I read something about David Owen Hastings, a graphic designer who also quilts, and wanted to take a class with him. Luckily within a few months I saw that Mancuso Show Management was having him teach over Zoom as part of their Quiltfest Virtual Schoolhouse, and I quickly signed up.
I should mention that I didn’t just randomly find the Mancuso organization; I was familiar with Quiltfest from when we lived in Eastern Pennsylvania. They’ve produced top-notch quilt shows, so I trusted them enough to try their (sort of pricey) Zoom classes.
The classes did not disappoint. Communication with the Manucso organization was seamless from registration right through the classes. (Like most folks I’ve had some Zoom experience in the past few years, which helped.) Classes started on time and, surprisingly, there were no technical difficulties! Woo!
The first class I took was Indi-Go Modern, which focused on designs in blue and white. I had planned to use my indigo-dyed fabric from a class with Debbie Maddy, but my motifs were too big for the designs David was using. I enjoyed the exercise of designing with two colors and plan to continue the exploration. Here’s my design so far, obviously unfinished:
David’s comment was, “Wow! Really minimal!” or something similar…
The nice surprise at the end of this class was that David talked about how to work out the quilting design for a piece. He even suggested possible quilting designs for some of the student works. I’ve never had a teacher take the design process that far and it was quite helpful.
The second class I took was sewn paper collage, and it was fun, too. In fact, it was far easier to have immediate success. I pasted each collage onto a blank greeting card and put them away for when someone needs a unique card.
My husband’s comment when he saw them was something like, “That would be nice if you’d trim the threads!”
And after the class I decided to weave some of my remaining paper into a collage, so here it is, too.
I recommend classes with David Owen Hastings, as his approach is different and therefore extra useful. He managed to be encouraging to everyone.
I also recommend the Mancuso Schoolhouse platform. Yes, the classes were a little expensive, but still far less than if I’d had to travel for them, and the platform worked well.
Zippy Quilts 
LOL on your husband’s response to your card work!
I think your idea to use indigo dyed fabrics in minimalist work is a good one – I’d continue with that approach.
Thanks, Laura! I won’t use one of those cards my the husband’s bday 😀
Oh, I’m so glad you got to take a class with David! Did he perhaps mention that he is from Iowa? I have only heard him speak at QuiltCon Phoenix (2022), and was enthralled with his lecture on minimalism. I’ve wanted to take a workshop with him, but he hasn’t offered at QuiltCon any that interested me. Still, I’m happy for you to have learned from him. I can see how your too-large indigo print wouldn’t have worked for the piece you made. And your postcards are pretty cool, especially the one with the dangly threads. Though I wouldn’t be inclined to mail it like that, for fear of what it might do to a postal machine!
Ha! I regularly put handmade postcards into envelopes to mail them anyway. I would be afraid of what threads might do to the machine, and what the machine might do to the card 😀
You always have the best articles and things you create. I look forward to seeing your post every week. This one is just so creative and fun
Thank you; how kind of you to comment and say so.
I too, look forward to your posts. You are a great resource for learning new things. A friend of mine just took a course on dyed fabrics and she said she would try some out when we meet in August for our Second Annual Srappy Fest. Recently, I started making postcards for my grandchildren again. The cards you made are so cool. I think I know what I will be trying to make this afternoon…thanks 😉
Thanks! It’s good to hear from you 🙂
Puts me in the mood to take a good class!
It was a good class, even on Zoom. David lives outside Seattle so you might even see him in person.
I want to try the sew paper collage – those were so cool! How fun to explore your art with different classes!
It was fun and easy–go or it! I expect you could sell cards in your Etsy store when you go back to it.
Fantastic results. I look forward to seeing how you quilt the indigo and white ‘minimalist’ piece.
Umm, yes, I look forward to seeing that too 😀
😂
Looks like you had a good time with your online classes. Those are my favorite kind, although I have taken some in-person classes lately, too. Your DOH class sounds wonderful and it will be interesting to see how your creation morphs over time. I think the postcards are great fun, threads and all!
I especially like the threads 😀