Judy Simmons - Inspirations from Nature, Art Quilting Class

Judy Simmons - Inspirations from Nature

October 31 - November 6, 2010
All Levels Art Quilting Class

In this week long study, students explore color and texture in their journey to create an art quilt drawing inspiration from nature. Students learn many exciting machine and surface design techniques including machine lace, machine texture, bobbin work, dimensional and off the edge appliqué, creative methods of machine appliqué and using sheer overlays. Surface design techniques include stamping, paint sticks, Angelina fibers and microwave dyeing. If time allows, ways to finish the edge including facings and pillowcase edge will be covered.

There will be several short slide presentations along with many visuals to get creative juices going. Many handouts for reference will be given

Judy Simmons earned her degree in Home Economics from New York State University at Oneonta. As a teacher of sewing and design, creative clothing became her first love later developing into art quilts and wearable art. Judy loves designing and creating “one of a kind” pieces, using various surface design techniques as well as extensive thread work in the form of needlelace, bobbinwork, cutowork and quilting. Her favorite techniques include dyeing and painting with procion mx dyes as well as Turkish marbling. Her newest love is that of image transferring using transparencies, mediums, paper documents and image paper. Combining this with color lifting, printing and screening, allows her unlimited possibilities. Presently Judy is working on a series using old photos and documents to create unusual but subtle backgrounds for her work.

Her quilts have been exhibited and won awards at local, regional and national shows. The American International Quilt Association, National Quilting Association and American Quilter’s Society have honored her quilts with awards. Her wearable art has won and continues to be exhibited on national and international levels including the countries France, Japan, Austria and Canada. Judy is a 7 time designer for the prestigious Fairfield Fashion Show. She has won 7 awards including the Excellence in Surface Design award from the nationally recognized fashion show sponsored by the American Quilter’s Society.

Her publications include: American Quilter, Craft and Needlework Age, Ladies Circle Patchwork Quilts, McCalls Quilting, Patchwork Patter, Patchwork Quilt Tsushin (Japan), Quilt magazine, Quilter’s Newsletter, Quilt World, Sewing and Fine Needlework (cover), and Through the Needle; the Quilt Art Calendar 1988 featured her “Nosegay” quilt which is also part of the permanent collection of quilts at the Museum of American Quilters. The Bernina 1994 calendar features one of her original creations for the month of December.

Judy has published a book on machine techniques entitled Machine Needlelace and Other Embellishment Techniques. It is published by Martingale and Company. Judy’s second book Creative Marbling on Fabric deals with the very old and beautiful art form of Turkish marbling.

Judy has taught and lectured all over the United States as well as the Caribbean, Canada and Japan. She has appeared on the HGTV cable show Simply Quilts.

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