destination, but I strongly believe it is due to my ability to move thoughts into action. I’m confident that If I can see it…I can create it.
How do I see it? Meditation. Do you have to meditate to become a fabric collage artist? No, but it helps. In order to be productive, we need to be DOERS, not dreamers; YOU can do this if you really want to. Follow your passion, tune into your intuition and you will create amazing works of art. I know from experience that lying in bed dreaming about something is not a reality. Get up and get moving! It’s easier than you can imagine, you just need to START.
Fusing or adhesives are NOT used in my fabric collages (except when I use a tiny smudge of a glue stick on eyes, if needed). I thread-paint using 50 wt Aurifil cotton threads.
My thread collection was designed specifically for fabric collage, 10 BRIGHT colors of 50 wt and black and white 12 wt for eyes. My thread collection works best with bright colors and all of my FreeSpirit fabrics…not only my current Calico Horses collection, but of ALL of my future fabrics as well.

Create your own pattern or purchase one of mine. Photographs and free coloring book pages are also great ways to start. I am a firm believer of only using photos I own, or have been given permission to use.
DO NOT STEAL the work of photographers and artists; learn to move forward with respect and understanding. Susan Carlson wrote a great blog on this. Have a look at her Copyright and Copywrong. There are wonderful sources for photographs throughout the internet, just be sure they are copyright free. Also consider using a free online coloring book page as a pattern, just be sure it clearly states that you are free to use the art. The subject matter for all of my art is based on the animal’s stories that come to me in meditation. Although my instructions refer to animals, the same methods apply for a still life.

Choosing a pale yellow background for a primarily white swan would detract from the main character and you want to give the animal center stage. The weight of the background fabric is important. When using a quilting cotton, I use a medium-weight fusible stabilizer. If I use a heavier weight like denim, or 7 oz duck cloth or canvas, no added stabilizer is needed. Ombres, batiks, and neutral fabrics are fantastic, just be sure they are not too busy or they will compete for attention and distract from your main character.


There are many wonderful fabrics to choose from. Look at the animal in your pattern and decide what you want the overall “feel,” or mood to be. Whether it’s blue, pink, orange, or purple is entirely up to you. When I teach a flamingo workshop, students create them in every color of the rainbow.
Once you have decided which colors you want to include, be sure to select at least one 4” square of each of those colors in lights, mediums, and darks. If I were using pinks for instance, I would have five to eight scraps in all three shades… pastel, medium, and dark.

Choose fabrics that will help accentuate the anatomy of the animal. A curved leaf can help shape a muscle, a stripe allows the eye to move down a leg, petals may work for feathers. Choose fabrics that are varied in size of prints as well as hues. I stay away from solids and batiks when doing my fabric collages, as I am relying on the “movement” of the prints to help render the illustration.
I would love to learn how to do collage.
Hi Kelly, You can! I am writing this blog in a step-by-step manner to help those that wish to begin. Keep following and watch for my new fabric collage patterns coming June 2020!
As a self-taught art quilter and tread painter, I enjoy seeing the methods others use for their work. Love your work. Thanks for sharing your insights.
Yes, we are each students for life and I also enjoy seeing the work of others. Thank you for your encouraging comments.
I have seen collage patterns and finished quilts that I like but my brain cannot take it all in as to how these are made. Sure looking forward to your blog posts on how to do this now popular technique. Here’s hoping I can figure it out!
Dear Karen,
Just remember to NOT take it too seriously and ENJOY the process. The journey IS the destination:)
If you approach this as an opportunity to PLAY with fabric and threads and forget all of the rules, you will relax. Think of yourself as a child with a big box of crayons, no rules, just having a good time exploring the process.
I hope you are able to follow along and be sure to read each blog, as I am taking it slow for ALL levels. Thanks for stopping by.
Fondly,
Lorraine
Lovely work! Another project to add to my to do list.
Thanks Sue!
So Inspiring!
Thank you!
You are very welcome!