Teaching

My Color Collage Quilt Technique

 At the moment, I teach four different classes, 2 full-day ones and 2 half-day ones. These classes are being held at major national and international shows or at quilds and shops all over the USA. Very often these classes are combined with a lecture about color and trends the day/evening before or after a class.  Below you can find more information and all the public places where these classes are going to be held. Private guilds are not mentioned as they are not open to the general public. Sometimes, I will schedule Open Studio Days in my Studio for a few students. Such an Open Studio Day can also be requested.
If interested in having me come to your group/guild, please contact me!

Freestyle/Organic color collage class


This class is about the technique I wrote in my book. It is an advanced class in color collage.  No longer is there a pattern or design to follow. It's all about grouping and blending fabrics together so that the colors will create a design.  Improvisational collage. It's almost like painting with fabric, very open and unrestricted.

The class is a full day class and requires a lot of scraps. It's not for someone who is just starting to quilt. Students are being asked to choose either a warm or a cool color way and bring at least 150 scraps (can be as little as 1” x 1”).  More detailed information will be provided when booking this class. The class can hold a maximum of 30 students as I want to give everyone personal attention. Sewing machines are not needed, but instructions about finishing options will be given. Contact me for more information! 


Some written remarks from students in Houston 2024:

• Excellent class!

• Carly was very enthusiastic and explained her           process well.

• Great Class & Enjoyed very much.

• A handout with some of the pages from the upcoming book would be helpful.

• I loved this class and instructor

• Carly is a wonderful teacher. The class was enjoyable.

• Fantastic class; helped me realize my creativity and knowledge of color; I’ve

always wanted to create an art quilt – I can!

• Outstanding instructor. Please invite her back next year.




I will teach this class at the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza, September 11-14, 2025.


I will teach this class in October 2025 at the International Quilt Festival in Houston (again).


A local class! On November 8, 2025, I will teach Freestyle Color Collage again at Artistic Artifacts  in Alexandria, VA.


I will teach this class at Patchwork & Quiltdagen in The Netherlands in February 2026.


I will teach this class in February 2026 at the Mid Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton VA (again).


From April 19-24 2026, I will teach at Empty Spools Seminars in Asilomar, CA. The contract for 2027 has already been signed and I will come back to Empty Spools, April 23-27, 2027!

"Agamy" Stripes Workshop


In this workshop students are doing a different kind of collage. Working with solid colors only, it is about creating a wall hanging with movement and dimension in the style of the sculptor Yaacov Agam. The class will take 4-6 hours and students will have made a good start of their project at the end, enough to finish independently. The workshop is all about making the design and super fun. A mix of collage and improv quilting. Suitable for every level, but students need to be able to cut .5” pieces of fabric precisely. The Mini Stripology ruler is handy.  Students can bring their own solids (optional kit is available) but a kit for background and fusible is necessary for workshop.


I will teach this class at the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza, September 11-14, 2025.


I will teach this class at Patchwork & Quiltdagen in The Netherlands in February 2026.


I will teach this class again at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, VA in Hampton VA, February 26 - March 1, 2026.

Scissors

This workshop takes 3-4 hours and is introducing students to color collage. It's an entry level collage class, great for every level. Many students in the class have expressed that this class has changed the way they look at fabrics and color. It has a lot of detail and is at the same time very free and creative. It’s about finding flows in color, going from dark to light so that in the end it looks like it is a unity, In 3 hours students probably won’t finish the scissors but have learned the skills to do this at home.. Most students are getting about halfway, some further, some less.

Students are being asked to bring their own fabric in their personal choice of colors, but kits of additional fabrics will be available for purchase as well. A maximum of 30 students can be in the class, as I am trying to give each student personal attention. 

"Thank you so much for a great class! As a former teacher, it was fun to watch you teach, encourage and gently guide students into taking risks with their work." -Linda, September 2023

"Broken or mended?" Class


In this half day workshop (3-4 hours), students are making a contemporary wall hanging with random, collaged circles. Different ways to make these circles are being shown.

The class is developed for every level and one can make it as simple or complicated as wanted. The background can be a solid fabric, but it also can be collaged. One can look for high or low contrast.  Quilting opens up the possibility for decorative stitching. The class is relaxing and fun for group gatherings, while at the same time may give someone an idea for future gift making.

The design works for any fabric that makes a unit, a cohesive grouping. It can be a collection (like my sample is the Marcia Derse Sketchbook collection),  but it can also very well be a theme like Halloween, patriotic or any novelty group. It can be  a grouping of any fabric that has the same character.

Instructions for fabric selection will be provided when the class is booked. A kit is available.




I will teach this class at the Mid-Atlantic Quilt Festival in Hampton, VA in Hampton VA, February 28, 2026.

Open studio days

From time to time I offer classes in my studio! At this moment no new class is scheduled (the last one was held 6/21) but if you have a group of 4 or 5 people, I can give a class of your choice just to that group in my studio. Very fun!

You can also email me and get added to a waitlist. As soon as a class day is getting scheduled, those on the waitlist have first choice.

 Students don't have to bring anything. It is a full day with access to all my fabrics and supplies. I am using Panera for lunch catering.  Cost is $229.50, everything included.

I have been remiss is writing to tell you how much I enjoyed spending the day in your wonderful studio. The class was beyond awesome!  Thank you for the opportunity to live in your color world for the day . -Kim, August 2023

"Thank you so much for a great day of collage quilting. Your knowledge, creativity, and generosity gave us such a positive experience. I would take this class again in a heartbeat. " -Marsha, August 2023


"This is a wonderful experience and a fantastic day. Carly has developed a whole new avenue of creativity for all of us to enjoy!" Penny, June 2025



Lectures


I give talks to quilt guilds about the latest trends in color and design in the quilting world, with many samples in photos and products.

A lecture is 1-1.5 hour with room for questions and conversations. A guild can contact me if they like to book a date for a lecture. A lecture can be combined with a workshop.


I will give a lecture "Trends in the Quilting World?" on September 11 at the Pennsylvania National Quilt Extravaganza.