Thursday, October 15, 2015

Gwen Marston Workshop

I got to take another workshop from my favorite teacher, Gwen Marston!
I've taken several workshops with Gwen, and I've learned something new each time.


Her message is always this, "Make YOUR OWN quilts."



When she pulled out this quilt, I was thrilled!
I saw it in one of her books years ago, and decided it's my favorite she's made.
She explained how she got the idea from an old quilt.  



Look at that quilting! All by hand, of course. 
The label shows she was making abstract quilts over 20 years ago.

Here are some students' work, all made in the two day workshop.









This one is mine.  It's the start of a background for a folk art appliqué.
I used Sujata's technique for making the broken dishes blocks.
The light ones are 2".  I've never worked so small.  
Crazy?  Maybe, but each one is so dang cute!


I feel very fortunate and grateful for the opportunities to be around Gwen Marston.  
She, more than anyone, has shaped my ideas about quilt-making.




32 comments:

  1. Seeing Gwen makes my heart smile, and knowing you got to do a workshop with her makes my heart smile twice as much. I'm loving the beggining of your new quilt!!

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  2. She IS the best teacher! Love what you're doing with your quilt.

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  3. I love Gwen Marston's work and always have. I read her first book 30 years ago when I started quilting, and it shaped me. She has always worked intuitively, and shared her methods generously. Lucky you to work with her in person.

    p.s. I think your interpretation of the broken dishes pattern is fab. xo

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  4. So happy for you. I know she is amazing. Can't wait to see your new piece.

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  5. Fabulous post. It has brought back a memory that somewhere in my stash is a quilt top waiting to be quilted that is based on Gwen's red and white confetti style quilt. Hmmm. Wonder where I stashed it. Lucky you, i love Gwen Marston.

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  6. Lucky you! I love Gwen Marston quilts and her lovely liberating ideas. Some lovely bright quilts were made at her Workshop.

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  7. Thanks for showing this post!! I was jumping from my chair seeing you did one of Gwen's workshops again. I believe you right away that she is an amazing teacher/quilter. The white quilt with the red squares has been one of my favorite for years too. It is high on my list to try one day. It is so much fun to see from a distance. One of my first impressions was: He how did she do that, interesting isn't it!
    I like your free form hour glasses in light colours and I'm curious how it is going to look with the applique.
    Have a good weekend,
    Groetjes
    Annemieke

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  8. aaah, luck you - she's my hero too as you know.
    What a great class.
    Isn't that quilt fabulous - I saw it in person years ago. She has always inspired me to hand quilt.
    wonderful post - love your hour glass piece especially the pink bits

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  9. I have taken one class from Gwen & loved it. Seeing these pix makes me want to run to my studio! Alas, some WORK to do first.

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  10. Hello LeeAnn, a lovely posting, and yes, Gwen is a fascinating quilter and teacher. My friends in Amsterdam went several times for a quilting retreat to Beaver Island and always came back with tons of ideas and new skills learned. If ever she comes to Paris or elsewhere in France i will try to take a class with her or to meet her, at least.... Hugs and greetings from a cold, windy and wet Paris!

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  11. it is my dream to take a class with her!

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  12. She's an amazing woman. So inspirational to us all!

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  13. Lucky you! I can feel how you enjoyed this class by the way you write. I'm sure yours will come out as nifty as the others. I love those light hues.

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  14. I would have loved to been in this workshop. I look forward to 4 days with Gwen in the new year. As with you, Gwen has influenced my work more than any other quilter. We are so lucky she travels to the west coast and is so generous and kind!

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  15. All these quilts are fascinating!!! Thanks for sharing your enthusiasm... it's communicative!

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  16. Looks like a wonderful class. She is a great inspiration! I, too, love the start of your new quilt. Even if it is hard to image the scale. 2" is so small...

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  17. I would also love that Gwen comes to France! She is the root of modern quilting (would you say that this way ? My English sounds weird) and her books are constant inspirations.
    Your top is the one which caught my eye before I read the text. Contrasts are not at the usual place and -did I already mention it?- I love free-form piecing!
    Hugs from sunny Toulouse

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  18. You obviously had a wonderfully productive time. All those colorful vibes make me so envious. And now to look forward to seeing what you will be doing with your lovely background triangle piece. What fun!

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  19. Thank you for sharing and showing the lovely work you all did in Gwen's workshop. Gwen Marston is an inspiration! I love her work so much. Love your piece too ~ Wow - 2" squares - that is tiny for all the work in them! Please show us more as your new quilt progresses!

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  20. Truly wonderful post - thank you for sharing Gwen with us!!

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  21. I fear I will never be in a real Gwen workshop. Lucky you, to have done so many!

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  22. Ah, Gwen! It's always fun and educational to take a class with Gwen. She's my favorite teacher too. Looks like everyone had fun and started some wonderful quilts. Thanks for the photo of the Red Squares - I too love that quilt. Thanks for sharing all the photos of the fun!

    Love your little Broken Dishes! I think working that small must be easier with Sujata's technique? I'm interested to see how you progress from here.

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  23. Blessed ladies to have worshop with Gwen Marston! I agree with her about making our own quilts.
    Your top looks so nice and refined! I am eager to see the progress of your folk art appliqué.

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  24. Lucky, lucky you! If she's shaping you as a quilter she's doing a great job:)

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  25. I have been in awe of Gwen and her work for many, many years! She is an awesome teacher. Her work just gets better over the years.

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  26. It was a super fun and inspirational workshop, and so nice to meet you in person! I see so many beautiful quilts and think, I want to make one like that.... then Gwen inspires me to work at it and make something all my own. She is a generous and gracious teacher.

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  27. She's my favorite quilter too - and my mom! That red and white liberated Irish chain is one of my all time favorite quilts too.
    Quilteuse Forever, maybe you could convince her to come teach in France! She has taught in Australia, Japan, England, and is a great traveler. I'll be in France at the beginning of July 2016. I wonder if you could arrange to bring her to teach near then? Probably not possible to arrange so quickly since she schedules so far out... but you should consider!

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  28. Great to see pics of Gwen still going strong. I'm going to QuiltCon because she's giving the key note address and will be teaching - but I didn't get into any of her classes 😥. Nevertheless, it will still be great to see her!

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  29. Great photos. I dream about doing a workshop with Gwen Marston.

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  30. Gwen is one of my quilt idols. I took her Liberated class years ago, and I felt so free to be me! BTW, she looks great in that Pendleton plaid.

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  31. agreed, Gwen is amazing, as are you. yay for getting to take another class with her!

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