Fabric Collage and Stitching

Live from Los Angeles, United States

On Sunday, August 23, at 2:30 PM EDT, join new VAWAA artist Debra Weiss for an amazing fabric collage and stitch session. 

Debra has always worked with her hands. Her process is very intuitive and she rarely uses a sewing machine. As a textile artist, she composes with color, much like a painter does, but works in fiber processes: crocheting, stitching, knitting, knotting, layering and weaving.

She started collaging and stitching leftover pieces from the handbag and apparel line she was designing at the time. For her, the concept of layers and transparency are symbolic of our being – she loves that she can find these qualities inherent in textile scraps. She believes we collect experiences throughout our lives. These experiences mold and change us; they sway our character. When all is said and done we remain the same person, however changed we may seem. Our integrity, our soul, our being that was birthed into this lifetime remains unchanged. Through stitching layers upon layers, she creates unity and celebrates life. She makes objects of color and beauty while thinking about what life means to her and what she has seen in the world.

In this session, we will be exploring fabric scraps we have, discovering layers of our own lives as we intuitively piece and collage them, and finally stitching them together by hand to meld the fabrics into one.

All levels welcome, no experience required. Limited to 12 participants.

Joining us from a different time zone? Be sure to convert the time.

Those who attend the live session can purchase the recording at an additional fee.

What you'll need

• Ironed fabric scraps e.g. left over pieces from clothes and handbag. Don't cut into shapes. (recommend: Thin fabrics that are easy to hand quilt, translucent fabric for layered effect, natural fiber content works well)
• Quilting thread in various colors (recommend: Gütermann quilting thread)
• Needle (recommend: Tulip)
• Scissors
• Iron
• Embroidery thread for added color

Or, you can order a kit online prepared by Debra. Kit does not include needle. Must place order by Aug 14th to allow time for shipping. Domestic US shipping only. 

How to join

We'll be hosting this VAWAA Online on Zoom. You'll receive an email with link and details to join a few hours before it begins.

Sessions are ticketed to support artists, makers and our small team. If you’re experiencing financial hardship, please reach out. We may have a generous participant who has paid it forward and would ask that you pay the love forward by sharing online sessions with 3 new friends.