Modern Improv Curve Craft
Membership Program
REGISTRATION IS NOW CLOSED.
All the tools, skills and confidence to create modern quilts using curved blocks
WITHOUT templates, or clipping or the 'struggle'!
I LOVE quilts made with curved blocks ....
But for a long time I avoided making them.
**Using the templates felt complicated and hard
**I wanted to make my blocks in bigger sizes
**I wanted my blocks to be unique and complex
So, I created what I now call 'Curve Craft' --improvisational cutting and piecing techniques that eliminated a lot of my fears and opened up a world of amazing options.
I created patterns and workshops that I taught live and ondemand--and the ideas for new approaches are still coming!
Join Modern Improv Curve Craft--
a membership program that gives you access to ondemand workshops and live events!
With a focus on learning to piece and sew improvisational curved blocks in various sizes, along with bonus content on understanding impro, using negative space and other topics, this membership program is a gateway to boundless creativity.
OnDemand Step-by-Step Tutorials
You will have access to prerecorded lessons and tutorials that will guide you step-by-step through the art of piecing and sewing improvisational curved blocks.
In these lessons, I share my tips for selecting fabrics for maximum impact. I also show you my best practices for successful quilts using planned and improv layouts.
And the prerecorded content is available on demand--24/7!
So you can work through the materials at your own pace.
LIVE Zoom Sessions
We will join together in LIVE sessions over Zoom.
In some sessions, I will hold conduct a live class where we will start our project.
Other sessions will be Q&A sessions where I will answer questions or explain a technique in more detail.
These are also sessions where you can share your in progress or completed projects.
Fun & Creative Community!
You will become a member of a private community and explore where these curved blocks can take us.
And don't worry--it is a safe and inclusive space where you can always ask for and get help and support when you have those 'uh-oh' moments.
Best of all, we will celebrate each step as we make our quilts and other projects
What's Included in the Modern Improv Curve Craft
Membership Program?
OnDemand Recorded Workshops
Live Zoom Sessions
(recorded for later viewing)
Private Community!
(NOT Facebook)
MidCentury Modern Curves Workshop
Saturday, August 5, 2023. 12 Noon to 4 p.m. Eastern
Live session will be recorded.
Welcome to the world of MidCentury Modern Curves!
The MidCentury Modern Curves Quilt is a design inspired by midcentury modern art and furniture design. I saw a lot of curves (circles and ovals) whenever I looked at the art and design of the mid twentieth century. The shapes really appealed to me and I was intrigued as I thought about how to incorporate this design element into my modern quilts.
In this workshop, I will demonstrate how to cut and sew freehand curve blocks and then fracture them to create MidCentury Modern Curve blocks that have both straight and curved lines. As you apply the techniques in the prerecorded videos, you will develop confidence making an improvisational quilt.
Improvisation is NOT simply ‘anything goes’. I will show you how to make intentional decisions about ‘what’s next’. At the same time, I show you how I welcome unintended results of my decisions.
Parisian Curves:
Bold & Modern
A MULTI Project Workshop!
Parisian Curves MultiLayer Live Session.
Saturday, October 14, 2023. 12 Noon to 4 p.m. Eastern
Live session will be recorded.
Parisian Curves Upscale Live Session.
Saturday, November 4, 2023. 12 Noon to 4 p.m. Eastern
Live session will be recorded.
Would you believe that you can create improv curved blocks with 2, 3 or even 5 curved layers?!?
And...how about making really BIG improv curved blocks?
In the Parisian Curves Workshops, I will share techniques for making TWO bold modern quilts with improvisational curved blocks in sizes from 8" up to 16".
Fabric choices are totally up to you.
You can use a bold focus print. You can use modern batiks. You can make an all solids version! You can even use African prints as your 'focus prints' .
The supply list and prerecorded videos will provide tips on selecting your fabrics for your projects. I will demonstrate how to cut and sew freehand multi-layered curve blocks in Part 1--Multilayered Blocks. In Part 2--Upscale Blocks, I will show you how to make large scale 16" curved blocks.
For these projects, we will combine our pieced blocks with blocks cut from solids or near solids and background fabric for a planned layout -- or you can adapt the layouts for your own unique quilts, table runners and wall hangings.
As a result of applying the techniques in this workshop, I believe you will develop confidence freehand cutting and piecing gentle curves, combining prints and solid fabrics and incorporating negative space.
NEW! Doorways Workshop
Doorways Workshop Live Session
Saturday, January 20, 2024. 12 Noon to 4 p.m. Eastern
Live session will be recorded.
In this workshop, we will take our Curve Craft and make curved blocks that are ovals or rectangles.
Layouts will give options for paired Doorways and staggered Doorway settings in a variety of styles and sizes.
NEW! Improv Master Class LIVE
Workshop Live Sessions --Saturday March 23, 2024, 12 Noon to 4 p.m.
and Tuesday, April 9, 2024 from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m. Eastern
Live sessions will be recorded.
In this LIVE workshop, we will create large curved blocks using the Parisian Curves techniques. Then, I will guide you through the process of designing YOUR unique improvisational layout.
Your project may be similar to these versions OR it may look very very different.
There will be two sessions--you can attend the sessions live or view the recordings. In Session 1, we will finalize fabric selections and create upscale curved locks. In Session 2, we will sketch a layout and begin creating our project. We will also discuss quilting options.
Completion of the Parisian Curves Upscale Workshop is highly recommended before taking this workshop.
Feeling a Bit Nervous about
Cutting Improv Curves without Templates?
Join Getting Started: Curve Craft Intro
Live Practice Session
Are you new to cutting Improv Curves?
Maybe your curves are a little flat....or the edges aren't very smooth.
Or maybe you are feeling a bit 'rusty' and just want to practice or get some tips?
Then join a Curve Craft Intro Live Zoom session!
In this 1 hour session, I will demo cutting small and large curves. I'll point out some of the pitfalls and share my best practices.
Bring your precut squares using scrap fabric for this practice session.
Seats will be limited in each session so that I can answer your questions live.
Bonus Content!!
- Ombre Fabrics in Modern Quilts Recorded Webinar
- African Prints in Modern Quilts Recorded Webinar
- Foundation Lessons: elements of improv; use of negative space; eccentric quilting 'off the grid' and more
Carole Lyles Shaw
Carole Lyles Shaw is an award winning modern quilt designer, author and workshop teacher. Her virtual workshops are lively and engaging for modern and traditional quilters of all levels. Her students say that Carole inspires them to be more creative and successful quilters. Carole started quilting over 20 years ago when she decided to make quilts for her nieces and nephews. She was mentored by the heirloom quilters of the African American Quilters of Baltimore.
Carole was featured as one of five designers in the Makers Issue of American Patchwork & Quilting Magazine (August 2021 issue).
She co-founded the Sarasota Modern Quilt Guild and served on the Board of Directors of The Modern Quilt Guild from 2015-2017. Carole is the author of Madly Modern Quilts and Patriotic Modern Quilts and modern quilt patterns.
