It's hard to believe that it's been 15 months since some friends and I took a Sue Spargo class at Yellow Bird Art in Lansing, Iowa. Most of the class takers were together a few weeks back and we were all lamenting the large amount of money spent and the fact that not one of us has picked up a needle on this project since. (Some pictures from our class and shots of Sue and her work are here.)
Let's see. I paid for the class. I bought the kit for the entire project--hand-dyed wool and all the trimmings. Not cheap. I bought Sue Spargo's CD-Rom, plus a pattern for yet another project. Then there were trimmings and threads she was selling--essential to the project. Of course I needed a lot of those too. And then a few months later when she published a book detailing the same project I had bought the kit for--I should emphasize that the kit came complete with all instructions--darned if I didn't buy that too. It's like I want to give this woman any excess money I have laying around.
For anyone not familiar with Sue Spargo, she is a folk art applique and embellishment artist, working mostly in a primitive style. Her pieces are constructed with a combination of felted and over-dyed wool and wild cotton prints, reflecting her African upbringing. She was born in Namibia.
We decided to form a Sue Spargo support group. We're planning to meet regularly and get SOMETHING done on this most expensive project. Our first meeting was a quick getaway this past weekend for some uninterrupted stitching time. We traveled to Reedsburg, Wisconsin, and stayed at a small conference center which is known to be quilter-friendly. One of our number needed to trek from far northern Wisconsin and this was a more central location than the Milwaukee area.
An outstanding idea! We pushed several conference tables together, pooled all our threads, ribbons, beads, and rick-rack,
and sewed till late Saturday night. We resumed early Sunday morning and sewed till mid-afternoon.
All of us got a good start on these blocks and most importantly got over the Sue Spargo intimidation we all felt. Subsequent meetings are planned. Stay tuned!
13 comments:
Oh, gee! Thanks a lot. I'm really trying to resist ordering her newest kit. I think you just pushed me over the edge. I'm in Minnesota. Can I come to your next retreat?
I'm off to spend an obscene amount of money on a kit.
Oh, and my sewing room looks pretty bad too. It looks like yours is under control now!
Oh my, so glad I don't know where to find the kit, or it would be one more item on my to do list! Enjoy your blog! Mine is a oregonquilt.blogspot.com
Oh good! Maybe this will inspire me! I, too, have the CD-ROM, wools, threads etc but haven't done stitch one AND I haven't had the pleasure of taking a class live and in person with Sue! I'll watch your progress and maybe actually cut out some wool!!! :o)
I like the idea of this and the kits look great, but oh the expensive and trying to find the time. Aren't the days full enough already without another project to add to the list!
These blocks are wonderful--great idea to get together to encourage each other.
that's such a fine idea to get together your own little mini retreat - woohoo! fun blocks, keep working.
What a wonderful idea: a support group! Now there will be several finished quilts coming from your neck of the woods in the future, huh?
Is that Flowerbed? Oh lets see, I took the class, bought a tons of wools for the quilt, loads of thread, tons of beads, loads more of embellishments and the CD from her too.
Would you like me to show the ONE block I got done during the retreat?? I wish I lived closer, I'd beg to join your group! I MUST get going again on this quilt! Lovely blocks!
Wonderful! Your blocks are colorful and full of life. LOve it.
nichi
That is an outstanding idea! All the blocks look wonderful.
Brilliant idea to have your own support group and mini retreat. And look how much you all accomplished! Those blocks look terrific.
Love those blocks!!! I'm definitely a fan of primitive anything!
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