Classes 2025

Alegre Retreat 2025 Classes

Alegre Retreat
  • Deborah Boschert
  • Paula Kovarik
  • Katie Pasquini Masopust
  • Sherri Lipman McCauley
  • Independent Study

Registration for Alegre Retreat 2025 will open April 12, 2024. 

Click here to register for Alegre Retreat 2025

Alegre Retreat

Deborah Boschert

Inspired Art Quilt Collage

Taking inspiration from photos, identify colors, patterns, shapes and composition then create an original art quilt collage incorporating these elements. (Rather than copying an image, learn to isolate elements and other interesting features and apply them to an original design.) Learn tips and tricks for raw edge fused appliqué. 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. We’ll also have time each day for interactive exercises and discussion to develop a unique creative voice.

All Levels

Sewing Machine Optional

Supply List: Inspired Art Quilt Collage

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Paula Kovarik

At Play in the Garden of Stitch

Using stitch in artwork begins with an expressive line. Loosen up and explore new territory with line and stitch in this free-motion quilting workshop. Learn to focus on the character of line and personal symbols through simple drawing, composition and stitching exercises. Participants will accumulate a toolbox of techniques for seeing, interpreting and completing concept-driven work. Build your stitching vocabulary and trust the thread to tell your story.

All Levels

Sewing Machine Needed

Supply List: At Play in the Garden of Stitch

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Katie Pasquini Masopust

Ghost Layers and Color Washes

Ghost Layers and Color Washes is about layers of transparency. We will work from your photograph creating a quilt which includes a base layer (the image in the photograph), the ghost layer (several shapes that float in and out of the base), and a paint layer (created with watercolor paint). All layers are then combined in a drawing that will be enlarged to the size of the quilt desired. The enlargement becomes the templates for the piece. Fabric, colors, and values will create a multi-layered work of art.

Intermediate Level

Sewing Machine Needed

Supply List: Ghost Layers and Color Washes

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Sherri Lipman McCauley

Embracing Serendipity: Intuitive Painting on Cloth

Join Sherri as she piques your curiosity with abstract mark marking. Explore the freedom of allowing the serendipity of the paint to guide your artistic exploration. In this workshop, we will use everyday objects to apply paint to cloth with less precision and more expression than traditional painting. To begin your art cloth creation, your paint will flow through tools like syringes, brushes, spools, and bottle caps. You will experience the joy of painting on cloth without inhibition. With Sherri’s encouragement and technical guidance, you will learn to make your mark in your unique way. This workshop will include information on paint types, design, art quilt construction and technique. Prepare to learn and practice with tools not traditionally used for mark making. Different completion approaches for your painted cloth will be presented, including fabric collage, piecing and whole cloth.

All Levels

Sewing Machine Optional

Supply List: Embracing Serendipity: Intuitive Painting on Cloth

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Independent Study

Participants in Independent Study will join in on the festivities, the good food, the lecture series and everything else that goes along with attending Alegre Retreat and will work unsupervised in a class room having a set time for self critiques within their group. Each teacher will set aside one hour of class time to share their critiques of your work if desired.

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