March 11, 2023

The Artist:

California-based artist MartyO creates wearable art, assemblages and sculptures from salvaged textiles and found items. From a background in social work advocacy and law practice, in her fifties she changed careers and became an artist. MartyO adheres to zero-waste principles as she transforms discarded, tattered, and stained quilts and linens into distinctive art quilts, garments and sculptures. Marty’s work alters traditional patchwork and embroideries into the unexpected. Often the provenance of the textiles has been lost, yet new narratives emerge. Her work is emotional, speaking to controversial issues through her art, while honoring the handwork of forgotten quilters.

Instagram: @MartyO_fiberartist
Facebook: www.facebook.com/marty.ornish

Guild Meeting/Program: Tattered Splendors

MartyO discusses how she makes wearable art ensembles using damaged abandoned quilts. Each garment is made differently, in a very different style. She will show details of some of the dresses as well as her design process.

Date/Time: March 11, 2023 10:30 AM (following Guild meeting)

Location: St. James Episcopal Church, 11815 Seven Locks Rd, Potomac, MD 20854

Extended Workshop: Quilt Coat-ture

In this one and a half day class you will learn how to cut out and sew a coat using near zero-waste design principles, Students may use a quilt they have made themselves, or found at a thrift store. I recommend using a light to medium weight quilt, and the larger the quilt, the more design options each person will have. Another option is to make a sample coat using a commercially made quilt and then have the pattern for making more coats on your own when you are ready to cut into a favorite vintage quilt.

Date/Time: March 11, 2023 1:00 – 5:00 PM, March 12, 2023 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM

Locations: March 11: St. James Episcopal Church, 11815 Seven Locks Rd, Potomac, MD 20854
March 12: Costume Shop at Gunston Middle School, 2700 S Lang Street, Arlington, VA 22066

Workshop Fee: Members: $120.00 Non-Members: $165.00

Student Supply List:
One double-bed or larger quilt that you are willing to cut up (If you use a vintage quilt, make sure the batting is intact, not crumbling, and that your sewing machine can stitch through two layers of the quilt); scissors and a seam ripper; 2″ long pins, regular sewing pins, and Clover clips; thread that matches your quilt and seam binding; hand sewing needle; 5 extra-large snaps; 2 large buttons for the cuffs; sewing machine that can sew a zigzag stitch and straight stitch, cleaned and ready to use with new Jeans needles, size 100/16, and 90/14; several yards of muslin to test pattern size; a walking foot if you own one (this makes the sewing much easier); 6 yards of bias tape in a neutral color or matching a color in your quilt; lace seam binding to match a color in your quilt; measuring tape, 6″ hem ruler, and a straight-edge ruler; blue masking tape; marking chalk; a face mask if you are cutting up a very old quilt, to protect your lungs; a sense of adventure
Click here to print supply list.